W.A. Enlarger Lens for 5X7?

[John Layton]

While I continue to use a 180 Companon-S as my "standard" lens for printing from 5x7...which allows me to print up to 20x30 on my Zone VI series 2 enlarger - I'm wondering if there are any shorter focal length enlarging lenses (or perhaps process lenses appropriate for enlarging purposes) which would work for this format - so I could print larger without needing to go to a horizontal enlarger. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[Steve Goldstein]

150mm G-Claron?

If you want a faster lens and can handle larger and heavier, there are plenty of f/5.6 taking lenses that might work, like 150mm Apo-Sironar N, S, or W. I think the 135mm Apo-Sironar S will cover, and maybe even the N since you'll be far from infinity. Also the single-coated "inside lettering" Fujinon-W lenses (125mm, 135mm, and 150mm) would all cover for enlarging 5x7. One of the Apo-Sironar series, either S or N, was optimized for 1:10, the other for 1:20, but I forget which is which.

But of all these, only the G-Claron was really designed for this sort of use. The others might not perform as well and you'll really have to try them. There's a guy in Portugal who sells very nicely made adapters for mounting a Copal 0 shutter into a standard 39mm enlarger lens hole.

[Luis-F-S]

150mm G-Claron?

Yup, that's about the only one I can think of. L

[xkaes]

The G-Clarons are flat field, but designed for 1:1.

One possible option is to add a good quality, low diopter supplementary lens (AKA close-up filter), such as a #0.5 or #1. Try it out first with a cheap one you have lying around first to see if it works -- and what diopter is best for your needs. Sounds crazy, but it might work for you.

Check out:

http://fuzzcraft.com/achromats.html

and:

http://www.subclub.org/fujinon/close-up.htm

[ic-racer]

I don't know if 60 degrees and 150 focal length will get you there (Wide Angle Apo-Nikkor 150mm)

[John Layton]

Am guessing that a 150 G-Claron might actually do well...and I've been thinking of adding one as a compact, semi-wide for 5x7 work...especially working in close. So I may as well at least try this route.

But that 150mm W.A. Apo-Nikkor has me just a little intrigued! Guessing that they might be a bit rare?

[Leigh]

You're going to have the same problem using a WA lens for enlarging as you do using it for taking...

light fall-off.

The laws of optics have no regard for the usage of the lens.

Also, understand that taking lenses are optimized for reproduction ratios of about 1:20.
Enlarging lenses are optimized for ratios like 1:4.

Any lens will work for any purpose, but those optimized for a particular task will do it better.

- Leigh

[Luis-F-S]

delete-duplicate

[Luis-F-S]

The G-Clarons are flat field, but designed for 1:1.

One possible option is to add a good quality, low diopter supplementary lens (AKA close-up filter), such as a #0.5 or #1. Try it out first with a cheap one you have lying around first to see if it works -- and what diopter is best for your needs. Sounds crazy, but it might work for you.

Check out:

http://fuzzcraft.com/achromats.html

and:

http://www.subclub.org/fujinon/close-up.htm

The G-Claron may be designed for flat field (ever use a 3D negative?) 1:1, but it's usable from 5:1 to 1:5 and probably beyond. If the close up filter option sounds crazy, it probably is. The G-Claron would get you a little larger print size, which may or may not work on the Zone VI; or you could just get a real enlarger like a Durst 138 or a Devere and then your problem goes away! But I'd sure try the G-Claron first! Good luck!

[xkaes]

If the close up filter option sounds crazy, it probably is.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharknado