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.
QUICK-BROWSE CATALOGUE
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 32.5/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 35/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 37.5/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 40/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 42.5/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 45/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 47.5/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 50/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 52.5/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 55/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 57.5/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 60/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 62.5/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 65/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 67.5/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 70/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 72.5/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 75/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 77.5/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 80/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 82.5/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 85/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 90/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Premiere 95/1.7
Reference aspheric projector lens. Brass body. FFd given from rear element. |
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Schneider Cinelux Ultra 105/2
Projector lens. Mutli coated. Brass body. 13 models in range. |
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Schneider Cinelux Ultra 115/2
Projector lens. Mutli coated. Brass body. |
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Schneider Cinelux Ultra 125/2
Projector lens. Mutli coated. Brass body. |
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Schneider Cinelux Ultra 130/2
Projector lens. Mutli coated. Brass body. |
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Schneider Cinelux Ultra 150/2.3
Projector lens. Mutli coated. Brass body. |
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Schneider Cinelux Ultra 180/2.8
Projector lens. Mutli coated. Brass body. |
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Schneider Cinelux-AV 105/2.4
Premium black metal barrel 35mm slide projector lens. |
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Schneider Cinelux-AV 150/2.8
Premium black metal barrel 35mm slide projector lens. |
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Schneider Cinelux-AV 200/3.5
Premium black metal barrel 35mm slide projector lens. |
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Schneider Cinelux-AV 250/4
Premium black metal barrel 35mm slide projector lens. |
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Schneider Cinelux-AV 26/2.8
Wide-angle 35mm slide projector lens with 43mm+ image circle. |
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Schneider Cinelux-AV 35/2.8
Wide-angle 35mm slide projector lens with 43mm+ image circle. |
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Schneider Cinelux-AV 45/2.8
Wide-angle 35mm slide projector lens with 43mm+ image circle. |
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Schneider Cinelux-AV 50/2.8
Wide-angle 35mm slide projector lens with 43mm+ image circle. |
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Schneider Cinelux-AV 55/2.8
Premium black metal barrel 35mm slide projector lens. |
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Schneider Cinelux-AV 60/2.8
Premium black metal barrel 35mm slide projector lens. |
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Schneider Cinelux-AV 90/2.5
Premium black metal barrel 35mm slide projector lens. |
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Schneider Cinelux-AV 90/2.5 CF
Premium black metal barrel 35mm slide projector lens. Curved-field version. |
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Schneider Comparon 105/4.5
Tessar enlarger lens. |
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Schneider Comparon 105/4.5
Tessar enlarger lens. |
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Schneider Comparon 135/4.5
Tessar enlarger lens. |
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Schneider Comparon 135/4.5
Tessar enlarger lens. |
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Schneider Comparon 150/5.6
Tessar enlarger lens. |
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Schneider Comparon 150/5.6
Tessar enlarger lens. |
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Schneider Comparon 210/5.6
Tessar enlarger lens. |
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Schneider Comparon 300/5.6
Tessar enlarger lens. |
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Schneider Comparon 50/3.5 [V1]
Tessar enlarger lens optimised for 2:1-6:1 magnification. Disengageable click stops and M39 mount. (Cat 14.150) |
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Schneider Comparon 50/3.5 [V2]
Tessar enlarger lens optimised for 2:1-6:1 magnification. Click stops and M25 mount. (Cat 14.165) |
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Schneider Comparon 50/4 [V1]
Tessar enlarger lens in 25mm mount. [V1] and [V2] likely optically identical: optimised for 4:1 magnification. Blue card box packaging. |
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Schneider Comparon 50/4 [V2]
Tessar enlarger lens in 25mm mount. Metal barrel marked ’50’. Black [V2] version likely optically identical to [V1]: optimised for 4:1 magnification. Blue card box packaging. |
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Schneider Comparon 50/4 [V3]
Tessar enlarger lens in 25mm mount. [Cat 10.320]. |
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Schneider Comparon 50/4 [V4]
Tessar enlarger lens. |
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Schneider Comparon 75/3.5
Tessar enlarger lens. |
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Schneider Comparon 75/4.5 [V1]
Silver Tessar enlarger lens in 25mm mount with M39 adaptor ring. Round aperture version. |
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Schneider Comparon 75/4.5 [V2]
Tessar enlarger lens in 25mm mount with M39 adaptor ring. Round aperture version. |
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Schneider Comparon 75/4.5 [V3]
Tessar enlarger lens. |
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Schneider Comparon 75/4.5 [V4]
Tessar enlarger lens in large format mount. |
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Schneider Comparon 75/4.5 [V5]
Black Tessar enlarger lens. Post 1983 version [V5] has revised polycarbonate body and serials printed on rear cell. |
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Schneider Componar (Mini) 80/4.5
Triplet enlarger lens |
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Schneider Componar 105/4.5 [V3]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens. Chromed brass barrel marked ‘105’. Single coated. |
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Schneider Componar 105/4.5 [V4]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens. Black polycarbonate barrel with zebra aperture ring. Cosmetically unaltered for 13 years, but later versions multicoated. |
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Schneider Componar 135/4.5
Entry-level zebra triplet enlarger lens |
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Schneider Componar 50/3.5 [V2]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens. Chromed brass body. |
