Schneider G Claron

tony lockerbie · Jun 10, 2006

Hi out there,
I've just been given a Schneider 305mm F9 G-Claron lens to use on my 5x4 Linhof. I realize that this lens is probably from a process camera or such and was wondering how it will perform for normal photography especially at or around infinity
I have mounted on the camera and can focus it ok, albeit at a considerable bellows draw!
Does anyone out ther have experience with these lenses?

Dave Wooten · Jun 10, 2006

it will cover 11 x 14 plus! it is an excellent lens. you need 305 mm of bellows draw to focus at infinity and more if you close focus i.e. macro or closer than infinity..

Shmoo · Jun 10, 2006

Dave's right. You need to extend the bellows out (about the full extension of the 18" rail on my Sinar F2). The lens is a beauty though...tack sharp. You'll enjoy it.

S

Dan Fromm · Jun 10, 2006

Google, Tony, Google! G-Clarons aren't unknown quantities and they've been around for quite a while.

Grumble grumble grumble. Thinking evil thoughts about laziness.

tony lockerbie · Jun 10, 2006

Dan Fromm said:
Google, Tony, Google! G-Clarons aren't unknown quantities and they've been around for quite a while.

Grumble grumble grumble. Thinking evil thoughts about laziness.

As an old guy I keep forgetting about google!

John Kasaian · Jun 10, 2006

Lucky you! The G-Claron is a prize. Enjoy it!

noseoil · Jun 11, 2006

Tony, this is a very fine lens! It has so much coverage, you might have issues at times with light bouncing around inside your camera, which affects contrast. I have a G-Claron in 240mm for my 8x10, but use it quite a bit on my 4x5, wonderful lens. Get a compendium lens shade if you don't have one, and use it for the Linhof with the lens. It will help with internal glare in the bellows by "cropping" the light before it is a problem. tim

Tom Hoskinson · Jun 11, 2006

tony lockerbie said:
As an old guy I keep forgetting about google!

Googling will help keep you young!

tony lockerbie · Jun 13, 2006

Thanks for all that and thank you google. Maybe I should buy a 14x11 camera to take advantage of that coverage!
BTW with a handle like Noseoil does that mean that you have had a lot of scratched negs?

argus · Jun 13, 2006

Dave Wooten said:
it will cover 11 x 14 plus! it is an excellent lens. you need 305 mm of bellows draw to focus at infinity and more if you close focus i.e. macro or closer than infinity..

Dave,

I always read that the 355mm barely covers 11x14" at infinity (f22), so the 305mm should not either since it doesn't have a WA label.
It is possible though that it covers the format for close-by subjects.

The 270mm WA Claron is even soft in the corners, please refer to (there was a url link here which no longer exists) by scootermm on the subject (7x17" and 11x14" have almost the same image circle).

What source are you quoting or are you talking from your own experience?

Thanks,
G

clay · Jun 13, 2006

The published specs are very conservative. The 355 will cover 12x20 with about an inch of rise. The 305 covers 7x17 with no difficulty at all. Both of these lenses are very sharp all the way to the corners when stopped down smaller than f/32. I am not pulling this information out of my butt. I have both of these lenses and use them frequently with these formats.

argus said:
Dave,

I always read that the 355mm barely covers 11x14" at infinity (f22), so the 305mm should not either since it doesn't have a WA label.
It is possible though that it covers the format for close-by subjects.

The 270mm WA Claron is even soft in the corners, please refer to (there was a url link here which no longer exists) by scootermm on the subject (7x17" and 11x14" have almost the same image circle).

What source are you quoting or are you talking from your own experience?

Thanks,
G

Harrigan · Jun 13, 2006

I think the 270mm WA claron is a different beast than the 305 and 355mm clarons. The numbers Clay gives are correct the 305 easily covers 11x14 as does the 355 with room to spare. I can't confirm the 12x20 coverage but its not surprising.

Just becasue the 270mm has WA on it doesn't mean it will cover more at infinity. Remember these were designed and specified for 1:1 so that is where they are optimized. Anyway many many people use these at infinity with excellent results.

joneil · Jun 13, 2006

There is also a "regular" 270mm G-Claron - I know, I use one myself. The "regular" 270mm G-Claron is F9, and I think the 270mm WA Claron is F11 or F12.

The one I have is just superb, and would cover 8x10 with some movements.

joe

jimgalli · Jun 13, 2006

Not only does the 305 cover 1114 and 717 well at infinity (published is 64 degrees but real is 82 degrees) I've also used my normal f9 270mm G-Claron on the 7X17 which is slightly longer diagonal than the 11X14. Admittedly, that's a squeaker though. Remember, when Schneider published 64 degrees they were addressing an mtf fall-off number that was aimed at graphic reproduction folks, not LF photogs. And I've found edge of circle fall-off to be startlingly good right up to the last 10-12mm at the edge.

Forgot to mention, I have several to sell just now. Take your pick from 150 210 240 and 305mm all in shutters with EXC++ glass. One of the 240's is the dagor formula type. A couple are in the classifieds here, but not all of them yet. So many lenses, so little time.

Schneider G Claron

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