Originally posted by UncleVanya My most disappointing lens was a Nikkor 50mm Enlarging lens
I run a school darkroom with 21 enlargers. You make an excellent point about disappointing enlarging lenses. If there ever was a lens that should be humidity sealed, itʻs an enlarging lens. When Nikon switched production of their 50mm f/2.8 enlarging lenses from Japan to China, my main problem was the new lenses would develop fungus and mold at an alarming speed.
The 50mm f/2.8 Nikkor enlarging lens was a good balance between price and quality or the Beslar branded lenses and the German glass. Our darkroom also uses Rodenstock and Schneider enlarging lenses, and they too have had disappointing optics; not all, but some.