Page 3 of 3 FirstFirst 123
Results 21 to 29 of 29

Thread: Xenotar condition opinions?

  1. #21

    Re: Xenotar condition opinions?

    Automatic Makiflex 150 Xenotar by Nokton48, on Flickr

    I bought one of the $250 Ballistic test lenses on Ebay ten years ago. This was wide open handheld with a 6x9cm Makina back on 4x5 Plaubel Makiflex Standard. I only use this lens wide open; otherwise what is the point? There are certainly better performers but not all of them can be handheld. The Xenotar was offered with auto aperture for the Makiflex by Plaubel back in the sixties. If you get a good one it is certainly distinctive.

    I kind of like this one. FP4+ at 1/250 Microdol-X straight replenished
    Last edited by Daniel Unkefer; 7-Jan-2022 at 08:56.
    Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/

    “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
    ― Mark Twain

  2. #22

    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Stockholm, Sweden
    Posts
    504

    Re: Xenotar condition opinions?

    I got one by chance last year on a Swedish auction site. Coating a bit damaged but not as bad as OP's copy. So I decided to keep.
    Haven't seen it affect images so far.

    And yes it's a mixed bag. Bokeh is definitely nervous and not buttery smooth.
    And it's hard to get good #2 shutters with working short exposures that's needed, cause you want to shoot wide open. Otherwise you can get a much cheaper, smaller and better lens.
    Very sharp even wide open if you actually nail the focus plane.

    A one trick pony, yes, but with a very special trick. A 35mm equivalent lens would be a 42mm f/0.8

    To be honest I rarely use mine, thought I would do a series of portraits but so far haven't got there
    Lasse Thomasson | Instagram

  3. #23
    Corran's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    North GA Mountains
    Posts
    8,924

    Re: Xenotar condition opinions?

    Handheld, Linhof IV + 150mm Xenotar, RF focused:



    My fast LF lenses are a fun tool that I would not part with, as I would likely not be able to buy them later. An investment, if you will, in both future image making capability and monetarily, as the prices keep going up...

    PS: Aero Ektar has gotten more use in recent years due to both faster shutter speeds available on the Speed and less need for RF focusing of late (static subjects, tripod).
    Bryan | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | Portfolio
    All comments and thoughtful critique welcome

  4. #24

    Re: Xenotar condition opinions?

    Auto Maki no 2 150 2.8 Xenotar HRU 5 by Nokton48, on Flickr



    Auto Maki no 2 180 2.8 Xenotar HRU 3 by Nokton48, on Flickr

    Auto Maki no 2 150 2.8 Xenotar HRU 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

    This is as close as Maki would focus this day. Elephant ears were about a foot long each

    Automatic Makiflex #2 150mm F2.8 Xenotar wide-open 1/15 Fuji 8x10 XRay HRU cut down to 4x5 in Graphmatic back StarD tripod. Development 12 minutes 60F straight Mic-X replenished by inspection of shadow values by deep red safelight. 8x10 Arista #2 RC Omega DII 180 Rodagon f22 50 seconds Omegalite diffusion head Multigrade developer

    Full film gate images 9x9cm on 4x5 film

    This was a blast/hoot to do.
    Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/

    “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
    ― Mark Twain

  5. #25

    Re: Xenotar condition opinions?

    150 Xenotar Auto Makiflex Foma by Nokton48, on Flickr

    Auto Makiflex 150 Xenotar Foma 200 6x9cm rollfilm tripod Microdol-x straight replenished. 8x10 #2 Arista RC Multigrade dev Omegalite DII 180 black Rodagon

    I used two ND filters stacked together to shoot wide open in the sunlight
    Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/

    “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
    ― Mark Twain

  6. #26

    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Posts
    3,901

    Re: Xenotar condition opinions?

    Small imager format images at full lens aperture examples:
    https://www.largeformatphotography.i...=1#post1628439

    The image results are different than 4x5 with close to "normal" focal length f2.8 lens, much depends on lighting, how the specific lens is used and subject and image composition and ...


    Bernice

  7. #27

    Re: Xenotar condition opinions?

    Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/

    “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
    ― Mark Twain

  8. #28

    Re: Xenotar condition opinions?

    SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

    A new addition for this rare lens, the Schneider original lenshood for the 150mm F2.8 Xenotar. This one has an automatic iris which couples with the Plaubel Auto Makiflex camera. This hood was expensive but I am glad I grabbed it, I have never seen one before! I think it really completes the lens.
    Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/

    “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
    ― Mark Twain

  9. #29

    Re: Xenotar condition opinions?

    Quote Originally Posted by lassethomas View Post
    it's hard to get good #2 shutters with working short exposures that's needed, cause you want to shoot wide open. Otherwise you can get a much cheaper, smaller and better lens.
    My Xenotar Trick:

    I bought two 4X Neutral Density Filters of the appropriate size, which I stack together. On my Standard Makiflexes the top speed on the camera is 1/125, but the two stacked ND filters get me where I need to be in direct sunlight. Works for me
    Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/

    “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
    ― Mark Twain

Similar Threads

  1. Opinions on Linhof Schneider Xenotar 135mm f3.5
    By claudiocambon in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 16-Jul-2006, 20:00

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •