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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Cambridge World El Cambron 35/3.5
Enlarger lens made in Japan (Vivitar?). 30mm image circle only

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Cambridge World El Cambron 50/3.5
Enlarger lens made in Japan (Vivitar?)

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Cambridge World El Cambron 75/3.5
Enlarger lens made in Japan (Vivitar?)

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Cambridge World El Cambron 90/4.5
Enlarger lens made in Japan (Vivitar?)

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Cambridge World El Pro Cambron 50/2.8
Enlarger lens made in Japan (Vivitar?). AKA Spiratone Resomax, Fujimoto [V2], Jessops, etc.

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Cambron 100-200/3.5
Zoom 35mm slide projector lens.

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Cambron 102/2.8
35mm slide projector lens. Perhaps AKA Kodak Ektanar.

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Cambron 70-120/3.5
Zoom 35mm slide projector lens. Perhaps AKA Doctaron 70-120/3.5.

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Camerz Axinon 90/4.5
Enlarger lens made in Germany. Zebra

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Canon 120/1.4
Projector lens

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Canon 35/2.8
Bellows lens.

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Canon E 50/3.5
Tessar enlarger lens. Transparent ring with aperture markings on front.

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Canon F03-P
Multicoated microfiche optic designated 23.5X for Canon Microprinter 60 and similar models.

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Carl Zeiss Apo-Germinar 240/9
German repro lens.

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Carl Zeiss Apo-Tessar 140/9
German repro lens.

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Carl Zeiss Apo-Tessar 180/9
German repro lens.

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Carl Zeiss Apo-Tessar 240/9
German repro lens.

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Carl Zeiss Ernostar 120/2
Projector lens for Zeiss Ikon. Silver barrel, black nose.

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Carl Zeiss Jena 105/4.5
Tessar T enlarger lens

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Carl Zeiss Jena 165/6.3
Tessar enlarger lens. Black body.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Diotar 165/4.5
Suggested projector lens? https://www.digicamclub.de/showthread.php?t=24022

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Carl Zeiss Jena Dokumar 35/2.8
Biometar repro lens.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Dokumar 35/2.8
Russar. Repro-magnifying lens for Automator.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Dokumar 35/2.8
Russar. Repro-magnifying lens for Automator.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Dokumar 38/5.6
Russar. Repro-magnifying lens for Automator.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Dokumar 38/8
Biometar repro lens.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Dokumar 38/8
Russar. Repro-magnifying lens for Automator.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Dokumar 47/5.6
Russar. Repro-magnifying lens for Automator.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Kipronar 105/1.9
Petzval cine projector lens. All black and silver nose versions. Some Red T. 62.5mm diameter. Field curvature.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Kipronar 120/1.9
Petzval cine projector lens. All black and silver nose versions.Some Red T. 62.5mm diameter. Field curvature.

Carl Zeiss Kena Kipronar 140mm f1.9 a

Carl Zeiss Jena Kipronar 140/1.9
Petzval cine projector lens. All black and silver nose versions. Some Red T.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Kipronar 180/2.2
Petzval cine projector lens. All black and silver nose versions. 62.5mm diameter. Field curvature.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Kipronar 50/1.4
Petzval cine projector lens. Image circle c35mm.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Kipronar 70/1.4
Petzval cine projector lens. All black version. 42.5mm diameter. Image circle: 35-40mm. Field curvature. Barrel distortion.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Kipronar 90/1.9
Petzval cine projector lens. All black version. Red T. 42.5mm diameter.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Proj.Objektiv 200/2.1
Projector lens. Black body. Rear barrel diameter: 62mm.

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Carl Zeiss Jena R-Biotar 100/0.73
Biotar X-ray lens for use on the RK70 Röntgenkamera 70 (AKA ‘Jena 70’) for fluorescent screen photographs. Example images by Espen Susort and Media Division.

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Carl Zeiss Jena R-Biotar 120/1.0
Biotar X-ray lens for use on the RK70 Röntgenkamera 70 (AKA ‘Jena 70’) for fluorescent screen photographs.

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Carl Zeiss Jena R-Biotar 125/0.8
Biotar X-ray lens for use on the RK70 Röntgenkamera 70 (AKA ‘Jena 70’) for fluorescent screen photographs.

