"ENLA" UNITS
Three companies have made what are sometimes referred to as "enla
units" for making enlargements from their subminiature cameras. These enla-units
can be thought of as "something more than an enlarging lens", yet "something
less than an enlarger". The problem with making enlarger lenses for the
subminiature formats is that the extra-short focal lengths will not work
with many enlargers -- especially larger format enlargers, such as 4x5. Why
not? Well, many of the bigger enlargers will not allow the lens to
get close enough to the film with the smaller formats, even with recessed
lensboards. The focal lengths of the lenses are just too short and the extra-long
bellows of some enlargers will not compress enough. Minolta, Mamiya
and Yashica made special enlarging units, "enla-units", to solve this
problem.
The enla-unit is comprised of a standard subminiature enlarging lens
-- with a negative stage, negative holder and condenser assembly attached
to the top! They can only be used in conjunction with a normal enlarger.
The "normal" enlarging lens is removed from the enlarger, and the enla-unit
is screwed-in in its place. The submini negative is then placed in the negative
holder of the enla-unit and enlarged on the baseboard. Since the enla-unit
has its own condenser assembly and focusing mount, the minimum focusing distance
of the enlarger itself is no longer an obstacle to printing.
These units were never very popular and are very hard to find. Here
are the details on the enla-units that we are aware of:
-
Minolta ENLA -- with Rokkor E 30mm f2.8. Black body with f-stops
from f2.8 through f16.0. Minolta made negative carriers for 10x14mm and 12x17mm
negatives. The lens has a focusing ring. The unit screws into any Leica-thread
(39mm) lens board. Rotating positioning collar at the top. The Minolta ENLA
came with a red sheet of acetate that could be cut and inserted into the
regular negative carrier of the enlarger to serve as a red safe-light.
-
Mamiya ENLAHEAD (model 1) -- with Optor 25mm f3.5. This was
the first ENLA unit from any manufacturer. It has an all chrome, very-Retro
body with f-stops from f3.5 through f16.0. The lens is actually removable,
so that other lenses can be used if you can find any with this screwmount
size (15mm?). The lens has a focusing ring. The only negative carrier
made for this enla-unit was 10x14mm. The unit screws into any Leica-thread
(39mm) lens board. Rotating positioning collar at the top. The Model 1 is
rarely seen.
-
Mamiya ENLAHEAD (model 2) -- I guess the model 1 was too expensive
for most people, so Mamiya opted to come out with a less expensive version
-- with a black, bakelite body. The focal length is not marked on the
lens but it is probably a 25mm optic. The f-stops are marked from f3.5
through f16.0 on the lens mount. They are very hard to see -- even
with the lights on --- because they are stamped in white bakelite. The
lens has a focusing ring. The only negative carrier made for this enla-unit
was 10x14mm. The unit screws into any Leica-thread (39mm) lens board. Rotating
positioning collar at the top.
-
Mamiya ENLAHEAD (model 3) -- This is an updated version of the Model
2. The focal length is still not marked on the lens, but the f-stops
-- from f3.5 through f16.0 -- are now marked in white on a black background.
Unfortunately this doesn't really help that much since the number are printed
on the front plate of the lens. In order to see them, you have to put
your head under the lens and turn it upward -- not too convenient.
However, the lens f-stop ring is a little wider and easier to grip.
The lens has a focusing ring. The only negative carrier made for this
enla-unit was 10x14mm. The unit screws into any Leica-thread (39mm) lens
board. Rotating positioning collar at the top.
-
Mamiya ENLAHEAD (model 4) -- with Mamiya 25mm f3.5. This is
an updated version of the Model 3. The only difference is that the
focal length is marked on the lens. Black bakelite body with f-stops from
f3.5 through f16.0. All of the f-stops are marked on the lens. The lens has
a focusing ring. The only negative carrier made for this enla-unit was 10x14mm.
The unit screws into any Leica-thread (39mm) lens board. Rotating positioning
collar at the top. Undoubtedly the most common enla unit from any manufacturer.
-
Mamiya ENLAHEAD (model 5) -- A big change from the previous models,
it comes with the same Mamiya 25mm (probably) f3.5 lens. The focal length
is NOT marked on the lens. Grey plastic body with f-stops from f3.5 through
f16.0. Only f3.5, f5.6 and f16.0 are marked on the lens, but there is an
intermediate click-stop between each of these settings (presumably f4.5 and
f9.5 -- or thereabouts). This lens is easier to use, in some ways, since
the f-stops are now marked on the side of the lens. The lens has a
focusing ring, but it rotates in the opposite direction from all of the previous
models.. The only negative carrier made for this enla-unit was 10x14mm. The
unit screws into any Leica-thread (39mm) lens board. Rotating positioning
collar at the top.
-
Yashica Atoron Enlarging lens -- with E-Yashinon-DX 21mm 3.5. It
is listed as an "enlarging lens" but it is an entire unit just like the other
"enlas". Black body with f-stops from f3.5 through f16. The lens has
a focusing ring. The only negative carrier made for this enla-unit was 8x11mm.
The unit screws into any Leica-thread (39mm) lens board. Rotating positioning
collar at the top. It has two protruding tabs to make setting the f-stop
on the tiny lens much easier, but they can be removed, if desired. Hard
to find and very desirable since it is the only enla-unit designed to work
specifically with Minox-sized negatives.
Instruction manuals for:
Mamiya ENLAHEAD
Yashica EXCLUSIVE ATORON ENLARGING
LENS
In some instances, you can even make your own enla units. Here's
an example.
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