Welcome to Delta

In 2021 the Digital Enlarger Lens Test Archive (D.E.L.T.A) outgrew its original home at 16-9.net – and its remit. It continues to expand, and is now the most wide-ranging resource for film-makers and photographers seeking and using enlarger, projector, macro, repro, process and cine lenses to create digital work. Spanning more than 170 years, Delta collates information on almost 4,000 universally-adaptable lenses, and contains hundreds of unique reviews and articles.

The quick-browse catalogue below orders every lens by manufacturer and can be filtered by category or keyword.

The primary archive tracks generations of lenses with more in-depth information, and ranks hundreds for sharpness and rendition. Please use the main menu and search function to access further articles, pictures and videos.

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gino-75c

Gino Anastigmat 75/4.5
Japanese-made black enlarger lens with silver mount.

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Gnome 50/3.5
Enlarger lens.

gnome-75-3.5-a

Gnome 75/3.5
Black Japanese-made enlarger lens with silver mount. Likely triplet.

gnome-75-4.5d

Gnome 75/4.5
Black Japanese-made enlarger lens with silver mount. Likely triplet.

gnome-85-3.2-a

Gnome 85/3.2
Metal barrel lens fitted to the Impala slide projector.

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Gnome Achromat 105/5.6
Enlarger lens. No aperture markings

gnome_105

Gnome Achromat 105/9
Fixed aperture enlarger lens. Aperture estimated.

gnome-achromat-75

Gnome Achromat 75/9
Enlarger lens marked 3.25”. Fixed aperture (estimated).

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Gnome Anastigmat 105/4.5
Silver body enlarger lens.

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Gnome Anastigmat 50/6.3
Silver body enlarger lens.

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Gnome Gamma 35
Silver/black enlarger lens with apertures marked 1/2/4/8/16/32. Serial 309617.

maginon-150

Gnome Maginon 150/3.5
Projector lens by Will Wetzlar. Cooke triplet.

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Gnome Maginon 50/2.8
Projector lens by Will Wetzlar. Cooke triplet.

gnome-merlin-50b

Gnome Merlin 50/3.5
Black Japanese-made enlarger lens similar to many other entry-level 50/3.5. Likely triplet.

gnome-merlin-75-3.5a

Gnome Merlin 75/3.5
Black Japanese-made enlarger lens similar to many other entry-level 75/3.5. Likely triplet.

gnome-merlin-75-4.5a

Gnome Merlin 75/4.5
Black plastic-body Japanese-made enlarger lens. Likely triplet.

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Gnome Wilon 105/4.5
Silver enlarger lens. Black nose. AKA Will Wetzlar Wilon

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Gnome Wilon 135/4.5
Silver enlarger lens. Black nose. AKA Will Wetzlar Wilon

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Gnome Wilon 75/4.5 [V1]
Compact zebra enlarger lens. AKA Will Wetzlar Wilon

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Gnome Wilon 75/4.5 [V2]
Silver enlarger lens. Black nose. AKA Will Wetzlar Wilon

gnome-projar-60

Gnome-Projar 60/2.8
Plastic-barrel black projector lens marked Isco-Göttingen. Single coated.

isco-projar-85

Gnome-Projar 85/2.3
Black plastic body enlarger lens made by Isco-Göttingen. Moderate CA.

gnome-projar-85-2.8a

Gnome-Projar 85/2.8
Black plastic-body single-coated triplet made by Isco for Gnome 35mm slide projectors AKA Isco Projar. This example marked Isco-Göttingen fitted to Gnome 757 Auto.

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Goerz Apochromat Artar 275/9.5
G P Goerz Red Dot marked 10.75”

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Goerz Gotar 254/8
German four-element copy/process lens marked ’10-inch’, available in sizes from 8¼” to 24″

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golf-e-p300d

GoldE 125/3.5
Silver metal barrel slide projector lens with black nose marked ‘GoldE MFG CO. CHICAGO . . . 5″ E.F.’ Fitted to Manumatic Blower Cooled models such as 300-P.

Gotar 50mm f3.5

Gotar 50/3.5
German-made enlarger lens with black plastic barrel. Not to be confused with Goerz Gotar copy/process lenses.

gradomatic-50-a

Gradomatic Anastigmat 50/3.5
Japanese-made enlarger lens. Black body with red-dot aperture mark; silver nose and mount. Probably AKA Aetna, Perfex, Prinz, Soligor, Ampex, etc.

greens-75-3:5a

Greens Anastigmat 75/3.5
Japanese-made enlarger lens. Black body with red-dot aperture mark; silver mount. Probably AKA Aetna, Perfex, Prinz, Soligor, Ampex, etc.

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Gundlach 100/2.4
Petzval projector lens.

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Gundlach Manhattan 100/2.2
Petzval projector lens.

h-roussel-kynor-1

H Roussel Kynor 25/3.5
Cine lens made in Paris. Focal length unmarked (estimated).

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H Roussel Trylor 100/6.3
Black body enlarger lens. Silver nose.

