Rare Rodenstock APO-Sironar W 300mm F5.6 MC Lens

[Tim Layton]

Hi, I am hopeful the group here can help me with what appears to be a pretty rare lens.

I believe that I have a Rodenstock APO-Sironar W 300mm F5.6 MC lens.

I went to the Rodenstock lens page at http://www.prograf.ru/rodenstock/lar...en.html#table1 and the only APO-Sironar lens on the entire page that has a 127mm thread at 300mm F5.6 is the Rodenstock APO-Sironar W 300mm F5.6 MC lens.

I wanted to make sure I am not overlooking something and also confirm the identity of the lens based on the above criteria.

I retired recently and I am in the process of selling all the jewels that I have collected over the years. I want to make sure I have the right information on this lens before listing it for sale.

Unfortunately, there isn't a single listing on eBay, current or past sale, for the Rodenstock APO-Sironar W 300mm F5.6 MC lens making this one a little bit of a head scratcher.

I have the lens in front of me and here is the actual text on the front lens barrel "Rodenstock APO-Sironar 1:5,6 f=300mm MC". The serial number is: 10989611.
I have a clear filter on the front element so that is how I know the front filter thread is 127mm for sure. The lens is mounted on a Copal 3 shutter and it is in flawless mint condition.

I am interested in hearing your thoughts about confirming the model of the lens and also any idea of what the current market value may be.

Thanks in advance.

Tim

[minh0204]

It's quite rare indeed. Here's a similar lens (Sinar branded) https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEAR-MINT-S...-/164181568298, relisted here https://www.ebay.com/itm/Almost-MINT...N/164490189635

Does yours have the yellow ring on the front element? From the serial number it's from 1989, I'm sure Bob Solomon can give more detail.

Pricewise it's a hit and miss. I think Michael Fatali sold one awhile back from his "Lens Vault" on eBay. Don't recall the price but it was around 2x the going rate for the Sironar-S 300mm.

[Tim Layton]

Thanks for the info. I didn't think to look at the Sinar brand, so good info on that.

Yea, this thing is in mint, like new condition. With me retiring, I want it to go to a good home. I don't want to just sit on it and not use it.

It's quite rare indeed. Here's a similar lens (Sinar branded) https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEAR-MINT-S...-/164181568298, relisted here https://www.ebay.com/itm/Almost-MINT...N/164490189635

Does yours have the yellow ring on the front element? From the serial number it's from 1989, I'm sure Bob Solomon can give more detail.

Pricewise it's a hit and miss. I think Michael Fatali sold one awhile back from his "Lens Vault" on eBay. Don't recall the price but it was around 2x the going rate for the Sironar-S 300mm.

[Drew Wiley]

Every lens Fatali tried to sell was ridiculously overpriced. But he seems to be winding down several aspects of his career.

[karl french]

Is this the lens you bought from me? If so, it is an Apo Sironar W. Early examples just say Apo Sironar.

[Tim Layton]

Hi Karl, I honestly don't know where I bought it... Too many lenses over the years.

I am now positive this is an APO Sironar W based on all the helpful info that I received here and the information provided by Rodenstock.

I am in the process of getting it photographed today and listing it on eBay.

Thanks Karl,

Tim

Is this the lens you bought from me? If so, it is an Apo Sironar W. Early examples just say Apo Sironar.

[Oren Grad]

To be precise, what you have is exactly what the label says: the 300mm Apo-Sironar. This is the first generation of Rodenstock's modern plasmat with 80-degree coverage. It's the predecessor to the Apo-Sironar-W. AFAIK it's never been documented whether there were any changes in the glass when they went to the Apo-Sironar-W branding. Even with the older label and earlier serial number it's a fine lens, relatively uncommon, and highly desirable for those who need that much coverage and can manage the weight. No need to play "it's labeled X but it's really Y" games, and if I were a prospective purchaser I'd find that really annoying.

Also: a reminder that valuation requests aren't allowed on the Forum.

[Bob Salomon]

To be precise, what you have is exactly what the label says: the 300mm Apo-Sironar. This is the first generation of Rodenstock's modern plasmat with 80-degree coverage. It's the predecessor to the Apo-Sironar-W. AFAIK it's never been documented whether there were any changes in the glass when they went to the Apo-Sironar-W branding. Even with the older label and earlier serial number it's a fine lens, relatively uncommon, and highly desirable for those who need that much coverage and can manage the weight. No need to play "it's labeled X but it's really Y" games, and if I were a prospective purchaser I'd find that really annoying.

Also: a reminder that valuation requests aren't allowed on the Forum.

Never changed the glass, just the name addition and eventually the barrel striping.

[Oren Grad]

Never changed the glass, just the name addition and eventually the barrel striping.

Thanks, Bob.

For those who are new here: Bob worked for many years with HP Marketing, which was Rodenstock's distributor in the US.

So ignore the part of my comment about the labeling. I stand by the part about the earlier version being a fine lens - that's based on experience, as I have all three of the 80-degree series (150/210/300) in a mix of Rodenstock and Sinar branding.

[Tim Layton]

Hi Oren, thanks for the info and the reminder and the valuation. I didn't think about that, and now I know for the future. Much appreciated.

Tim

To be precise, what you have is exactly what the label says: the 300mm Apo-Sironar. This is the first generation of Rodenstock's modern plasmat with 80-degree coverage. It's the predecessor to the Apo-Sironar-W. AFAIK it's never been documented whether there were any changes in the glass when they went to the Apo-Sironar-W branding. Even with the older label and earlier serial number it's a fine lens, relatively uncommon, and highly desirable for those who need that much coverage and can manage the weight. No need to play "it's labeled X but it's really Y" games, and if I were a prospective purchaser I'd find that really annoying.

Also: a reminder that valuation requests aren't allowed on the Forum.