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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Rodenstock Vario-Rodagon 44-52/4
Zoom enlarger lens listed by Adorama as new in 2002 for $550.

ysaron-105a

Rodenstock Ysaron 105/4.5 [V3]
Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass. [Cat 08.105.01]. ‘Rodenstock-Ysaron’ 105/4.5 large format taking lenses with circular 10-blade diaphragms date to at least 1957.

rodenstock-ysaron-105f

Rodenstock Ysaron 105/4.5 [V4]
Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass. [Cat 08.105.01]. AKA Rodenstock Omegaron.

rodenstock-ysaron-135-v1b

Rodenstock Ysaron 135/4.5 [V2]
Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass. [V2] acquires illuminated apertures, zebra stripes and an aperture window, but loses the hyphen of the Rodenstock-Ysaron 135/4.5 [V1].

rodenstock-ysaron-135a

Rodenstock Ysaron 135/4.5 [V3 Tube]
Industrial tube lens. Much later than [V1] and [V2] Ysarons.

Rodenstock Ysaron 150mm f4.5 [V2] Zebra

Rodenstock Ysaron 150/4.5 [V3]
Zebra Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass. [V3] has aperture window.

Rodenstock Ysaron 150mm f4.5 [V2a]

Rodenstock Ysaron 150/4.5 [V4]
Zebra Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass. [V4] has an aperture ring.

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Rodenstock Ysaron 180/4.5
Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass.

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Rodenstock Ysaron 210/4.5
Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass.

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Rodenstock Ysaron 240/9 [V3 Tube]
Industrial tube lens. Much later than [V1] and [V2] Ysarons.

Rodenstock Ysaron 35mm f4

Rodenstock Ysaron 25/4
Enlarger lens with 25mm image circle. AKA Rodenstock Omegaron. Product images by Kamera Store >

Rodenstock Ysaron 25mm f4 Tube Lens

Rodenstock Ysaron 25/4 [Tube]
Fixed aperture Tessar enlarger lens with 25mm image circle.

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Rodenstock Ysaron 35/4
Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass. Unknown image circle, likely 30mm

rodenstock ysaron 50mm f3.5 v4 cover

Rodenstock Ysaron 50/3.5 [V4]
Single-coated Tessar enlarger lens. One Lanthanum element. [V4] has serial numbers, a blacked out (non-illuminated) aperture window with a short aperture mark, and a scalloped six-blade aperture. AKA Rodenstock Omegaron 50/3.5. [Cat.08.050.01].

Rodenstock Ysaron 75mm f4.5

Rodenstock Ysaron 50/3.5 [V4]
Single-coated Tessar enlarger lens. One Lanthanum element. [V4] (from 1970) has a (white) illuminated aperture window with a long indicator mark, and a curved five-blade aperture. Some late models also have a filter thread. Engravings on rear differ (‘MADE GERMANY’ or, later, tending toward ‘Lens Made in Germany’). AKA Rodenstock Omegaron 50/3.5. [Cat.08.050.01].

Rodenstock Ysaron 50mm f3.5 V4-a

Rodenstock Ysaron 50/3.5 [V5]
Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass. [V5] has zebra barrel, illuminated (white) aperture window with long marking and curved five-blade aperture. ‘Rodenstock Ysonar’ not hyphenated. Unserialled (likely for OEM sale). [Cat.08.050.01].

Rodenstock Ysaron 50mm f3.5 v4

Rodenstock Ysaron 50/3.5 [V6]
Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass. Zebra barrel with flat nose. [Cat.08.050.01] [V6] has narrow, flat fascia and no serial numbers, but is marked on the front and rear ‘LENS MADE IN GERMANY’. AKA Rodenstock Omegaron 50/3.5.

