I am preparing to buy the EL-Nikkor enlarger lens 5.6/80mm for UV photography, but I have found old models with a black/chrome body with different serial numbers. Serial numbers include 988161, 808005, and 962207 (links included). Are any of these suitable, or is one serial number preferable? Thank you for you help!
Cedric,
Thank you. I also reached out to Klaus D Schmitt and to archive this knowledge on the forum I have shared his response below. In short, various models of the old style lens are suitable for UV photography.
“I tested many of them and did not see big differences in transmission. The “rubber tyre” style later ones had no useful UV transmission however!
But make sure one is crystal clear inside and not fogged which often happens; have the seller shine through with a flashlight from the back and look at it from the front as this gets easily visible then!”