New Schneider Fine Art Lenses

[Doug Dolde]

Badger Graphics has just posted prices on the new Schneider Fine Art lenses. 550mm XXL $4795 and the 1100mm XXL in a copal 3 shutter $3995.

[Andre Noble]

Ridiculous

[windpointphoto]

I agree, ridiculous. I used to work in a camera store. We made a fortune off of stupid people who continue to think higher cost equals better picture quality. Edward Weston's equipment was so substandard that no one would even consider buying it today. I'd trade everything I own for 5% of his visual awareness.

[jonathan smith]

Why such long focal lengths? Are they for ULF?

No I don't want one.

[Huib]

Schneider fine art XXL

[Darin Cozine]

Just gives me something to look forward to.
=]

[Ken Lee]

Why be negative ? We should be delighted that someone supports the art, especially in this day and age. I would be surprised if they were anything less than fantastic performers.

I grow tired of the Edward Weston comparisons. That was then, this is now. That was him, this is us.

If you don't like the price, that's certainly understandable. Not everyone can afford a Porsche or a Steinway, but that doesn't diminish their value or beauty. Some of us would think nothing of paying a lot more money for a motorcycle, a truck, a pair of earrings, a ring, or a nice vacation.

[Gem Singer]

How about $2 for a small bottle of water?

[David A. Goldfarb]

These are indeed ULF lenses, and given the cost of shooting 20x24" Polaroid or ULF color neg/transparency, I can see a market for these lenses.

[John Cook]

I wholeheartedly agree with everything everyone has said. However, on the other hand...

Since the Industrial Revolution, we have all become accustomed to ridiculously low prices for mass-produced goods. A simple plastic screw-top for a jar of peanut butter costs more than $100,000 to design and bring to market. But because trillions are produced, the per-unit price is amortized to much less than one cent.

As photography sales plummet, per unit costs will continue to rise substantially. Simple math. Better get used to it. The only alternative will be to cease production. Many would label Schneider foolhardy for investing to develop these lenses at all.