Which One to Keep: 19" Red Dot Artar or 19" SK Apo Artar?

Frank R · Jun 2, 2007

I just picked up today a Schneider Kreuznach 19" Apo Artar in barrel. I also have a 19" Red Dot Artar in barrel.

My research shows that both are coated.

Which one should I keep? Any differences in quality or coverage?

John Kasaian · Jun 2, 2007

Shoot with both and see which one gives you the results you like best?

Frank R · Jun 3, 2007

John Kasaian said:
Shoot with both and see which one gives you the results you like best?

Grrrr.... I am resisting the urge to write several nasty responses to that unhelpful response.

I am still putting together my 8x10 outfit so I have not shot any of my lenses for it yet. But now I have two supposedly very good lenses in the same focal length.

I need some advice, from someone who has used them, in order to decide which one to sell.

Ole · Jun 3, 2007

Frank,
John's response was the only useful response it's possible to give to that question. Everyone who has ever had two or more lenses in the same focal length have discovered this: specifications don't matter, only your own opinion of the lens.

Nick Zentena · Jun 3, 2007

Not to mention they may have been both dropped or other wise abused.

User Removed · Jun 3, 2007

I found the Schneider Artars to be abit sharper, less coverage, and lighter in weight. I had both a Schneider Artar and a Goerz RD Artar and keep the Schneider because I'm only shooting 8x10 and did not need more coverage, and it was about 1/3rd lighter in weight.

The Goerz RD Artar is still very sharp, as I'm sure you know.

Frank R · Jun 3, 2007

Thank you Ryan, that was helpful.

StreetShooter · Jun 3, 2007

Frank R said:
Grrrr.... I am resisting the urge to write several nasty responses to that unhelpful response.

Sell them both and buy a point and shoot.

From the sounds of your reply to John's suggestion it doesn't sound much like ANYONE should give you advice!

Roger Hicks · Jun 3, 2007

StreetShooter said:
Sell them both and buy a point and shoot.

From the sounds of your reply to John's suggestion it doesn't sound much like ANYONE should give you advice!

Seconded. Ask a half-worthless question (two specific lenses that very few are likely to have compared directly) and then reject an intelligent response -- who could answer your question in a way you'd accept?

Cheers,

Roger

Renato Tonelli · Jun 3, 2007

Keep them both! What's wrong with you anyway? Never sell photographic gear - buy only.

Ole · Jun 3, 2007

Renato Tonelli said:
Keep them both! What's wrong with you anyway? Never sell photographic gear - buy only.

Hmm... That's funny - I have only one 480mm lens!

Oh wait - I have a 460, two 465's, and three 500mm lenses too. I guess that explains it.

Just don't ask me to choose between a 480/11 Apo-Ronar, 500/6.3 Krauss Tessar, 500/5.5 ISCO Aerotar, or 460/465/520 f:7.2 Aplanat and the 465/8 nameless Anastigmat...

Frank R · Jun 3, 2007

Roger Hicks said:
who could answer your question in a way you'd accept?

Ryan did.

Scott Peters · Jun 4, 2007

Well you have your answer on sharpness and coverage and weight...now the tough part...which one do you like? Things like contrast, bokeh, overall look and feel of the image, etc. You probably can't go wrong with either...

jimgalli · Jun 4, 2007

I'd sell them both and buy a 450mm APO Skopar.

I agree with the others. With due respect to Ryan, you have two for all practical purposes identical lenses that you might not find the minutest of differences with a 50X microscope. Don't expect a cut and dry answer. John's was the most helpful.

User Removed · Jun 4, 2007

jimgalli said:
I'd sell them both and buy a 450mm APO Skopar.

I agree with the others. With due respect to Ryan, you have two for all practical purposes identical lenses that you might not find the minutest of differences with a 50X microscope. Don't expect a cut and dry answer. John's was the most helpful.

Jim is really right. The two lenses are very close to the same thing. When I said that I found the Schneider to be sharper...it's not even really noticeably sharper in an 8x10 contact print with the human eye. Even when I was making 40x50 enlargements from 8x10 negatives produced with both lenses, they both held up fine. You would really need a microscope to see the difference.

Both my Schneider Artar and Goerz RD Artar cover 8x10 and 11x14 fine. I've just heard from many people that the Schneider's had less coverage, but I've never had to reach the end of it... so it's never been a problem.

The reason why I kept the Schneider over the Goerz was really the weight. Just the cell alone were 1/3 the weight of the Goerz. This was because my Schneider was in a very rare aluminum barrel, and the other was brass. Another thing that reduced the weight was that the newer lens was in a Copal 3 and the old Artar was in an Ilex 5.

So anyway.... Make a the exact same negative out in your yard with both lenses. Develop them the same, print them the same and see if you can notice a difference.

Which One to Keep: 19" Red Dot Artar or 19" SK Apo Artar?

Frank R

John Kasaian

Frank R

Ole

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Nick Zentena

User Removed

Frank R

StreetShooter

Roger Hicks

Renato Tonelli

Ole

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Frank R

Scott Peters

jimgalli

User Removed

Which One to Keep: 19" Red Dot Artar or 19" SK Apo Artar?

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