Last week I came across an interesting looking Rodenstock 57mm lens on eBay, but when I looked at the price I had to double check, $9.99 + $5.00 shipping for 4, not each, but four lenses at $2.50 each. The main downside to the lens was the slow f/8 aperture, but in many cases industrial lenses are designed with access to the aperture disk in mind, so it can be removed or changed without too much hassle. If the aperture disk was removable, the performance might be okay, and if I get really lucky, the performance might even be decent.
The Rogonar-S is really small and compact, but since the lens is all-metal, it has a nice weight and feel to it.
Image quality AT 2.1 X MAGNIFICATION
For best results I use this lens in a stacked configuration. Stacking lenses, also called coupling lenses, is a technique where you mount a lens in reverse, or face-to-face, on a second lens, usually a telephoto lens, in this case the Schneider Makro-Symmar 5.6/120. With the rear lens set to infinity focus and with the front lens reverse mounted there is no loss of light due to extension. Together the combination has the potential to resolve more than either of the lenses setup for close-focus with extension.
An f/4.5 lens focused at 2x magnification by extension would have an effective aperture of f/13.95 using the simple formula, effective aperture = nominal aperture * ( Magnification + 1 ). With the same lens setup in a stacked configuration the effective aperture would be only f/9.5 using the formula effective aperture = nominal aperture * Magnification. You can predict the maximum possible resolution from a certain lens by using the simple fact that a wider aperture = higher potential resolution.
2500 PIXEL IMAGE SAMPLE
Click on the image below to view a larger version in a Lightbox viewer, but the size of the image sent to your device is based on the screen size. To open the image in a new window or tab, right click, or two-finger press, and select Open in a New Tab or New Window from the menu. You can also right click, or two-finger press, and select Save Image As and compare the images in the image viewing app of your choice.
To check the size of the image you are looking at, look up at the URL window at the top of the browser, the address should have 2500w at the end. If the image size is anything smaller you can easily change the number to 2500 manually and press enter to bring up the largest image.
The image quality produced by the Rogonar-S 57mm is not bad at all. Look at the 2500 pixel image above, the sharpness and contrast are good and consistent from corner to corner. Sharpness is being limited by the slow f/5.6 aperture, but the chromatic aberrations are very well controlled. This lens has better image quality than any 4 element, 3 group enlarger lens that I have tested and quite a few 6 element 4 group lenses as a matter of fact.
2.1x Test: Rogonar-S 57mm lens vs APO-Rodagon-D 2x CROP
For this test the Rogonar was stacked at f/5.6 with the lens ID side facing the subject, the APO-Rodagon was set to f/4.5, the sharpest aperture, and focused using extension in retro mount.
Front lens: Rodenstock Rogonar-S 5.6/57 lens reverse mounted
Rear lens: Schneider Makro-Symmar 120 line scan lens normally mounted focused at infinity
Stacked lens nominal aperture: f/5.6 with disk removed
Stacked lens effective aperture: f/11.76
Rodenstock APO-Rodagon-D 2x lens reverse mounted focused using extension
Stacked lens nominal aperture: f/4.5
Stacked lens effective aperture: f/13.95
Camera: Sony α6300, model # ILCE-6300, also known as: A6300
Sensor size: APS-C 23.5 × 15.6 mm. 28.21 mm diagonal. 3.92 micron sensor pitch
Flash: Godox TT350s wireless flash x 2 with one Godox X1s 2.4G wireless flash transmitter
For this test I ran a stack of images in 5 micron steps for each aperture. The sharpest frame was then chosen using Photoshop at 100% actual pixel view. Separate images were selected for center, edge, and corner if needed. Each image was processed in PS CC with identical settings with all noise reduction and lens correction turned off, all settings were zeroed out (true zero) and the same settings were used for all of the images.
