From: serge@mais.hydro.qc.ca (Serge Oligny)
Newsgroups: rec.photo
Subject: Re: Choosing enlarger/lens combo
Keywords: darkroom enlarger lens
Date: 19 Aug 92 14:06:26 GMT
Organization: Hydro-Quebec, Montreal, Canada


Hi again !


I wish to thank all people that took time to answer my post on choosing an
enlarger / lens combo.  You were really helpfull.  Since some of the reply
to my questions were obtained via email, I summarized and included them in
this post (see below).

As far as the enlarger is concerned and although my choice is not yet final,
I lean hard toward the Omega (760DXL).  Neg. carriers are available for both
plain 35mm AND 35mm mounted slides, there is a voltage reg. available, the
column can be converted into a copy stand and the dichro. head can be con-
verted (by inversion) into a slide duplicator light source !!  I shall also
buy the accessory to fasten the column to a wall.  The range of accessory
is impressive for such an enlarger.

For the lens, many posters convinced me to acquire a 50mm.  I have narrowed
my choices to El-Nikkor or Componon-S.  I am eager to try out all this new
equipement... I have 1/2 dozen rolls awaiting enlargement !!

So here are the reply I received via email...

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Date: Thu, 6 Aug 92 13:40:06 PDT
From: asanders@adobe.com (Alan Sanders)
To: serge@Mais.Hydro.Qc.CA
Subject: Re: Choosing enlarger/lens combo
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The 50/2.8 EL-Nikkor and Schneider Companon-S are both very high quality
enlarging lenses. It has been observed that Nikon's quality control may be a
bit more consistent, but that a good Companon-S may be slightly sharper.This is
really splitting hairs, though. The EL-Nikkor is clearly a better value,costing
about $100 compared to $160 for the Schneider; but the Schneider Companon-S
feels slightly more solid and has half-stop detentes. It also has a little
"stop marker" that makes it very quick to open the lens to full aperture for
focusing, then close it to be desired f/stop without looking or counting clicks.

Considering the fairly small absolute price difference, I'd choose the Companon
-S. In fact, I'm planning to buy one for my enlarger very soon.

I can't comment on the two enlargers you mentioned, except to say that the
sturdiness of the column is much more important than extra features. Column
vibration will ruin your enlargements.


			  -Alan


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From: MGTDICK@UBVM.cc.buffalo.edu (Alan Dick)
To: serge@Mais.Hydro.Qc.CA (Serge Oligny)
Subject: Re: Choosing enlarger/lens combo.
Date: Tue, 11 Aug 92 14:27:33 EDT
Organization: University at Buffalo
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In article <serge.713128032@tdsb-s> on 6 Aug 92 19:07:12 GMT you write:


    [ original post included here by author... (deleted) ]


Hi Serge,

I have an Omega C-760 and am mostly pleased with it. The only gripe I have (and
this is not trivial) is that the focusing mechanism on the enlarger is not very
exact (i.e.,it is difficult to critically focus -- you can do it but it is time
consuming).  Also the enlarger is not the sturdiest enlarger I have ever used.
I have only looked very briefly at the Saunders.  While on first appearance I
expected it to be less stable than the Onega, I was surprised to see that when
I actually played with it a little it appeared considerably more stable.  4x5
enlargers from either Bessler or Omega have much better focusing mechanisms and
more sturdy construction than the 6x7 enlargers.  If you don't plan on going
larger than 35mm though you are probably right in not considering a large
format enlarger.

RE the lens question, you might want to also consider a wide angle lens 40mm
(all three of the major manufacturers make them).  The 50mm would be fine for
8x10 or 11x14, but if you are considering 20x24 you can forget that with the
50mm lens.  Even 16x20s would be a lot easier with a wide angle lens.


[... rest deleted, pertaining to another matter... ]


Regards,

Alan Dick

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Date: Mon, 10 Aug 92 17:05:31 MDT
From: sog@craycos.com (Steve Gombosi)
Subject: Re: Choosing enlarger/lens combo
Organization: Cray Computer Corporation
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I have an Omega C760 XL with the dichro head. I think it's a *very* good
enlarger - it seems sturdier than the small Saunders (although the 4x5 Saunders
is certainly one of the best-built enlargers I have ever seen). I shoot mainly
6x6, and I can get 20x24s on the baseboard with an 80mm El-Nikkor. I would
recommend purchase of the voltage stabilizer if you're planning on color work.
In any event, I have absolutely no regrets about getting the Omega.

On the subject of lenses-if you're shooting 35mm, go ahead and get a 50mm lens.
The Rodagons, Componons and El-Nikkors are roughly comparable, I don't think
you'll see much difference unless you make extremely big enlargements. 

Steve

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Well... thanks again to all who replied

Serge Oligny


--
______________________________________________________________________________
                                      This is a personal opinion that have
serge @mais.hydro.qc.ca               nothing to do with my employer.
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