Tessar

BrianShaw · Feb 1, 2023

Alan9940 said:
I have a Xenon on my Retina IIa. Is this Kodak's name for a Xenar? Regardless, I once did a direct comparison between this camera and a 50mm Summicron on my Leica M6 using a very sharp, fine-grain film and found the Retina to be, at least, as sharp in all cases and, maybe, just a tad bit sharper on some subjects. No complaints from me on how this camera performs.

Xenon is a double-gausss design, not Tessar. It's a very sharp lens.

Here is something interesting that I just found:

A History of the Xenon Lens

A thorough look at the Xenon camera lens, with focus on its creation, history, use, and legacy, with sample photos and buying guide.

casualphotophile.com

ic-racer · Feb 1, 2023

Melvin J Bramley said:
The Tessar lens configuration has been around for many years.
Just what differentiates the better examples of this time proven design?

They are all about the same. Which one is better?

Alan9940 · Feb 1, 2023

BrianShaw said:
Xenon is a double-gausss design, not Tessar. It's a very sharp lens.

Here is something interesting that I just found:

A History of the Xenon Lens

A thorough look at the Xenon camera lens, with focus on its creation, history, use, and legacy, with sample photos and buying guide.

casualphotophile.com

Thank you for the clarification and the link.

JPD · Feb 1, 2023

BrianShaw said:
Xenon is a double-gausss design, not Tessar. It's a very sharp lens.

Here is something interesting that I just found:

A History of the Xenon Lens

A thorough look at the Xenon camera lens, with focus on its creation, history, use, and legacy, with sample photos and buying guide.

casualphotophile.com

On the Kodak Retina, the 2,0/50 and the post-war 2,8/50 Xenon C are of double-gauss design, but the pre-war 2,8/50 Retina-Xenon is a five element Xenar, a Tessar design with an extra front element for better correction at this speed.

JPD · Feb 1, 2023

Schneider had their five element 2,8/50 and 2,8/75 Xenar in the pre-war years. It's unclear which cameras had the five element Xenar, but I don't think any of them had front element focusing.

The five element Xenar and the double-gauss Xenon:

https://live.staticflickr.com/5219/5471240392_e2cf8fea9e.jpg

Jojje · Feb 1, 2023

Once I tested, real world side by side with USAF target, a Tessar 50mm/f2,8 of a Zeiss Contessamatic (1963?) and Vitomatic II with a Tessar-clone Color-Skopar. Tessar was a bit sharper - sharpest of Tessars I've photographed with, I dare say.

BrianShaw · Feb 1, 2023

JPD said:
On the Kodak Retina, the 2,0/50 and the post-war 2,8/50 Xenon C are of double-gauss design, but the pre-war 2,8/50 Retina-Xenon is a five element Xenar, a Tessar design with an extra front element for better correction at this speed.

Yes! Here is an interesting article on that topic, complete with a real nice photo oif Dr. Tronnier:

Schneider Kreuznach Super Xenar 50mm F/2.8 - Lens Review

Cheyenne reviews his favorite vintage lens, the Schneider Kreuznach Super Xenar 50mm F/2.8 in M42 mount. Sample sand Buyer's Guide inside.

casualphotophile.com

Tessar

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