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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nippon-kogaku-v0-50-2.8-a

Nikon EL-Nikkor 50/2.8 [V1]
First generation asymmetric Gauss enlarger lens marked “Nippon Kogaku f=5cm”. Some versions “EL-NIKKOR-C”. Single-coated. Photo courtesy Richard de Stoutz.

nippon-kogaku-vx-50-2.8

Nikon EL-Nikkor 50/2.8 [V1b]
First generation asymmetric Gauss enlarger lens with fixed aperture for Speed Magny camera. Marked Nippon-Kogaku

nippon-kogaku-v1-50-2.8-a

Nikon EL-Nikkor 50/2.8 [V2]
First generation asymmetric Gauss enlarger lens marked “Nippon Kogaku f=5cm”. Single-coated.

nippon-kogaku-v1-50-2.8-f

Nikon EL-Nikkor 50/2.8 [V3]
First generation asymmetric Gauss enlarger lens marked “Nippon Kogaku f=5cm”. Single-coated.

nikon-50-2.8-v1c

Nikon EL-Nikkor 50/2.8 [V4]
First generation asymmetric Gauss enlarger lens marked “f=50mm”. Single-coated. Late scalloped ring version.

Nikon-EL-Nikkor-50-4-v1a

Nikon EL-Nikkor 50/4 [V1]
First generation Tessar enlarger lens marked Nippon-Kogaku.

nikon_50_4b

Nikon EL-Nikkor 50/4 [V2]
First generation Tessar enlarger lens.

nikon-63-v2-a

Nikon EL-Nikkor 63/3.5 [V2]
First generation, single-coated, asymmetric Gauss enlarger lens. Marked “f=63mm Nippon Kogaku Japan”. Scalloped aperture ring.

nikon-63-3.5a

Nikon EL-Nikkor 63/3.5 [V3]
First generation, single-coated, asymmetric Gauss enlarger lens. Made in Japan.

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Nikon EL-Nikkor 68/3.5
First generation asymmetric Gauss enlarger lens. Made in Japan.

nikon-75-4-a

Nikon EL-Nikkor 75/4
First generation single-coated Tessar enlarger lens. Made in Japan.

nikon-80-v1-a1

Nikon EL-Nikkor 80/5.6 [V1]
First generation asymmetric Gauss enlarger lens marked “Nippon Kogaku Japan”. Black body, silver mount. Single-coated.

nikon-80-v2-a

Nikon EL-Nikkor 80/5.6 [V2]
First generation asymmetric Gauss enlarger lens. Made in Japan. Black body, silver mount. Single-coated.

nikon-135-a-1

Nikon EL-Nikkor A 135/5.6
Second generation orthometar enlarger lens. Made in Japan.

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Nikon EL-Nikkor A 150/5.6
Second generation orthometar enlarger lens. Made in Japan.

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Nikon EL-Nikkor A 180/5.6
Second generation orthometar enlarger lens. Made in Japan.

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Nikon EL-Nikkor A 210/5.6
Second generation orthometar enlarger lens. Made in Japan.

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Nikon EL-Nikkor A 240/5.6
Second generation orthometar enlarger lens. Made in Japan.

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Nikon EL-Nikkor A 300/5.6
Second generation orthometar enlarger lens. Made in Japan.

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Nikon EL-Nikkor N 105/5.6
Second generation multicoated orthometar enlarger lens. Made in Japan.

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Nikon EL-Nikkor N 40/4
Second generation orthometar enlarger lens. Made in Japan.

nikon_50N-a

Nikon EL-Nikkor N 50/2.8
Multicoated second generation orthometar made in Japan. Serials from 2412706 – 2438797 are made in China. Retail price in 1980 was 613 francs.

nikon-50-4-n-1

Nikon EL-Nikkor N 50/4
Second generation Tessar enlarger lens. Made in Japan from 1985-1988 only.

nikon63N-a

Nikon EL-Nikkor N 63/2.8
Second generation orthometar enlarger lens. Image circle: 55.2mm.

nikon-75-4-n-1

Nikon EL-Nikkor N 75/4
Second generation multicoated enlarger lens. Made in Japan.

nikon-80-n-a

Nikon EL-Nikkor N 80/5.6
Second generation Japanese orthometar enlarger lens. Multicoated.

