"ENLA" UNITS

Three companies have made what are sometimes referred to as "enla units" for making enlargements from their subminiature cameras. These enla-units can be thought of as "something more than an enlarging lens", yet "something less than an enlarger". The problem with making enlarger lenses for the subminiature formats is that the extra-short focal lengths will not work with many enlargers -- especially larger format enlargers, such as 4x5. Why not? Well, many of the bigger enlargers will not allow the lens to get close enough to the film with the smaller formats, even with recessed lensboards. The focal lengths of the lenses are just too short and the extra-long bellows of some enlargers will not compress enough. Minolta, Mamiya and Yashica made special enlarging units, "enla-units", to solve this problem.

The enla-unit is comprised of a standard subminiature enlarging lens -- with a negative stage, negative holder and condenser assembly attached to the top! They can only be used in conjunction with a normal enlarger. The "normal" elarging lens is removed from the enlarger, and the enla-unit is screwed-in in its place. The submini negative is then placed in the negative holder of the enla-unit and enlarged on the baseboard. Since the enla-unit has its own condenser assembly and focusing mount, the minimum focusing distance of the enlarger itself is no longer an obstacle to printing.

These units were never very popular and are very hard to find. Here are the details on the enla-units that we are aware of:

Minolta ENLA -- with Rokkor E 30mm f2.8. Black body with f-stops from f2.8 through f16.0. Minolta made negative carriers for 10x14mm and 12x17mm negatives. The lens has a focusing ring. The unit screws into any Leica-thread (39mm) lens board. Rotating positioning collar at the top. The Minolta ENLA came with a red sheet of acetate that could be cut and inserted into the regular negative carrier of the enlarger to serve as a red safe-light.
Mamiya ENLAHEAD (model 1) -- with Optor 25mm f3.5. This was the first ENLA unit from any manufacturer. It has an all chrome, very-Retro body with f-stops from f3.5 through f16.0. The lens is actually removable, so that other lenses can be used if you can find any with this screwmount size (15mm?). The lens has a focusing ring. The only negative carrier made for this enla-unit was 10x14mm. The unit screws into any Leica-thread (39mm) lens board. Rotating positioning collar at the top. The Model 1 is rarely seen.
Mamiya ENLAHEAD (model 2) -- I guess the model 1 was too expensive for most people, so Mamiya opted to come out with a less expensive version -- with a black, bakelite body. The focal length is not marked on the lens but it is probably a 25mm optic. The f-stops are marked from f3.5 through f16.0 on the lens mount. They are very hard to see -- even with the lights on --- because they are stamped in white bakelite. The lens has a focusing ring. The only negative carrier made for this enla-unit was 10x14mm. The unit screws into any Leica-thread (39mm) lens board. Rotating positioning collar at the top.
Mamiya ENLAHEAD (model 3) -- This is an updated version of the Model 2. The focal length is still not marked on the lens, but the f-stops -- from f3.5 through f16.0 -- are now marked in white on a black background. Unfortunately this doesn't really help that much since the number are printed on the front plate of the lens. In order to see them, you have to put your head under the lens and turn it upward -- not too convenient. However, the lens f-stop ring is a little wider and easier to grip. The lens has a focusing ring. The only negative carrier made for this enla-unit was 10x14mm. The unit screws into any Leica-thread (39mm) lens board. Rotating positioning collar at the top.
Mamiya ENLAHEAD (model 4) -- with Mamiya 25mm f3.5. This is an updated version of the Model 3. The only difference is that the focal length is marked on the lens. Black bakelite body with f-stops from f3.5 through f16.0. All of the f-stops are marked on the lens. The lens has a focusing ring. The only negative carrier made for this enla-unit was 10x14mm. The unit screws into any Leica-thread (39mm) lens board. Rotating positioning collar at the top. Undoubtedly the most common enla unit from ny manufacturer.
Mamiya ENLAHEAD (model 5) -- A big change from the previous models, it comes with the same Mamiya 25mm (probably) f3.5 lens. The focal length is NOT marked on the lens. Grey plastic body with f-stops from f3.5 through f16.0. Only f3.5, f5.6 anf f16.0 are marked on the lens, but there is an intermediate click-stop between each of these settings (presumably f4.5 and f9.5 -- or thereabouts). This lens is easier to use, in some ways, since the f-stops are now marked on the side of the lens. The lens has a focusing ring, but it rotates in the opposite direction from all of the previous models.. The only negative carrier made for this enla-unit was 10x14mm. The unit screws into any Leica-thread (39mm) lens board. Rotating positioning collar at the top.
Yashica Atoron Enlarging lens -- with E-Yashinon-DX 21mm 3.5. It is listed as an "enlarging lens" but it is an entire unit just like the other "enlas". Black body with f-stops from f3.5 through f16. The lens has a focusing ring. The only negative carrier made for this enla-unit was 8x11mm. The unit screws into any Leica-thread (39mm) lens board. Rotating positioning collar at the top. It has two protruding tabs to make setting the f-stop on the tiny lens much eaasier, but they can be removed, if desired. Hard to find and very desireable since it is the only enla-unit designed to work specifically with Minox-sized negatives.

In some instances, you can even make your own enla units. Here's an example.

If you have any ideas, suggestions or comments about these pages, please contact the Sub Club at the

To return to the main index for the Sub Club click here.