Review Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm

For the provided Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm lens many thanks reader Radozhiva Viktor Chernomaz (instagram).

Schneider-Kreuznach xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm

Schneider-Kreuznach (Schneider-Kreuznach) Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm. increase.

In short

Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm - very old lens from medium format Reflex-Korelle cameraswhich began to produce in 1935. The lens is built on a modernized Zeiss Tessar design with 5 elements in 4 groups (the classic Tessar of those times included 4 elements in 3 groups).

Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm nowadays is more of a collection value than a useful tool in a photographer's case. The lens from the review is adapted to work on Nikon SLR cameras with F mount.

Under the brand Xenar ['Xenar'] lenses produced Schneider-Kreuznach based on an optical type circuit Zeiss Tessar, mainly for 4 elements in 3 groups. The first Xenar were released back in 1919 year. Xenar is a complement to the Symmar, Isconar and Componar ranges already in existence since 1913.

Console Kreuznach [Kreuznach] is coming from the city of Bad Kreuznach [Bad Kreuznach] which in 1913 Joseph Schneider [Joseph Schneider] founded his company.

Schneider-Kreuznach xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm

Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm

Main technical characteristics of Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm

Name of instances from review Near the front lens Schneider-Kreuznach No891472 Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm '
Basic properties
  • frame lens 6 X 6 cm (film type 120)
  • threaded mount for Reflex Korelle, narrow type for thread 40.5 mm
  • manual focus only
  • metal case
  • compact sizes
  • 18 aperture blades
Front Filter Diameter 40.5 mm
Focal length 75 mm (7,5 cm = 75 mm)

On a 6 x 6 medium format, this is a standard/medium wide-angle lens (in terms of focal lengths) with EGF about 38 mm.

Zoom ratio 1 x (this is fix)
Designed by for medium format cameras with a frame size of 6 X 6
Number of aperture blades 18 petals
Tags
  • marking on the focus ring with the focusing distance in meters. Values: infinity, 12, 6, 4, 3, 2.4, 2, 1.5, 1.2, 1, mtr.
  • ring with aperture values, there are marks for F / 2.8, 3.5, 4.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16
Diaphragm from F / 2.8 to F / 16, rotates smoothly, without intermediate values ​​and clicks
MDF (minimum focusing distance) 1 метр
The weight 170 grams (approximately)
Optical design 5 elements in 4 groups (source) Three reflective surfaces are visible in front of the diaphragm, two reflective surfaces behind the diaphragm.

Xenar 2.8 Optical Design 5 Elements in 3 Groups

Slightly updated Tessar, with a calculated front element. Asymmetric anastigmat. Splitting was applied in order to increase the maximum relative aperture from 1: 3.5 to 1: 2.8. Xenar 75 / 2.8 lenses with this design have been released a small number.

Lens hood Must screw into the thread of the filter
Period Around 1935 or 1937
Manufacturer country Germany

Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm originally had a threaded connection to the camera, a 40.5 mm thread, but the version from the review was no longer cleverly adapted for Nikon F. Only the front of the lens block remained original (it has a different metallic shade) .

In addition to the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm, threaded versions of the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar were also produced for the Reflex-Korelle 1: 3,5 F = 7,5cmas well as Schneider-Kreuznach Radionar 1: 2,9 F = 7,5cm and Schneider-Kreuznach Radionar 1: 3,5 F = 7,5cm. The lens was later updated / supplemented with a bayonet version of Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm for Reflex-Korelle III.

Schneider-Kreuznach xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm

Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm

Assembly, control, focus

The lens that I visited on a review is frayed by life. The lens design inherent in many decisions of that era.

The diaphragm consists of eighteen petals and at all values ​​forms a hole of regular round shape. The diaphragm rotates smoothly, without intermediate values. The diaphragm ring is narrow and not very comfortable.

The Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm focus ring rotates approximately 220 degrees. During focusing, the trunk of the lens moves forward, but does not rotate. Focusing occurs due to the movement of the entire lens block. During focusing on MDF, which is 1 meter, the focusing mechanism is visible. The focus ring is very narrow, metal.

On the body there is only a scale for the focusing distance and only in meters.

Schneider-Kreuznach xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm

Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm

Image quality and sample photos on Full Frame

The lens is designed to work with a 6 X 6 cm frame; when used on a 3.6 X 2.4 cm frame, all its features cannot be traced. Nevertheless, it is obvious that the lens is devoid of enlightenment, from which it has a low contrast and is very much afraid of any flare. It’s better to see it in the examples below.

According to the conclusion Alexander Limbergwhich deals alteration and repair of old optics and not only, the problem of low contrast is associated with back gluing. Most likely, if it is correctly restored, then some of the optical qualities of the lens will also be restored.

