Zeiss 250mm Sonnar f/5.6 .. why so big? good?

[snaggs]

I saw a 250mm Zeiss Sonnar today... and it was pretty big. Certainly much bigger than Schneider Tele-Xenar's around it of similar or longer focal length.

Is this a well regarded Lens? This was a Zeiss "Linhof" branded lens.

Daniel.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

It's generally considered to be an outstanding lens, a heck of a lot sharper wide open than the old Tele-Xenar.

 

[snaggs]

It's generally considered to be an outstanding lens, a heck of a lot sharper wide open than the old Tele-Xenar.

The say "the old Tele-Xenar".. Schneider still sell them new.. so are you saying that the Tele-Xenar is a compromise type lens?

The Linhof Zeiss Sonar which I can buy is not cheap.. in fact its only about 25% cheaper than a new Scheinder 400mm f/5.6 tele-Xenar. I was thinking that 250mm is really too close to the 210mm I already have to be of much use.

Daniel.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

The new 400mm Tele-Xenar is much improved from the old 360/5.5 Tele-Xenar. Pick the focal length you think will be more useful to you. Both are excellent lenses. If you have a 210, I'd go for the 400.

 

[snaggs]

Great.. I've ordered one from badger graphics. The PDF brochure said it needs only 285mm of bellows, which should be perfect for my Tachihara.

Daniel.

EDIT : How closely will I be able to focus with this lens? I've asked Badger to send me a turret lens board, and the Tachihara can do 330mm of extension max. How can I calculate how close I'll be able to focus it?

Daniel.

 

[JosBurke]

The 250 Sonnar is a fine lens---moving more to collectible status than user--they rarely go cheap but if you happen to be a Zeiss nut (As I am) you're ideal set for a 4x5 Technika is going to be the 75 mm Zeiss Biogon, the 135 Zeiss Planar and the 250 Sonnar (I have the full set as much as collectibles as users ) Love the Biogon though !! An often overlooked Zeiss lens is the Zeiss Sonnar 180 mm 4.8--it easily covers 4x5 though it is supposedly a 6x9 lens-- it is also very very sharp just as the 250 Sonnar is---the 180 is also another favorite for full length portraits or whatever ! None of the Zeiss lenses have much room to play with for movements---just not a huge image circle but if coverage is crucial then the Zeiss glass is not the best choice !

 

[snaggs]

The question is.. is Zeiss becoming collectable just because its rarer.. or because its better. I know on Rollei the Schneider lenses are considered sharper than the Zeiss.. but then were talking about a different era.

What are the Linhof Zeiss 250mm Sonnars normally going for?

Daniel.