newly acquired lens: Schneider Xenotar 135/3.5 [Archive]

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dh003i

4-Jan-2009, 21:25

I just won this Schneider Xenotar 135/3.5 on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=130277869410). There is also currently an auction for the Carl Zeiss Planar T* 135/3.5, but it's already over $100 more than what I paid for the Xenotar, and non T* versions have sold for over $1500 in the past, so that's well out of my price-range. They're supposed to essentially be the same lens (minus the coating), and I haven't seen any evidence that the Planar is sharper. (There's also a Xenotar 240/2.8, but that's $1500 buy-it-now).

I look forward to enjoying the lens. Eventually, when I get some photos with it, I'll tell people how it goes.

Its reported resolutions are:

f# ctr mdl edg
f/3.5 20 ? 10
f/8 60 ? 30
f/11 42 38 42
f/16 60 60 54
f/22 54 54 54

cdholden

4-Jan-2009, 22:51

Lens specs are irrelevant. The ultimate question is whether or not you are pleased with your purchase. For that much coin, I hope so!

Frank Petronio

5-Jan-2009, 05:36

dh003i

5-Jan-2009, 07:18

Actually you got a great deal, usually those sell for $800 or so and you got a $80 lenshade too. It looks like a good one and it's from a reputable seller so you did well.

Don't worry about the numbers, judge it by how its pictures look. Frankly they are not as sharp as the latest modern lenses but the overall image quality is beautiful -- sharp yet smooth is the best description. It will not have a huge image circle for extensive movements but it's not the kind of lens you would want to use like that anyway.

What are you going to hang it on?

Glad to hear I got a good deal; I'll be following the CZ lens to see how much that sells for. Given that these lenses are (from everything I've read) basically the same, I think I got a great deal for use-value.

I'm putting it on my 4x5 Linhof (the excellent LF I got at your recommendation). http://www.tabblo.com/studio/stories/view/1686101/

Bill_1856

5-Jan-2009, 07:25

I absolutely love this lens -- the images it produces are lovely, corner to corner. I cannot detect any focus shift on stopping down.
(Mine came on my Tech IV, along with a 90mm Angulon and 240mm Symmar, all RF coupled).

drew.saunders

5-Jan-2009, 12:18

According to Kerry T., http://www.thalmann.com/largeformat/future.htm (about half way down), the 135/3.5 Planar T* is a rare and collectable lens.

dh003i

5-Jan-2009, 13:47

I saw that page, and the seller links to it. But just because it is rare and collectable, doesn't mean that it performs any better than the Xenar 135/3.5. (nor does it mean that, if looking at as an investment, the return on investment will be any greater).

dh003i

5-Jan-2009, 13:49

regarding great deals, the next time I see a Nikkor 90/4.5 for around $600, I'll be all over that like white on rice. Wish I'd got the one a while ago that was at $600.

dh003i

5-Jan-2009, 16:07

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

5-Jan-2009, 19:23

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-

dh003i

5-Jan-2009, 21:40

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 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370118367676). It's supposed to be a nice sharp (and light) lens, with sufficient coverage for 5x7.

Frank Petronio

5-Jan-2009, 23:07

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, 09:28

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, 13:30

PS: Wow, the CZ Planar T* 135/3.5 went for $2,800 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=170290310648).

drew.saunders

7-Jan-2009, 15:03

PS: Wow, the CZ Planar T* 135/3.5 went for $2,800 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=170290310648).

But it comes with a lensboard! Such a deal!

Frank Petronio

7-Jan-2009, 15:38

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

dh003i

7-Jan-2009, 15:52

LOL @ Drew and Frank's comments.

sgelb

19-Jan-2009, 23:22

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).