Schneideritis in enlarging lenses

[Matthew Gorringe]

I have an option to buy a 100mm componon-S for a good price but it suffers from quite noticeable schneideritis.

I am a bit concerned that, when combined with a diffusion light source, it may result in a reduction in local contrast due to excessive flare. I know people say that it has no effect on taking lenses but I'm concerned this may not be as true for process lenses.

Does anyone have any experience with this and does it cause any problems?

 

[Mick Fagan]

I have a Schneider Componon S 100 5.6 with Schneideritis.

I bought it many years ago and I noticed the black aluminium (?) edges losing their black a few years ago.

I've used this lens on various enlargers from Meopta's (condensor) through to LPL 7700 and now a De vere 4x5 which are diffused.

I haven't noticed any problem with flare or lowering of contrast. When I eventually noticed the problem I deliberately dug out a print I did just after receiving the lens, got the same neg out and did a print. Apart from the obvious paper difference from the 15 year time lapse, I couldn't see any problem.

I would go for it.

I picked up a Schneider Componon S 150, a few weeks ago for $160.00 in Melbourne. What are you hoping to get the 100 for?

After you've bought it (if you do buy it that is) let us know as I'm on the lookout for one of those myself for another darkroom person who lives in the bush. It'll give me an idea of the market.

I now have a matched set of Componon S lenses, the 50, 105 and 150. They are all the same vintage and the colour shift they all produce should be the same. I know the 50 and 105 have the same colour and my previous experience with these lenses in a commercial lab tell me the 150 from the same era should match the other two.

I previously had a marked magenta shift, with a different brand and era lens, this was problematic when printing different format negs onto one sheet

Mick.

 

[Lee Shively]

Okay. I'm dense. But what the hell is "Schneideritis"?

 

[Ed Sukach]

Densness must be contagious. I have NO IDEA what "Schneideritis" is either.

Possibly ... an "irritable enlarging lens" syndrome???

Tell us, please. Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Anupam Basu]

I have NO IDEA what "Schneideritis" is either.

It's slight element separation near the edge of the glass in many old Schneier lenses. It's visible as white spots but generally not thought to affect image quality.

Anupam

 

[JLP]

Sorry, it is not lens separation but the surface treatment the barel get's before the lens elements are mounted that is flaking of.

Please do a search using "Schneideritis" as a search word and there will be plenty of information about the subject.


jan

 

[Lee Shively]

Okay. I thought that was "Hektoritis", as in the case of my ancient 13.5cm Leitz Hektor.

 

[JLP]

Could also be called Fujiritis since some Fuji's have it too. My 210 shows a great deal but is tack sharp and contrasty

 

[Matthew Gorringe]

Thanks Mick, I might have an even better deal soon so I'll see how that goes.

 

[Mick Fagan]

Matt, I just re-read my post, it should read 50, 100 & 150 not 105.

I'll be very interested in just how good this deal of yours, could be.

Mick.

 

[Ole]

Sorry, it is not lens separation but the surface treatment the barel get's before the lens elements are mounted that is flaking of.

Please do a search using "Schneideritis" as a search word and there will be plenty of information about the subject.

No.

It's the black paint put on the edge of the lens elements before mounting in the barrel that's "bubbling". It has nothing to do with the black coating of the inside of the barrel.

Somehow my Schneider lenses show less of this than those from other manufacturers...

 

[Petzi]

It's the black paint put on the edge of the lens elements before mounting in the barrel that's "bubbling". It has nothing to do with the black coating of the inside of the barrel.

Somehow my Schneider lenses show less of this than those from other manufacturers...

That's why people should really stop using the term. It has been made up by someone recently, and is not an established technical term, rather a denigration. People should call it "degraded lens lacquer" or something like this.

 

[Mike Té]

Schneideritis? So, that's what that is!

When I got my first Schneider lens a couple of years ago, I saw that and thought, "Now, that's pretty...". When my next lens didn't have it, I was disappointed.

I agree with Ole; it looks like the paint bubbled, perhaps in response to the glue, at manufacture. No flakes to be seen. The "-itis" lens performs very well.

You guys have just spoiled everything.

 

[Matthew Gorringe]

Settle down Mick, it's not that good a deal, A$200
I ended up buying a Rodenstock from Anupam in the APUG classifieds. The Rodagons make it easier to mount a below lens fliter holder and I've had good experiences with them.

Yes Petzi, that's a good point although I haven't personally seen any lens other than a S with this slight issue. Something a bit sexier will be needed to replace schneideritis though. Sparklecephalitis or Flakington's Syndrome.

 

[Petzi]

Yes Petzi, that's a good point although I haven't personally seen any lens other than a S with this slight issue. Something a bit sexier will be needed to replace schneideritis though. Sparklecephalitis or Flakington's Syndrome.

I have seen it on a number of Rodenstock lenses. It seems to be a mostly a storage issue. Cold (frost?) and moisture seem to be bad for the lacquer. It is repairable. Takes about an hour or two for an optician.

 

[Mick Fagan]

Matt, it seems that $160 AUD for the 150 5.6 Componon S is quite good then.

As my mate in the bush does colour and also has Componon S lenses from the eighties, I'll keep looking for one of them.

Mick.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

Lots of vintage enlarging lenses are not performing up to new standards, due to a film or scum getting into the interior of the lens between the lens elements. The Schneider lenses are easy to disassemble into invididual glass elements if you have a spanner wrench. Cleaning ALL the glass to air surfaces can make a tremendous improvement in contrast and sharpness. If the black paint applied to the edges of some elements is failing, I have found that a Sanford Sharpie permanent marker makes a fine substitute for that paint. You may have to apply several coats to build up a solid "blackness" to the coating. A little rubber bulb suction lens element puller is also a handy tool in disassembling any optical lens. Enlarging lenses are just about the easiest lenses to disassemble and clean.

 

[skahde]

Sparklecephalitis or Flakington's Syndrome.

And don't forget the other brands with their specific diseases: Rodagonism, Fujinositis, Morbus Focotari, Hypoplasia Nikkori ...

best wishes

Stefan