Rodenstock GmbH

Rodenstock GmbH (German pronunciation: [ˈʁoːdn̩ʃtɔk]) is a German manufacturer of ophthalmic lenses and spectacle frames. The company, which was founded in 1877, is headquartered in Munich. It has a worldwide workforce of approximately 4,200 and is represented in more than 80 countries with sales subsidiaries and distribution partners. Rodenstock maintains production sites for ophthalmic lenses at a total of 14 locations in 12 countries.

Rodenstock GmbH

Type	GmbH
Industry	Ophthalmic optics
Founded	1877
Founder	Josef Rodenstock
Headquarters	Munich, Germany
Key people	Anders Hedegaard (CEO), Dr. Michael Kleer (COO), Sven Schirmer (CFO)
Products	lenses and frames
Number of employees	approx. 4,200 worldwide (April 2013)
Website	/

History

The foundation for Rodenstock's development was laid in 1877 by Josef Rodenstock with his workshop and shop for lenses, frames, barometers, and measurement instruments in Würzburg. In 1880, he developed his first patented products – diaphragm lenses. Two years later, he started exporting internationally and founded his own production sites. Since 1883 the company’s headquarters is located in Munich.

In the new millennium, the ophthalmic optics company quickly developed from a small tradesman shop into a modern industrial enterprise. For example, the first bifocal lenses came from Rodenstock as did UV-absorbing lenses.

In addition to the production of lenses, the third generation put special focus on the manufacture of frames. In 1955, Rodenstock sold more than one million of them. Other innovations followed like, for example, self-tinting (phototropic) lenses and the first progressive lenses developed by the company, the Progressiv R, which was an immediate success in the 1980s.

In the 1990s, the unique selling point as a manufacturer of lenses and frames from a single source was consistently developed. Through continuous innovations, Rodenstock further expanded its market share during that time. In 2000, the company landed a real coup in the field of individual progressive lenses with the product ImpressionILT. Rodenstock invented the modern progressive lens.

In 2000, the precision-optics division, Rodenstock Precision Optics, was sold to LINOS AG, which itself was subsumed by Qioptiq group in 2010 making Rodenstock Precision Optics a brand of Qioptiq.[1] The eyeglasses division is now owned by the European holding company Bridgepoint.[2] These independent entities still operate with the same stylized "R" logo.

Rodenstock generations

Josef Rodenstock (1878–1905) On 1 January 1878, Josef Rodenstock (32), a peddler of self-designed measuring instruments and spectacle frames from Thuringia, began business operations together with his brother Michael of the company "G. Rodenstock" which had been founded in Würzburg in 1877.

Alexander Rodenstock (1905–1953) Alexander Rodenstock joined the company at the age of 22 in 1905. He had given up his studies of physics and economics at the urging of his father and started to prepare to take over the management of the family company; he did so in 1919.

Rolf Rodenstock (1953–1990) Rolf Rodenstock had a diploma in general business, a doctorate and a professorship. He took over the helm of the family company from his father in 1953. He supervised the reconstruction of the company and Rodenstock’s own "economic miracle" and was considered one of the most respected corporate personalities of the still young Federal Republic.

Randolf Rodenstock (1990–2003) Randolf Rodenstock joined the company in 1976 and initially managed the company together with his father following his study of physics at Munich University and a subsequent MBA at the INSEAD management school in Fontainebleau, France. He took over general responsibility for the company in 1990 and focused the company on the demands of increasing industrial globalization.

Ophthalmic products

More than 135 years of tradition, experience and the associated know-how have made Rodenstock into one of the most important manufacturers of lenses and frames. Rodenstock is the only brand that delivers “spectacles from a single source” with frames and lenses as a complete provider and is the inventor of the first individual progressive lens Impression® as well as the technology EyeLT®. The frames collection of Rodenstock has been allocated with more than 50 awards.

The competence for both ophthalmic lenses as well as for frames makes Rodenstock into a unique brand in ophthalmic optics because it can offer spectacles wearers the complete ”spectacles” system from a single source. Besides frames and lenses Rodenstock develops and sells video-centration systems under the brand name ImpressionIST as well as consulting software.

Own brands

• Rodenstock

Licenses

• Porsche Design Eyewear

Camera lenses

Rodenstock abandoned the branch of production of 'camera lenses'.

