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A rare bird Rodenstock Rodagon-WA 4/40 vs Hexanon 1.8/40
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 01, 2023 7:31 pm    Post subject: A rare bird Rodenstock Rodagon-WA 4/40 vs Hexanon 1.8/40 Reply with quote
It seems to be a rare bird at large in internet, as it is a rather special purpose 6-glass enlarger lens which fetches pretty bold price tag when new. Mine is not at all new and pretty well used (thus cheap), but with a well preserved glass.

As it is often the case with Rodenstock lenses, colour rendering and sharpness are just fabulous.

Put on Sony Nex WO with a Chinese helicoid it works just fine, covering a distance range from approx. 10 cm to infinity.

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Info about the WA lenses at the Rodenstock web site.

Edit: added Hexanon comparison in the thread title.

Last edited by alex ph on Mon Aug 14, 2023 7:37 pm; edited 2 times in total


PostPosted: Tue Aug 01, 2023 9:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
For note, some tech details from another useful brochure.

Optical scheme of the lens



Recommended scale 4x ... 20x. Optimum reproduction scale 10x.

The brochure also describes a pretty weird system of supplementary snap-on lenses which change the focal length of Rodagons in fraction of mms, for example the 40mm lens becomes 39.9mm or 40.3mm. Curious to which purpose such fine graded lenses could serve and at which extent they could affect the IQ (geven the high Rodenstock standards).


PostPosted: Tue Aug 01, 2023 9:57 pm    Post subject: Re: A rare bird Rodenstock Rodagon-WA 4/40 Reply with quote
alex ph wrote:
It seems to be a rare bird at large in internet, as it is a rather special purpose 6-glass enlarger lens which fetches pretty bold price tag when new. Mine is not at all new and pretty well used (thus cheap), but with a well preserved glass.

As it is often the case with Rodenstock lenses, colour rendering and sharpness are just fabulous.

Put on Sony Nex WO with a Chinese helicoid it works just fine, covering a distance range from approx. 10 cm to infinity.



Congrats - seems to be a very good lens even though (as usual) I find it impossible to really judge image quality with 1200px shots.

The Rodagon WA 40 mm should also be an excellent lens for macro reversed:
https://www.closeuphotography.com/rodenstock-rodagon-wa-40mm-f4-lens-test

I haven't tested this lens myself, but I'm sure it's not too bad, if it can beat the Schneider and Osawa Tominon 40 mm lenses...

Have you tried it on full frame?


PostPosted: Tue Aug 01, 2023 10:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thank you! I've seen this test, nicely made, before satisfying my GAS. I'v got a classic enlarger version of the lens, with the diaphragm mechanism.

I am going to try the lens on Sony A7 in the next days and will post results. I will also add a 100% crop to give a better idea of the lens' rendering. My first test shots did not seem to give appropriate material for a large size inspection.


PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 3:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
congratz.. it's a nice lens indeed. I don't know this lens is rare, but you can check my samples here http://forum.mflenses.com/rodenstock-rodagon-40-4-wa-t82528,highlight,%2Brodagon+%2B40.html


PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 7:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
IAZA wrote:
congratz.. it's a nice lens indeed. I don't know this lens is rare, but you can check my samples here http://forum.mflenses.com/rodenstock-rodagon-40-4-wa-t82528,highlight,%2Brodagon+%2B40.html


Your samples look great! Turns out I have one of those as well. Tried it and was positively surprised by its performance wide open (I assume this might be an example of limiting the max aperture intentionally in order to have a great performance across the board)

Don't mind the text... it was for a specific theme on flickr. Should still be able to show that it's a great lens. It even covers full frame reasonably at distance. You get distinct cat eye bokeh though.

In crunch mode since 1932 by simple.joy, on Flickr

Dry humor… by simple.joy, on Flickr


PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 10:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Great samples, Iaza and simple.joy!

I took my Rodagon-WA for a walk as a common photo lens which was easy with a Chineses helicoid. I confirm Iaza's observation that it has a pretty short focusing move, so one need to use focus peaking. But the results are really awarding.

All shots below are taken with Sony A7, at apertures f4 and f5.6.

A very pleasant all-rounder!


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I don't put here larger crops, as long as simple.joy attested himself the lens' performance.


PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 11:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Too much perfect: boring! Laugh 1


PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 11:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Laugh 1 Laugh 1

To chill out from the perfection, you are welcome to this thread!


PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 11:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
alex ph wrote:
Great samples, Iaza and simple.joy!

I took my Rodagon-WA for a walk as a common photo lens which was easy with a Chineses helicoid. I confirm Iaza's observation that it has a pretty short focusing move, so one need to use focus peaking. But the results are really awarding.

All shots below are taken with Sony A7, at apertures f4 and f5.6.

A very pleasant all-rounder!


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Thank you for the samples. That's an excellent shot - looks really fantastic!


PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 11:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
simple.joy wrote:



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looks really fantastic![/quote]

Well, I almost feel positively hungry! Whoo Turtle


PostPosted: Sat Aug 05, 2023 5:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Whoo Turtle Thank you, simple.joy and LittleAlex!

To calm down a bit the appetite, here is a couple of shots from another realm. Bokeh is pleasing to the eye.

