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hennesse · Joined: 30 Nov 2002 Posts: 10 Location: Bethesda, MD

I just bought a Graflarger for my 4x5. A common suggestion is to use an enlarging lens rather than the camera lens. Any recommendations?

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

There are other comprable lenses, but I like the Schneider Componon-S. For 4x5 the 135mm lens will fill the bill. And this is one time where you can take advantage of the digital revolution.

Calumet sells this lens new for $449.50, but with prolabs going bust right and left, there's a flood of them on the used market. A quick check of ebay shows them selling between $55 and $99.

The Componon-S is better than the Componon and the Componar, but is less expensive that the Componon HM which probably wouldn't give you a whole lot more for you money on a Graflarger

_________________
"In order to invent, you need a good imagination and a lot of junk" Thomas Edison

hennesse · Joined: 30 Nov 2002 Posts: 10 Location: Bethesda, MD

Les - thanks for the info. But just how good an enlarger is a Graflarger? Would I be better off to pick up a $10 or $15 Ektar and save my money for a real enlarger?

I thought the Graflarger might be a cheap way to get started making prints, while I decided just how deep into this hobby I want to get.

The Graflarger is a neat accessory, and I figgered that I could sell it when the time came for a good enlarger (although once you get into this stuff, you hate to sell anything).

Or should I just bite the bullet and get a Componon-S?

Dave

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

hennesse · Joined: 30 Nov 2002 Posts: 10 Location: Bethesda, MD

Uhh, I may be a little slow, but I think I get the hint...