Ross Resolux 11cm f4, a crisp one

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1674

Ross Resolux 11cm f4 is an enlarger lens from a british family already presented in the forum. It has great sharpness and smooth bokeh (on Sony FF). Here are some samples took at WO and the next stop which is marked as 2.

Close distance

#1

#2

#3

Mid-range

#4

#5

#6

Bokeh

#7

#8

vivaldibow · Expire: 2021-03-09

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1674

Thank you, vivaldibow!

This one is really a no-brainer. From camera to lens there is: a Sony NEX extension set with ring no. 2 + a standard m42 to Nex adapter + a chinese 17-31mm focusing helicoid + M39 to M42 adapter ring.

Here it is on Sony A7:

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1674

It's also more than just good in distant field.

#1

#2 The one taken with APS-C

#3

vivaldibow · Expire: 2021-03-09

Sciolist · Expire: 2021-04-16

Yep, they render really nicely, don't they. I have the 11cm, 9cm and two 5cm. They are nice on Fuji's apsc sensor too.

They have been really popular in Japan over the last few years from what I've read, but I have the feeling that may have worn off... at last. Just a feeling.

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1674

Oh yes, the lens is a pleasure.

By the way, I hasn't got that weird watercolour bokeh I saw in some shots taken with the 9cm Resolux variation. What I could reach, as you see in my shots, is smooth. How should that be explained? The serial number of my lens has 5 digits. Following the table of Ross lenses serials, it must be produced between the 1860 and 1870. That's a nonsense, the lens is just an ordianary looking one from the 1950s. Is my lens a nice Ross mutant?

And seriously, do you have a couple of links to experiments of Japanese photographers with this glass? I am curious what one may do with it.

Sciolist · Expire: 2021-04-16

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

I have one of these, I think it's the 9cm version. A beautiful thing, so heavy, just solid brass with very thick chrome plating. A pale blue single coating. Wonderful lenses, especially for close up work, but also very capable at infinity too.

I collect Ross lenses, without exception they are very high quality.

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1674

Your observations are interesting, Sciolist. I got attentive to Resolux just several months ago, so couldn't judge the shift in pricing. For the moment, there are pretty affordable copies of different focal lengths. But I think to limit myself to this one. Too many lenses!

Ian, have you got a stranger bokeh with yours? Otherwise it might be just an erroneous impression I got.

I just went to the open window and shot the moon with diaphragm position No.3. So a real infinity distance. Here are a couple of crops from different image corners. A 110mm lens on FF - not bad really!

#1

#2

Sciolist · Expire: 2021-04-16

^^ They just render so nicely Like 1

.

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

Hi Alex. Been years since I used my Resolux, but yes, I do remember it having unusual bokeh.

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1674

I played more with the lens. I think, its bokeh is constantly smooth. Sciolist, that comes in terms with your reasoning better than with my early ideas. Ian, it seems that one need to make close ups with a specially chosen charged background to get something unusual.

What this lens hardly stands, as many old ones do, are difficult light situations, such as a direct sunbeam. This beahaviour makes even think about uncoated glass. But I read a Ross booklet saying all Resolux glasses are coated. Meanwhile many other light conditions leave a large field of joyful play, as the captured image keeps much info, thus giving much space for PP.

In the las shot I accidentially caught green beam of the sun evening glow, visible in the bottom left corner. It's rare even in seashore, so quite unusual for cityscapes. A longer standing effect of the lockdown air purification?

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

Sciolist · Expire: 2021-04-16

Is that still on Sony's FF sensor? God, I almost reached to pull that scarf from the post. BRAVO.

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1674

Thank you very much, Sciolist! Yes, it'is the same setup on Sony A7.

Here is another shot of an item that seems to be rather exserted:

Frullo · Joined: 05 Jan 2018 Posts: 16

I have read a discussion about ross enlarging lenses and their average quality, especially compared to rodagons.
But for me, I don't like rodagons very much (except for a couple of them like 105mm and 135mm): they are fine, only too cold-exact without "soul".
Instead this Ross is sharp, has a pleasent beautiful bokeh, good colours (showing nuances which are distinctive of many lenses from the Fifties), whatelse... Distortion?
Anyway, a very interesting lens. I wonder how it would manage portrait shots.

Frullo · Joined: 05 Jan 2018 Posts: 16

caspert79 · Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 3221 Location: The Netherlands

Very nice results!

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1674

Thank you, Caspert! I missed your note previously.