Enlarging Lens for 6x9

[David Morris]

Hello,

I need to get an enlarging lens for 6x9 roll film negs from 1930s-1960s folding cameras. The local
shop has a Meopta Anaret 105mm f4.5 and a Kodak Ektar 100mm f4.5. Both are second hand, the Anaret
is perhaps 10 years old (but still current) and the Ektar must be 1950s-1960s as it is in a chrome
mount. Prices are similar.

Has anyone any experience of either and what should I plump for? Will the 100mm cover 6x9 fully?

Many thanks

David Morris

[Jess4203]

David:

The Kodak Enlarging Ektar was a five element design that holds up surprisingly
well, I'm told, compared to modern lenses. As it's the only five element I've
ever heard of, I would think that the f4.5 aperature of the Anaret gives it
away as a tessar design, probably not quite as sharp. Possible the Anaret is
multicoated, whereas the Kodak is not.

I am relatively certain that the Ektar 100 mm covers 6x9, but not positive, and
I can't find the original brochure, which I have somewhere.

The best thing to do would be to compare the two lenses by focusing on the
grain in the corners of the enlarger image with a loupe. They might be equally
sharp.

Maybe Richard will weigh in on this one.

HTH,
Roy

[Mark Rabiner]

The Nikon 105 is perhaps their best lens and is designed for the 6x9 format.
This lens would please the most discerning user.
I always ask for one at the rental lab.

Mark Rabiner
Portland, Oregon
USA
updated temporary Website by "Foxy": http://spokenword.to/rabiner/
(consisting of late night E-mail descriptions of photos)

[Dick Weld]

I get great results from the Schneider 100 Componon S.

Dick Weld

[Jon Noxon]

I have a really old Kodak data guide from 1954 which shows the 4-in f/4.5
Kodak Enlarging Ektar lens as four elements (all air spaced), and covering
2-1/4 x 3-1/4 inches. Hope this helps.

Jon

"Jess4203" <jess...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010131211837...@ng-de1.aol.com...

[Damir Fajdetic]

When I was in Prague in the late 80's I've bought some Anarets to test
them - they were very cheap (there and then). The lenses I bought
were:
Meopta Anaret S 4,5/50 Specially Tested;
Meopta Anaret S 4,5/80 Specially Tested;
Meopta Anaret S 4,5/105.
As it was explained to me S stands for illuminated lens opening, which
is a handy feature to have.

105 mm lens was definitely the best performer of them all, sharp all
the way to the edge of the 6x9 cm negative, and without noticeable
light fall-off. It is a Tessar, so if must be stopped down - at f11
and f16 you'll get the best performance, but f8 and f22 are very, very
close, with f5.6 showing some unsharpness and light fall-off in the
edges.

I can't comment on Kodak, but if their Anaret is about 10 years old it
should be the same as mine. It should have a choice between clicked
and continuous lens opening - the ring is pulled out or pushed back to
make the choice. It doesn't have the preset feature like Rodenstocks
or Schneiders, but you can't have it all!

Hope that it helps, and forgive me if my English is a little bit
unpolished, but I hope that it all makes sense.

--
Damir Fajdetic
Address is scrambled - remove NSPM to reply
(or reply to newsgroup).

[Richard Knoppow]

jess...@aol.com (Jess4203) wrote:

The Enlarging Ektar is a Heliar type lens, both front and rear
components are cemented. These are very high performance lenses
intended for color printing. However they are old and may need
cleaning inside for good contrast. Close attention should be paid to
the condition of any used lens. An excellent design in poor condition
is just a paper weight.
I don't know about the Meopta lens, it could be equal or better.
Good used Schneider Componons are fairly common on the used market
and are excellent. They are six-element Plasmat types.
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, Ca.
dick...@ix.netcom.com