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H Roussel Trylor 105/4.5
Black body enlarger lens. Silver nose.

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H Roussel Trylor 105/4.5
Small black modern enlarger lens (H Rousel not visible)

hrt-135-a

H Roussel Trylor 135/4.5
Black body enlarger lens. Silver nose.

h-roussel-trylor-50a

H Roussel Trylor 50/4.5
Silver French Petzval enlarger lens.

h-roussel-trylor-75a

H Roussel Trylor 75/4.5
Silver Petzval enlarger lens made in Paris.

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Haking’s Halina 100/2.8
Coated anastigmat slide projector lens

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Haking’s Halina 85/2.8
Coated anastigmat slide projector lens

hama-50-f3.5-v2b

Hama 50/3.5
Compact black enlarger lens. Generic triplet.

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Hama Anastigmat 50/3.5
Compact black enlarger lens. Likely triplet.

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Hanimar 100/2.8
Slide projector lens. Black plastic body. AKA Hanimex

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Hanimar 58/3.5
Black plastic body projector lens. AKA Hanimex

hanimar_85_2.8a

Hanimar 85/2.8 [V1]
Black plastic barrel lens fitted to Boots Colormaster. AKA Hanimex.

hanimar_80_v2a

Hanimar 85/2.8 [V2]
Black plastic barrel lens fitted to Hanimex La Ronde slide projectors. AKA [Boots] 85/2.8 Color Corrected.

hanimar_85mm_f2.8-v3a

Hanimar 85/2.8 [V3]
Metal barrel lens with silver nose fitted to Hanimex 400S QI LA Rondette slide projectors.

hanimar_85mm_f2.8-v4a

Hanimar 85/2.8 [V4]
Metal barrel lens with silver nose fitted to Hanimex 400S QI LA Rondette slide projectors.

hanimar_85mm_f2.8_v5a

Hanimar 85/2.8 [V5]
Black plastic-barrel lens fitted to Hanimex slide projectors.

hanimar_85mm_f2.8_v6a

Hanimar 85/2.8 [V6]
Black plastic barrel lens fitted to Hanimex slide projectors. Some versions have red lettering on nose. Made in Hong Kong and likely identical optically to other late plastic-barrel Hanimar 85/2.8 and Boots ‘Colour Corrected’ variants.

hansa-105a

Hansa 105/4.5
Black body enlarger lens. Likely triplet. Made in Japan and distributed in America by P.R.O.

hansa-50a

Hansa 50/3.5 [V1]
Black body enlarger lens. Likely triplet. Made in Japan and distributed in America by P.R.O.

hansa-50-3.5-e

Hansa 50/3.5 [V2]
Black body enlarger lens. Likely triplet. Reversed S. Made in Japan (boxes marked Omiya Photo Supply Co) and distributed in America by P.R.O. Serials from 52663 have red dot.

hansa-75-3.5h

Hansa 75/3.5 [V1]
Black body enlarger lens. Likely triplet. Made in Japan. Distributed in Japan by Omiya Photo Supply and in America by P.R.O. Reverse S version.

hansa-75-3.5-a

Hansa 75/3.5 [V2]
Black body enlarger lens with silver nose marked Anastigmat. Silver mount. Scalloped aperture ring. Likely triplet. Made in Japan and distributed in America by P.R.O.

hansa-75-4.5a

Hansa Anastigmat 75/4.5
Black body enlarger lens. Likely triplet. Made in Japan.

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Haron 75/4.5
Enlarger lens.

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Helioprint 210/9
Plasmat enlarger lens. Made by Staeble. AKA Staeble, Agfa, Eskofot.

helioprint-213-9.25a

Helioprint 213/9.25
Symmetrical Plasmat process lens made by Staeble. AKA Staeble, Agfa, Eskofot.

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Helios 95/2
Russian projector lens AKA F-92 (F92)

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Hensholdt Walkar 400/4
Silver metal body cine projector / episcope lens made by Ed. Liesgang.

Hermagis 105mm Objectif Cinema

Hermagis 105/2.5
Brass body Petzval projection lens made in Paris. Aperture estimated. Suspisciously similar to F. Faliez late model. ‘s.g.b.g’ marking stands for ‘Breveté Sans Garantie Du Gouvernement’ (‘Patent without government guarantee’)

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Hi-Lyte Anastigmat 100/2.8
Black body marked 4” fitted to Bell & Howell Hy-Lite 707 35mm slide projector. Made in England. Aperture unmarked (est).

hi-lyte-otar-100-a

Hi-Lyte Otar 100/2.8
Silver metal body marked 4” fitted to Rank Hy-Lite 250/300/500 35mm slide projectors. Made by A. Kershaw (Leeds)

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Hi-Lyte Otar 150/3.5
Silver metal body marked 6” fitted to Rank Hy-Lite 66 medium format projector. Made by A. Kershaw (Leeds). Aperture unmarked (est).

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Hi-Lyte Otar 75/2.8
Silver metal body marked 3” fitted to Rank Hy-Lite 35mm slide projectors. Made by A. Kershaw (Leeds)

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Holmes 89/1.6
Projector lens for Holmes Projector Co, Chicago. Marked 3.5”. Silver body. Black nose.

