Rodenstock Apo-Rodagon-N 50/2.8

Reference enlarger lens with preset aperture. N Versions (Cat 275.0050.001) revised the optical formula of 50/2.8 [V1] and are multicoated.

Compare
Category:
Weight 121 g
Dimensions 50 mm
Focal Length (mm)

Max Aperture (f)

Min Aperture (f)

Aperture Blades

Elements

Sharp (Near)

Sharp (Far)

Rear Mount

Front Thread

Flange-Focal Distance (mm @ ∞)

RF/L Extension (mm)

Production

Serial Numbers

,

Reviews

  1. 16:9

    Early samples are identified by capitalised ‘Rodenstock’ and (without the second hypen) ‘Apo-Rodagon N’. Post-1990/91 production (serial 10,983,xxx) is marked with all-caps ‘RODENSTOCK’ and ‘Apo-Rodagon-N’.

    The pre-N 50/2.8 versions are superb; the N – which gained better multicoatings and a better-corrected optical formula – is state of the art: achieving Gold all the way in both near- and far-field performance, where corners wilt – dipping to 7.0 wide open. Naturally, this isn’t a lens you buy to shoot wide open, and although it wasn’t designed to shoot at distance, by f5.6 it turns in performance comparable to any 50mm prime, with very low aberrations across the board, and near-perfect geometry.

  2. Fred

    I have the older version I, the one designed around 1979. Funny upon cleaning, it’s not 2 groups in the front, but 3. I can’t enjoy it more and the challeng is critical focus. These lenses are very sharp. They are very small when used with an LM helicoid as a taking lens.

Add a review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related to . . .