Question about a Symmar lens

BlueWind · May 3, 2022

Allow me a question concerning this Large Format lens.

It is a Schneider-Kreuznach Technika Symmar lens. On the front element ring it is engraved 1:5,6/240 and 1:12/420. There are two aperture scales one from 5,6 to 22 and another from 12 to 45 (with the same cursor)

I am interested in using the lens indoors as a 240 mm lens.

From my ignorance, I am asking : Why two scales ?? Can I use only the 240 mm scale and ignore the 420 mm ?? Was this lens with double scale designed for some specific purpose ??

Symmar 01 by João Avelar, on Flickr

Symmar 02 by João Avelar, on Flickr

Thank you in advance for any clarifying explanation

Joao

B.S.Kumar · May 3, 2022

These are "convertible" lenses. You can remove the front cell and use the lens with only the rear cell as a 420mm lens. Then you must use the 420mm scale. Schneider made similar 100/175, 135/235,150/265. 180/315, 210/370, 300/500 and 360/620 mm lenses.

Kumar

xkaes · May 3, 2022

Yet another case of Schneideritis. Not too bad for a lens that old. Happy shooting -- with BOTH of your lenses.

AgX · May 3, 2022

One can do this, as them name already suggests, these lenses are nearly symmetrical.

With later models Schneider advised not to do so, for image quality reasons, thoug the lenses still being fairly symmetrical. But worth a try.

Nitroplait · May 3, 2022

You'll get the best results from using it as a 240mm lens. If you remove/unscrew the front element, you'll get a less sharp but perhaps more pleasant portrait lens.

jnamia · May 3, 2022

HI BlueWind

This information isn't readily available on the current Schneider Optics website but there's some additional helpful "stuff" on the way back machine

Schneider Optics

web.archive.org

Schneider Optics

web.archive.org

It looks like yours is from the mid 1960s, Linhof always got the best Schneider-stuff, have fun with your lens!

BlueWind · May 3, 2022

Thank you all for the clarifying answers. I was not aware of the possibility of having two scales in the same lens
This lens came to my possession in very favorable conditions, that's why I got it without knowing exactly the meaning of the two scales.
jnamia: those links are precious. I will give them the attention they deserve.
Best regards
Joao

xkaes · May 3, 2022

A few lenses have THREE f-stop scales -- but that is another topic.

AgX · May 3, 2022

Because with non-symmetric lenses one may got 3 ways to use the lens cells.

xkaes · May 3, 2022

I was referring to Fujinon SF lenses. Unlike typical shutters that have one f-stop scale, these special Copal shutters on the SF (Soft Focus) Fujinon lenses have three, color-coded, f-stop scales. The main scale, in white, is used when no grid is attached. The second scale, in yellow, is used when the yellow grid (extra diffusion) is attached. The third scale, in red, is used when the red grid (even greater diffusion) is attached.

Tel · May 3, 2022

xkaes said:
I was referring to Fujinon SF lenses. Unlike typical shutters that have one f-stop scale, these special Copal shutters on the SF (Soft Focus) Fujinon lenses have three, color-coded, f-stop scales. The main scale, in white, is used when no grid is attached. The second scale, in yellow, is used when the yellow grid (extra diffusion) is attached. The third scale, in red, is used when the red grid (even greater diffusion) is attached.

Thanks for the explanation. I had a Fuji soft-focus lens that came with only one diffuser insert. I wondered about the multiple scales.

xkaes · May 3, 2022

Well two out of three ain't bad.

You can find a copy of the User Manual in PDF format at:

http://www.subclub.org/fujinon/indexfuji.htm

Tel · May 3, 2022

Truth is, I haven't had much use for soft focus. Maybe I should start doing portraits or still lifes. Thanks for the link--lots of good Fujinon info.

jnamia · May 3, 2022

xkaes said:
I was referring to Fujinon SF lenses. Unlike typical shutters that have one f-stop scale, these special Copal shutters on the SF (Soft Focus) Fujinon lenses have three, color-coded, f-stop scales. The main scale, in white, is used when no grid is attached. The second scale, in yellow, is used when the yellow grid (extra diffusion) is attached. The third scale, in red, is used when the red grid (even greater diffusion) is attached.

LOL. I thought you were talking about triple convertible lenses ...

xkaes · May 3, 2022

You can find large format soft-focuses lenses at good prices. The main limitation is that they only are available in a limited number of focal lengths. And perhaps the reason for the low demand is that they are easy to make yourself -- in several different ways and in many focal lengths.

http://www.subclub.org/fujinon/softfocus.htm

jnamia · May 3, 2022

xkaes said:
You can find large format soft-focuses lenses at good prices. The main limitation is that they only are available in a limited number of focal lengths. And perhaps the reason for the low demand is that they are easy to make yourself -- in several different ways and in many focal lengths.

http://www.subclub.org/fujinon/softfocus.htm

I don't know how easy they are to make oneself, I suggested they were easy to do on the LF site and was nearly keelhauled. it's about abberations ( or so they say ) then again, if you have a meniscus planoconvex flint from anchor optical / surplus shed and some cardboard, and a piece of mat board you can make a sink strainer out of ... not sure id admit dong that some places though, people might get mad they spent like $7,000 on something that looks like it was made by a Holga .. that cost like 40 cents..

xkaes · May 3, 2022

Large format soft-focus lenses are not only easy to make, they are cheap and easy to make. The whole purpose of soft-focus lenses is to add aberration of one sort or another to the scene. What type and how much is up to you. That's exactly what the Fujinon and Rodenstock SF lenses do. They are very simple optically -- two or three elements -- just like good supplementary, close-up lenses.

Question about a Symmar lens

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency