What would happen if I used a 240mm enlarging lens to take photos?

[AtlantaTerry]

Having a good dose of GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), somewhere along the line I picked up a 240mm enlarging lens along with the Durst mount that it came with.

I don't have a Speed Graphic with focal plane shutter so would have to mount the lens on one of my Cambo 6x6 lens boards then use the old "remove the lens cap" method of exposing.

But before I go through all the time and trouble of adapting the lens to a Cambo board, what kind of image should I expect to get on my negative? Would it be sharp, soft, mushy, what?

Thanks,
Terry

[Tin Can]

imho sharp

Having a good dose of GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), somewhere along the line I picked up a 240mm enlarging lens along with the Durst mount that it came with.

I don't have a Speed Graphic with focal plane shutter so would have to mount the lens on one of my Cambo 6x6 lens boards then use the old "remove the lens cap" method of exposing.

But before I go through all the time and trouble of adapting the lens to a Cambo board, what kind of image should I expect to get on my negative? Would it be sharp, soft, mushy, what?

Thanks,
Terry

[Bob Salomon]

Adequate but not near what a 240mm taking lens of equal quality would deliver.

[AtlantaTerry]

Update:
Schneider-Kreuznach Componon f:5.6 / 240 #58606xx

My notes say it came from a Las Vegas photo lab that went out of business. It was used to enlarge 8x10 film. I bought the lens in 2005 for US $45 + shipping to Atlanta.

[Tin Can]

Bargain

Update:
Schneider-Kreuznach Componon f:5.6 / 240 #58606xx

My notes say it came from a Las Vegas photo lab that went out of business. It was used to enlarge 8x10 film. I bought the lens in 2005 for US $45 + shipping to Atlanta.

[AtlantaTerry]

Adequate but not near what a 240mm taking lens of equal quality would deliver.

Bob,

I thought that might be the case. Since I already have a nice Tele-Congo 240mm f6.3 then I won't mess with this for now.

When you say "adequate" I wonder how it would look if I wanted a Pictorial or soft focus image. Now where did I put that Packard shutter...?

Thanks.
Terry

[JohnJ]

Bob,
...When you say "adequate" I wonder how it would look if I wanted a Pictorial or soft focus image...
Terry

If you expect painterly or pictorial effects then you will be disappointed. Most older enlarging lenses will flare more than taking lenses, but not in a dramatic way.

[AtlantaTerry]

If you expect painterly or pictorial effects then you will be disappointed. Most older enlarging lenses will flare more than taking lenses, but not in a dramatic way.

I am working on a series of portraits that would really look good with a pictorial / soft focus lens on my 4x5 Cambo but I really can't afford to buy another lens.

[polyglot]

It will give excellent resolution for macro subjects (about 0.15 to 1.0 magnification, 1.0 to 6.0 when reversed). It will have a very flat field. It will probably be overcorrected for spherical aberration and may give horrible nisen-bokeh.

[AtlantaTerry]

Polyglot, I am familiar with the term "bokeh" but never heard of "nisen-bokeh". What is that?