Enlarging lenses.....

[BigSteveG]

Have my 1C all set up now....made a few test prints last night and quite happy w/ the results.....The enlarger came w/ a fine old Schneider Componon 50mm 4.0. It seems quite sharp to my eye, contrast is good...and details are rendered well in the test prints. HERE'S THE QUESTION: I hear so much about the Focotar-2, being a Leica fan I'm quite curious. The one on EBAY is now >$300.00 (not that I'll be bidding on it..I've spent far too much this year.) Would there be much difference at all between my old Schneider and a Focotar-2? Are the differences similar to that of different camera lenses? or are they more subtle? Has anyone used both the Focotar 1 and 2? can you compare/contrast? Has anyone used the new generation of Schneider APO "H" Lenses? Any comments on those?
Printing is a blast!!!!!!!

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Hi,

The Focotar-2 is said to be very good, but is also over priced. The Focotar 1 is not bad either
I use a componon-s on my 1c. It is a very good lens, all I can wish for. It can be had for $50 on Ebay.

 

[BigSteveG]

I'm glad to hear that. People seem to bash the Focotar 1. Kinda like bashing the pre-asph 50 'lux in comparison to the new asph.... although the hoopla does seem to be dying down.

 

[back alley]

discontinued and hard to find...look for fujinon pro-s enlarging lenses for both 35 and 120...excellent lenses.

joe

 

[payasam]

I have used both the Focotar and the Componon, but I cannot compare because it was at different times. The Componon is a fine lens and you should not need to look elsewhere. I should think that the differences between enlarging lenses, which are all computed for flat field work in controlled conditions, are not so great as those among camera lenses.

 

[Ronald M]

The focotar 2 outclasses the 50 4.0 by a wide margin. Slightly better than the componon S. Original focotars are good for 5x7. It was designed as a 5x lens because that was big in 1950. The inbetween large front element Focotar is a superb lens capable of being used to 16x20 wide open if the neg is flat and enlarger aligned properly.one I have two large fronts, one Focatar 2, and sold all the original Focotars except for one I use for small prints. They were all the same, OK to 5x7 or stretch to 8x10.

 

[Anupam]

If I may say so without having used a Focotar, the f2.8 Schneiders, Rodenstocks and Nikkors leave little to be desired.

 

[J J Kapsberger]

Will the 50mm Focotar-2 fit on a Focomat IIc? Will it autofocus?

 

[BigSteveG]

The normal 35mm lens for a Focomat 2 is a 60mm isn't it?

 

[J J Kapsberger]

The normal 35mm lens for a Focomat 2 is a 60mm isn't it?

That's what I have, and I think the focusing cam is calibrated for that lens, not the 50. But I'd like confirmation of that by a resident RFf expert. Losing autofocus wouldn't be the end of the world especially if, in the 50 Focotar-2, I can get a lens that performs beautifully.

 

[sepiareverb]

The 50 Focotar-2 is the stuff of legends. Good luck finding one JJK

 

[BigSteveG]

JJ,
Your autofocus will probably work w/ any 60mm lens. You can buy one new. I have an old Schneider on my Focomat and the A/F works very well.

 

[BigSteveG]

You might want to communicate w/ Tom A....he's well versed in all things Focomat!!

 

[J J Kapsberger]

Thanks, Big Steve. I landed a Focotar-2 50/4.5 and the DOORX extension ring. I'll let you know how it works out.

 

[sepiareverb]

Aren't all Focotars Dorks? 😀