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Hoya Super EL 105/5.6
AKA Osawa Tominon / Beseler ColorPro / Omicron EL enlarger lens. Corrected wavelength: 370-700nm.

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Hoya Super EL 135/5.6
AKA Osawa Tominon / Beseler ColorPro / Omicron EL enlarger lens. Corrected wavelength: 380-700nm.

hoya-40a

Hoya Super EL 40/3.5
AKA Yashica / Osawa Tominon / Bogen / DO Industries enlarger lens. Corrected wavelength: 370-700nm.

hoya_50a

Hoya Super EL 50/2.8
AKA Osawa Tominon EL / Beseler ColorPro / Omicron EL / Yashica / DOI enlarger lens.

hoya_60b

Hoya Super EL 60/4
AKA Osawa Tominon enlarger lens. Corrected wavelength: 380-700nm.

hoya_75a

Hoya Super EL 75/4.5
AKA Osawa Tominon / Bemecron-EL / Beseler ColorPro / Omicron EL / Yashica enlarger lens. Corrected wavelength: 370-700nm.

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Hoya Super EL 90/5.6
AKA Osawa Tominon / Beseler ColorPro / Omicron EL enlarger lens. Corrected wavelength: 370-700nm.

iff-dugor-135-a

I.F.F Dugor 135/4.5
Japanese-made enlarger lens.

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I.F.F Dugor 50/4.5
Reported to be a rebranded Meopta Belar 50/4.5 (Tessar). Verification needed.

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ICA Novar 135/6.8
Miraphot triplet enlarger lens

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Ihagee 75/2.5
Slide projector lens made by Julius Laack of Rathenow in silver metal barrel labeled “Proj. Anastigmat. Laack.”

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Ilex Optical Co 103/4.5
Enlarger lens made for Dejuraco Corp marked 4”.

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Ilex Optical Co 140/4.5
Enlarger lens mde for Dejuraco Corp marked 5.5”

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Ilex Optical Co 165/4.5
Enlarger lens made for Dejuraco Corp marked 6.5”.

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Ilex Optical Co 216/4.5
Enlarger lens made for Dejuraco Corp marked 8.5”.

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Ilex Optical Co 254/4.5
Enlarger lens made for Dejuraco Corp marked 10”.

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Ilex Optical Co 305/4.5
Enlarger lens made for Dejuraco Corp marked 12”.

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Ilex Optical Co 51/4.5
Enlarger lens made for Dejuraco Corp marked 2”.

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Ilex Optical Co 76/4.5
Enlarger lens made for Dejuraco Corp marked 3”.

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Ilex Paragon 190/4.5
Made in USA. Serial chalked on barrel. Marked Kenro-Ilex in red and 3.5”

ilex_paragon_90

Ilex Paragon Anastigmat 90/4.5
Enlarger lens marked 3.5”.

ilex-solar-5-5b

Ilex Solar Anastigmat 140/4.5
New York manufactured enlarger/process lens marked 5.5”.

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Ilford Anastigmat 70/3.5
Black projector lens.

imura-50b

Imura 50/3.5
Enlarger lens.

imura-75a

Imura 75/4.5
Enlarger lens.

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Industar 100U 110/4
Russian enlarger lens made by LZOS. Some marked I-900U. First 2 digitals of serial is production year.

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Industar 104U 27/2.8
Russian industrial lens made by MMZ for Ularus-2 laboratory imaging system.
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Acknowledgements: The DELTA project wouldn’t have been possible with the naysaying of experienced lens collectors; the death of film; the opposition of my wife; the embezzlement of shady eBay sellers and Japanese auction agents; the re-branders; the same 50/3.5 seen in a thousand guises; the unhelpful attitide of extant manufacturers who jettisoned their history without a backward glance (Schneider, Rodenstock et al); the corporations who swallow the legacies of decades without concern for their preservation; the disregard of librarians and archivists who no longer value photographic publications; the copyright laws prohibiting reproduction of adverts advertising things no longer made, once made by people and companies that no longer exist; the museums failing to digitise their collections and refusing to grant access to material rotting unseen in their basements; the sheer bloody-mindedness of Agfa serial numbers; the arrogance of those who have previously written about alt.lenses and imagine their sayings to be unalterably definitive, despite being patently erroneous;  widespread dementia and death befalling a generation of those with inside knowledge of the industry; widespread withering of the information internet and the rise of regurgitated AI gobbledygook; the majority of used camera dealers who regard these lenses as pointless relics and have no interest in deploying them as taking lenses and regard their slow-moving stock as an irritation; clueless marketing people devoid of specific product knowledge; an overwhelming majority of photographers apathetic about the benefits and possibilities of alt.lenses; the publishers who failed to express an interest in a book deal; the army of DIY botchers who took their lenses apart and didn’t know how to put them back together again; a postal system that loses packages as a normal happenstance;  and all the fungus. Against this tide stand we few. You know who you are. Thank you.