Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/11/30
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>Ardrian asked:
>Whilst I am addressing you about optics: what do you know about the Zeiss
>S-Orthoplanar and S-Biogon lenses as enlarging optics? I understand they are
>the absolute best lenses for enlargements though they were not intended for
>regular photography. Have you ever compared them to the best Apo Componons
>and Apo Rodagons, the Leica lenses or the legendary Apo El Nikkor 105mm?
>Just wondered at which point the difference might be noticeable...
>***
>The Zeiss enlarger lenses are indeed the best you can buy. When discussing
>optical quality issues and imaging chain aspects at Oberkochen, I saw examples
>of these lenses. When needing enlargements of quite big proportions, these
>lenses are superior.
>When I heard the price, however , I lost all interst. I do not recall exactly,
>but a price tag odf several thousands of dollars was to high for an adavantage
>in a limited area (20 to 30+ enlargements).
>
>Erwin
Last I heard on the MF list from K.Fleischer of Zeiss was that:
a) theses lenses are no longer made
b) last pricing for lenses for MF work was in the US$20-$30K region.
I value optical quality, but I would like to think (since I am
unlikely to get a sample to test) that diminishing returns would make
that sort of investment unreasonable.
- --
* Henning J. Wulff
/|\ Wulff Photography & Design
/###\ mailto:henningw@archiphoto.com
|[ ]| http://www.archiphoto.com