APO-RODAGON 4:90 MM

[vania_plemiannikov]

Hello,

 

A used APO-RODAGON 4:90 MM is available at my usual dealer for an

intersting price. I shoot 6x4.5 film. The usual focal length

recommended for 645 is usally 75mm to 80mm. What would be the

downsides for using this 90mm, made for 6x7 negs ? Will quality suffer

or is it just a matter of how long the paper need to be exposed ? Will

it be a problem for large prints (30x40/40x50cm) ?

 

Also, are all the apo-rodagon equally good ? I heard/read a lot of

good things about the 80mm but can find anything about this one. Any

user's comment will be greatly appreciated.

 

I'm sorry if the answers to these questions seems obvious, but it is

sometimes difficult for a beginner to find clear answers to simple

matters in the printing process.

 

Thank you.

[patric_dahl_n]

The difference between a 80 and a 90 mm lens is not that big. If you can do 100x100 cm prints with a 80 mm lens, the 90 mm lens would make them a little "smaller", around 90x90 cm. Not a big deal. Rodenstock sure has the highest quality standards, and would never let a bad example out on the market. Their Apo-lenses are the best corrected lenses of them all. Who knows, maybe some day you will shoot 6x7, and then you don't have to buy another lens. :-)

[john_kiely]

Vania - I own the APO 90. As Patric indicated, don't worry about the optical quality of the lens. They redesigned it to an 80 when they figured out how to make 80mm cover 6x7 but I don't think you'll ever see an optical quality difference. In theory, it could even be better in the sense that you're printing more from the center area of the lens. And, I doubt that you own any camera lens that is optically better so it certainly won't be the weakest link in your optical chain. I use it to print up to 20"x24" with 6x7 negs in a Beseler 4x5 enlarger raised all the way up so that the neg is about 43" above the paper. But, with 6x4.5, you'll be maxed out at about 16"x20" (40x50cm) with that lens if you can raise your enlarger to same height. So, you'll need to decide if that's the largest size that you'll ever want to print. But, you didn't say what enlarger you have. That will be a key factor. Anything smaller than a 4x5 size will probably keep you from getting the height to even do 40x50cm.

[bob_salomon]

The Apo Rodagon N series is multi coayed for increased

reduction of flre better contrast, higher light transmaiisin, and it

is optimized for larger print sizes and hits and maintains optimal

aperture sppner and holds it for a greater range of stops. It is

also better into the far corners.

 

That said yje 90mm Apo Rodagon was replaced by the 80mm

Apo Rodagon which was then replaced with the current 80mm

Apo Rodagon N as well as the two newest apos. The 75mm Apo

Rodagon N (not D) and the 90mm Apo Rodagon N.

 

All of these deliver sharper prints over a larger range of

magnifications, wiyh better contrast and with more eveness of

focus over the entire print area.

 

Assuming that you are printing in a glass carrier with an aligned

enlarger there is a big difference between the older and the

latest versions.