Apo-Artar

[Steve Clark]

How are the Apo-Artars for general use/landscape photography, and are they curre ntly in production?

[Julio Fernandez]

Steve: NO! but Rodesntock makes what I believe is the identical lens: the ApoRonar. Furthermore, the current ARs are multicoated. Apo Ronars in barrel mounts have also been discontinued. These are great lenses and I think the best currently available in small portable sizes and long focal lengths. For 4X5 you need at least a 300mm.

[Wayne_6692]

Apo Artars from 8.25" and up will cover 4x5. Mine (8.25") is from 1955, single-coated, and just incredible. Schneider was the last manufacturer of the "Artar" and I believe they manufactureed the last ones in the early 1990's.

[Chad Jarvis]

I concur with Wayne's opinion of Artars. I've owned a 450mm Goerz APO Artar which was an awesome semi-long lens for my 8x10 - sharp as a tack - and it was a late 70s vintage. The Schneiders should be only that much sharper. And if you have lots of bellows draw, these lenses SHINE for close-up work.

[Geoffrey_1456]

Guys,

Check with B+H in NYC. They have two new Schneider Apo-Artars in their current listing:

240 mm F9 in Copal 1 for $1799 480 mm F11 in Copal 3 for $2995

[Wayne_6692]

Geoffrey - They've probably had them since 1992 - and at those prices they're likely to have them until 2092.

Wayne