Rodenstock Ysaron 60mm f4.5 V2

Rodenstock Ysaron 60/4.5 [V2]
Tessar enlarger lens with one Lanthanum element. [V2] has serial numbers, a curved five-blade aperture and an illuminated aperture window. There is no Omegaron-branded equivalent of this lens. [Cat 08.060.01]

rodenstock-ysaron-60mm-f4.5-v3a

Rodenstock Ysaron 60/4.5 [V3]
Tessar enlarger lens with one Lanthanum element. [V3] is unserialled and has a curved five-blade aperture and illuminated aperture window. There is no Omegaron-branded equivalent of this lens. [Cat 08.060.01]

Rodenstock Ysaron 75mm f4.5

Rodenstock Ysaron 75/4.5 [V2]
Zebra Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass. [V2] has serial numbers, a scalloped six-blade diaphragm, a minimum aperture of f16, and a black (not illuminated) aperture window. AKA Rodenstock Omegaron 75/4.5.

Rodenstock Ysaron 75mm v3

Rodenstock Ysaron 75/4.5 [V3]
Zebra Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass. AKA Rodenstock Omegaron 75/4.5. [V3] has serials, a sloped fascia, a curved five-blade aperture and an illuminated aperture window.

Rodenstock Ysaron 75mm f4.5 V4-front

Rodenstock Ysaron 75/4.5 [V4]
Zebra Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass. [V4] has no serials, a curved five-blade aperture and an illuminated aperture window (max f22). AKA Rodenstock Omegaron 75/4.5.

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Rodenstock Ysaron 90/4.5
Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass. AKA Rodenstock Omegaron.

rodenstock-omegar-50-a

Rodenstock-Omegar 50/4.5
West German zebra enlarger lens. Cat 452-203

Rodenstock-Omegar 75mm f4.5 V1

Rodenstock-Omegar 75/4.5 [V1]
Silver body enlarger lens. Black nose.

rodenstock-omegar-75a

Rodenstock-Omegar 75/4.5 [V2]
Single-coated zebra enlarger lens made in Germany. [Cat 452-223].

Rodenstock Omegaron 135mm f4.5 [V1]

Rodenstock-Omegaron 135/4.5 [V1]
Tessar lens made for Omega enlargers. Silver body, black nose. [Cat 452.203]. Product images by Roberts Camera >

Rodenstock-Omegaron 50mm f3.5

Rodenstock-Omegaron 50/3.5 [V1]
Enlarger lens made in Germany by Rodenstock for the American market. Silver body / black nose. Not to be confused with the Japanese-made Omegaron 50/3.5, or the inferior, Omega-bundled Rodenstock-Omegar 50/3.5.

Rodenstock-Omegaron 50mm f3.5 [V3]

Rodenstock-Omegaron 50/3.5 [V2]
Zebra 1960s enlarger lens made in Germany by Rodenstock for the American market. [Cat 452.003]. Not to be confused with the Rodenstock-Omegaron 50/3.5 [V3] (with the cirved five-bladed aperture), the Japanese-made Omegaron 50/3.5, or the inferior, Omega-bundled Rodenstock-Omegar 50/3.5.

rodenstock-omegaron-v1-75mm-a

Rodenstock-Omegaron 75/4.5 [V1]
Single-coated lens made in Germany for fitment to Omega enlargers. Silver body, black nose. Not all samples serialled.

rodenstock-ysaron-105mm-v1-a

Rodenstock-Ysaron 105/4.5 [V1]
Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass. Silver body, black nose. Often sold with mount converter to M39.

rodenstock-ysaron-105mm-f4.5-v2-d

Rodenstock-Ysaron 105/4.5 [V2]
Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass. [V2] has zebra barrel with raised nose, scalloped six-blade aperture, hyphenated ‘Rodenstock-Ysaron’, aperture window, and stops to f32. [Cat 08.105.01].

rodenstock-ysaron-135-v1a-1

Rodenstock-Ysaron 135/4.5 [V1]
Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass. Product image by Ad Dieleman.

rodenstock-ysaron-50mm-f3.5-v1-a

Rodenstock-Ysaron 50/3.5 [V1]
Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass. [Cat.08.050.01]. Silver body, black nose. Product images by Foto Sandor >

Rodenstock Ysaron 50mm f3.5 [V2a]

Rodenstock-Ysaron 50/3.5 [V2a]
Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass. [Cat.08.050.01]. [V2b] is serialled and has zebra barrel with flat nose and aperture window. Hyphenation of ‘Rodenstock-Ysaron’ indicates scalloped six-blade aperture.

