Rodenstock large format lenses are some of the best I have owned and used. The two enlarger lenses I had for medium format and 135 films were excellent performers in the darkroom. I continue to use Rodenstock lens filters today. Still, the only Rodenstock large format lenses in my kit now are the lovely 65/4.5 Grandagon-N with center filter and the Sironar N 210mm f/5.6 MC Sinar DB Lens for studio product work.
The lens I most regret parting with is the Cooke PS945 soft-focus portrait lens. I let it go when I transitioned from 4×5 portraits to medium-format digital, primarily with ALPA cameras and lenses. I needed the money, so I sold it for the same $3,500 I had originally paid. Today, it’s worth more than double that if you can find one since Cooke no longer manufactures them. This lens would have been perfect for still-life imagery. Unfortunately, as I’m approaching retirement, I won’t have the same income to afford another. Those fortunate enough to own a PS945 are truly lucky.
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