Different Lenses for enlarger - why? - Darkroom Techniques Forum

Fabio G.	Serge M.	Violetta T.	Paul F.	Ayan M.	Jan S.	txules .	Barbara S.

	Sign Up Now! \| Log In \| Help
	Your photo sharing community!

	Your Photo Art Is Not Just A Fleeting Moment In Social Media imageopolis is dedicated to the art and craft of photography! Upload your photos. Award recipients are chosen daily.
Click above to buy imageopolis art for your home or office.	Read About Awards, Featured Critiques and Comments - Click HERE
Check Out Today's Uploads - Click HERE Check Out Timeless Photos From The Past - Click HERE

Share On

Photography Forum: Darkroom Techniques Forum:

Q. Different Lenses for enlarger - why?

Asked by Jon O'Brien (K=11321) on 3/19/2006

My "new" enlarger (a 1960s vintage Opemus III) has two lenses - a 4.5 / 55 and a 4.5 / 75. I assume the 55 & 75 refer to focal length. Under what circumstances would I prefer one over the other?

Thanks,

Jon

Helen Bach (K=2331) - Comment Date 3/19/2006

Jon,

Different enlarger lenses have different covering powers - so you would probably use the 55 for 35 mm negs and the 75 for 6x6 negs. The 75 could be used for 35 mm negs, but you might not get the magnification that you require.

Though not usually important, enlarger lenses are also optimised for certain magnification ratios to match the typical magnifications used with the format they are intended for. So lenses intended for use with 35 mm negs might be optimised for 20x enlargement, while ones for medium format might be optimised for a little less - say 15x.

If you are using a condenser enlarger, to ensure even illumination you may need to change condensers or adjust the focus of the condensers when switching lenses or formats. The condensers should be larger than the negative, and form an image of the lamp filament at the location of the enlarging lens.

Best,
Helen

Log in to post a response to this question

Return To Photography Forum Index

Elapsed Time:: 0.125

Your photo sharing community!