100% View center crops: Rogonar-S 57mm lens vs APO-Rodagon-D
Click on the image below to view a larger version in a Lightbox viewer, but the size of the image sent to your device is based on the screen size. To open the image in a new window or tab, right click, or two-finger press, and select Open in a New Tab or New Window from the menu. You can also right click, or two-finger press, and select Save Image As and compare the images in the image viewing app of your choice.
The Rogonar 57 looks really good next to the APO-Rodagon-D crops. Nice contrast, okay-sharpness with nice CA free blacks. On the right, yes, the APO-Rodagon-D 2x really is this bad.
Thanks to the APO-Rodagon-D’s less than APO performance, the results look more like a processing error or WB issue, but the settings and processing were all identical. The lens was shot here at f/4.5, closing the aperture down to f/5.6 does clean up the CAs a little but sharpness drops off too much.
100% View corner crops: Rogonar-S 57mm lens vs APO-Rodagon-D
Click on the image below to view a larger version in a Lightbox viewer, but the size of the image sent to your device is based on the screen size. To open the image in a new window or tab, right click, or two-finger press, and select Open in a New Tab or New Window from the menu. You can also right click, or two-finger press, and select Save Image As and compare the images in the image viewing app of your choice.
In the corners the performance of the Rogonar-S is better than the APO-Rodagon-D. Even though the Rogonar-S sharpness drops just slightly here, it looks good all the way to the very outside edge of the APS-C frame. The APO-Rodagon-D actually looks worse in the corners, sharpness is okay, but the pink fringing is really an issue and the contrast is low.
2.1X test results: Rogonar-S 57mm lens vs APO-Rodagon-D
The Rogonar-S is a better lens than the APO-Rodagon D at 2.1x. Images out of the Rogonar are cleaner, sharper and more consistent across the sensor.
The APO-Rodagon-D has the distinction of the worse chromatic aberration correction of any lens I own.
ROgonar-S 57mm TECHNICAL DETAILS
Rodenstock Rogonar-S 1:8 F=57mm
Lens applications: industrial
Part number: Unknown
Filter threads: none
Barrel type: All-Metal
Optics: 4 elements 3 groups
Mount: M25 x 0.5 (common with Schneider lenses)
Iris: aperture disk
Nominal maximum Aperture: f/8, tested at f/5.6
Coverage: APS-C
Used market Price: $2.50 for new-old-stock
2.1x Test: Rogonar-S 57mm lens vs Canon MP-E 65 1-5x macro lens
For this test the Rogonar was stacked at f/5.6, the MP-E was set to f/4, the sharpest aperture at this magnification.
Front lens: Rodenstock Rogonar-S 5.6/57 lens reverse mounted
Rear lens: Schneider Makro-Symmar 120 line scan lens normally mounted focused at infinity
Stacked lens nominal aperture: f/5.6 with disk removed
Stacked lens effective aperture: f/11.76
Canon MP-E 65mm f2.8 1-5x Macro lens mounted normally
Stacked lens nominal aperture: f/4
Stacked lens effective aperture: f/12.4
Camera: Sony α6300, model # ILCE-6300, also known as: A6300
Sensor size: APS-C 23.5 × 15.6 mm. 28.21 mm diagonal. 3.92 micron sensor pitch
Flash: Godox TT350s wireless flash x 2 with one Godox X1s 2.4G wireless flash transmitter
For this test I ran a stack of images in 5 micron steps for each aperture. The sharpest frame was then chosen using Photoshop at 100% actual pixel view. Separate images were selected for center, edge, and corner if needed. Each image was processed in PS CC with identical settings with all noise reduction and lens correction turned off, all settings were zeroed out (true zero) and the same settings were used for all of the images.
100% View center crops: Rogonar-S 57mm lens vs canon MP-E 65mm
Click on the image below to view a larger version in a Lightbox viewer, but the size of the image sent to your device is based on the screen size. To open the image in a new window or tab, right click, or two-finger press, and select Open in a New Tab or New Window from the menu. You can also right click, or two-finger press, and select Save Image As and compare the images in the image viewing app of your choice.