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Nikon EL-Zoom Nikkor 99-230/8
Servo-operated zoom enlarger lens for Noritsu. Widest aperture estimated at f3.

nikon-63-v1-a

Nikon Fax-EL-Nikkor 63/3.5 [V1]
First generation, single-coated, asymmetric Gauss enlarger lens. Marked “f=6.3cm Nippon Kogaku Japan Fax-EL-NIKKOR”. Rare.

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Nikon Macro-Nikkor 120/6.3
Bellows lens for Nikon Multiphot system for 1.2-4x magnification. Apertures 1-6

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Nikon Macro-Nikkor 19/2.8
Bellows lens for Nikon Multiphot system for 15-40x magnification. Apertures 1-6

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Nikon Macro-Nikkor 35/4.5
Bellows lens for Nikon Multiphot system for 8-20x magnification. Apertures 1-6

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Nikon Macro-Nikkor 65/4.5
Bellows lens for Nikon Multiphot system for 8-20x magnification. Apertures 1-6

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Nikon Nikkor-Q 135/4
Bellows lens.

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Nikon Printing-Nikkor 105/2.8
Film duplication and repro lens optimised for 1:1. Original twelve-element version.

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Nikon Printing-Nikkor-A 105/2.8
Film duplication and repro lens optimised for 1:1. Also known in US catalogue as Printing-Nikkor-N.

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Nikon Process Nikkor 180/10
Double Gauss process lens

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Nikon Process Nikkor 210/10
Double Gauss process lens

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Nikon Process Nikkor 240/10
Double Gauss process lens

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Nikon Ultra-Micro-Nikkor 105/2.8
Specialised macro lens.

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Nikon Ultra-Micro-Nikkor 125/2.8
Standard magnification 1/25x macro lens

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Nikon Ultra-Micro-Nikkor 135/4
Standard magnification 1/25x macro lens

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Nikon Ultra-Micro-Nikkor 150/5.6
Standard magnification 1/10x macro lens.

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Nikon Ultra-Micro-Nikkor 155/4
Standard magnification 1/10x macro lens.

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Nikon Ultra-Micro-Nikkor 165/4
Standard magnification 1/40x macro lens

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Nikon Ultra-Micro-Nikkor 28/1.8
Standard magnification 1/10x macro lens.

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Nikon Ultra-Micro-Nikkor 50/1.8
Standard magnification 1/5x macro lens

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Nikon Ultra-Micro-Nikkor 55/2
Standard magnification 1/4x macro lens

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Nikon WA Apo-Nikkor 150/8
Plasmat photoengraving lens

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Nikon WA Apo-Nikkor 210/9
Plasmat photoengraving lens

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Nikon Xero-Nikkor 135/2
CRT lens. Marked 13.5 cm

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Nippon Kogaku Pro-Nikkor 100/3.5
Japanese slide projector lens marked 4″.

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Nissin Sankor 114/2
Japanese 35mm film projector lens. Brass body like Isco. Marked 4.5”

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Nissin Sankor 140/2.5
Japanese 35mm film projector lens. Brass body like Isco. Aperture unmarked (estimated)

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Nissin Sankor Deluxe 70/2.6
Japanese projector lens. Black body with brass sleeve.

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Nissin Sankor Deluxe 75/2
Japanese projector lens. Brass body.

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Nissin Ultra-Sankor HD 45/1.77
Japanese projector lens. Black body with brass sleeve. Unknown image circle

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Nitto Kogaku Kominar-E 75/3.5 [V1]
Japanese enlarger lens. Silver body. Black nose.

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Nitto Kogaku Kominar-E 75/3.5 [V2]
Japanese enlarger lens. All black body with maximum aperture preset ring.

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Nitto Kogaku S Kominar-E 48/3.5 [V1]
Japanese enlarger lens. Silver body. Black nose.

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Nitto Kogaku S Kominar-E 48/3.5 [V2]
Japanese enlarger lens. All black body.

noritsu-112mm-a

Noritsu 112-145/8-9.4
Multicoated zoom optical printing lens (minlab).  [Cat. H018044]

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Noritsu 135-173/8-9.4
Multicoated zoom optical printing lens (minlab).

