Can I Use a Wollensak 90mm Enlarging Lens for 6x6 and 6x9?

[Steve M.]

I have an enlarger that will go to only 6x6 (an old Omega B 600), but I have quite a few 6x9 negs from my Bessa II days. Can I use a Wollensak 90mm enlarging lens for both 6x6 and 6x9? Is that a decent lens? If it works, I may invest in upgrading my enlarger to one that will print 6x9, but it would help if I don't have to buy an additional lens too.

 

[chioque]

6x6 and 6x7 is fine. But for 6x9, I think you need 100mm at least.

 

[Steve M.]

Thanks chioque. That sounds right.

 

[Uncle Fester]

I have an enlarger that will go to only 6x6 (an old Omega B 600), but I have quite a few 6x9 negs from my Bessa II days. Can I use a Wollensak 90mm enlarging lens for both 6x6 and 6x9? Is that a decent lens? If it works, I may invest in upgrading my enlarger to one that will print 6x9, but it would help if I don't have to buy an additional lens too.

You'd definitely need to go to a bigger enlarger for the 6x9 negs. A real good lens for 6x9 is the 100mm Kodak Enlarging Ektar or 105mm Rodagons and El Nikkors. Any of these would be a good choice. I stumbled onto a 100mm Ektar cheap and was surprised at just how good it it is.

 

[rxmd]

I have an enlarger that will go to only 6x6 (an old Omega B 600), but I have quite a few 6x9 negs from my Bessa II days. Can I use a Wollensak 90mm enlarging lens for both 6x6 and 6x9? Is that a decent lens? If it works, I may invest in upgrading my enlarger to one that will print 6x9, but it would help if I don't have to buy an additional lens too.

There were some wideangle enlarging lenses with shorter focal lengths for use with limited space - such as the Schneider Componon WA series with 40/60/80 lenses that were good for printing 35mm/6x6/6x9, having the equivalent coverage of a 50/80/105 respectively. But I don't think your Wollensak 90mm lens is a wideangle.

Then again, enlarger lenses are cheap, that should be the least of your worries. I did all of my medium format printing (6x6 and 6x9) on a 105/f5.6 Rodagon that I got for about a tenner.

There was a guy selling a 105mm Rodagon for something like $25 here on RFF recently if I remember correctly.

Just get yourself a nice 6x9 enlarger and you'll be very happy.