Focal Length/Lens for 16x20 prints

[hiroh]

I usually print up to 11x14, but I have everything I need for 16x20 (in terms of space, easel, paper...)—even though I rarely make prints that large, it’s nice to have the option.

The only thing I’m missing is the right lens. My 16x20 prints end up with 2-inch borders all around, which is more than I’d like, but that’s the largest I can manage with my widest lens, a 50mm.

Do you think a 40mm lens would be enough to cover the entire 16x20 paper? I’d still want to leave about a 0.5-inch margin.

Also, what lens would you recommend for the sharpest results?

I really love both my Rodenstock 80mm and Leitz Focotar 50mm. I see there are Rodenstock Rodagon and Eurygon, both are f/4.

 

[Pieter12]

First, you'll have to specify the negative size and how much cropping might be involved if any. The focal length really depends more on the negative size rather than the enlargement size unless you have special circumstances, like not being able to get the enlarger head high or low enough. Have you tried with your existing lens?

 

[hiroh]

Oh, sorry, it’s 35mm. No cropping. I usually even include a border of a few millimeters.

I tried with my 50mm, but it would be around 16 inches wide instead of 20. Sometimes I do that and leave 2-inch borders, but I want to go larger.

This is the maximum height on my current column.

 

[Pieter12]

The 80 won't do you any good. Have you tried your 50mm? It should work fine if the enlarger head will go high enough. If not, a wide-angle version of a 50mm enlarging lens is another possibility. Other solutions are to turn the head to project on the floor or a table, or If the enlarger is mounted to the wall, lowering the baseboard to get the additional distance between the head and the easel.

 

[GregY]

It really depends on your enlarger among other things. A Rodagon WA series lens would work but they are expensive. Can you reverse your head and project onto the floor.....overcoming the enlarger height limitation? On my 5x7" Durst 138, I've built a drop bed into my table to allow bigger enlargements.....

 

[hiroh]

I can’t go any higher with my current enlarger column. Maybe Kaiser sells a taller one, but I’ll have to check.

I could probably rig up a system where the enlarger is mounted above desk height, but that would mean removing the baseboard and attaching the column to something taller that I’d have to build.

It’s all doable, but if a slightly wider lens solves the issue, that would be the simplest and most elegant solution.

If it’s hard to say and depends on too many factors, then I guess the only way to know for sure is to buy one and try it.

 

[GregY]

I can’t go any higher with my current enlarger column. Maybe Kaiser sells a taller one, but I’ll have to check.

I could probably rig up a system where the enlarger is mounted above desk height, but that would mean removing the baseboard and attaching the column to something taller that I’d have to build.

It’s all doable, but if a slightly wider lens solves the issue, that would be the simplest and most elegant solution.

If it’s hard to say and depends on too many factors, then I guess the only way to know for sure is to buy one and try it.

See the picture on p 14.... I doubt they make a longer column....you may have to put some weights on the baseboard....

https://www.kaiser-fototechnik.de/de/PDF/alte-anleitungen/en/4420_1_en.pdf

 

[Pieter12]

I can’t go any higher with my current enlarger column. Maybe Kaiser sells a taller one, but I’ll have to check.

I could probably rig up a system where the enlarger is mounted above desk height, but that would mean removing the baseboard and attaching the column to something taller that I’d have to build.

It’s all doable, but if a slightly wider lens solves the issue, that would be the simplest and most elegant solution.

If it’s hard to say and depends on too many factors, then I guess the only way to know for sure is to buy one and try it.