Sample photos with RAW source files for review prepared by the photographer Natalya Romanenko (500px). Convert RAW source files with Nikon D700 original utility Nikon Capture NX-D v 1.4.6. Download RAW source c photos Nikon D700 can at this link (40 files, 600 MB).

Sample photos on APS-C

All photos below are shown without processing. Camera used Sony a3500. All photos are on-camera JPEG. Picture control mode 'Portrait 0/0/0'.

Download jpeg source photos c Sony a3500 can at this link (20 files, 70 MB). On this camera I used a lens with a conventional adapter Nikon F -> Sony NEX / Alpha.

UPDATED

Owner of this lens shared his examples on Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm Victor Chernomaz (instagram).

Download jpeg photos from Nikon D7000 can here и here.

Schneider-Kreuznach xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm

Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm

Shooting with the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm is quite fun and entertaining, and the resulting photos immediately have their own special vintage look. It is best to shoot with such a lens in cloudy weather, when there are non-contrasting scenes in the frame. Often the result with the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm is completely unpredictable. Due to low contrast, the camera's exposure meter can be very erroneous (this applies to both DSLR and mirrorless cameras). Working with such lenses and getting results is a kind of lottery. When shooting at Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm, the process itself is more important than the final result. After the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm, any modern lens seems to be the peak of perfection.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

 

Add a comment: Natalia

 

 

Comments: 16, on the topic: Review Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1: 2,8 F = 7,5cm

  • Rodion

    This lens is an analogue in the class of Carl Zeiss Tessar 80 / 2.8 (1939). This is definitely a difficult glass to use: it does not digest complex light well and specifically works with a small pixel after a large silver grain. However, the use of such optics in soft light in cloudy weather or in the shade in sunny weather gives a good result that is difficult to replicate with other lenses.

  • Natalia

    Shot on this lens, they told me there would be no contrast, but I still somehow shot contrasting shots. Yes, the lens is not predictable, sometimes there are no pictures, in sunny weather, but in a cloudy image it is soft, pleasant and sometimes contrasting. I really liked this lens, its manner of shooting under the film is amazing

  • Valery

    I have a later Balda shutter, 10 lamella diaphragm No. 1217323, I use it with fur to shoot flowers, butterflies, and other bugs, it’s not bad in macro, loves light, drops of water, morning is its time, such a whitish bloom in mine There is no lens, modern lenses in the picture do not stand close in the price category up to $ 100. Its competitors are Trioplan 2,9 / 7,5cm, Steinheil Cassar 2,9 / 7,5cm, Anticomar 2,8 / 7,5cm, now they simply cannot do such lenses, there is no suitable glass,

    • Trueash

      “Anticomar” :) Funny name. Probably a good lens for photo shoots in the evening somewhere near a river or lake :)

    • Alexander

      Excellent shot, very beautiful picture.

  • spitzer

    What is the working distance and how was it connected to the camera?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Focal length approx. 77 mm. How it was connected can be seen from the photographs of the converted lens. A thick sleeve was added to its standard thread, on which an ordinary M42 was cut, a 7 mm macro-ring was put on it, an adapter KP-42 / N was mounted on it. The lens arrived for review in this state.

  • Oleg

    About a year ago I bought a broken Reflex because of a similar lens, but it is completely different - Zeiss lens. Since then, I have not been able to take a single picture of it - it has a 40,5 connection thread and, as I did not look for an adapter from it to Nikon, or I did not find another bayonet. I somehow hesitated to glue the expansion ring - after all, the lens is quite rare. Maybe I'll try to attach it, as described here. Add photos of the lens.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Yes, the thread is the same as the original thread

  • Oleg

    Still.

  • Oleg

    And more.

  • Arkady Shapoval

    Added gallery on Nikon D7000 from the owner of the lens

  • StanislaVS

    I should have taken Korelle with Radonar 75 / 2.9. This is a triplet, there are no glues, there is nothing to delaminate or rot. And the picture is more interesting than from Tessar-Xenar.

  • Alexey

    Well, damn it), the lens is clearly a portrait focal length and no one bothered to take portraits) ...

    • B. R. P.

      This is a portrait on an Uzkar. And in sf it’s standard (fifty kopecks).

Add a comment

Copyright © Radojuva.com. Blog author - Photographer in Kiev Arkady Shapoval. 2009-2023

English-version of this article https://radojuva.com/en/2020/06/schneider-kreuznach-xenar-2-8-75-mm/?replytocom=347330

Versión en español de este artículo https://radojuva.com/es/2020/06/schneider-kreuznach-xenar-2-8-75-mm/?replytocom=347330