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Schneider Componar 50/3.5 [V4]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens. Appears to be uniquely branded for supply with Krokus 3 enlarger. |
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Schneider Componar 50/3.5 [V5]
Entry-level zebra triplet enlarger lens with ‘squircular’ aperture. Product images by Foto Koeberl. |
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Schneider Componar 50/3.5 [V6]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens. Black plastic body. |
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Schneider Componar 50/4 [V4]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens. All silver body. |
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Schneider Componar 50/4.5 [V1]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens: all-silver body with black fascia marked ‘f=5cm’. Usually seen in enlarger mount or lensboard. Product images by Foto Koeberl. |
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Schneider Componar 50/4.5 [V2]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens: all-silver body. Hollow red triangle (Δ=delta) on fascia denotes Duroptan single-coating. |
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Schneider Componar 50/4.5 [V3]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens: black body with silver metal rings. Hollow red triangle (Δ=delta) on fascia denotes Duroptan single-coating. Vertical lines on aperture markings differ from [V4]. |
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Schneider Componar 50/4.5 [V4]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens. Same aperture markings as [V5] but aperture ring taller and knurling shorter. Chromed brass body is marked ’50’ . Single-coated. |
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Schneider Componar 50/4.5 [V5a]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens. Chromed brass body marked ‘021’. Appears identical to other ‘021’ Componar 50/4.5 [V5-6] but mounts vary. Single-coated. |
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Schneider Componar 50/4.5 [V5b]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens: black body with silver metal rings. Single-coated. Appears identical to other ‘021’ Componar 50/4.5 [V5-6] but mounts vary. Product images by Foto-Koeberl Graz. |
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Schneider Componar 50/4.5 [V6]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens. Chromed brass body marked ‘021’. Likely similar to [V5] variants but mounts vary widely in this period (1954-1960). [V6] is probably a late example of a ‘bare’ [V5]. Single-coated. |
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Schneider Componar 50/4.5 [V7]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens: black mount; silver nose. Single coated. |
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Schneider Componar 50/4.5 [V8]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens. Chromed brass body marked ’50’. Some versions also marked ‘Durst’ in orange. |
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Schneider Componar 50/4.5 [V9]
Entry-level zebra triplet enlarger lens |
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Schneider Componar 60/4 [V3]
Entry-level zebra triplet enlarger lens. Chrome barrel marked 037. True curved aperture blades. |
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Schneider Componar 60/4 [V4]
Entry-level zebra triplet enlarger lens |
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Schneider Componar 75/3.5 [V1]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens with chromed brass body. Hollow red triangle (Δ=delta) on fascia denotes Duroptan single-coating. |
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Schneider Componar 75/4.5 [V1]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens with black fascia. |
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Schneider Componar 75/4.5 [V2]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens with chromed brass body. Hollow red triangle (Δ=delta) on fascia denotes Duroptan single-coating. [V2] similar to [V1] but has elongated aperture ring with a larger black circular indicator. |
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Schneider Componar 75/4.5 [V3]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens with chromed brass body. Hollow red triangle (Δ=delta) on fascia denotes Duroptan single-coating. |
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Schneider Componar 75/4.5 [V4]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens with chromed brass body. Single-coated. |
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Schneider Componar 75/4.5 [V5]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens with chromed brass body marked ‘026’. Single-coated. Lettering varies on fascia. |
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Schneider Componar 75/4.5 [V6]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens with chromed brass body marked ‘043’. Black ‘L’ above f22 aperture mark. Single-coated. True circular aperture. |
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Schneider Componar 75/4.5 [V8]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens with chromed brass body marked ’08’. Similar to [V6] but with dual-leaf ‘scalloped’ aperture. Single-coated. |
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Schneider Componar 75/4.5 [V9]
Entry-level triplet enlarger lens. [V9] has black plastic barrel with zebra aperture ring and square aperture. Succeeded by Componar-C models in c.1976. Often comes with M39 or other adaptor. |
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Schneider Componar 80/5.6
Entry-level zebra triplet enlarger lens |
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Schneider Componar II
Rare, early Mark II Componar enlarger lens marked with a red triangle denoting coating, and the maker ‘Schneider-Kreuznach’. Probably a triplet. Bespoke mount for Veigel enlargers. |
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Schneider Componar II 165/4.5
Rare, early Mark II fixed-aperture Componar enlarger lens marked with a red triangle denoting coating, and the maker ‘Schneider-Kreuznach’. Probably a triplet. |
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Schneider Componar-C 105/4.5
Upgraded, final version of Schneider’s triplet enlarger lens. Plastic barrel. [Cat 10314] |
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Schneider Componar-C 50/2.8
Final, faster, recomputed version of Schneider’s triplet enlarger lens, superceded by Componar-S. Plastic-barrel with aperture scale illumination. Multicoated. [Cat 37 578] or, in 1985: [14455] |
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Schneider Componar-C 50/3.5
Triplet enlarger lens reviewed by Photo-ciné magazine in 1980, when the retail price was 215 francs. Boxes marked ‘LB’. Superceded by Componar-C 50/2.8. |
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Schneider Componar-C 75/4 [V1]
Multicoated triplet enlarger lens. [V1] has single line aperture indicator and concave-5 aperture. |
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Schneider Componar-C 75/4 [V2]
Multicoated, facelifted version of Schneider’s final triplet enlarger lens. Black plastic barrel with illuminated aperture scale. [V2] has ‘split-circle’ indicator and straight-6 diaphragm. Superceded by Componar-S. |
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.












































