Fast 135s for L/F - Recommendations

NortheastPhotographic · Sep 28, 2023

I'm looking for a fast 135mm to use on my new-to-me Linhof Tech V. I know about the Xenotar 135/3.5 and the Planar of the space spec. These are both getting a bit up there in prices. Are there any good alternatives that the spendy online folks haven't noticed yet?

I don't need a lot of coverage, I'm just hoping to have something relatively quick to use with my Linhof. I have a 135 cam and I believe I can calibrate the RF for it myself. Not sure if I'll ever really handhold but it would be nice to be able to check focus with the RF and not use a loupe if I don't have to.

Also if anyone has something they want to offload, let me know!

Donald Qualls · Sep 28, 2023

There are lots of 135/4.5 Tessars around, they're generally not expensive. Faster than that, you start to get into some money, based on my limited experience.

abruzzi · Sep 28, 2023

There was also a 135/3.5 Xenotar which is a Planar type design. I don’t know if it covers 4x5. I have a 105/2.8 xenotar, and it’s a nice lens (the 105 is for 6x9).

NortheastPhotographic · Sep 28, 2023

Donald Qualls said:
There are lots of 135/4.5 Tessars around, they're generally not expensive. Faster than that, you start to get into some money, based on my limited experience.

A Tessar would be fine, I would hope to find one in a semi-modern shutter.

MattKing · Sep 28, 2023

Thread title tweaked - for those who forget to check which sub-forum the thread is in !

NortheastPhotographic · Sep 28, 2023

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/802767304-USE/schneider_135mm_f_3_5_xenotar_large.html

Did they make one that doesn't cover 4x5? I see this is listed as being for 3-1/4x4-1/4...

Lachlan Young · Sep 28, 2023

NortheastPhotographic said:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/802767304-USE/schneider_135mm_f_3_5_xenotar_large.html

Did they make one that doesn't cover 4x5? I see this is listed as being for 3-1/4x4-1/4...

The normal Xenotar 135 is in a #1 shutter - same for both versions of the Planar. Most 127/135 Tessar types are even tighter to format wide open than the Xenotar.

It's the shape of the cam that determines focusing, not adjusting the RF mechanism itself - with a Tech V or later you can get the cam fitted for the lens, rather than having to match lens, cam & body.

Technikas aren't difficult to use handheld, as long as you aren't trying to make identikit deep-focus landscapery with them.

NortheastPhotographic · Sep 28, 2023

Lachlan Young said:
The normal Xenotar 135 is in a #1 shutter - same for both versions of the Planar. Most 127/135 Tessar types are even tighter to format wide open than the Xenotar.

It's the shape of the cam that determines focusing, not adjusting the RF mechanism itself - with a Tech V or later you can get the cam fitted for the lens, rather than having to match lens, cam & body.

Technikas aren't difficult to use handheld, as long as you aren't trying to make identikit deep-focus landscapery with them.

Ah gotcha on both counts. I wonder how far off a non-matched cam would be in practical application...

NortheastPhotographic · Sep 28, 2023

Any experience with this guy: https://www.catlabs.info/product/sc...mm-f3-8-high-speed-4x5-lens-in-compur-shutter ?

BrianShaw · Sep 28, 2023

NortheastPhotographic said:
Any experience with this guy: https://www.catlabs.info/product/sc...mm-f3-8-high-speed-4x5-lens-in-compur-shutter ?

My experience with him has been great. I pay and he ships. Never a problem. After sale questions always politely and quickly answered.

If he has what you want at a price your willing to pay it’s worth a phone call or visit so you can assess/judge for yourself.

Lachlan Young · Sep 28, 2023

NortheastPhotographic said:
Ah gotcha on both counts. I wonder how far off a non-matched cam would be in practical application...

Depends what it was cut for - and if it was for a IV or a V or later. Would not want to rely on it at wide apertures.

The Press Xenar (from recall) was originally for something like the Linhof 'Standard Press' - which was a Technika III without movements & a cammed RF.

NortheastPhotographic · Sep 28, 2023

BrianShaw said:
My experience with him has been great. I pay and he ships. Never a problem. After sale questions always politely and quickly answered.

If he has what you want at a price your willing to pay it’s worth a phone call or visit so you can assess/judge for yourself.

Hah no I was referring to the lens itself, not Omer. He's sold me a lotta Jobo stuff over the years.

BrianShaw · Sep 28, 2023

NortheastPhotographic said:
Hah no I was referring to the lens itself, not Omer. He's sold me a lotta Jobo stuff over the years.

Oh, well… same answer then. I’ll bet Omer will give you a valid opinion on the lens specific to your intended application.

Donald Qualls · Sep 28, 2023

NortheastPhotographic said:
A Tessar would be fine, I would hope to find one in a semi-modern shutter.

It's not uncommon to find them in a Synchro Compur with X/M selector -- probably not going to see one in an electronic shutter or a new-looking Seiko.

abruzzi · Sep 29, 2023

NortheastPhotographic said:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/802767304-USE/schneider_135mm_f_3_5_xenotar_large.html

Did they make one that doesn't cover 4x5? I see this is listed as being for 3-1/4x4-1/4...

officially it covers 153mm at ƒ16 at infinity according to this site:

Schneider Kreuznach Vintage Lens Data – Roger Hyam

www.hyam.net

technically thats about exactly what's needed but there is no room for for any movement and even the slightest offset in th elens position could potentially have an effect. Of course you'll likely have a little more room than that, since most of the time you're not going to focus fully at infinity.

DREW WILEY · Sep 29, 2023

A lot depends on whether you need to fold up your Technika with that lens on it or not. If I were shopping for a 135 it would be a multicoated Fuji 135/5.6 W or NW plasmat in modern Copal 0 shutter (not the CMW version with the oversize funnel front). Petite and precise; but the cam might need to be tweaked.

If you want a comparable Fuji at bargain pricing, go for the earlier single-coated version in Seiko shutter.

Lachlan Young · Oct 1, 2023

DREW WILEY said:
whether you need to fold up your Technika with that lens on it or not

Linhof's intention was that if you are using a correctly mounted 135 Xenotar or Planar (both in Compur #1 shutters) you can close the camera with the lens mounted. Follow those dimensions and you should be fine.

DREW WILEY · Oct 2, 2023

Depends if you're using it as like a press camera or a view camera. My brother never used small lenses on his for sake of rapid use, but did sometimes use an expensive Kenro gyro unit when handholding his Technika, especially during helicopter flights with their terrible vibrations.

What I like about a monorail is that you can leave a lens of any size or focal length installed, and even a compendium shade too, and then just remove the lens cap and extend the bellows and begin composition. Handholding - no.

NortheastPhotographic · Oct 16, 2023

Update: I got a Linhof 135/3.5 Planar, single coated version. It's lovely!

MarkS · Oct 17, 2023

That's great. Share some photos you make with it, when you have any you like.

Fast 135s for L/F - Recommendations

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency