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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Schneider Componar-S 105/4.5
Tessar enlarger lens optimised for 6:1 to 10:1. [Cat. 16278]

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Schneider Componar-S 50/2.8
Tessar enlarger lens optimised for 6:1 to 10:1. [Cat. 15818]

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Schneider Componar-S 80/4.5
Tessar enlarger lens AKA Meopta Anaret-S 80/4.5. Optimised for 6:1 to 10:1. [Cat. 15819]

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Schneider Componar-S 90/4.5
Tessar enlarger lens.

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Schneider Componon (Mini) 105/5.6
Silver body enlarger lens.

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Schneider Componon 100/5.6
Black body enlarger lens.

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Schneider Componon 135/5.6
First generation multicoated West German enlarger lens with silver metal body.

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Schneider Componon 150/4.5 [Prototype]
Early Componon prototype produced in four focal lengths in 1961. ‘Rb’ serials.

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Schneider Componon 150/5.6
Silver body enlarger lens.

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Schneider Componon 180/4.5 [Prototype]
Early Componon prototype produced in four focal lengths in 1961.’Rb’ serials.

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Schneider Componon 180/5.6
Silver body enlarger lens.

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Schneider Componon 210/5.6
Silver body enlarger lens.

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Schneider Componon 28/2.8 [V1]
Six-element enlarger lens with Makro Iris from Schneider’s Machine Vision range. [US Cat# 25-014794]. Subsequently rebranded [Cat# 14794], then, in 2021, Pyrite 28/2.8. Product images by CloseUp Photography >

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Schneider Componon 28/2.8 [V2-14794]
Six-element macro/enlarger lens with Makro Iris from Schneider’s Unifoc range. In 2021 rebranded Pyrite 28/2.8. [Cat# 14794]

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Schneider Componon 28/4 [V1]
First generation six-element enlarger lens with chromed barrel and scalloped 15-blade diaphragm. Image circle insufficient to cover full frame at infinity, but prized for macro performance when reversed. Product images by CloseUp Photography >

Schneider Componon 28mm f4.0 [V2]

Schneider Componon 28/4 [V2]
First generation six-element enlarger lens with black metal barrel and scalloped 15-blade diaphragm. Image circle insufficient to cover full frame at infinity, but prized for macro performance when reversed. Product images by CloseUp Photography >

Schneider Componon 28mm f4.0 [V3]

Schneider Componon 28/4 [V3]
Six-element enlarger lens with black barrel, split-circle aperture indicators and Convex-5 aperture. Image circle insufficient to cover full frame at infinity, but prized for macro performance when reversed. [US Cat# 10-010340]. Product images by CloseUp Photography >

Schneider Componon 28mm f4

Schneider Componon 28/4 [V4]
Six-element enlarger lens with black barrel, split-circle aperture indicators and Convex-5 aperture. As [V3] but with M39 Leica rear mount. Image circle insufficient to cover full frame at infinity, but prized for macro performance when reversed. [US Cat# 10-010340].

Schneider Componon 28mm f4.0 [V5]

Schneider Componon 28/4 [V5]
Six-element enlarger lens with black plastic barrel and green aperture window. Most (earlier) models  [V5] have a 15mm front element, flush rear cell assembly with a broad retaining ring and Convex-5 aperture. However in 1991 there was an undocumented [V6] which has a 16mm front element, a protruding rear assembly (H2=5mm) using narrow retaining rings, and the Makro Iris diaphragm. Image circle insufficient to cover full frame at infinity, but prized for macro performance when reversed. [US Cat# 10-037275 (?)]. Product images by CloseUp Photography >

Schneider Componon 28mm f4.0 [V6]

Schneider Componon 28/4 [V6]
Six-element enlarger lens with black plastic barrel and green aperture window. Lower serials  [V5] have 15mm front element, flush rear cell assembly with a broad retaining ring, and a Convex-5 aperture. Late serials – likely only those produced in 1993/1994 – [V6] are similar but have 16mm front element, protruding rear assembly (H2=5mm) with narrow retaining rings, and Schneider’s Makro Iris. Image circle insufficient to cover full frame at infinity, but prized for macro performance when reversed. [Cat# 28-0012]. Product images by Westmünsterland > and  CloseUp Photography >

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Schneider Componon 28/4 [V7]
Six-element enlarger lens with black metal barrel and fixed aperture. Image circle insufficient to cover full frame at infinity, but prized for macro performance when reversed.

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Schneider Componon 28/4 [V8]
Six-element enlarger lens with fixed aperture. This 30.5mm threaded version was also used for industrial and minlab applications. Product images by CloseUp Photography >

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Schneider Componon 28/4 [V9]
Six-element enlarger lens with fixed aperture and XL cylinder mount. Reportedly measures f3.7. Product images by CloseUp Photography >

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Schneider Componon 300/4.5 [Prototype]
Early Componon prototype produced in four focal lengths in 1961. ‘Rb’ serials.

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Schneider Componon 35mm f2.8 Makro Iris Machine Vision

Schneider Componon 35/2.8
‘Machine Vision’ series enlarger/industrial lens with aperture markings 1-6 and Schneider’s late series Makro Iris diaphragm. V38 mount. Multicoated. [US Cat# 285-014792]. Product images by CloseUp Photography >

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Schneider Componon 35/4 [V1]
Small format six-element enlarger lens. [V1] has 15-blade scalloped diaphragm and silver finish. Despite failing to cover full frame at infinity, this lens is justly prized for macro performance when reversed.

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Schneider Componon 35/4 [V2a]
Small format six-element enlarger lens. [V2a] has 15-blade scalloped diaphragm, black finish and 25mm mount. Despite failing to cover full frame at infinity, this lens is justly prized for its macro performance when reversed. Images by CloseUp Photography >

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Schneider Componon 35/4 [V2b]
Small format six-element enlarger lens. [V2b] has 15-blade scalloped diaphragm, black finish and M39. Despite failing to cover full frame at infinity, this lens is justly prized for its macro performance when reversed. Images by CloseUp Photography >

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Schneider Componon 35/4 [V3]
Small format six-element enlarger lens. [V3] has a large bisected-circle aperture indicator, 25mm mount and a five-blade aperture. [US Cat# 10-010340]. Despite failing to cover full frame at infinity, this lens is justly prized for its macro performance when reversed. Sample images by simple.joy >. Product images by CloseUp Photography >

Schneider Componon 35mm f4

Schneider Componon 35/4 [V4]
Small format six-element enlarger lens. [V4] has a plastic barrel and green aperture window. Early models have the Convex-5 aperture; late models (pictured) have conventionally curved ‘Makro Iris’ blades. [Cat# 37 277 | US#: 10-037277]. Despite failing to cover full frame at infinity, this lens is justly prized for its macro performance when reversed. Product images by CloseUp Photography >

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Schneider Componon 35/4 [V5]
Small format six-element enlarger lens. [V5] has a fixed aperture and cylinder mount. Despite failing to cover full frame at infinity, this lens is justly prized for its macro performance when reversed. Product images by CloseUp Photography >

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Schneider Componon 40/4
Enlarger lens. Currently in production.

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Schneider Componon 50/4 [V1]
Silver and brass body [V1] packaged in Durst mount. Fascia not marked Durst, as later versions. Hollow red triangle (Δ=delta) on fascia denotes Duroptan single-coating.

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Schneider Componon 50/4 [V2]
Silver and brass body [V1] marked ‘027’ has an ‘L’ mark over f16 and a true circular diaphragm.

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Schneider Componon 50/4 [V3]
Silver body enlarger lens [V3] marked ‘CPN 50’. No ‘L’-mark on f16 aperture’. Scalloped aperture. Serial numbers beginning 9,xxx,xxx absent.

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Schneider Componon 50/4 [V4]
[V4] has black metal barrel with enlarged dual knurled dials. Marked ‘CPN 50’. Scalloped-15 aperture.