Small format camera lenses

Euron

A 3-element, 3-group design, used for 8 mm motion picture cameras.

• 37.5 mm f/2.8

Eurygon

A 7-element design.

For 35 mm format:

• Retina-Eurygon 30mm f/2.8
• Retina-Eurygon 35mm f/4

Heligon

A 6-element design.

• 12.5 mm f/1.5

For 35 mm format:

• Retina-Heligon C 35 mm f/4
• Retina-Heligon C 35 mm f/5.6
• Retina-Heligon C 50 mm f/2
• Retina-Heligon C 50 mm f/2.8
• Retina-Heligon C 80 mm f/4

• Retina-Heligon 50 mm f/1.9

Heligaron

A 6-element design, used for 16 mm motion picture cameras.

• 6.5 mm f/1.6

Ronar

Used for 8 mm motion picture cameras.

• 12.5 mm f/1.9

Rotelar

A 5-element design.

• 180 mm f/4.5

For 35 mm format:

• Retina-Rotelar 85mm f/4
• Retina-Rotelar 135mm f/4

Yronar

A 4-element, 4-group design.

• 135 mm f/3.5

Ysarex

Lenses for Graflex XL Camera system/Polaroid Land Camera. Single coated lanthanum glass

• 95 mm f/3.5
• 127 mm f/4.7
• 150 mm f/4.5
• 210 mm f/4.5

For 35 mm format:

• Retina-Ysarex 50mm f/2.8

For Dacora CC 35mm format:

• Retina-Ysarex 45mm f/2.8

Large format camera lenses

Rodenstock has a long history of manufacturing lenses for large format cameras, and has several lines of lenses.

Geronar

The least expensive of the Rodenstock lenses, these 3-element, 3-group designs have a 60° angle of view, and perform best when stopped down.

• 90 mm f/8 (marked Geronar-WA, for 4×5 in)
• 150 mm f/6.3 (for 4×5 in)
• 210 mm f/6.8 (for 5×7 in)

Eurynar

As a major product pre-war anastigmat, 4-element, 4-group lens, it was replacing the Imagonal in ~1909. Their formula was changed from double-gauss to dialyt somewhere between number 116.000 and 239.000, but there were still some double-gauss-Eurynar's, where a greater angle was necessary. The Lens Collector's Vade Mecum (M. Wilkinson and C. Glanfield) is giving 1924 as the date for this change.

At 1930 there was also a double anastigmat Eustigmat 1:6.8/135mm, which looks like a double-gauss Eurynar.

Kadlubek's Lens Catalogue is showing up 13 sizes from 90mm to 600mm, with f4.5, f5.4, f5.6, or f6.8; the Vade Mecum is listing sizes from 50mm to 600mm and additional openings f3.5, f3.8, f4.0, and f6.5.

Typically 135mm is used for 9x12cm, 21 cm for 13x18 / 7x5in, 42 cm for 10x8in, 48 cm for 12x10in and 60 cm for 15x12in.

Grandagon-N

The Grandagon lines are Rodenstock's wide-angle lenses. With an angle of view of 105°, these 8-element, 4-group lenses are the standard wide angles of the Rodenstock line. In their respective focal lengths, they are among the fastest wide angles available from any manufacturer. The 90;mm f/6.8, by contrast to the rest of the line, is a 6 element design.

• 65mm f/4.5 (for 4×5")
• 75mm f/4.5
• 75mm f/6.8
• 90mm f/6.8
• 90mm f/4.5 (for 5×7")
• 115mm f/6.8
• 155mm f/6.8 (for 8×10")
• 200mm f/6.8 (for 11x14")[3]

APO-Grandagon

The APO-Grandagon line is apochromatic, incorporating ED-glass elements. This series has a 120° angle of view, but the extremely short focal lengths only cover mostly medium format image sizes. Designs are 8 elements in 4 groups.

• 35mm f/4.5 (for 6×9 cm)
• 45mm f/4.5 (for 6×12 cm)
• 55mm f/4.5 (for 4×5 in)[3]

Sironar-N

According to the Rodenstock factoy, the 150/5.6 Sironar N and the 150/5.6 Apo-Sironr N lenses are optically identical, the only difference being the change of designation. It is likely reasonable to surmise that this similarity applies across the two lines.

