Schneider-Kreuznach quality ?

[Doug Knutsen]

A little while back, I bought a Durst M601 enlarger on eBay. This enlarger came with a Nikkor 50mm f/4. I subsequently read here that the Nikkor f/4 lens is 4 element and inferior to the Nikkor f/2.8 six element lens. I recently bought another enlarger (actually, a complete instant darkroom; just add a dark room!) on eBay, a Beseler 67C. It's coming with a Scheider-Kreuznach Componon (no "S" anywhere) 50 f/4. Does Schneider produce different quality levels? I'm going to begin shopping for other lenses since I shoot mostly 6X4.5 and 6X7 and would like to tap into the experience available here so that I don't make any mistakes and buy less than I'll be happy with. Any comments or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Doug K

[Harrigan]

Doug I Printed in labs for years and found the nikkor lenses to be ok but not the best, to my liking. I prefer to use a computar enlarging lens or the fujinon ex series. You can get a decent print with most modern lenses but the above always gave me what I conceived to be the best quality. The computar is a really fine lens optically but they do tend to seperate in the rear group due to a manufacturing glitch. If you can find the computar 105 that is clear get one for 6x7 and if not try to find a fuji ex 105 or 90. I've tried all the others, meopta, comp, comps, rodagon, apo rodagon, nikkor, wolly, etc and was always reaching for the computar.

[Gerald Koch]

You're right, Schneider and other enlarging lens manufacturers often have several quality grades. For Schneider they are; Componar 3 elements in 3 groups, Comparon, 4e3g medium quality for enlargements up to 6X, and Componon 6e4g highest quality for enlargements up to 20X. The "-S" added to Comparon and Componon indicate that they are corrected for flatness of field, contrast, and color rendition.

[Phillip P. Dimor]

I've used a Fujinon EX 135mm enlarging lens and agree that it is the best enlarging lens I have ever used. I've a Nikkor 50/2.8, all metal version which is great. I also have an older 80mm Nikkor and it isn't all that great. Actually I don't care for mine and would love to replace it with a Fujinon ex, if I could find one.

[Doug Knutsen]

Thank you all for the information. A quick search of eBay shows that most of the lenses that come up under "Computar" are for close circuit TV. Searching "Fuji EX" has turned up a couple lenses to bid on. I presume if I wind up with a Schneider "S" I'll be happy, too, correct?

Doug

[Imke]

Absolutely, Componon-S's, Rodenstocks Rodagons and EL Nikkors are all fine, nice, sharp 6 element lenses.

[rbarker]

Or, for really knock-your-socks-off prints, go for the Schneider APO Componon HM lenses. They're a "touch" more expensive, but your negs are worth it. . . . Aren't they?

[jimgalli]

Beseler marketed Computar enlarging lenses under the name Beseler Color Pro.

Like this one. I don't know who made the little 35 wide in that ad. But I seem to remember Computer had one of those in it's line up so it may also be a Computar. The 105 Computar is useable on 4X5 as a wide field enlarging lens also.