Medium Format Normal Objectives with Sonnar Formula?

Hamster · Apr 28, 2009

I was wondering if there are any normal objective in Medium Format that uses Sonnar Formula, I always liked the warm look of Sonnar-type in 35mm.

Ian Grant · Apr 28, 2009

80mm Sonnars are available for Hasselblad & Rollei MF SLR's.

Ian

Q.G. · Apr 28, 2009

Ian Grant said:
80mm Sonnars are available for Hasselblad & Rollei MF SLR's.

Those are Planars, not Sonnars.

The shortest Sonnar available for Hasselblad was 135 mm (only fits on the pre-1957 1000-series). The shortest Sonnar for Hasselblad after that is 150 mm.

I'm not 100% sure (only 99.9%), but i think the same (shortest Sonnar = 150 mm) goes for Rollei.

Ian Grant · Apr 28, 2009

Q.G. said:
Those are Planars, not Sonnars.

Good point

Ian

ic-racer · Apr 28, 2009

I believe Sonnars in the 'normal' and 'short' range would interfere with the mirror in SLRs (both MF and 35mm). So, you would be looking for a MF rangefinder or TLR with a Sonnar, and I don't know of any off-hand. Sonnar design has been copied so, there may be a copycat 80mm Sonnar design out there somewhere on an obscure Russian fixed-lens MF camera.

As a practical solution, perhaps the very popular TESSAR design on a MF TLR may give you results you like.

furcafe · Apr 28, 2009

The closest I can think of is the 135/4 Sonnar for the Tele-Rolleiflex. I don't think the Sonnar design poses a problem for SLR designs as it doesn't require a large rear element like a Biogon, etc. IIRC, there was the Ermanox Reflex that had a 105/1.8 Ernostar, which was the precursor to the Sonnar.

ic-racer · Apr 29, 2009

The shorter lenses for MF SLRs need to be of retrofocus design which is the Distagon formula. Its not rear element size, but the back focal distance that interferes with the mirror.

Rolleiflexible · Apr 29, 2009

You might like Heliars. The lens
on a Kodak Medalist is a 100mm
Heliar design. Follow this link:

Dead Link Removed

furcafe · Apr 29, 2009

I stand corrected; I'm sure the same principles apply to 35mm SLRs as well. I'm sure there was a thread on the Rangefinder Forum or someplace similar where this was explained, but I evidently forgot!

ic-racer said:
The shorter lenses for MF SLRs need to be of retrofocus design which is the Distagon formula. Its not rear element size, but the back focal distance that interferes with the mirror.

mabman · Apr 29, 2009

Q.G. said:
Those are Planars, not Sonnars.

In Pentacon 6-mount there are also 80mm Biometars, the CZJ equivalent of a Planar. Not a Sonnar, but may be cheaper than an actual Planar

I believe the shortest actual Sonnar for the P6 is 180mm. I don't think any of the short FSU equivalents are Sonnar formulations.

aoresteen · May 2, 2009

The Graflex XL had a 100mm Tessar (and 80mm & 100mm Planars). It also had a 180mm Sonnar.

Medium Format Normal Objectives with Sonnar Formula?

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