Easiest is a specific wide-angle enlarging lens, like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/267171732524?_skw=rodagon+wa+40+mm&itmmeta=01JR0Y37TFZT1KDEN0JJ48YK0X&hash=item3e34ad1c2c:gmoAAOSwsvFnvMZ1&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1db7n7r/vBhJIJlsEPgNMvoxky0bXnFO3bICmbV38c--S0FDu5RN0xQubK6y3978e/KcI8ldan8rLdz7NQEQtQC0Q6YFjsK8OFmFgwRxQ5tDMYOcH5yFSZKy4EDHyy/rBGV/0a0LzCR/7kYeNvxjZbYSovoMho34OaOrtyHrYmLlQLgCUG+JTkNGZovQcaV+YKh2nLxqUFRMeqOhaRK0Oww/oWwRqih0Ar7bMgSpRjrHB72FBI6TGJhud9JsAudV8M=|tkp:Bk9SR7L9jJ7AZQ

 

[hiroh]

I just checked—my column is 1 meter, and they sell 1.2 and 1.5 meter versions.

I can easily fit the 1.2-meter one, but I don’t have enough height for the 1.5-meter.

So now I have two simpler options: a new column or a new lens. I’d prefer the lens—it’s smaller, easier to store, easier to sell, and more versatile.

 

[Paul Howell]

Does your enlarger turn to shoot to a wall?

 

[GregY]

hiroh.... a new 40mm is around $1100 USD ....Ebay shows used ones at $400-500+.....

 

[GregY]

Does your enlarger turn to shoot to a wall?

Paul i've found using a drop-bed or floor easier than getting 16x20" paper flat on a wall......

 

[BMbikerider]

The LPL and Kaiser enlargers have a tall enough column to print a full frame 12 x 16 print with 50mm lens with no alteration. I use a APO Rodagon 50mm on a LPL 7700.

You can of course opt to wall mount the enlarger column which will have additional benefits in that if it is mounted on a solid wall, providing the column is vertical in all directions you are guaranteed not to get any vibration. Another point is when it is a straight column screwed to the baseboard, this can intrude into the frame edge. Because the bottom of the column is above the baseboard when wall mounted, that gives you some extra space to play with

 

[hiroh]

Does your enlarger turn to shoot to a wall?

It does, but not as easy in my current setup.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

What enlarger do you have?

 

[hiroh]

What enlarger do you have?

Kaiser VCP-9005

 

[hiroh]

Ha! I flipped the lens mount, so now it sits closer to the film negative and projects a larger image. It’s much better now, but there’s still about a 3 cm border. I think if my easel were thinner, the image would almost reach the edge of the paper. My Kienzle 16x20 easel is more than twice as thick as my old Saunders, which I sold.

 

[Light Capture]

Kaiser VCP-9005

Depending on how is column mounted, you could also use longer screws or threaded rod and mount a spacer between the baseboard and column.
A piece of metal or hardwood would work. A few pieces of particle board or smooth plywood would likely work.
3d printed spacer made from carbon fiber filled filament would work too.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

Something doesn't seem right with your setup. The distance from the lens to the neg should be the same for any given print size no matter which way you have the lens mounted, though having the lens too far away would limit how large a print you could make and be in focus. Was your limitation only being able to get the neg in focus at a smaller size? Do you have the head all the way up on the column?

 

[MattKing]

From the manual for the enlarger:

 

[hiroh]

Something doesn't seem right with your setup. The distance from the lens to the neg should be the same for any given print size no matter which way you have the lens mounted, though having the lens too far away would limit how large a print you could make and be in focus. Was your limitation only being able to get the neg in focus at a smaller size? Do you have the head all the way up on the column?

I think that’s the point of the mount being this shape. When mounted one way, it projects a larger image than when mounted the other way. Both orientations provide a sharp image in all corners, the only difference is the projection size. I hadn’t even considered this before, I just discovered it today by accident while looking for a way to make a larger print.

So I don’t know if this is right or wrong but it works

 

[hiroh]

From the manual for the enlarger:
View attachment 395578

Floor and wall projections are possible, but not easy with my current setup. I’d have to move things around before each session. I know higher columns exist, so that’s my 2nd best option if a wider lens doesn’t work as expected.

 

[MattKing]

The reversing mount is designed to accommodate shorter focal length lenses (like a 50mm lens) when mounted one way, and longer focal length lenses when mounted the other way.