The Apo-Ronar is often referred to as the classic process lens but this lens is so much more then just a process lens. The Apochromatic 4- element 4-group design is optimized at 1:1 but holds its corrections extremely well at all ratios including ∞ making this lens an excellent “universal lens”. Professionals who demand outstanding image quality in a long focal length lens prefer the Apo-Ronar for a number of reasons:

*Extreme resolving power

*Flatness of field

*Lack of geometric distortion

*Excellent performance at all ratios from 1:1 to ∞

*Unique focal lengths

*Corrected for use with black and white or color

Contrast is good with this lens despite only being single coated. The glass is very clear. A lens hood can be used to increase contrast and to prevent lens flare in certain situations. This lens is corrected for use with color, which is also bonus for the black and white photographer who is worried about focus shift. The resolving power of this lens is astonishingly high. I know someone who used on of these with a betterlight 12k back and he said it was the sharpest lens that he has ever used

The Apo-Ronar is often referred to as flat field lens; this is because the field of focus on this lens is completely flat, it does not have to do with depth of field, which is mostly a factor of aperture and focal length. At 1:1 this lens has zero geometrical distortion, at other ratios geometric distortion is close to zero just like the Apo-Sironars. 

The most CL version of the lens has a special compound in it that prevents the elements from moving as the temperature changes. This is important for the outdoor photographer. The other advantage to the CL version is that it is newer which means this lens would benefit from manufacturing or design improvements that may have been implemented. Process cameras are no longer used and all versions of the Apo Ronar (except the F=theta Ronar, which is used for machine optics) and discontinued. This may be the best 1000mm lens ever made for large format.

Some of the possible applications for this lens are:

Macro or product photo – having virtually no distortion and extreme sharpness is critical in high-end macro and product photography. A longer focal length increases the lens to subject ratio expanding the lighting options while delivering a more accurate and compact perspective. 

Portraiture- because this lens is corrected for color, offers a long focal length, and big maximum aperture this lens would make a great addition to any large format portrait artist’s arsenal. I’m a big fan of the way the Apo-Ronar renders the out of focus areas of an image. This is a must for anyone interested in selective focusing.  

Photography of maps, art, documents and other flat subjects, - This was designed primarily for this kind of work. Depth of field is perfectly flat with this lens, sharpness is “through the roof”, and distortion is at virtually or absolutely zero (depending on the reproduction ratio)

Photography of mid to large size subjects – As I stated earlier this lens could be considered an “universal lens”. The high level of Apochromatic correction holds well at all image ratios. You might find that you will need to stop this lens down quite a bit to get a large object in focus. The long focal length will give you a natural compact perspective. Some shots can only be made at a distances with a long focal length lens. The Apo-Ronar is said to be better then a Tele-type lens of the same focal length. 

Landscape or city photography at ∞ - The apo ronar is well known by landscape and city photographers who are looking for a long focal length lens that is very sharp and relatively compact search on google or in the large format forum for more information.  

Rodenstock has discontinued the Apo-Ronar so don’t miss this opportunity.