Nikon 135mm enlarging lens

[Eric Rose]

I just purchased one of the lenses the pro lab was clearing out. A 135mm Nikon. I'm not sure what the thread diameter it is and I need a retaining ring. I also need a lensboard for my D5 if anyone has one for sale.

[David A. Goldfarb]

Most 150mm and smaller enlarging lenses are M39 (Leica Thread Mount). You can get a retaining ring from any shop that sells enlarging lenses. You might try swapping it with another lens to be sure.

[bmac]

Hey eric, don't run out and get a retaining ring until you get your lensboard. I have a D2 and two of my lensboards are threaded for 39mm lenses. You won't need a retaining ring if you get one of these. I have picked up a couple of em on Ebay for next to nothing.

Brian

[bmac]

Also, for 4X5 you are going to need to get an extended lensboard. Mine is mounted on a 6" or so long cone.

Brian

[Thilo Schmid]

Eric,
the EL-Nikkor 5,6/135 has got a mount thread size of 50mm (a great lens BTW). The 39mm thread is usually limited to focals below 100mm (depending on lens speed).

[chrisl]

There's a guy on ebay selling a 210 Nikkor who suggested using this for 4x5 instead of a 150mm for sharper edges, at the cost of not as big as enlargements. Do you all agree with this or should I keep shopping for a 150mm? (also has a Geronar APO 150mm lens)

Thanks,
Chris

[fhovie]

I bought a 150mm Rodenstock Omegaron and am very happy with it for 4x5. It is a big piece of glass and is long enough to make 8x10 easy. The lensboard is threaded and in a Omega D6XL, I have plenty of bellows extension. - Frank

[Tom Duffy]

Chris,
a 150mm for 4x5 is more than adequate. 210mm would require a much longer extension on the enlarger column (think vibration). Additionally, the bellows would probably not be long enough and you'd have to find a lens cone. All to be avoided.

I seem to remember that the APO Geronar is pretty bad, with lots of light falloff in the corners. (anyone who knows better, please correct me.)

I think your best bet is to find a used Componon or Componon-S (newer) 150mm.
Tom

[Donald Miller]

Chris,
The 210 mm lens would most aptly be used with the 5X7 format. The usual means to determine the proper focal length is to measure the diagonal of the film.

[Thilo Schmid]

If you are using a 5x7 or 8x10 enlarger, I would recommend to buy a 150mm lens for 4x5. 135mm is usually a better choice for a 4x5 enlarger. Reasons:

- 135mm hardly covers 4x5 - you have to be much more precise in positioning a 4x5 in a 5x7 carrier. The coverage of a 150mm will save you some nerves.
- a 135mm will provide lager mag-ratios on a 4x5 enlarger