Graflex.org

[JBish130]

Just out of curiosity, I'm wondering...

Has anyone tried using enlarger lenses on their speed graphics?

What kind of results should I expect?

_________________
Jeff Bishop

"It's light and nothing more."

[Les]

Well since an enlarger lens is optimzed for close focus, it will make a very good macro lens. At infinity, it probably won't be as sharp as a decent 127 ektar or Optar at the same aperture,

but

I'll say what Dr. Rudolf Kingslake told a friend of mine when he asked as specific lens question. "Why don't you try it and find out?"

[Dan Fromm]

[JBish130]

Here's what I did. I used a Schneider-Kreuznach Componar 105mm enlarger lens.

I took two shots from on top of my roof.

Not real bad. I can make out bricks in the building next door, thin elements of a distant TV antenna, as well as towers at an antenna farm a couple miles off.

Worthy of further testing.

It's nice to know that my focal plane shutter is dead on (f/8 @ 1/60 and f/16 @ 1/15 perfect exposure). I've never used (or tested) it before.

_________________
Jeff Bishop

"It's light and nothing more."

[troublemaker]

You probably already know this but the Componar is the entry level lens having three of them I can vouch for thier lack of performance. why not try something like the higher quality Componon or Nikkor EL? The difference on the enlarger at least is pretty large in contrast and sharpness.
Try close up like a macro perhaps. I would curious to hear more results as I thought to play around with the lesser Componar myself, and maybe the better ones for tight close ups.
And yes, FPS shutters can be really accurate, I just find I have some camera shake issues when I use them even though I have nice smooth body release mechanisms...

[JBish130]

Yeah, this particular Schneider is the lowest rated Schneider I've ever crossed paths with.

Bought a 105mm Nikkor EL today on oboy. I'll give it a try sometime next week once it arrives.

Here's the photo with the Schneider if interested:
http://www.nikonians.org/dcforum/DCForumID14/15045.html

_________________
Jeff Bishop

"It's light and nothing more."

[troublemaker]

Hard to judge the sharpness of a scan and then on Monitor screen etc..., but the image looks reasonably well done for a near far with a Componar. Take that Nikkor and shoot it at very close, close and sort of close (1,2, 3ft. or whatever your bellows will allow) and see what you get.
I am not sure what that Schneider is supposed to cover ether in the way of negative size, but I would assume it is for entry level 6x7 max, and mine came on a Durst 606 for 6x6 max. I am only keeping them around for who knows why, maybe I will feel like making crappy prints again one day? After I got a new Nikkor EL and Componon-S (both good deals on new old stock in the boxes from dealers) I never looked back.

[Dan Fromm]