BorisHillmann
Hello everyone,
I now have two lenses to choose from for my Kaiser Color VCL60: the Nikon EL-Nikkor 50 mm f/4 and a Vivitar 50 mm f/3.5.
I mainly want to use the enlarger to process slides and black-and-white negatives.
Which lens is better?
I’m leaning towards Nikon – at least Nikon’s camera optics are definitely better than Vivitar’s (I don’t think they’re even made anymore) – but I don’t know how it compares when it comes to enlarger optics.
So, can anyone confirm that Nikon is the better choice here, or perhaps convince me otherwise?
Regards,
Boris
MirkoBoeddecker
Boris,
The EL Nikor is a good lens.
I’ve also heard from someone, though, that they were happy with the Vivitar.
Why not take some test prints and check the edge sharpness for yourself?
To do this, photograph something like a newspaper hanging on the wall using high-resolution film (parallel at f/8) and enlarge it to the largest possible scale. By the way, it’s enough to take a small detail shot of the corners and develop it.
If you could then post your findings here as well, that would be great.
Best regards,
Mirko
Gast
Hi Boris,
I’m afraid I have to report a different experience. I once had the 50/4.0 El Nikkor and it was an absolute disaster! I just couldn’t get it to achieve good sharpness. :( The 50/2.8 (a 6-element lens) is apparently better than the 4.0 (a 4-element lens). According to reports, the 2.8 is almost as good as the 2.8 Schneider Componone and Rodenstock Rodagon. In any case, my recommendation is not to use the 4.0 El Nikkor. I replaced the 4.0 El Nikkor with a 50/2.8 Rodagon a few years ago and am really happy with it. Back then, the price was around 80 to 120 euros; it’s likely to be significantly lower now.
Best regards,
Joost
Gast
Hello Boris, I know both lenses very well, as I’ve worked with them for quite some time.
Nowadays, Nikon no longer manufactures Tessar-type lenses in the 50mm EL class – but the old 4-element EL-4/50 (excellently made; ‘modern’ models would do well to take a leaf out of its book) can easily hold its own against any competitor (including the very good Tessar-type Anaret) in terms of optical performance.
The Vivitar VHE 3.5/50 (manufactured by Rodenstock, as far as I know) is also an excellent four-element lens. –
You’ll have the greatest difficulty detecting any visible difference, even beyond 10x linear magnification. Of course, the rule applies: stop down (aperture 8 is optimal).
Keep both; they’re both great and, unfortunately (money-wise :( ), worth nothing anymore!
Have fun with them and warm regards from the Sauerland! :D