Sironar-S

APO-Sironar-N

The APO-Sironar-N line is a 6-element, 4-group apochromatic design for general photography. Angle of view is 72°.

• 100mm f/5.6 (for 6x9cm)
• 135mm f/5.6 (for 4×5")
• 150mm f/5.6
• 180mm f/5.6 (for 5×7")
• 210mm f/5.6
• 240mm f/5.6
• 300mm f/5.6 (for 8×10")
• 380mm f/6.8
• 480mm f/8.4 (for 11x14")
• 480mm f/9.0[3]

APO-Sironar-S

These 6-element, 4-group lenses are an update to the APO-Sironar-N line, incorporating a larger angle of view (75°) and extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements to further reduce chromatic aberrations. Light fall-off at the edges of the field has also been reduced from the Sironar-N lenses.

• 100mm f/5.6
• 135mm f/5.6 (for 4×5")
• 150mm f/5.6
• 180mm f/5.6 (for 5×7")
• 210mm f/5.6 (for 8x10")
• 240mm f/5.6 (for 8x10")
• 300mm f/5.6 (for 8×10")
• 360mm f/6.8[3]

APO-Sironar-W

• 150mm f/5.6 (for 5x7")
• 210mm f/5.6 (for 8x10")
• 300mm f/5.6 (for 11x14")[3]

Macro-Sironar-N

• 210mm f/5.6
• 300mm f/5.6 (for 11x14" at 1:1)[3]

APO-Macro-Sironar

This line of 6-element, 4-group macro lenses is optimized for reproduction ratios from 1:5 to 2:1.

• 120mm f/5.6 (for 4×5")
• 180mm f/5.6 (for 8x10" at 1:1)[3]

APO-Ronar

These are apochromatic dialyts with 4 elements in 4 groups and an angle of view of 48° in lengths shorter than 480mm, narrowing to 40° above 760mm. They are optimized for 1:1 reproduction ratios, but also give excellent results in general photography, with extremely low distortion and superior sharpness. These lenses can be found mounted in shutter and as barrel lenses. Only some barrel Apo-Ronars can be remounted into a shutter, for details see http://www.skgrimes.com/lens-mounting/table-of-lenses-fitted-to-shutters . Most barrel APO-Ronars have a slot that allows to insert gel filters and waterhouse stops of any shape (for special effects) between the two optical groups, but there are also APO-Ronars with a fixed f-stop, i.e. a circular plate instead of an iris, and no filter slot. Lengths above 240mm also have a millimeters iris scale that indicates the real iris diameter, in order to calculate with high precision the effective f/stop when you work in close up and repro photography. This scale is typically starting at 2mm corresponding to a f-stop of 120 for a 240mm lens. Such and even higher values are useful for and only for prepress use. The CL-Versions (upcharge, more seldom) have a linear f-stop scale. This is useful for setting precise f-stops, specially when often different values are used.

Format coverage given for Focus at infinity at f/22

• 150mm f/9 (for 6×9 cm)
• 240mm f/9 (for 5x7 in)
• 300mm f/9 (for 5×7 in)
• 360mm f/9 (for 8x10 in)
• 420mm f/9 (for 8×10 in)
• 465mm f/9 (for 8×10 in)
• 480mm f/9 (for 8×10 in)
• 480mm f/11
• 485mm f/9 (for 10×12 in)
• 520mm f/9(for 10×12 in)
• 600mm f/11 (for 11x14 in)
• 600mm f/9 (for 11x14 in)
• 760mm f/14(for 12x16 in)
• 800mm f/9(for 14x18 in)
• 890mm f/14(for 16x20 in)
• 1000mm f/14(for 16x20 in)
• 1000mm f/16(for 16x20 in)
• 1070mm f/14(for 18x24 in)
• 1200mm f/14(for 20x24 in)
• 1200mm f/16(for 20x24 in)
• 1800mm f/16(for 30x40 in)

Tiefenbildner-Imagon

Main article: Rodenstock Imagon

Introduced in 1931, the Tiefenbildner-Imagon is an achromat doublet uncorrected for spherical aberration used together with diffusion discs or sieve apertures. The lens is one of the classic soft-focus "portrait lenses".

