Schneider 300/5.6 Xenar - Any Info (Not Tele-Xenar)

photobizzz · Apr 1, 2010

Well in my search for a not super heavy but longer lens for my Toyo 45A I finally settled on a Schneider 300mm f5.6 Xenar. From what little I can find on the net about the lens it is a newer model of the Xenar that was produced from the 1980s to 1990s and is MC. It is coming in a Copal #3 shutter and I bought it from KEH for $325. I think it is about 2lbs compared to a lot of other lenses I looked at that were closer to or over 3lbs.

Anyway does anyone have any other info on the lens? I am looking for filter size and anyone who has used it, sample photos, etc. Thanks for any info in advance.

darinwc · Apr 1, 2010

http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/vintage_lens_data/large_format_lenses/xenar/data/5,6-300mm.html

photobizzz · Apr 1, 2010

Thanks Darin, I couldn't find that info. I looked all over the Schneider site but all I found was info on the older Xenar lenses. It says "Back Focal Length" as 263.8mm, is that referring to it needing 264mm of distance between the film and the lens to focus to infinity?

Martin Aislabie · Apr 4, 2010

photobizzz said:
Thanks Darin, I couldn't find that info. I looked all over the Schneider site but all I found was info on the older Xenar lenses. It says "Back Focal Length" as 263.8mm, is that referring to it needing 264mm of distance between the film and the lens to focus to infinity?

Yes

Different people call it different things - Flange Length is another name.

Martin

photobizzz · Apr 4, 2010

Then I am fine, I have 310mm of bellows from lens board to film plane so if all I need is 264mm I dont have an issue focusing to infinity on my Toyo 45A...good to know. The practical test comes tomorrow when the FEDEX guy delivers it

photobizzz · Apr 5, 2010

UPDATE: This lens will focus for landscape shots fine on my Toyo 45A but the closest it will focus at maximum bellows extension is about 10', this lens was purchased in "BGN" condition from KEH but IMHO looks almost new. She is a beauty but what a hunk of glass! Adds 2lbs to my Toyo!

Martin Aislabie · Apr 6, 2010

Nice one

Post some images when you get your eye in with the lens

Martin

Shadowtracker · Apr 12, 2010

Well, if you weren't in good health before, you will be after humping that lovely bit of eyeball around some, unless this is a studio setup.

DREW WILEY · Aug 2, 2017

Why not a Nikkor 300M instead? It's common, lightweight, and the most modern version of a Tessar you can get. Save that Xenar for studio portraiture.

Schneider 300/5.6 Xenar - Any Info (Not Tele-Xenar)

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