Getting ready to purchase enlarger lens/s

[Steven Ruttenberg]

150mm Rodenstock Rodagon, coated

Also looking for something in the 75mm range 210mm and 300 mm range.

Thoughts?

[interneg]

If you like how Rodagons work, get a set of 80/150/210/300mm. If you prefer Componon-S or EL-Nikkor, get those. How you get along with their handling is going to make more of a difference than hair splitting at 10x+ magnification. I'd get the newest barrel forms of any of them, unless the deal is exceptionally good - some of the older barrel design (black and silver) Rodagons can have separation issues. Don't bother with the Apo Rodagon N's until you have the hands-on experience to know when they will be useful/ necessary- same with Rodagon G's or any of the more specialist enlarging lenses. For up to 6x9, the 105 Rodagon has amazingly even performance across the field. Don't waste your pennies on speculative lenses for enlargers you don't yet have.

[neil poulsen]

. . . Don't bother with the Apo Rodagon N's until you have the hands-on experience to know when they will be useful/ necessary . . .

I'm curious . . . to what kind of hands-on experience are you referring?

[sculptorBradP]

Hello Neil, My photo use is only for potential clients, or students to refer when they have not yet, or are not able to be in my studio, relating to my figurative traditional sculpture work. I'm just getting back into large format photography after a number of decades - so my - with I guess some learned competence... yet. So perhaps the - I'm curious . . . to what kind of hands-on experience are you referring? is appropriate...

[Bernice Loui]

For this Durst table top 4x5 color head enlarger? Going past 150mm could be moot due to the available distance between base board to enlarger lens.

Based on past experience APO rodagon works good for up to 6x9 film formats.
https://www.rodenstock-photo.com/Arc...3-62__8230.pdf

Once at 150mm and longer, APO process lenses work GOOD.

The Durst 138 used a 9-1/2" APO artar for 5x7 and 13x18cm (typical @f16), 180mm APO nikkor for 4x5 (typical @f16), 105mm EL nikkor for 6x6 (typical@ f8 to f11).
Lens performance was never an issue in any way.


Bernice

150mm Rodenstock Rodagon, coated

Also looking for something in the 75mm range 210mm and 300 mm range.

Thoughts?

[ic-racer]

Pretty much anything with clear glass that fits your lensboard in the 210 and 300 range would be great. You might have to look for a while. I think it took me about 6 months of scanning ebay to find a good condition 210 last year.
There were not many 'budget' lenses in those focal lengths.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

I am looking to get a first 24x30 in vacuum board and a 30x40 enlarging table stand as well. So I should be able to get fairly large based on negative quality and my skill as it progresses.

I also have my on a Durst L184 for later this year.

Any way, I like the idea of a set of lenses and as I progress, I can look into more specialized lenses.

[Tin Can]

I bought by reputation of the Art made by seller. Which I have seen in person in museums.

He used an El Nikkor 240mm/f5.6 'A', kept in OE Box. It came with the Beseler 8X10 XL and a custom lamp.

I drove 1200 miles round trip for all 3 parts 3 years ago.

He also gave me a masterpiece made with it.

I have Rodagon...

[Luis-F-S]

You can do fine with the 80 135 N 240. No need for a 300 or other FLs

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Okay. I suppose I can go with those Luis and determine whether or not I need a 300 for 4x5. Got a line on a Wollensak 190mm f/4.5.