Digital camera lenses

The Rodenstock digital lenses are optimized for the small pixel grids common to most digital cameras' sensors, from 12 μm to 5 μm, to reduce the effects that diffraction and color noise have on sharpness.

APO-Sironar digital

These are the standard lenses in Rodenstock's digital lineup. They are optimized for working apertures of f/8 to f/11, and for extremely flat field and uniform illumination.

• 35 mm f/4.5 (for 46×58 mm sensors)
• 45 mm f/4.5 (for 72×96 mm sensors)
• 55 mm f/4.5
• 90 mm f/5.6
• 105 mm f/5.6
• 135 mm f/5.6
• 150 mm f/5.6
• 180 mm f/5.6

APO-Macro-Sironar digital

The APO-Macro is optimized for reproduction ratios of 1:5 to 2:1.

• 120 mm f/5.6 (for 72×96 mm sensors)

APO-Sironar digital HR

Rodenstock Apo-Sironar digital HR 100 mm

The HR series of lenses is optimized for extreme resolving power, for use with extremely high-resolution (thus the name) CCD sensors, with pixel sizes smaller than 10 μm. Recommended working apertures are f/8 to f/11.

• 35 mm f/4 (for 37×49 mm sensors)
• 60 mm f/4
• 100 mm f/4

Enlarging lenses

The current line of Rodenstock enlarging lenses have removable click-stops for setting aperture in the dark, an illuminated f-stop display, and an aperture pre-set feature, which allows setting of the working aperture, and quick changing from full aperture to the working aperture, for easy focusing and framing.

Omegaron

Optical system: 4-element, 3-group Tessar Type lenses. Low-priced version enlargement lens. The description is a sharp. An individual serial number is not marked to the lens. As for this, OEM was supplied to the other companies or in the guess such as Aperture Type, the possibility of received the supply oppositely is high. It is a brand that the so many chances to see and is unusual now.Template:Grammar needed

• Omegaron 135 mm f/4.5 (M50 Mount/ Eront Filter Φ49mm)

Rogonar

This is the budget line of enlarging lenses, which have 3-element, 3-group designs. They are optimized for 2x-8x reproduction ratios. This lens is the triplet type lens.

• 50 mm f/2.8
• 75 mm f/4.5

Rogonar-S

The 4-element, 3-group Rogonar-S is Tessar Type lenses. line is optimized for between 2x-8x and 2x-10x reproduction, depending on the model.

• 25 mm f/4
• 35 mm f/2.8
• 50 mm f/2.8
• 60 mm f/4.5
• 75 mm f/4.5
• 90 mm f/4.5
• 105 mm f/4.5
• 135 mm f/4.5

Rodagon

Rodenstock's 6-element, 4-group range of enlarger lenses carry very even field illumination, and can be used as on-camera macro lenses in addition to normal enlarging lenses. Optimum working apertures are 2 stops below maximum aperture. The image quality is very good.

• 28 mm f/4 (M39x1/26" Mount/ Front Filter Φ30.5x0,5 mm) 5x...30x (opt.20x) designed for APS "P" Panorama Format
• 35 mm f/4 (M39x1/26" Mount/ Front Filter Φ30.5x0,5 mm) 5x...30x (opt.20x) designed for 110 Instamatic Format
• 50 mm f/2.8 (M39x1/26" Mount/ Front Filter Φ40.5x0,5 mm) 2x...15x (opt.10x) designed for 135 24x36180 mm f/5.6mm Format
• 60 mm, f/5.6
• 60 mm f/4 (M39x1/26" Mount/ Front Filter Φ40.5x0,5 mm) 2x...10x (opt.6x) designed for 135 24x36mm Format
• 80 mm f/4 (M39x1/26" Mount/ Front Filter Φ40.5x0,5 mm) 2x...10x (opt.6x) designed for 6x7cm Format
• 105 mm f/5.6 (M39x1/26" Mount/ Front Filter Φ40.5x0,5 mm) 2x...10x (opt.6x) designed for 6x9cm Format
• 135 mm f/5.6 (M39x1/26" Mount/ Front Filter Φ40.5x0,5 mm) 2x...10x (opt.6x) designed for 9x12cm / 4x5" Format
• 150 mm f/5.6 (M50x0,75mm Mount/ Front Filter ΦM52x0,75mm) 2x...10x (opt.6x) designed for 9x12cm / 4x5" Format
• 180 mm f/5.6
• 210 mm f/5.6
• 240 mm f/5.6
• 300 mm f/5.6 (M72x1,00mm Mount/ Front Filter ΦM86) 1:3...3:1 (opt. 1:1) designed for up to 8x10 Format
• 360 mm f/6.3

Rodagon-G

This line of 6-element, 4-group lenses is optimized for reproduction ratios of 20x and above.

