Question re: Schneider Kreuznach Componon 5.6/150

**Raymond Bleesz** · 6-Aug-2016, 15:21

I have been using this lens on occasion for enlarging purposes, however, I do not know its history nor what this lens excelled at. Please inform me of such. (serial # 7278571) Which leads me up to this question:

Can this lens be used on a 4x5, 5x7 camera as a camera lens or this a strictly an enlarging lens

Thank you--Raymond

**Daniel Unkefer** · 6-Aug-2016, 18:36

I have one (in fact I have a full set of Componons) and they work great for large format shooting.
I was encouraged to try them by Ken Ruth of Photography on Bald Mountain.

I use mine for 4x5/9x12. Not sure about 5x7 so just try it.

**Raymond Bleesz** · 6-Aug-2016, 18:45

Daniel, thank you for your response---so you use yours as a camera lens rather than an enlarging lens---Am I reading you correctly?

Any other info you want to share??? Raymond

**Daniel Unkefer** · 6-Aug-2016, 18:55

Raymond,

Yes the 150mm Componon makes a very fine camera lens for 4x5, particularly for closer-in shooting.
If you have one I would encourage you to try it. I am just getting started with mine, sure looks great on the groundglass.
I have my Componons set-up to use on my Plaubel Makiflexes (see my avatar).

**Daniel.E** · 10-Aug-2016, 09:09

It's an excellent lens when used as a taking lens. The first one is at f22 and the other one is at f11. Have fun with the lens!

Shen-Hao-HP5-005 by Daniel Rois, on Flickr

Shen-Hao-HP5-007 by Daniel Rois, on Flickr

**neil poulsen** · 10-Aug-2016, 09:28

I used one to photograph artwork at close proximity. They fit into a standard Copal 0 shutter. If you have a 150mm in a Copal 0, the aperture scale would be correct.

**IanG** · 10-Aug-2016, 09:38

It's not a coincidence that Schneider sold Compons in shutters as macro lenses in the past. It won't cover 7x5 at Infinity.

Ian

**Daniel Unkefer** · 10-Aug-2016, 18:14

Here's my 300 Componon mounted on one of my Plaubel Makiflexes:

001 by Nokton48, on Flickr

**Paul Ewins** · 10-Aug-2016, 23:12

The Componon is a variation of the Symmar, the same formula (plasmat) but probably with the spacing tweaked for better close up performance. Plenty of people use them happily for landscape work so it can't be a dramatic difference to the Symmar.