I recently came upon a nice and late 1970s 300mm Schneider Xenar in a chrome Copal 3 shutter. The lens rim says 300/5.6 but the Schneider website only lists a vintage 300/4.5 Xenar. Does anyone have any info on this version? Does it cover more than the 4.5, or is it the same as a 4.5 lens jammed into a 5.6 max aperture shutter? (it opens up fully open at 5.6)
Frank,
I think it's the regular f/4.5 lens shoehorned into a Copal #3. The original was in a Compound #5!
Steve
They both have similar specs, as expected, with a coverage angle of 60-62 deg. The references I have for the f/4.5 are from the 1950's and older; for the f/5.6, from the 1980's. The lens likely is an improvement over the old versions. The old Xenars I've had weren't nearly as good as the Tessars.
I can only speak to the quality of the lens. I have the f5.6 "model" and use it on my V8. It is extremely sharp and can produce nice bokeh. I think you will find the expression "try it, you'll like it" is especially true with this lens. Best wishes, Jon
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