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Carl Zeiss Jena R-Biotar 45/0.85
Biotar X-ray lens for use on the RK70 Röntgenkamera 70 (AKA ‘Jena 70’) for fluorescent screen photographs.

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Carl Zeiss Jena R-Biotar 50/0.77
Rare Biotar X-ray lens likely co-developed with the 100/0.73 for use on the RK70 Röntgenkamera 70 (AKA ‘Jena 70’) for fluorescent screen photographs.

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Carl Zeiss Jena R-Biotar 55/0.85
Rare Biotar X-ray lens likely co-developed with the 100/0.73 for use on the RK70 Röntgenkamera 70 (AKA ‘Jena 70’) for fluorescent screen photographs.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 37.5/3.5
Black slide projector lens with metal body marked Carl Zeiss Jena DDR.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50/3.5
Black slide projector lens with metal body marked Carl Zeiss Jena DDR.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 70/3.5
Black slide projector lens with metal body marked Carl Zeiss Jena DDR.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Triplet 100/3.5
Fitted to Zeiss 100W slide projector. Black metal body. Silver nose.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Triplet 140/2.8
Fitted to Zeiss 100W slide projector. Black metal body. Silver nose.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 100/1.6
Fitted to TK35 film projectors. AKA ROW Visionar.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 109/1.6
Fitted to TK35 film projectors. AKA ROW Visionar. Image circle > 55mm

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Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 119/1.9
Fitted to TK35 film projectors. AKA ROW Visionar.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 141/1.9
Fitted to TK35 film projectors. AKA ROW Visionar.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 168/1.9
Fitted to TK35 film projectors. AKA ROW Visionar.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 183/1.9
Fitted to TK35 film projectors. AKA ROW Visionar.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 200/1.9
Fitted to TK35 film projectors. AKA ROW Visionar.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 55/1.4
Fitted to TK35 film projectors. AKA ROW Visionar. Image circle 35-40mm

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Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 65/1.6
Fitted to TK35 film projectors. AKA ROW Visionar.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 71/1.6
Fitted to TK35 film projectors. AKA ROW Visionar.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 71/1.6
Fitted to TK35 film projectors. AKA ROW Visionar.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 84/1.6
Fitted to TK35 film projectors. AKA ROW Visionar.

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Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 92/1.6
Fitted to TK35 film projectors. AKA ROW Visionar.

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Carl Zeiss P-Distagon 75/3.5
Reference medium format slide projector lens fitted to Hasselblad PCP 80.

Carl Zeiss P-Sonnar 90/2.5
Multicoated (T*) slide projector lens fitted to Zeiss Ikon Royal AF Selectiv.

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Carl Zeiss P-Tele-Tessar 400/5.6
Medium format slide projector lens fitted to Hasselblad PCP 80.

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Carl Zeiss S-Biogon 40/5.6
Microfilm documentation lens with reputation for reference-grade optical performance.

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Carl Zeiss S-Orthoplanar 105/5.6
Microfilm documentation lens

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Carl Zeiss S-Orthoplanar 50/4
Microfilm documentation lens

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Carl Zeiss S-Orthoplanar 60/4
Microfilm documentation lens with a reputation for reference-grade close-up performance.

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Carl Zeiss S-Planar 74/1.4
Industrial lens marked M1:5 nA=0.30 436mm.

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Zeiss S-Sonnar_62c

Carl Zeiss S-Sonnar 62/2.5
High resolution macro lens, optimised for 1:2.12 magnification. Early versions have all-white lettering on fascia ring. Image circle < 30mm. Example images by simple.joy.

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Carl Zeiss S-Tessar 105/5.6
Lens for microdocumentation. Optimized for: 1:30 to 1:5

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Carl Zeiss S-Tessar 40/3.5
Lens for microdocumentation. Optimized for: 1:to 1:10

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Carl Zeiss S-Tessar 50/3.5
Lens for microdocumentation.

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Carl Zeiss S-Tessar 60/3.5
Lens for microdocumentation

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Carl Zeiss S-Tessar 80/5.6
Lens for microdocumentation. Optimized for: 1:30 to 1:5

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Ce-Nei Anastigmat /3.6
Brass lens fitted to Carl Neithold Episcope (unknown focal length). Image circle likely < 25mm.

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Chalier 105/4.5
Enlarger lens made in France
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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.