• 50 mm f/2.8
• 105 mm f/5.6
• 150 mm f/5.6
• 210 mm f/5.6
• 240 mm f/5.6
• 300 mm f/5.6
• 360 mm f/6.8
• 480 mm f/8.4

Rodagon-WA

This is a wide-angle series of lenses, which allow greater enlargements and use of shorter focal-length lenses than would otherwise be possible. The WA lenses are 6 elements in 4 groups, and are optimized for 4x-15x reproduction.

• 40 mm f/4
• 60 mm f/4
• 80 mm f/4
• 120 mm f/5.6

APO-Rodagon-N

The apochromatically-corrected Rodagon-N line generally features 6-element, 4-group designs, for the 50mm, and 7 elements 5 groups for 80mm, 105mm, 150mm, and eight elements in six groups for the 45mm, (2x-30x), and optimum reproduction ratios of 2x-15x depending on the focal length. The chromatic aberrations are corrected almost perfectly resulting in very high image contrast and resolution.

• 45 mm f/2.8 (M39 Mount/ Filter Φ40.5mm)
• 50 mm f/2.8 (M39 Mount/ Filter Φ40.5mm)
• 75 mm f/4 (M39 Mount/ Filter Φ40.5mm)
• 80 mm f/4 (M39 Mount/ Filter Φ40.5mm)
• 90 mm f/4 (M39 Mount/ Filter Φ40.5mm)
• 105 mm f/4 (M39 Mount/ Filter Φ40.5mm) however 7-element 5-group design
• 150 mm f/4 M50 mount, 8-element 6-group design

APO-Rodagon-D

Not necessarily enlarging lenses, these models are optimized for near 1:1 reproduction ratios, for purposes such as duplication of transparencies, or preparation of internegatives. They are 6-element, 4-group designs, and optimum f-stop is 2 stops below maximum aperture.

• APO-Rodagon-D 1x 75 mm f/4 (for 6×6 cm)
• APO-Rodagon-D 2x 75 mm f/4.5 (for 6×7 cm, optimized for 1.2x-2.5x reproduction)(M39 Mount/ Front Filter Φ40.5mm)
• APO-Rodagon-D 120 mm f/5.6 (for 4×5 in optimized for reproduction) for 1:1 reproduction ratio.

APO-Rodagon-R

Optimized for 1:1 reproduction ratio.

• APO-Rodagon-R 75 mm f/4

APO-Ronar

• APO-Ronar 520 mm f/10 (For a photoengraving)
• APO-Ronar 600 mm f/9 (For a photoengraving)

APO-Ronar-L

• APO-Ronar-L 240 mm f/9 M60/P=1.0 Mount. (Barrel lens for a photoengraving)
• APO-Ronar-L 360 mm f/9 M60/P=1.0 Mount. (Barrel lens for a photoengraving)

