Portronic Paragon 7.5" f/4.5 Portrait Projection Lens Green Lensboard

Portronic Paragon 7.5" f/4.5 Portrait Projection Lens Green Lensboard

The Portronic Paragon is a 7.5-inch (190mm) f/4.5 portrait projection lens designed for large-format photographic projection and printing. The lens features a multi-element design with a blue anti-reflection coating on the front element and is mounted on a green-covered lensboard that attaches to a compatible projection bellows or enlarger head. The barrel carries engraved markings reading "7 1/2" f:4.5 PORTRONIC PARAGON."

Specifications & What's Included

• Brand: Portronic
• Model: Paragon
• Focal length: 7.5" (7 1/2 inch / ~190mm)
• Maximum aperture: f/4.5
• Front element: Blue anti-reflection coated
• Mount: Green-covered square lensboard mount
• Bellows interface: Square opening on rear of lensboard for projection bellows attachment
• Includes: Lens with green lensboard mount

Applications

Portrait projection lenses like the Portronic Paragon were a staple of professional photographic studios from the mid-20th century through the 1980s. They were used in projection printers and portrait projection systems to project an image from a negative or transparency onto photographic paper at large sizes — allowing a photographer or darkroom technician to compose and size a print precisely before exposure. The green lensboard format was common on studio projection units of this era, attaching to a bellows that focused the projected image. These lenses are still sought by photographers and restorers working with vintage projection printers, as well as collectors of classic photographic equipment.