Thanks Mike. Are Schneider lenses still well regarded? Any brand/ model recommendations?For medium format you'll be looking for 80-100mm and 5x4 needs a lens around 150mm.
There is Secondhand Darkroom.....a good source for panels as well as the auction site.
Mike
Thanks Thronobulax, I'm going to restore a floor standing Devere 504 so there shouldn't be any issue with bellows, etc. I'm covered for 35mm printing - just wondered what medium and large format lens recommendations there are out there. Been over 25 years since I made a print so will pretty much be starting over again.A few thoughts here.
The El-Nikkor and Schneider Componons are both excellent lenses. I'd avoid the "lesser" Schneiders like the Componar. I've also used Wollensacks which are mediocre at best. I've never used the Rodenstock enlarging lenses and hence have no comment.
It is common wisdom that you use a 50mm lens for 35mm, 80mm for 6x6, 100/105mm for 6x7 and 6x9, and 150mm for 4x5. Beware that some enlargers do not have enough bellows draw to focus a 150mm lens (the older Omegas, for example) and you have to use an extension cone to make this work.
I've also found good utility in using an 80mm when enlarging 35mm. My enlarger is wall mounted. When moved to its lowest position
it is still far enough off the enlarging table that I cannot quite get down to 8x10. By using the lower magnification of the 80mm, all is well.
The 150mm focal length is useful for the 5x4" full printing format; maybe a 300mm if you have a floorstander.
The Schneider glass is great as Apo-Componons, found at a fraction of the cost of the Rodenstock Apo-Rodagon-Ns. Not to overlook the 135mm focal length too which is great for short draw enlarging/printing. G-Claron 300mm lenses are very versatile and suitable for printing if you can handle the f9 maximum aperture too.
ooh...I have a Red dot Artar about 14 inch too .... but the flange is a USA standard and nothing seems to fit! Was yours custom shuttered? They don't seem to fit anything standard other than plumber's tape.
They are great imaging lenses for near field repro work too.
That's super to hear your lens are shuttered. In the UK it's probably SRB Engineering in Luton who would offer something similar .. or lots or blu-tack in an oversized shutter or lens clamp universal types!