APO-Ronar-CL

• APO-Ronar-CL 240 mm f/9 (Barrel lens for Enlarging.)
• APO-Ronar-CL 300 mm f/9 (Barrel lens for Enlarging.)
• APO-Ronar-CL 360 mm f/9 (Barrel lens for Enlarging.)
• APO-Ronar-CL 420 mm f/9 (Barrel lens for Enlarging.)
• APO-Ronar-CL 480 mm f/9 (Barrel lens for Enlarging.)
• APO-Ronar-CL 485 mm f/9 (Barrel lens for Enlarging.)
• APO-Ronar-CL 520 mm f/9 (Barrel lens for Enlarging.)
• APO-Ronar-CL 600 mm f/9 (Barrel lens for Enlarging.)
• APO-Ronar-CL 760 mm f/14 (Barrel lens for Enlarging.)
• APO-Ronar-CL 800 mm f/9 (Barrel lens for Enlarging.)
• APO-Ronar-CL 890 mm f/14 (Barrel lens for Enlarging.)
• APO-Ronar-CL 1000 mm f/14 (Barrel lens for Enlarging.)
• APO-Ronar-CL 1000 mm f/16 (Barrel lens for Enlarging.)
• APO-Ronar-CL 1070 mm f/14(Barrel lens for Enlarging.)
• APO-Ronar-CL 1200 mm f/14 (Barrel lens for Enlarging.)
• APO-Ronar-CL 1200 mm f/16 (Barrel lens for Enlarging.)
• APO-Ronar-CL 1800 mm f/16 (Barrel lens for Enlarging.)

APO-Gerogon

These are Barrel lens for Enlarging & for a photoengraving, and perfect apochromatic lenses. Razor-sharp depiction is also recommended for close-up photography.

• APO-Gerogon 150 mm f/9 (Barrel lens for Enlarging & for a photoengraving) (Made in Germany & Made in Japan) (M39 Mount/ Front Filter Φ40.5mm)
• APO-Gerogon 210 mm f/9 (Barrel lens for Enlarging & for a photoengraving) (M50 Mount/ Front Filter Φ52mm)
• APO-Gerogon 240 mm f/9 (Barrel lens for Enlarging & for a photoengraving) (Made in Germany & Made in Japan) (M50 Mount/ Front Filter Φ52mm)
• APO-Gerogon 270 mm f/11 (Barrel lens for Enlarging & for a photoengraving)
• APO-Gerogon 270 mm f/9 (Barrel lens for Enlarging & for a photoengraving)
• APO-Gerogon 300 mm f/9 (Barrel lens for Enlarging & for a photoengraving)
• APO-Gerogon 360 mm f/9 (Barrel lens for Enlarging & for a photoengraving)
• APO-Gerogon 360 mm f/11 (Barrel lens for Enlarging & for a photoengraving)

APO-Gerogon-S

for a photoengraving lens.

• APO-Gerogon-S PRO 270 mm f/11

Rodenstock Klimsch APO-Ronar

for Klimsch & co., Frankfurt am Main. For a photoengraving and copy used. It uses for cartography etc.

• APO-Ronar Klimsch 240 mm f/9 (Barrel lens M60 Mount, Waterhouse type Filter Slot Only.)
• APO-Ronar Klimsch 360 mm f/9 (Barrel lens M60 Mount, Waterhouse type Filter Slot Only.)

Rodenstock Klimsch APO-Ronar-L

for Klimsch & co., Frankfurt an Main. For a photoengraving and copy used. It uses for cartography etc. These are perfect apochromatic lenses. Optical system: They are 4-element, 2-group designs. It is an optics group complete symmetrical system after the former group. Especially, it was used to photoengrave a huge map. Use the room size very big camera.

• APO-Ronar-L 240 mm f/9 (Barrel lens M60 Mount/ Waterhouse type Filter Slot Only.) f9 to f128
• APO-Ronar-L 360 mm f/9 (Barrel lens M60 Mount/ Flont Filter Φ55mm & Waterhouse type Filter Slot.) f9 to f260
• APO-Ronar-L 480 mm f/9 (Barrel lens / Waterhouse type Filter Slot.)

Hawk anamorphic lenses

In the late 1990s, Rodenstock was contracted by Vantage Film, Inc., with backing from Lucasfilm, to manufacture a new line of high-speed, high-resolution anamorphic lenses to be used for the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Only the first film ended up being shot with the lenses, the other two were shot on CineAlta HDTV. The lenses are still sold by Vantage Film.

Slide projector lenses

Rodenstock Splendar from a Braun slide projector, 1960s

Rodenstock produced slide projector objectives (Rodenstock Splendar), e.g. for Braun's D-series of projectors designed by German design icon Dieter Rams. Typically, the Splendar would have an aperture of 1:2.8 at a focal length of 100 mm.

External links

References

1. http://www.rodenstock-photo.com/en/main/company/
2. "Index". 27 June 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
3. "Camera Eccentric: Info". www.cameraeccentric.com. Retrieved 3 April 2018.