How to tell the differnce between G Clarons

[verbryck]

It seems you are always learning , last night I came across something apparently two types of G clarons exist a dagor type and a plasmat type how do you distinguish them? By serial number? By size ? Thanks to anyone who can point me in the right direction. George

[Ole Tjugen]

By reflections is the safest way. Both versions have three lens elements in each cell: In the "Dagor" configuration these are all cemented together so you will see two strong and two weak reflections. The "Plasmat" configuration has an airspace, so there will be four strong and one weak reflection.

The change was some time between 1976 and 1982.

[Jim Galli]

Most of the Dagor type are in the 10,000,000's serial #'s and they all have smaller filter thread. This is from memory so don't flog me too badly;

150mm dagor type = 30.5mm plasmat = 35.5mm
210mm dagor type = 40.5mm plasmat = 49mm
240mm dagor type = 46mm plasmat = 52mm
270mm dagor type = 58mm plasmat = 62mm
305mm dagor type = 62mm plasmat = 67mm

Those are close. Maybe someone can post any corrections.

305mm dagor type only fits the obsolete Compur 2 shutter.

There was no 355mm dagor type G-Claron. Possibly because Schneider was already involved with Goerz who was producing the 14" trigor for the same purpose? There was however 2 different 355 plasmat G-Claron. 1st type takes 67mm? filters and fits the Compound 3 / earliest Copal 3 with 56mm thread shutter. Later is the 77mm filter and fits any modern Copal 3.

[Sal Santamaura]

...Dagor...have smaller filter thread...270mm dagor = 58mm plasmat = 62mm...Maybe someone can post any corrections...My 270mm, purchased new last year from Schneider Optics through Midwest, manufactured around 1999, has a 58mm thread. I can't speak to any of the other focal lengths.

[verbryck]

Thanks ,that was easy , I do believe I used to know that. I have a 150 and a 240 the 150 appears to be the Dagor type while the 240 appears to be a plasmat, both lenses appear to date from 1972-74 so Schneider was replacing some earlier than 76. Again many thanks ,George

[Jan Pedersen]

The 240 Dagor type can actually be numbered in the 11,000,000 serial number, at least mine is. Believe i have read somewhere that the change took place between 11 and 12 mil.

[verbryck]

I checked my filter threads and the 150 appears to be 33mm while the 240 is 52mm as stated above. Both lenses are in the 12,000,000-12,500,000. Regards George