Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/11/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Richard wrote: > Thanks all for the offers, great advices etc. Full speed ahead :-) Now I > need an enlarger lens. I understand the important of getting a good one. > I see there is a Focotar 5cm/4.5 (not Focotar-2 or -3) available. Are > there "better" ones? Rodenstock? Schneider? Nikkor? Tell me your > favorite please. > Hi Richard, The focotar-2 is praised as being the best lens around, I've not tested it my self though. But these rumours make it astonishing expensive. They go easily for $400 or more on Ebay. I can't imagine it is that much better to justify these prices. The first Focotar is oke but I changed to the componon-s. It is much better than the first Focotar and is now quit cheap on Ebay and certainly not more expensive then a Focotar-1. It fits in my Focomat and still has the automatic focusing (after calibration). Funny thing nowadays is that when you buy a good enlarging lens you get the enlarger for free. I bought a componon-s 80 for Eur 50,- and got an enlarger with it. On the other hand I bought a IFF 4X5 enlarger for EUR 50 and received a free componon-s 135 with it. It is just the best time to set up a darkroom again and I love it! Check www.apug.org in the darkroom equipment section. Cheers, Michiel Fokkema