Rodenstock Ysaron 50mm f3.5 v2

Rodenstock-Ysaron 50/3.5 [V2b]
Tessar enlarger lens. One Lanthanum element. [V2b] is identical to [V2a] but is unserialled and has a raised filter ring. Black aperture window has short marking and is not illuminated. Hyphenation of ‘Rodenstock-Ysaron’ indicates scalloped six-blade aperture. Perhaps OEM version; probably contemporary with [V2a]. [Cat.08.050.01].

rodenstock-ysaron-75mm-f4.5-v1a

Rodenstock-Ysaron 75/4.5 [V1]
Tessar enlarger lens. Lanthanum glass. Silver body, black nose.

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Roeschlein-Kreuznach Stellar 85/2.8
German projector lens.

roeschlein-kreuznach_super-stellar-100a

Roeschlein-Kreuznach Super-Stellar 100/2.5
Slide projector lens. Solid aluminium black barrel with zebra nose. AKA Staeble-Werk / A. Schacht Super Stellar 100/2.5. Images by Forest Sprite.

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Rollei AV-Apogon 120/2.8
Premium black metal barrel HFT multicoated lens for Rolleivision projectors. Cat. 14.325

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Rollei AV-Apogon 150/2.8
Premium black metal barrel HFT multicoated lens for Rolleivision Dual P, P11 and P66 slide projectors.

rollei-av-apogon-35a

Rollei AV-Apogon 35/2.8
Premium black metal HFT multicoated lens for Rolleivision projectors.

rollei-av-apogon-90-2.4a

Rollei AV-Apogon 90/2.4
Premium black metal barrel HFT multicoated lens for Rolleivision 330P/ 535P 35mm slide projectors. The 35mm AV-Apogon is a four-element Ernostar-type design, whereas the medium-format AV-Apogon has six elements.

rollei-av-apogon-90-2.8-a

Rollei AV-Apogon 90/2.8
Premium black metal lens for Rolleivision 66P medium format slide projectors. Silver fascia. HFT multicoating. Image by Oleg Moiseyenko.

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Rollei AV-Heidosmat 250/4.3
Premium metal projector lens for medium format made by Rollei. Cat. 85.137

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Rollei AV-Xenotar 150/2.8
Black metal HFT multicoated lens by Schneider for Rolleivision projectors. Cat. 83889.979.420

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Rollei AV-Xenotar 250/4
HFT multicoated lens by Schneider for 74mm tube (Rolleivision 66 medium format projectors). Cat. 979.525.

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Rollei AV-Xenotar 60/2.8
Black metal HFT multicoated lens by Schneider for Rolleivision projectors. Wide-angle. Image circle c.35mm. Cat. 83891.979.385

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Rollei AV-Xenotar 90/3.5
Entry-level HFT multicoated lens for Rolleivision 66 Series medium format projectors. Rollei-branded lens likely Ernostar-type four-element design made by Isco (TBC). Cat # 979.520 (US) or 83 528 (EU). Awarded 4/5 for image quality by Chasseur d’Images magazine.

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Rollei Heidosmat 110/2.8
Single-coated projector lens by Isco in 46mm tube for Rolleiscop. Cat. 979.170.

rollei heidosmat_110mm-f2.8

Rollei Heidosmat 110/2.8
Single-coated projector lens by Isco for Rollei P11 ‘Universal Projector’. Later lenses marked Rollei, rather then Franke & Heidecke, and are unserialled. Cat. 610.200.

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Rollei Heidosmat 150/2.8
Large format lens marked Heidecke (disambiguation only)

Rollei Heidosmat 150mm f2.8

Rollei Heidosmat 150/2.8 [V2]
Projector lens made by Isco for Rollei P11 Universal Projector. Late series re-brand of Franke & Heidecke Heidosmat 150/2.8. Cat. 610.210

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Rollei Heidosmat 150/3.5
Plastic-barrel projector lens marked Rollei-Projar made by Rollei. Cat. 83390.979.770. Version 2?

