View Full Version : Super Symmar 80 XL quality consensus
Leigh Perry
19-Apr-2004, 03:08
When the SS80XL came out there were some reports of softness at f/4.5, enough to prevent effective focusing. I found the Joe Cornish and Kerry Thalmann descriptions in the archives. I couldn't find much in the way of follow-up though.
Was this problem resolved in later production runs? Is variability in quality a hallmark of this lens? How far do you have to stop down in order to focus (with Horseman viewer is of special interest)?
Thanks.
Brian Ellis
19-Apr-2004, 05:19
I own this lens and haven't found any problem with focusing it. I focus wide open. Jim at MidWest Photo Exchange told me it was a problem only with the first production run, that it was thereafter fixed by Schneider and hasn't been a problem since.
Steve Hamley
19-Apr-2004, 06:15
Leigh,
I also own the lens and find that mine is slightly soft at f 4.5, and depending in the scene, prefer to do critical focusing at f 5.6. Stopped down, it is as others said, "as good as anything out there." I've also noted that use of a wide-angle fresnel makes focusing much easier on any lens of similar focal length, which tells me the wide-angle effect is more of a problem than softness wide open. Mine is a later lens, 1476xxxx.
Steve
Henry Ambrose
19-Apr-2004, 07:18
My experience is similar to Steve's above. I expose film with the lens stopped down which covers most all situations even if there is a small focus error. I've shot it from f16-32 and I'm completely happy with the results. If you think you're going to use it wide open, you might want to hear from someone who does that.
I, and several other 80XL owners, have encountered a strange problem with the lens. You may read the thread here (http://largeformatphotography.info/lfforum/topic/498280.html). I talked to Jeff with Badger Graphic serveral days ago about this problem, and he asked me to send it back for his inspection. I shall have a follow-up later.
michael waldron
22-Apr-2004, 07:38
I just got one from Badger last month, using it with Ebony 45s that has a form of built in fresnel. Wide open, it does seem a bit soft on the edges and even in the center relative to other lenses I have used (e.g. 65 Rodenstock or SS 110). However, I have not really found it to be too bad to focus, and in a few cases, such as when using swing, I stopped down to 5.6 and it was fine. The pictures, taken typically at f16-22 have been very sharp, so I really don't worry about it, since I clearly have been able to acheive fine focus with the lens.
Leigh Perry
22-Apr-2004, 16:15
Thanks to all for the feedback. It sounds like the early production issues are resolved. The new haze problem is a worry though. Perhaps that is a recent production aberration?
Just a followup. Jeff with Badger has sent the defective lens to Schneider for repair or replacement. It looks like this might be a common problem with certain elements used for 80XL. I own over ten Schneider lenses, and none of them has the similar issue except this one.
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