Rodenstock APO-Rodagon 50mm f/2.8 but no "N"

[johnastovall]

I recently got a Rodenstock APO Radagon 50/2.8 but have some questions about it. The lens appears to have never been use but was in case marked Rodagon 50mm f1:4,0 on it. However, there is a red sticker on it saying, "Neu - mit Vowahlblende New with preset aperture."

It's serial number is 1063xxxx.

What have I got here? An APO-Radagn that is early production and missing the "N" or something else? I've checked Butzi's site and don't see any APO's with out the 'N.'

What is this strange beast?

[Bob Salomon]

I recently got a Rodenstock APO Radagon 50/2.8 but have some questions about it. The lens appears to have never been use but was in case marked Rodagon 50mm f1:4,0 on it. However, there is a red sticker on it saying, "Neu - mit Vowahlblende New with preset aperture."

It's serial number is 1063xxxx.

What have I got here? An APO-Radagn that is early production and missing the "N" or something else? I've checked Butzi's site and don't see any APO's with out the 'N.'

What is this strange beast?

You have a very old version of the Apo Rodagon from 1979. It was replaced with a later version which was then replaced with the current Apo Rodagon-N series. The Apo rodagon N is a different formula, a different lens mount and is multi-coated. Your lens is in a mount that is much different from the current lenses or the mounts before them.

Only the current series has the N designation. The N was made in 45, 50, 75, 80, 90, 105 and 150mm The 50, 80 and 105 are still made.