Rodenstock Enlarging Lenses

Apo-Rodagon-D lenses are designed for the highest possible imaging quality for close-ups at just those scales around 1:1 where even the best enlarging lenses for larger scales begin to show their weak spots. Thus their typical applications are transparency duplication, the preparation of internegatives and Macro Photography.
Furthermore, as well as for photography, they can also be used as high resolving optical systems for premium scanners. The 6 elements, apochromatically corrected lenses feature high contrast and sharpness right up to the picture corners with virtually¬ no colour fringing. Distortion is corrected almost to zero and cannot be seen even in critical subjects with straightline structures parallel with the edges of the frame. The optimum working aperture is between f/5.6 and f/8. This is worth mentioning because the effective aperture of a lens focused for a scale of about 1:1 is approximately two f-stops smaller than the nominal aperture and therefore stopping down to smaller apertures than nominal f/8 would result in visible blur because of diffraction. All three models are fitted with click-stop aperture rings .

Brilliant reproduction over the whole scale range of conventional enlargers, this lens has become the universal workhorse of both demanding amateurs and professionals in practical use. Furthermore, the models with focal lengths up to 135 mm have proven to be excellent macro lenses for SLR cameras and to be high-resolution taking lenses for CCD cameras in combination with the Rodenstock Modular Focusing Device.

The 6 element design guarantees the resolution of the finest details while maintaining a uniformly high contrast from the picture center to the edges. As the lens is nearly independent with regard to magnification scale, top quality is ensured from mini-prints right up to high enlargements. The recommended working aperture is reached by stopping down by only 2 stops from open aperture.

Rodagon- WA has a shorter focal length and a larger angle of view and hence it achieves a 70% larger projection area than conventional enlarging lenses with standard focal lengths. It is therefore eminently suitable for section enlargements on units with relatively short columns.

The 6 element Rodagon-WA provides the same reproduction performance as the Rodagon lens type. The recommended working aperture is reached by stopping down by 2 stops. This guarantees shorter exposure times with or without less reciprocity failure for large format prints.

The apochromatically corrected high performance lenses of the Rodenstock Apo- Rodagon- N series guarantee perfect results which will satisfy even the highest demands. The correction of these excellent lenses with up to 8 elements was taken to the absolute limits and so ensures the full elimination of irritating visible color fringes on high-contrast strutures. All monochromatic imaging errors have also been greatly reduced to give this lens type its unsurpassed image reproduction performance.

The advantages are clearly visible in both color and black and white enlargements. The Apo-Rodagon-N is therefore the professional’s first choice whenever the very highest reproduction quality is required. The optimal working aperture is reached by stopping down by only 1 to 2 stops.