Schnieder Symmar 5.6/150mm

[rcovingt]

Schneider website indicates front or rear element can be removed from this lens.

Any preferences which and why would be appreciated.

Will be going out this weekend to do some portrait work and would like to be able to visualize a bit of what to expect.

Best regards

Robert

 

[Ian Grant]

Somewhere there's a thread about this. When you remove the rear elements it supposed to be a reasonable soft focus lens at moderate apertures, but is better the other way for normal work when stopped down well. It's not brilliant as a long focus lens, I've tried it and and it's barely usable. But for portraits it's worth a go.

Ian

 

[Frank Szabo]

I've had a number of different lenses over the years and almost all of them would accomplish this "feat" after one element or another was removed.

One does have to measure and refigure the aperture or shoot some Polaroid/Fuji but it worked.

 

[Ian Grant]

If it's a Symmar it has a dual scale, so the apertures are marked.

Ian

 

[edtbjon]

Ian knows these things, but just to clarify...
A 150 should land on 265 or so when you remove the front cell. If you are trying to use the lens as a longer lens (and for that purpose), you have to use it at small aperture openings (else it's very soft and low-contrast). Also, most convertible Symmars I've seen are normally at f/12 when the front is taken off. So, if your shutter doesn't have the dual aperture scale, try calculating with 2 1/3 extra stop for starters (set the aperture at f/22 and it's really f/45 1/3).
A yellow filter (orange, red ...) will help both sharpness and contrast, as the results to start with arn't that impressive.
If you really want a longer lens, this is a "last rescue". The only way to get quality is to buy a longer lens.

//Björn