150mm Componon-S Enlarger Lens

[garry611]

I am hoping someone may be able to give me more information on this. I recently acquired a Componon-S 150mm f5.6 enlarging lens, based on the serial number is seems to be a 1983 era lens, not one with a silver ring. It's mounted in a Beseler board and the mount ring seems to have a small set screw that holds the ring from turning. It does not have the blue aperture indicator just the typical ring with the f/stop numbers. Their website doesn't seem to have any information on enlarging lenses so I don't know if they stopped production for a time but they seem to have lenses available now. I was interested in finding more information as to the different models they produced and what the sales literature claimed were the improvements of the different models over the years. Why I ask is, this lens seems to have only 5 leafs for the aperture and doesn't form a perfect circle when stopping down and if this was changed as an improvement later.

 

[ic-racer]

Usually a perfect circle for the aperture is only needed when screen printing.

Here are some links:
https://www.photocornucopia.com/archive/81/cpn_s.pdf
https://www.photocornucopia.com/archive/75/vergroesserung_e.pdf

 

[JensH]

Hi,

I woudn't worry about five blades only here, if the lens is free from haze/fungus it will give very good results...

Best
Jens

 

[AgX]

I recently acquired a Componon-S 150mm f5.6 enlarging lens, based on the serial number is seems to be a 1983 era lens,

Where can I get manufacturing date information on Schneider lenses based on serial numbers?

This lens seems to have only 5 leafs for the aperture and doesn't form a perfect circle when stopping down and if this was changed as an improvement later.

You listed your inquiry under "Darkroom Equipment". How would for darkroom work the shape of the aperture be of effect?

 

[Mick Fagan]

I have a Schneider 150 f/5.6 Componon S lens, had it for decades, it is a five leaf aperture. It is excellent with regard to enlarging to the point that that lens should be better than what most home darkrooms are capable of doing.

Mine doesn't have any silver ring, actually no rings at all. Just the aperture scale, a click stop in half and full stops, plus a stepless setting by sliding the lever one way or the other.

Mick.

 

[JensH]

Where can I get manufacturing date information on Schneider lenses based on serial numbers?

Hi AgX,

there is a list in Claus Prochnow's Rollei Report 1, p. 295.
That one starts for 1919 and ends 1991.
It says in October 1983 the 14,000,000 was reached.
Then in January 1985 the 14,100,000.
If you are looking for a specific number, I can look...

Beste Grüße
Jens

 

[halfaman]

I have also this lens and it is nothing but excellent, Probably the best lens I have.

 

[AgX]

Hi AgX,

there is a list in Claus Prochnow's Rollei Report 1, p. 295.
That one starts for 1919 and ends 1991.
It says in October 1983 the 14,000,000 was reached.
Then in January 1985 the 14,100,000.
If you are looking for a specific number, I can look...

Thank you, the Rollei reports are among the books I am lacking... and Thiele did not include Schneider lenses. I have been more basically interested in where that information is to be found, and am not interested in some "birthyear" lens. I guess Schneider enlarging lenses can be roughly placed in time by their look. But in case of need I shall send you a message.

 

[garry611]

Where can I get manufacturing date information on Schneider lenses based on serial numbers?




You listed your inquiry under "Darkroom Equipment". How would for darkroom work the shape of the aperture be of effect?

Thanks everyone for all the feedback. Great info !
I found serial numbers from this site -- Schneider lenses age by serial number | Ground-Glass .net
Hope that helps.

 

[JensH]

Thank you, the Rollei reports are among the books I am lacking... and Thiele did not include Schneider lenses. I have been more basically interested in where that information is to be found, and am not interested in some "birthyear" lens. I guess Schneider enlarging lenses can be roughly placed in time by their look. But in case of need I shall send you a message.

OK, I see, fine.