schneider 150mm Xenar

[speedtrials]

I've found a schneider 150mm xenar that I'm think of buying (for use on 4x5). The aperture is 4.5. I believe it is a barrel lens however the owner says its an enlarging lens. I looked it up online and can't find an enlarging lens named xenar...they are all named componar/componon so I would like to think I'm right. Or is there even a difference?

[Gene McCluney]

In the past people were frugal, and often used camera lenses for enlarger lenses. A Schneider Xenar is a Schneider Xenar, and would work OK as an enlarging lens, but is primarily a camera lens.

[Nick_3536]

If it's in a barrel it's a barrel lens. If you use it for enlarging it's a barrel enlarger lens.

[Peter K]

Before special enlarging lenses where made, "normal" lenses where used for enlarging too. Like the Zeiss Tessar, the Steinheil Cassar and the Schneider Xenar.

In a Schneider brochure from the Thirties a special Xenar f/4.5 7.5cm and 10.5cm is mentioned as "special enlarging lens".