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Schneider Componon 50/4 [V5]
Black enlarger lens with Convex-5 diaphragm and improved Double-Gauss formulation – previous versions of Componon 50/4 were five-element. [V5] has a plastic barrel marked with a split-circle aperture graphic. Commonly sold with M39 adaptor.

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Schneider Componon 50/5.6
Silver body compact M25 enlarger lens.

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Schneider Componon 60/5.6 [V1 Black]
Later black body enlarger lens in 25mm mount.

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Schneider Componon 60/5.6 [V1 Silver]
Early silver body enlarger lens in 25mm mount.

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Schneider Componon 60/5.6 [V2]
Black body enlarger lens. V2 has moon aperture graphic. [Cat 10 354].

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Schneider Componon 60/5.6 [V3]
Black body enlarger lens produced from 1982-1983 only (pre-f32 aperture lever model [V4]). Image circle: 56mm. [Cat 10 596].

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Schneider Componon 60/5.6 [V4]
Black body enlarger lens. Image circle: 56mm.

Schneider Componon 77.5/4.5
Early Componon prototype produced in four focal lengths in 1961. Marked ‘Rb560’. Only three samples exist.

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Schneider Componon 80/5.6 [V1]
M25 mount Componon enlarger lens actually stops to f45. Silver body.

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Schneider Componon 80/5.6 [V2]
Black body enlarger lens.

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Schneider Componon 80/5.6 [V3]
Black body. Moon aperture graphic. AKA Vivitar VHE 80/5.6.

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Schneider Componon-S (M25) 50/2.8
Enlarger lens. This version preferable to earlier 5-element S

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Schneider Componon-S (Mini) 135/5.6
Enlarger lens. Also in M50 mount

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Schneider Componon-S 100/5.6
Fixed aperture version of Componon-S enlarger lens.

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Schneider Componon-S 100/5.6 [V1]
The Componon-S six element enlarger lens replaced and updated the Componon 100/5.6. AKA Vivitar VHE 100/5.6. [Cat 12720].

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Schneider Componon-S 100/5.6 [V2]
Aperture-lock lever on late models (> 14x). Green band version. Prone to spotty balsam separation. [Cat 14022].

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Schneider Componon-S 150/5.6
Enlarger lens. Also in M50 mount

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Schneider Componon-S 180/5.6
Enlarger lens. Also available in M50/M55 (FFDs differ)

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Schneider Componon-S 210/5.6
Enlarger lens. Also available in M50/M55 (FFDs differ)

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Schneider Componon-S 240/5.6
Enlarger lens. Also available in M66 with 210mm FFD

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Schneider Componon-S 300/5.6
Enlarger lens. Also available in M77 with 255mm FFD

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Schneider Componon-S 360/6.8
Enlarger lens. Also available in M90 with 307mm FFD

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Schneider Componon-S 50/2.8 [10146]
Five-element single-coated enlarger lens with concave aperture. First version (1975-1980). No illuminated aperture or preset lever.

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Schneider Componon-S 50/2.8 [14796]
Third version (1990-2008), six-element Componon-S 50/2.8 in Makro Iris body and V38 mount.

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Schneider Componon-S 50/2.8 [14849]
Five-element enlarger lens with concave aperture. Second version (1981-1990) with Illuminated aperture and preset lever. Optically identical to [10146].

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Schneider Componon-S 50/2.8 [16828] V1
Six-element Componon-S 50/2.8 made from 1991-1993. [16828] Version 1 is superficially similar to the five-element [14849]. See the review for identification.

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Schneider Componon-S 50/2.8 [16828] V2
1993-2008 production (Version 2) of the six-element Componon-S 50/2.8 has the same catalogue number as [16828] V1 but the green band denotes an upgraded curved-5 ‘Makro Iris’ diaphragm. Multicoated.

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Schneider Componon-S 50/2.8 [18827]
Third version (1990-2008), six-element Componon-S 50/2.8. As [16828] but in M25 mount.

