newly acquired lens: Schneider Xenotar 135/3.5

**dh003i** · 5-Jan-2009, 20:40

Originally Posted by e

Awhile ago the Schneider 135mm 3.5 was around $200-. Thats what I paid for mine. The latest CZ was about 3 G's. The 150mm 2.8 Schneider goes for about $800-

I think all of those have gone up in price. The Schneider Xenotar 150/2.8 is now around $1500. CZ's still expensive. And Xenar 135/3.5, well, what Frank said.

It goes to show you the power of monetary inflation. With the government printing out loads of money, even though we're in a depression, and people don't have as much disposable money to spend, prices are still going up. (of course, it may also be partly that these things are getting harder to find on the market).

The other lens I just got: Kodak Ektar 203/7.7 for $157.49 USD. It's supposed to be a nice sharp (and light) lens, with sufficient coverage for 5x7.

**Frank Petronio** · 5-Jan-2009, 22:07

Prices are all over the place now but $800 for a 135 Xenotar and $12-1500 for a 150 Xeno was true for most of the past few years.

The 135 Planar was made over a longer time with improvements later, so one of the late ones with the T* coating could be over $2000.

But in today's economy all bets are off. People are still paying last year's prices but patient buyers will eventually get some great deals once sellers get desperate. Your $500 Xeno is a good example (and you got a good price on your Ektar too) -- but those aren't "crazy theft" prices, they are low but reasonable -- probably just the new reality.

**dh003i** · 7-Jan-2009, 08:28

Originally Posted by dh003i

if the CZ 135/3.5 lens sells for around the current price (just under $700), I'll kick myself.

Guess I was right to buy the Xenotar 135/3.5 and not pray the CZ Planar T* 135/3.5 stay around $700...it's now at ~$1400 with 4 hrs left, I bet it'll go for over $2000.

**dh003i** · 7-Jan-2009, 12:30

PS: Wow, the CZ Planar T* 135/3.5 went for $2,800.

**drew.saunders** · 7-Jan-2009, 14:03

Originally Posted by dh003i

PS: Wow, the CZ Planar T* 135/3.5 went for $2,800.

But it comes with a lensboard! Such a deal!

**Frank Petronio** · 7-Jan-2009, 14:38

You know it has to be going to China...

**dh003i** · 7-Jan-2009, 14:52

LOL @ Drew and Frank's comments.

**sgelb** · 19-Jan-2009, 22:22

imo schneider is the bomb all my lf lenses are schneiders and I am rarely disappointed.. my 50+ year old rollei with xenotar 2.8 80mm
kicks serious ass when it has to. bokeh is great, sharp as a tack yet smooth like velvet.

I heart rolleiflex. this was color neg, 160S, some retouching and color balance work, manual dust removal.. but you can see the potential this glass has...

**dh003i** · 10-May-2010, 20:03

I haven't yet taken portraits with it, but here is a landscape with the 135/3.5 at f/32. As expected, sharp (at least up to the limits of the Epson V700).