wupdigoj
Established
I have seen a yashica 50, 2.8 that looks like an enlarging lens, screw mount (looks like 39), no helical focussing. Have you ever seen such a lens?. Is it any good?. Regards
Javier
Javier
douwe
Jazz and Silver
I saw one on ebay today by coincidence, but I haven't got a link for you. It was a 50mm f/2.8 as well. Surely when it has a leica m39 thread and no helical it must be an enlarging lens. Have you got a picture?
On the other hand, there are so many terrific enlarger lenses around for so little money, just get a couple with a good reputation and see which one you like best. I don't see a reason to go for an obscure type, unless you enjoy the journey of course!
On the other hand, there are so many terrific enlarger lenses around for so little money, just get a couple with a good reputation and see which one you like best. I don't see a reason to go for an obscure type, unless you enjoy the journey of course!
wupdigoj
Established
I have been trying to get a cheap 6 elements 80/75 mm enlarging lens lately, but I have had no luck until now (I will not buy a componon, because my experience with them are bad). I know there are good deals out there, but the prices seem much higher now than a few years ago. Perhaps people are getting back to film?.
Until now I have been happy with a meopta, 4 elemets anaret, my taking lenses being in the same league. Now I own a classic bronica and feel that the sharpness of the copies are limited by the enlarging lens, specially in the borders. Finally I have bought a neonon, which is supposed to be very good, with a yashica 50 mm as an extra gift. If it is good it will come in handy to replace my old and soft-in-the-corners rogonar. I will post my impressions about them.
Javier
Until now I have been happy with a meopta, 4 elemets anaret, my taking lenses being in the same league. Now I own a classic bronica and feel that the sharpness of the copies are limited by the enlarging lens, specially in the borders. Finally I have bought a neonon, which is supposed to be very good, with a yashica 50 mm as an extra gift. If it is good it will come in handy to replace my old and soft-in-the-corners rogonar. I will post my impressions about them.
Javier
douwe
Jazz and Silver
Hi Javier,
I'm wondering what componon you used, and why it didn't work for you. Was the contrast too low? Were the corners unsharp?
I just bought a apo-componon-hm 90/4.5 which is ridiculously sharp. I also have a componon-S 80/4.0 in reasonable shape that is almost as good as the apo. (I you want to buy it of me, send me a pm. I'm in Holland) I did like the 80/4.0 better than an EL-nikkor 80/5.6 N I had for a while. But it takes big prints to see the difference. (and a glass negative carrier, aligned enlarger, etc.. etc..)
I'm wondering what componon you used, and why it didn't work for you. Was the contrast too low? Were the corners unsharp?
I just bought a apo-componon-hm 90/4.5 which is ridiculously sharp. I also have a componon-S 80/4.0 in reasonable shape that is almost as good as the apo. (I you want to buy it of me, send me a pm. I'm in Holland) I did like the 80/4.0 better than an EL-nikkor 80/5.6 N I had for a while. But it takes big prints to see the difference. (and a glass negative carrier, aligned enlarger, etc.. etc..)
palec
Well-known
I never had problem with Componon either. I compared APO-Componon 40/2.8 HM with Focotar-2 50/4.5 on 16x12 print and the prints were nearly identical with Focotar-2 having a little more resolution but smaller enlarging ratio.
coolfotog
Member
i have a six element 80mm rodagon 5.6-simply one of the best. pm me
wupdigoj
Established
I have used/owned several enlarging lenses over the years. I have never used exotic glass like apo-something (except two apo-gerogons, but these are not enlarging lenses).
I have used a chrome 60 mm f5.6 componon I already own, and a black 80 mm f5.6 componon. I found both average lenses. The first one is softer in the center than a 3 elements rogonar and slightly sharper in the borders. It is miles away from the nikkor 50 f2.8. However it nearly covers a 6x4.5 negative and I kept it for this reason, althougth I do not use it much. The black 80 f5.6 was clearly softer than a 4 elements meopta anaret, so I returned it.
I am sure many componons are good lenses. Perhaps older componons are worse than modern ones?. This is just my first hand experience, I don't intent to say that componons are bad lenses, just that the ones I have tried were not so good. I have had a similar experience with a classic heliar (75 mm, f3.5) and a 150 Xenar which are supposed to be very good lenses, and turned out dogs.
Javier
I have used a chrome 60 mm f5.6 componon I already own, and a black 80 mm f5.6 componon. I found both average lenses. The first one is softer in the center than a 3 elements rogonar and slightly sharper in the borders. It is miles away from the nikkor 50 f2.8. However it nearly covers a 6x4.5 negative and I kept it for this reason, althougth I do not use it much. The black 80 f5.6 was clearly softer than a 4 elements meopta anaret, so I returned it.
I am sure many componons are good lenses. Perhaps older componons are worse than modern ones?. This is just my first hand experience, I don't intent to say that componons are bad lenses, just that the ones I have tried were not so good. I have had a similar experience with a classic heliar (75 mm, f3.5) and a 150 Xenar which are supposed to be very good lenses, and turned out dogs.
Javier
ARCHIVIST
Well-known
Check out eBay Australia's cameras category then the sub category darkroom equipment. There is a Yashica enlarging lens there -a recent listing I think.
Regards
Peter
Regards
Peter
wupdigoj
Established
The lenses arrived, the Yashica 50 f2.8 and the neonon 80 f5.6. Both are made of metal,, not plastic, and have a quality feel. The Yashica is obviously a 6 elements, although it does not seem symmetric. The coating is golden, like the yashinon in the electro 35 and some komuras from the 70's. Both are impressively sharp. The neonon is much sharper than the componons I have tried and noticeable sharper than the meopta anaret. The Yashica seems even a little sharper than the EL nikkor, but perhaps my enlarger is better leveled now. It seems I made a good deal this time.
What strikes me is the neonon going down to f45. Why on earth could someone use such and aperture?. Perhap is it a kind of process lens rebadged?.
Javier
What strikes me is the neonon going down to f45. Why on earth could someone use such and aperture?. Perhap is it a kind of process lens rebadged?.
Javier