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Schneider Componon-S 50/2.8 V2 [1097301]
Version 2 industrial lens based on original Componon-S enlarger lens. Available in V38 mount only for Unifoc assembled system. AKA Pyrite 50/2.8.

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Schneider Componon-S 50/3.5
NB: 5-element unthreaded cylinder mount

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Schneider Componon-S 50/4 [V1]
Rare (allegedly prototype) version of Componon-S 50mm. [V1] is variable aperture version.

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Schneider Componon-S 50/4 [V2]
Rare prototype of unrealised Componon-S spec 50mm f4 enlarger lens. [V2] has a preset aperture.

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Schneider Componon-S 80/4
Sharp at middle apertures. Horrible bokeh. Aperture-lock lever on late models (> 14x) [Cat 14650]

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Schneider Componon-S HM 50/2.8
Rare apochromatic version of the Componon-S 50/2.8.

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Schneider Componon-S Makro Iris 50/2.8
Enlarger/industrial lens. Apertures marked 1-6. Also in V-Mount. Cat 50-0018

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Schneider Componon-S Makro-Iris 80/4
Enlarger/industrial lens. Aperture marked 1-6. Also in V-Mount [Cat. 14780]

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Schneider D-Claron 10/1.8
Macro / microfilm reduction lens optimised for 1:10-1:42. Image circle covers 16 mm film. Best reversed for macro work

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Schneider D-Claron 100/4
Macro / microfilm reduction lens optimised for 1:2-1:20. Cells often put in M39.

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Schneider D-Claron 105/5.6
Macro / microfilm reduction lens optimised for 1:4-1:21.

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Schneider D-Claron 16/2
Macro / microfilm reduction lens optimised for 1:10-1:40. Image circle covers 16 mm film. Best reversed for macro work

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Schneider D-Claron 180/5.6
Macro / microfilm reduction lens with unknown optimisation. Probably a specialty lens.

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Schneider D-Claron 210/5.6
Macro / microfilm reduction lens optimised for 1:2-1:13.

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Schneider D-Claron 24/2.2
Macro / microfilm reduction lens with unknown optimisation and image circle. Best reversed for macro work. Probably a specialty lens.

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Schneider D-Claron 25/1.4
Macro / microfilm reduction lens optimised for 1:9-1:37. Image circle covers 16 mm film. Best reversed for macro work

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Schneider D-Claron 28/2
Macro / microfilm reduction lens optimised for 1:6-1:25. Image circle covers Super-16 mm film. Unknown image circle. Best reversed for macro work

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Schneider D-Claron 35/2
Macro / microfilm reduction lens optimised for 1:2-1:20. Cells often put in M39. Unknown image circle. Best reversed when taking.

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Schneider D-Claron 40/2
Macro / microfilm reduction lens optimised for 1:5-1:21. Image circle covers Super-16 mm film.

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Schneider D-Claron 45/3.5
Macro / microfilm reduction lens optimised for 1:2-1:20. Cells often put in M39.

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Schneider D-Claron 60/5.6
Macro / microfilm reduction lens optimised for 1:5-1:30.

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Schneider G-Claron 150/9
Symmetrical plasmat repro lens optimised for 1:1-5:1. Lens cell available in various mounts.

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Schneider G-Claron 210/9
Symmetrical plasmat repro lens optimised for 1:1-5:1. Lens cell available in various mounts.

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Schneider G-Claron 240/9
Symmetrical plasmat repro lens optimised for 1:1-5:1. Lens cell available in various mounts.

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Schneider G-Claron 270/9
Symmetrical plasmat repro lens optimised for 1:1-5:1. Lens cell available in various mounts.

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Schneider G-Claron 305/9
Symmetrical plasmat repro lens optimised for 1:1-5:1. Lens cell available in various mounts.

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Schneider G-Claron 355/9
Symmetrical plasmat repro lens optimised for 1:1-5:1. Lens cell available in various mounts.
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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.