Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1992/07/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> I was wondering if anybody else has used leica screwmount lenses as >enlarger lenses and know what the exact story is. If I get a 50mm >summacron lens, would the superb quality of this lens be preserved >when I use it for enlarging? And dare I use the f2 aperture? I don't >see any enlarger lenses available today with aperture larger than >f2.8. Enlarger lenses are Leica screwmount thread because Leica enlargers were designed to permit you to use your camera lens, and other enlarger manufacturers followed suit. But notice that Leica enlargers come with Focotars, not Summicrons. Using an Elmar or Summicron is a compromise, because cameras lenses are optimized for taking pictures where contrast is more important than flatness of field. When you're enlarging, flatness of field is more important. I've also read that you have to worry about the heat of the enlarger affecting lubricants in the lenses, but I don't know if this is a real problem or not. Aren't Leica lenses supposed to work in the jungles and the deserts too? :-> -Darrell.