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Rollei Heidosmat 150/3.5
Projector lens made by Isco for 74mm tube fitted to medium format projectors. Cat. 979.780. Version 1?

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Rollei Heidosmat 180/3.5
Projector lens made by Isco for 74mm tube fitted to medium format projectors. Cat. 610.220. (Version 1 with additional holder)

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Rollei Heidosmat 180/3.5
Projector lens made by Isco for 74mm tube fitted to medium format projectors. Cat. 610.225. (Version 2 with additional condenser)

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Rollei Heidosmat 250/3
Projector lens. Metal barrel. Black nose. Fitted to Rollei P11.

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Rollei Heidosmat 250/4.3
Medium format projector lens made by Isco fitted to Rollei P11. Cat. 610.245.

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Rollei Heidosmat 400/4 [V1]
Medium format projector lens made by Isco fitted to Rollei P11. Cat. 979.040 (Version 1 with additional holder)

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Rollei Heidosmat 400/4 [V2]
Medium format projector lens made by Isco fitted to Rollei P11. Cat. 979.910 (Version 1 with additional condenser)

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Rollei Heidosmat 45/2.8
Small-format lens by Isco for Rollei P11 Universal Projector. Image circle c.25mm. Cat. 610.240

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Rollei Heidosmat 50/2.8
Entry-level projector lens. Plastic barrel. Image circle c.35mm. Cat. 83434.979.380

Rollei Heidosmat 50mm f2.8 for Rolleiscop

Rollei Heidosmat 50/2.8 [V1]
Single-coated projector lens by Isco in 46mm tube for Rolleiscop. Cat. 979.150. Image circle c.35mm

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Rollei Heidosmat 75/2.8
TLR lens from Rollei MX (disambiguation only)

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Rollei Heidosmat 85/2.8 [V3]
Single-coated projector lens by Isco for Rolleiscop. Cat. 979.160.

rollei-heidosmat85-franke1

Rollei Heidosmat 85/2.8 [V4]
Early single-coated projector lens for Rollei-Werke Franke & Heidecke Rolleiscop P18.0.

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Rollei P 85/2.8
Plastic black barrel lens fitted to Rollei P30 slide projector.

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Rollei Projar 150/3.5
Plastic-barrel projector lens made by Isco. Petzval. Cat 979.770. AKA Isco Super-Projar?

projar-180

Rollei Projar 180/3.5
Projector lens made by Isco. Petzval. AKA Heidosmat / Kodak 180 Projar.

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Rollei Projar 50/2.8
Plastical barrel projector lens made by Isco. Petzval. Covers 18×24. Cat. 979.380

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Rollei S-Heidosmat 150/2.8
Projector lens made for 74mm tube fitted to medium format projectors. Maker undocumented, probably Schneider. Cat. 979.510.

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Rollei S-Heidosmat 85/2.8
Version 3 multi-coated projector lens made by Rollei. Plastic barrel. Cat. 979.394.

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Rollei S-Heidosmat 90/2.8
Multi-coated projector lens. Plastic barrel.

rollei-s-projar-90a

Rollei S-Projar 90/2.5
Projector lens with metal barrel (46mm diameter) made by Isco. Cat. 979.500.

rollei-v-projar-85a

Rollei V/Projar 85/2.8
Plastic barrel triplet for slide projectors marked ISCO-GÖTTINGEN. Single-coated. Likely AKA Isco, Gnome Projar and Heidosmat 85/2.8 [V1].

rollei-heidosmat-110-160mm-v1-a

Rollei Vario-Heidosmat 110-160/3.5 [V1]
Zoom projector lens by Isco fitted to Rolleivision 66AV and P-11. Cat. 979.030 (fitted with brace)

rollei-heidosmat-110-160mm-a

Rollei Vario-Heidosmat 110-160/3.5 [V2]
Zoom projector lens by Isco fitted to Rolleivision 66AV and P-11. Cat. 979.030 (Version 2 without brace)

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Rollei Vario-Heidosmat 70-120/3.5
Slide projector lens.