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PostPosted: Sat Aug 05, 2023 7:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
alex ph wrote:
Whoo Turtle Thank you, simple.joy and LittleAlex!

To calm down a bit the appetite, here is a couple of shots from another realm. Bokeh is pleasing to the eye.

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Both of those shots are excellent! Very well done.


PostPosted: Sat Aug 05, 2023 8:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Like 1 Like 1 Like 1


PostPosted: Sun Aug 06, 2023 7:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thank you, fellows!

Results of a simple BW conversion are also found to be gracious, thanks to the fine lens rendering.

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PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2023 9:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I decided to compare the Rodagon-WA 4/40 with a Hexanon 1.8/40, reputed for its sharpness and set to f4.

Both are put on Sony A7 handheld and swapped instantly in the the same scenery thanks to different adapters attached to each lens. The shots are SOOC jpeg.

I'd say Rodagon stands really well in front of the Hexanon and sometimes beats it in terms of colour, flare resistance and sharpness across the field. The overall SOOC image coming from Rodagon is punchier (easily modifiable in PP), while Hexanon gives a finer bokeh and the Rodagon's is naturally round WO and nicer highlighted. Besides, Hexanon's MFD of 45cm does not allow real close-ups, while Rodagon has a much more versatile distance coverage thanks to a Chinese helicoid.

So here follows a paired side-by-side comparison.

#1 Rodenstock Rodagon-WA 4/40, WO, SOOC


#2 Konica Hexanon 1.8/40, at f4, SOOC


#3 Rodenstock Rodagon-WA 4/40, WO, SOOC


#4 Konica Hexanon 1.8/40, at f4, SOOC


#5 Rodenstock Rodagon-WA 4/40, WO, SOOC


#6 Konica Hexanon 1.8/40, at f4, SOOC


#7 Rodenstock Rodagon-WA 4/40, WO, SOOC


#8 Konica Hexanon 1.8/40, at f4, SOOC


#9 Rodenstock Rodagon-WA 4/40, at f5.6, SOOC


#10 Konica Hexanon 1.8/40, at f5.6, SOOC


#11 Rodenstock Rodagon-WA 4/40, WO, autocontrast


#12 A 100% crop from the previous, SOOC, excellent edge sharpness


#13 Konica Hexanon 1.8/40, at f4, autocontrast


#14 A 100% crop from the previous, SOOC, slightly weaker edge sharpness


#15 Rodenstock Rodagon-WA 4/40, WO, SOOC, in-camera +1 exposure compensation


#16 Konica Hexanon 1.8/40, at f4, SOOC, in-camera +1 exposure compensation


#17 Rodenstock Rodagon-WA 4/40, WO, SOOC, bokeh demonstation


#18 Konica Hexanon 1.8/40, at f4 and MFD, SOOC, bokeh demonstation


#19 Rodenstock Rodagon-WA 4/40, WO, SOOC, a Chinese helicoid allows a closer focus distance (here even not at MFD)


PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2023 10:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Some really nice shots in this thread, looks like a fine lens.


PostPosted: Mon Aug 14, 2023 7:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Glad you liked it! To use this lens is a very pleasing experience.

#1 Sooc jpg resized


#2 Contrast slightly corrected


#3 Sooc jpg resized


PostPosted: Mon Aug 14, 2023 7:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Great lens! I'm already looking for one


PostPosted: Mon Aug 14, 2023 8:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Wish you a good luck!


PostPosted: Mon Sep 04, 2023 9:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have it! Very nice small compact lens with good resolution, micro contrast and color

_fp00202_iWE+f by D0K, on Flickr


PostPosted: Mon Sep 04, 2023 9:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
alex ph wrote:

The brochure also describes a pretty weird system of supplementary snap-on lenses which change the focal length of Rodagons in fraction of mms, for example the 40mm lens becomes 39.9mm or 40.3mm. Curious to which purpose such fine graded lenses could serve and at


Well, as the brochure says



Fine tuning to ensure no wasted paper/film.

This reminds me of Schneider's VP Cinelux 35mm projection lenses, VP standing for Variable Prime, designed to allow projected image to precisely fit the screen from the 7% FL adjustment range. A different method employed to do this though. Supplementary close-up lenses would make sense on this enlarger.


PostPosted: Wed Sep 06, 2023 10:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Congrats with the nice acquisition, Sergey!

eggplant wrote:

Fine tuning to ensure no wasted paper/film.

This reminds me of Schneider's VP Cinelux 35mm projection lenses, VP standing for Variable Prime, designed to allow projected image to precisely fit the screen from the 7% FL adjustment range. A different method employed to do this though. Supplementary close-up lenses would make sense on this enlarger.


Interesting! I am still estonished with such a fine tuning in enlarger applications, where you have a large room for stand movements and thus for changing the print size.

Meanwhile a couple of night shots WO.

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PostPosted: Tue Sep 12, 2023 7:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
alex ph wrote:
Congrats with the nice acquisition, Sergey!



Thank you, Alex! Nice lens!

_fp00218_iW + f by D0K, on Flickr


PostPosted: Wed Sep 13, 2023 11:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
The colours please the eye!
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