Anyone know if this componon lens is good?

I received the lens - it's just a f 4.5 / 240mm Schneider Componon lens. It's about the same rear thread dimension 74mm or so - quite large. I'm waiting on a Starrett 156M Screw Pitch Gage,0.25-2.5/Mm, 28 Leaves to determine the exact thread rear mount. I assume this is a good choice for replacement head at 8x10 on a Durst 138 S enlarger... The lens glass looks very good.

The Box that it came in seems to have little relevance to the lens. Nothing about telephoto Tele or Xenar, and nothing about Shutter Rb362 is on the lens - the lens does not have a shutter. The lens is pretty darn heavy – around 907.1847 grams or about 2 pounds. Looks clean and the blades run smooth and look clean moving the enlarger aperture.

The box photographed next to the lens Seller posting was - Jos. Schneider & Co. Optical works / Kreuznach 2, Prototyp Schneider-Kreuznach Componon Tele Xenar, f: 4,5 – to - 32 / F: 240mm., Normalkorper - mount – shutter, nbr. of. Lens : #7107320, nbr. Of. Shutter: Rb362
Telephoto Lens, Screw thread 74mm, Prime Lens, Manual focus, Product weight: 784g, Type: Fixed focal length, Unique!!! for collectors!
from a collection:
Response from the seller is that the lens is Front side thread is 62mm, Rear thread is around 72 mm. Also from another seller, a fabricator for new Durst Lapla plate to use with a Durst 138 S - Thread should be designated by major diameter and pitch. Commonly used pitch for 72mm diameter is 0.75mm, but this is not guaranteed. We can make such plate, but will not accept return if it does not fit. - thanks, - Brad

It's difficult knowing exactly what you have, the word Prototype and Cpononon & Tele Xenar. You need to post some photos of the lens.

Ian

Ian Grant said:

It's difficult knowing exactly what you have, the word Prototype and Cpononon & Tele Xenar. You need to post some photos of the lens.

Ian

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Thanks, Ian, I just received the lens from a German seller. I will post a picture here tomorrow. All that is written on the front interior between the glass and the filter thread is: Schneider - Kreuznach Componon 1 : 4,5 / 240 7107320

Well Schneider never released a 240mm f4.5 Componon commercially, every Cponon over 50mm was f5.6, however te Serial Number indicates 1961. That was a period where Schneider were revamping there large format lenses.The range of f8 Super Angulons had not been around long and Schneider were already working on the faster f5.6 Super Angulon range, so a 240mm f4.5 Componon would make sense in that context if it was from a small trial (prototype) batch.

Ian

Thanks, Ian, What would be the expectation on this as an enlarger lens on a 138 S / G 139 w/ CLS-301-Color Head, or the Condenser Head?

OK, the box was obviously initially intended for a Tele Xenar and usedand marked for the Componon. I can't comment on attaching to a 138 lens board as I'm not familiar with those larger Durst enlargers.

Assuming it will fit a 240mm is a little too long for 7x5 they were sold for 10x8 enlargers, It'll work fine with a colour or condenser head, the downside with 7x5 is it will restrict maximum enlargement but that works the other way with 10x8. Perhaps to clarify with my De Vere 5108 and a 300mm Componon S I have to raise the head quite a bit for my standard print size (roughly 12½"x10") and the negative stage is aprrox 1 metre/39½" above the baseboard, the filter controls another 5 or 6 inches above that.. Luckily my De Vere is floor standing with a drop table but even so it's awkward when making larger prints with the 300mm, so I bought a 240mm Componon S and that made a significant difference, much easier to work.

Shcneider recommended the 210mm or 180mm Componon lenses for 7x5, personally I'd find the 240mm too long a FL for anything except small enlargements off 7x5.

The chance are your 240mm f4.5 Componon is in a standard barrel used for other enlarger lenses, maybe have a look at the Componon/Componar catalogue here.forone with a similar thread size.

Ian

There is a Conversion 8x10 Head for the Durst 138 S / G 139 5X7 Enlarger that is offered on here by Claudius / Klaus in Denmark. When available again for ordering and getting the shipment, I hope to pay and receive one. It was suggested to use a 240mm enlarger lens for the use of the 8x10 head at a 1;1 ratio. Thanks so much for your help and link here., - Brad

I have a complete set of chrome barrel Componons from 40mm to 360mm. I use them as taking lenses and viewing lenses on my 4x5 and 5x7 cameras.

Shine a light through the glass and check for "milkiness" which is not at unusual with these vintage of Componons. Usually most of it can be cleaned away easily by the user, I've done it many times. If the rear group is "milky" where the cell is glued together, well, that is a different story.

Let us know.

S K Grimes prolly has the retaining ring in stock, Call and see. Good Luck with it

5x7 and 4x5 Sinar Norma TLR's by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here on the left is a pair of stock barrel Componon 240's on my 5x7 Sinar TLR. Note that they are wasp-shaped, like a Schneider Symmar. What you have there looks to me almost "Xenar-like" shape which is very unusual to me. It seems to be a prototype?

If you have an 8x10 camera I would set it up and look through it and test it. If it's good on a camera should be OK on an enlarger? BTW my 240 Componons do everything I want them to do. And they were not that expensive I use the blue masking tape quite a bit to prototype things

Fastest Speed of All Sinar Norma Three Good Pairs 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

In the middle is a pair of my Schneider 210mm F4.5 Xenars. These look very similar to your lens above ^^

Generally speaking, if two lenses of about same vintage, the Componar is a cheaper and simpler optic than a Componon.

The general application of -ar is lesser lens than -on carries across other lens brands too, like Rodenstock (Rogonar/Rodagon) or Beseler (Beslar/Beslon), although this is not universally true.

sculptorBradP said:

There is a Conversion 8x10 Head for the Durst 138 S / G 139 5X7 Enlarger that is offered on here by Claudius / Klaus in Denmark. When available again for ordering and getting the shipment, I hope to pay and receive one. It was suggested to use a 240mm enlarger lens for the use of the 8x10 head at a 1;1 ratio. Thanks so much for your help and link here., - Brad

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A quick Google search and your lens has a link to its Ebay listing back in August 2020 , same SN and looks in near mint condition, evidently according to a post elswhere one of 3 assembled 4/4/1961 along with some other Componon prototypes, 77.5mm f4, 150mm f4.5, 180mm f4.5 and 300mm f4.5 , . The lens was from a German collection according to the ebay seller. as the listing is still visible with its photos I assume you were possibly the buyer.

Ian

Yes, I was the buyer August 19, 2021. Thanks, Ian, that further information is interesting. The seller as well as my lack of experience here with the lenses - I was not sure what I was getting. Turns out it's exactly what I was in need of finding for the eventual 8x10 conversion head on a Durst 138 S.

Thank you Nokton48