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Rollei Vario-Projar 70-120/3.5
Plastic barrel zoom projector lens made by Isco. Cat. 979.410. AKA Vario-Heidosmat.

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Rollei Vario-Xenotar 70-120/3.5
Premium black metal HFT multicoated zoom lens for Rolleivision projectors. Made by Schneider. Cat. 85149.979.415

rollei-projar-85-2.8-v2a

Rollei-Projar 85/2.8 [V1]
Plastic barrel slide projector lens marked ‘MADE IN GERMANY BY ISCO’. Cat. 979.390. Single-coated. AKA Isco and Gnome Projar. See also Heidosmat 85/2.8 [V1]

rollei-projar-85-2.8a

Rollei-Projar 85/2.8 [V2]
Plastic barrel triplet for slide projectors marked ‘LENS MADE IN GERMANY’, probably by Isco. Cat. 979.390. Single-coated. Likely AKA Isco, Gnome Projar and Heidosmat 85/2.8 [V1].

Rolleinar 50mm f3.5

Rolleinar 50/3.5
Triplet enlarger lens reviewed poorly by Photo-ciné magazine in 1980 when the retail price was 158 francs. Plastic barrel.

rolleinar_75a

Rolleinar-EL 75/4.5
Compact black enlarger lens. Very good Z1 up to 5m; at longer distance Z3 collapses.

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Ross 165/2.7
Uncoated Heliar projector lens.

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Ross DPL 178/3.5
Projector lens marked F:7”. Silver body. Black front section. Aperture estimated.

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Ross Homo 215/6.3
Black body (vintage) marked 8.5”

Ross Resolux 11cm f4

Ross Resolux 110/4
Chromed brass Tessar enlarger lens suitable for 6×9. Made in London.

ross-resolux 50mm_f4.5-a

Ross Resolux 50/3.5 [V1]
Silver Tessar enlarger lens. [V1] has a six-blade aperture and is marked ‘ENLARGING OBJECTIVE’. Note earlier logo, low serials and inset fascia. Early versions (ie #207314) marked ‘COATED LENSES’.

Ross Resolux 5cm f3.5 [V2]

Ross Resolux 50/3.5 [V2]
Silver Tessar enlarger lens. [V2] is shorter and redesigned with angled fascia. Late versions (ie #151133) have revised logo.

ross-resolux-90a

Ross Resolux 90/4
Chromed brass Tessar enlarger lens. #16446 has later logo.

rosstar110

Ross Rosstar 110/4.5
Enlarger lens with ivory white plastic body and black nose marked 11cm f/4.5 Ross London. Apertures marked 1,2,4,8,16

rosstar-90mm_b

Ross Rosstar 90/4
Ivory white plastic body and black nose marked ‘9cm f/4.5 Ross London’. Apertures marked 1–16. Launched as an inexpensive alternative to Ross/Ensign Resolux enlarger lenses in 1957.

ross-super-rosskote-114mm

Ross Super Rosskote 114/2.2
35mm cine projection lens with silver metal barrel and black nose, marked ‘4½ in (114mm)’. Single-coated Petzval. Part of a series of Rosskote lenses varying from f2.2-f2.3, available in focal lengths from 3¾ to 7½ inches.

Ross Rosstar 50mm f4.5

Rosstar 50/3.5
Enlarger lens with ivory white plastic body and black nose marked ‘5cm f/4.5 ROSS LONDON’. Apertures marked 1-16. Example images by nigbat >

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Roth-Optik 85/2.8
Ffitted to Roth-Optik epidiascope / slide projector.

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ROW Cine Rectar 90/2
Projector lens by Rathenower Optische Werke marked 62.5/90. Barrel: 62.5mm.

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ROW Diarectim 100/2.8
Projector lens by Rathenower Optische Werke. Black metal barrel: 62.5mm

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ROW Orthan 55/4.5
Late models 6-digital serial. Rathenower Optische Werke enlarger 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.