Lens Question

[Lawrence Thomas Pickard]

I have a Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1:4.7 135mm in a Synchro-Compur P. B 2 5 10 25 50 100 250 500 4.7 to 32

1) Is it a good lens for my 4x5 Graphic View camera? 2) There is a little lever that moves side to side from "X" to "M", what does it do? I assume that it has something to do with a flash? 3) Next to the shutter cocking lever there is a "button" that can be pushed towa rds the camera that stops the shutter release from completing its forward motion after firing. Is it used instead of a "T" setting?

I'm getting a little more comfortable in the large format arena, however I know I could use a workshop. Anyone know of one in the San Diego area?

Thanks for your help Lawrence

[g.l. wurpen]

1) Is it a good lens for my 4x5 Graphic View camera?

For it's price range, probably very good. I had the 127mm version of that lens -- I bought it for about $100 and was very pleased with it. I didn't "test" it with charts and things at every aperture, but film from it is in my portfolio along with film from Nikkors and other more expensive lenses.

2) There is a little lever that moves side to side from "X" to "M", what does it do? I assume that it has something to do with a flash?X is for electronic strobe, M is for flash bulbs.

3) Next to the shutter cocking lever there is a "button" that can be pushed towards the camera that stops the shutter release from completing its forward motion after firing. Is it used instead of a "T" setting?

It is used to open the lens for focussing/viewing.

[Jim Galli]

LT The Xenar should be a good performer at f16 1/2 to f22 1/2 or so. It will produce sharp negs but it doesn't have a lot of room for movements before your pics will vignette in the corners.

The X-M lever is kind of obsolete now. In the days of flash bulbs, it took the bulbs a few milli-seconds to burn up to full intensity, so on the "M" setting the shutter would actually fire the bulb first, then synchronize the full open with the bulbs full intensity. Hence the "Synchro" moniker. For modern electronic flash, use the X setting.

The little button is for holding the lens open during focus.

If you're just beginning in large format, consider a 210mm in a more modern Copal shutter for your next lens. Most have tons of movement area in 4X5 and allow you to explore everything your camera can do. Jim