This comparison is much closer this time, the Rogonar 57 has slightly better contrast and CA correction. Sharpness is much closer with a slight edge going to the Rogonar, but it’s close. You can see some mild pink fringing in the MP-E crop.
100% View corner crops: Rogonar-S 57mm lens vs Canon MP-E 65mm
Click on the image below to view a larger version in a Lightbox viewer, but the size of the image sent to your device is based on the screen size. To open the image in a new window or tab, right click, or two-finger press, and select Open in a New Tab or New Window from the menu. You can also right click, or two-finger press, and select Save Image As and compare the images in the image viewing app of your choice.
Rogonar-S has cleaner blacks, that means less pink fringing, and better contrast. The Canon corners have less pink fringing then the center. Sharpness is very close, I would say it’s a draw. The MP-E has a very flat from the center to the corners.
2.1X test Rogonar-S 57mm lens vs Canon MP-E 65mm results
Rogonar-S has better contrast and chromatic correction than the Canon MP-E 65. Sharpness is very close between these two. Considering the price of only $2.50 for a new-old-stock lens, the Rogonar-S wins the price vs performance value award of all time.
RATING
What I Like:
Price vs Performance ratio
Stacked configuration image quality
All-metal housing
Standard mounting threads
Removable aperture disk
Very good chromatic aberration correction
What I Don’t Like:
Slow maximum aperture
Rogonar-S 57mm 1:8 aperture disk removal notes
The aperture disk is easy to remove but its not going to be an operation that everyone will feel comfortable with. You can always contact me for help with this if you don’t want to tackle the job yourself.
Step 1: unscrew the front lens cover and remove it from the main lens body. You will see a lens group slightly protruding from the body of the lens. The ring is only finger pressure tight.
Step 2: Gently nudge the front lens group out of it’s seat and carefully set it aside. I used my fingertips to remove the lens group. Remember the lens group orientation.
Step 3: Use a small pair of needle-nose pliers to pop out the aperture disk.
Step 4: Making sure the orientation is correct, slowly and carefully nudge the lens group back in to position. It will be a snug fit. Also at this point I would check the lens to make sure all the surfaces are fingerprint and smudge free.
Step 5: Replace the front lens cover. Should take only a few minutes to finish the entire job.
MOUNTING THE Rogonar-S
The Rogonar-S uses standard M25 x 0.5 threads, the same size is used on some older Schneider lenses like the Xenon. You should be able to find the correct adapters on RAF Camera and eBay.
Mount the lens on a Makro-Symmar 5.6/120 was simple using two step-down adapters. First I used a M25 x 0.5 thread > M42 x 1.0 step-down adapter with a second adapter to lock the threads. Next I used a Thorlabs M42 to SM2 flat adapter with a lock ring. The lens and adapters screwed right into my standard SM2/52mm studio setup with the Makro-Symmar 5.6/120 already installed.
Other Rodenstock Lenses on Closeuphotographer.com:
Rodenstock Ysaron 1:4 f=25: coming soon
Rodenstock Ysaron 1:3.5 f=30: coming soon
Rodenstock Rodagon 4/28: https://www.closeuphotography.com/rodagon-28mm-lens-test
Rodenstock Rogonar-S 8/35: https://www.closeuphotography.com/rogonar-s-35mm-test
Rodenstock Rodagon 1:5.6 f=43: https://www.closeuphotography.com/rodagon-43-lens-test
Rodenstock Rogonar-S 1:3.5 f=50: https://www.closeuphotography.com/rogonar-s-50-lens-test
Rodenstock Rodagon 1:8 f=60: https://www.closeuphotography.com/rodagon-60mm-lens-test
LINK for the Rogonar-S:
Original eBay ad for the Rogonar-S 57mm, the seller is now out of stock but email me if you are interested in the lens, I have a few extras.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-USED-RODENSTOCK-ROGONAR-S-1-8-f-57MM-LENS-0801-354-020/174042271731?