I standardized on the Schneider APO-Componon-HM series some years ago after using other good lenses.
So I bought all available focal lengths from 45mm up.
With high-quality transparencies printed on Cibachrome, I could see a difference.
Of course if you're printing black&white, the APO lenses have optimizations that are not needed.
- Leigh
If you believe you can, or you believe you can't... you're right.
I should also point out that I use glass carriers and have a laser aligner to make sure everything is in alignment.... with out this the best lenses in the world will not help.
I bought a complete set of the old silver Schneider Componons, I like them and Ken Ruth encouraged me to get all of them. Not expensive and plentiful. If they have milky fog inside them, take the elements out and wash them in your sink with dish washing soap. Not difficult and easy to do.
Since I am renovating my darkroom, I wanted to add some new glass to try. I have always had a 180mm 90s vintage Rodenstock Rodagon I used for printing large and small. Just recently I have added the 150mm F.6 Rodagon, also the 105mm Rodagon, and I just bought an 80mm Rodagon. And I also just added a 120mm WA Rodagon that called my name at a very low price.
Lots of new things to try.
Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
― Mark Twain
Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
― Mark Twain
"New" Nikkor, which are now mostly very old. The earlier models are fine, but the redesigned versions are really great (see the Ctein mention earlier). 50/2.8, 63/28, and 80mm (5.6 I think) are easy to ID by the illuminated fstops, but longer ones are likely different at some point. My new style 150 is plain barrel without the illumination. 63/2.8 is particularly nice for 35mm, but needs a bit more column and goes for more money than the perfectly fine 50/2.8.
I'm not saying there is nothing better, but these are truly great lenses that often go for very low prices. Your title said "best", but your OP said "good". These are great. If you really are chasing after the very best then I'd be likely to take the advice of bob and Bob.
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