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Noritsu 26-49/4-4.9
Multicoated zoom optical printing lens (minlab). [Cat H018043].

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Noritsu 32-60/4.8-6.8
Multicoated zoom optical printing lens (minlab). [Cat H018135(L)].

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Noritsu 32/4
Fixed aperture optical printing lens (minilab) designated A805451

Noritsu 38-60/4-4.8
Zoom optical printing lens (minlab). [Cat H018037]. Superceded by N Version. Example images by simple.joy

noritsu-60-90-b

Noritsu 60-90/4.5-5.6
Multicoated zoom optical printing lens (minlab). [Cat H018038].

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Noritsu 66-116/7-9.4
Multicoated zoom optical printing lens (minlab). [Cat H018134].

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Noritsu 71-111/4.5-5.6
Multicoated zoom optical printing lens (minlab). [Cat H018112].

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Noritsu 86-120/4.5-5.6
Multicoated zoom optical printing lens (minlab)/ [Cat H018039]

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Noritsu 90/5.6
Fixed aperture optical printing lens (minilab)

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Noritsu E90C 115/
Fixed aperture optical printing lens (minilab)

Noritsu N 38-60/4-4.8
Zoom optical printing lens (minlab). [Cat H018045]. Later N Version has 5xxxx serials. Example images by simple.joy

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Novoflex Macro-Noflexar 60/4
Macro/copy lens. AKA Staeble Katagon 60/4

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Novoflex Noflexar 105/3.5
Bellows lens. Silver body. Black nose. Marked Memmingen

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Novoflex Noflexar 105/4
Bellows lens. Marked Automatic.

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Novoflex Noflexar 135/4.5
Bellows lens. Marked Automatic.

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Novoflex Schneider Xenar 105/3.5
Bellows lens. AKA Schenider Xenar 105/3.5

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Novoflex Schneider Xenar 105/4.5
Bellows lens. AKA Schenider Xenar 105/4.5

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Novoflex Schneider Xenar 150/4.5
Bellows lens. AKA Schenider Xenar 150/4.5

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Novomat Color Paxon 85/2.8
Projector lens for Novomat 130AF. Awarded 2/5 for image quality by Chasseur d’Images magazine.

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Noxa Anastigmat /6.8
All black enlarger (?) lens marked Special.

ocean-actina-a

Ocean Actina 50/3.5
Black Japanese enlarger lens with zebra aperture ring. Likely triplet.

ocular-50-3.5

Ocular 50/3.5
Black Japanese enlarger lens. Likely triplet.

ocular-75-c

Ocular 75/3.5
Black Japanese enlarger lens. Likely triplet.

officine-30-a2

Officine Galileo 30/4
High-precision Tessar lens for GaMi 16mm film enlarger. 21mm image circle. Accessory sleeve (pictured) converts to M39 mount. Product images by Gianni Giovanni.

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Officine Galileo Cinegran 60/1.9
Italian cine projector lens. Silver metal barrel.

Officine Galileo Cinegran 70mm f1.9

Officine Galileo Cinegran 70/1.9
Italian cine projector lens. Silver metal barrel. Images by Aorta Besler >

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Officine Galileo Eidon 105/4.5
Italian enlarger lens fitted to Durst models for medium format film.

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Officine Galileo Esacine 100/1.8
Rare Italian cine projector lens. Silver metal barrel.

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Officine Galileo Esacine 115/1.9
Rare Italian cine projector lens. Silver metal barrel.

officine-galileo-esacine-60mm_a

Officine Galileo Esacine 60/1.8
Rare Italian cine projector lens. Silver metal barrel. Images by inf.news.

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Officine Galileo Esacine 75/1.8
Rare Italian cine projector lens. Silver metal barrel.

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Officine Galileo Esacine 80/1.8
Rare Italian cine projector lens. Silver metal barrel.

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Officine Galileo Esacine 95/1.8
Rare Italian cine projector lens. Silver metal barrel.

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Officine Galileo Esacine S 60/2
Rare Italian cine projector lens.
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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.