Elmar for copying

[Susie]

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Hi all,

 

I have some old maps i want to copy using a Boowu-M and my M9.  They are very large and made up of individual panels mounted on linen and cannot be scanned at all easily. 

 

As I have both  f/2.8 and f/3.5 M series  Elmars  can any of you suggest which would give the best results?  Recommendations from experience would be preferable, guys!

 

 

I should add that the Boowu-M is a recent aquisition. Up to now I have used the old screwmount Boowu, an adaptor ring and a Red Scale Elmar f/3,5

 

 

Susie

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[gyoung]

I have used the (original) 2.8 Elmar as a an enlarging lens, which is a similar application, and it performed very well indeed, better than 50mm 2.8 Rodenstock, Schneider and Nikon enlarging lenses. So it should do your job ok.

Both are symetrical lenses which normally perform well at closer distances, I doubt if at f 8 or so you would see any difference.

 

Gerry

[tobey bilek]

Since 2.8 makes a decent enlarging lens,  it will do better than an enlarging lens for large maps as it was made for large area coverage.

 

My red scale was never tried on an enlarger.

 

All Leitz & Leica enlarging & micro lenses exhibit some degree of field curvature, also those 50 mm designed for distance.  I exploited this when enlarging slides not in glass mounts so they have curvature.  The slight curve in the lenses worked well.

 

The best I have is a black 65 3.5 & 100 APO w/wo close adapter.  Chrome 65 is totally different, but decent.  But the 100 APO remains the killer lens.    

[gvaliquette]

...

Both are symetrical lenses which normally perform well at closer distances, I doubt if at f 8 or so you would see any difference.

 

Gerry,

 

Elmars are NOT symmetrical design lenses

 

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Elmar 50mm F3.5

 

Guy

[gyoung]

Well strictly speaking no, but afaik the rear cenented pair is considered equivalent to the front element but made to better performance.

Same with Tessar and Xenar

 

Gerry

[Susie]

Thanks guys,

 

The maps are made up of individual panels ( just under A4 or A5 depending on the map) pasted onto a linen backing. Using the Boowu I was just going to photograph each panel individually and then either print them off separately, or paste them electronically into one map.

 

I suppose my question should have read which of the two 50mm Elmars (both late 1950's ones) would be better bearing in mind it will be stopped down somewhat, but still employing the full covering power of the lens as the Boowu uses the whole format for each size of reproduction.  Sorry all that last bit sounds a bit odd, but I'm sure you know what I mean!

 

Susie

[tobey bilek]

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The 2.8 is the better lens.  

[jaques]

I think you will be fine with either lens. My red scale elmar 3.5 is extremely sharp stopped down:

 

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