Meopta Axomat 3

[Alessandro Serrao]

Hi,
I'm in the process of buying a Meopta Axomat 3 enlarger. I think it comes with a standard Anaret 50/4.5.

Is it good that lens?
Second question: which mount is it?

Thanks.

[Anon Ymous]

I've no idea how good it is, but I assume that it's a basic 4 element lens, which means that it's probably ok for modest enlargements, stopped down to about f/8. The mount thread is M23,5 x 0,5.

[RobertV]

The Anaret is a 4 element lens and it's not bad.
Meopta has two versions: 4,5/50mm and 2,8/50mm and I think the first can have M23,5x0,5 and M39x1. The 2,8/50mm is always M39x1mm.
The Meogon 2,8/50mm and 2,8/80mm and the 4,0/80mm Gauss design are better. I think Meopta was the only manufacturer with a 2,8/80mm enlarger lens. They are all M39x1mm.

[Alessandro Serrao]

The problem is: if I buy that Axomat 3, which comes with a M23,5 plate, I'll be unable to fit another M39 lens. On ebay I was unable to find a M39 plate for the Axomat 3, maybe it doesn't even exist...

[RobertV]

Yes it does exist M39x1mm maybe even you have it and they screw in the M23,5x0,5mm adapter.

[Alessandro Serrao]

Yes, Fotoimpex has it.
But from what you said Robert, I've understood that maybe the enlarger still comes with a M39 lens board...

[RobertV]

Well maybe you have the M39 lens board and they screw in the 23,5x0,5mm adapter. But older versions have only the 23,5x0,5mm thread.

[Alessandro Serrao]

I don't have any lens board since I don't have an enlarger yet.
That's the reason I put the question here, to know it before. Better safe than sorry.

[Alessandro Serrao]

The Meopta Belar 50/4,5 how compares with the Anaret 50/4,5?
Both with M23,5 lens board, unfortunately.

[maciekz]

Belar is worse and generally not worth it.
You should pay something like 15 EUR for the Anaret, this is considered a high price here in Poland (price without lensboard).

I think you should look for Opemus 6 or Magnifax 4 or the like, the prices are now very low and the price differences between these and Axomat 3 are not big, but the quality is better (and they support medium format, AFAIR Axomat does not).