Jeff W. wrote: > I have recently rebuilt my darkroom for both B&W and Ilfochrome but > am suffering with a cheap enlarging lens. The number of brands for these > things and their various consumer and pro lines are pretty confusing. Can > anyone recommend a line of good, sharp enlarging lenses (new or used) or an > Internet source for comparing them, as exists for camera lenses? The > collective wisdom of the group would be much appreciated. (I know this > isn't specifically a darkroom list but I know from reading the list for > several months now that you all know a lot about it.)
Good to have you around, Jeff. You're certainly in the right place. The best overview of enlarging lenses can be found in the book _Post Exposure_ by Ctein. It's an updating of earlier articles he did for the old _Darkroom Photography_ and _Darkroom User_ magazines. He lays everything out pretty clearly and plainly. _Post Exposure_ is now in its second edition and is available from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/002-6666612-5578426 If I had to pick a whole line of enlarging lenses, I'd recommend the Apo-Rodagon-N line from Rodenstock. --Mike - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
