What 135mm enlarging lens would you buy?

[Bruce Osgood]

Looking to buy 135mm enlarging lens for 4X5 negs. with Omega D5 XL/Chromega II head. Considering:

El Nikor
Schnider Componon S
Rodonstock.

[DrPhil]

I've had all three brands at one time or another. My choice is a close race between a Componon S and an EL Nikkor. I currently have a 300mm Componon S that I really like. However, my 150mm El nikkor still seems tops to my eye. Either would serve you fine.

I once had a Rodenstock Rodagon 150mm. After I got the El Nikkor my prints seemed to have alot more snap. Perhaps the El Nikkor is a better design? Somebody here has to know.

[Donald Miller]

I own all three brands albeit not in that focal length. I really like my El Nikkor 150 for 4X5.

[harveyje]

I have 50, 80, and 135mm El-Nikkors. My only experience is with them but I have no complaints. If there is a problem with my prints it is most likely due to the printer, not the enlarger or the lenses.

[fingel]

I had both the 135mm componon-s and the el nikkor 135mm. I sold the componon-s and kept the nikkor. The nikkor just seemed sharper to me.

[Deckled Edge]

Many printers recommend a longer focal length than "normal" for printing, and I am one of them. I went from a 135 Raptar to 135 Componar to 135 Componon-S, then settled with a 150mm Componon-S. The Schneider lens is very sharp. I have no Nikkor to compare it with, however. In most cases, "it's the Indian, not the arrow."

[David A. Goldfarb]

I've also had all three in various focal lengths. EL-Nikkors do seem to have more contrast and Componon-S looks a little smoother. I eventually traded my small and medium format enlarging lenses for Apo-Rodagons (50mm and 90mm), which are excellent, though I haven't compared them to Apo-Componons. I use a 135mm Rodagon for 4x5", and it seems to be a pretty decent lens, but I'd be tempted to upgrade to an Apo-Rodagon, preferably 150mm instead of 135mm, if one were to come along at a good price.

[Ole]

The Rodagon certainly has the coverage, I use a 180mm for 5x7". I rarely bother to swap it for hte 150mm when printing 4x5".