5x7 Enlarger lenses

[Howard Barron]

I recently got geared up for enlarging 5x7 negatives to 20x24 prints. I bought a Nikor 210mm lens for my Zone VI enlarger that works beautifully, but it makes me rack the enlarge to the top of the column and gives little room for cropping. How does a 180mm work with 5x7 negatives? I also have a 135mm for 4x5 negatives, but it fringes around the edge of a 5x7 negative as it does not have enough coverage. Your experiences with a 180mm lens and 5x7 negatives would be appreciated. If it works, I will look for one. Thanks.

[Bob Salomon]

180mm Rodagons were made for 5x7.

[Chauncey Walden]

I use a 180 Apo-Rodagon and the old 150 EL-Nikkor.

[Allen in Montreal]

I use a 180 Apo-Rodagon......

Sweet lens! :)
I had two 180mm Rodagons, traded one away....silly!
Howard, you will be fine with a Rodagon 180.
if you are only doing black white, don't be afraid of getting an old one, the really old one I traded away was a really nice piece of glass.
Now.....Chauncey's Apo............:) :)

[Bob Salomon]

I use a 180 Apo-Rodagon and the old 150 EL-Nikkor.

That 180mm Apo Rodagon was a 45 lens, not a 57 lens.

[Chauncey Walden]

Hi Bob,
Please don't tell my lens as it works perfectly for 5x7;-) Even and sharp , corner to corner.

[Howard Barron]

Thanks to Y'all. I found a 180 f5.6 El Nikkor on Ebay. It is affordable. We will see.

[ic-racer]

A 'generic' 180 will work for small magnification levels. (just like the image circle of a taking lens is much bigger at macro distances). For big enlargements and high magnification, you will need a 180 designed for 5x7 as Bob has pointed out.

[Eric Woodbury]

I have an El Nikkor and a Rodenstock. Both 180mm. I can't get the Nikkor to go onto my Beseler 45M. Too much back end on the lens to fit up in there. There is probably some fix for this, an extension or something. Also, the one I have has no click stops. It sure looks nice though and I paid next to nothing for it.

[Ari]

I use a Ektanon 162mm on the 5x7; it covers all corners and more, and is very sharp. They can be had for very little these days.

[Sal Santamaura]

...I can't get the Nikkor to go onto my Beseler 45M. Too much back end on the lens to fit up in there. There is probably some fix for this...http://www.skgrimes.com/thisweek/9-12-05/index.htm