Schneider Super Symmar 80XL

[davidb]

I am so blown away for the 110XL, that I am now pondering the 80XL.

Can you all post some opinions and photos from and about this lens?

[Mark Stahlke]

I was so blown away by the 80XL that I hunted down a 110XL.

[Jack Flesher]

The opposite for me... I liked the 110 so much I hunted down an 80. Didn't like it, sold it. Everybody was raving about it, so I bought another one. Didn't care for it either, sold it again. Now I have the 75 SA instead. My biggest peeve with the 80 was it didn't have the pop of my 75 or 90 SA and it really needed the CF for 4x5 if I was shooting chromes.

But then that's me and YMMV

[Brian Ellis]

I had a SS 80XL and loved it - tack sharp, small, light, good coverage. I used it only with b&w film and never used a center filter. I see they're going for $1700 new now. I paid $1200 for mine. $1700 is really getting up there. I didn't think $1200 was too bad because for me having an 80mm made it unnecessary to carry a 90 and a 75.

[Bruce Watson]

I am so blown away for the 110XL, that I am now pondering the 80XL.

Can you all post some opinions and photos from and about this lens?

I too was blown away by the 110mm SS-XL, and found an 80mm SS-XL on the used market. It is, IMHO, just as good. Tack sharp. Nice and contrasty. I shoot both B&W and color negative without a center filter. This shot from Sequoia National Park was made with the 80mm. I made a print for my wife from it that's 150 x 93 cm which is about a 12x enlargement in which every twig on the distant trees is beautifully sharp and clear.

So yes, I'm blown away by the 80mm SS-XL just like I was with the 110mm SS-XL. Wonderful lenses both.

[davidb]

Bruce,
thanks for posting your photo and your experience with the lens.

So I guess I will look for one and give it a try.

[timparkin]

I've got both the 80 and the 110 but use a CF permanently on the 80. It is darker than the 110 (because of angle of view and CF) and doesn't snap into focus as easily (it is slightly soft wide open) but it's not difficult to use by any means and the results are lovely. I won't be selling mine..

[Scott Rosenberg]

another comment in favor of the 80-XL... i've got one and love it. it's very small and light and really, REALLY sharp.

what else could one ask for??

[Doug Dolde]

You could ask for a wide angle that DIDN'T need a center filter !

[JPlomley]

I've got a 135 APO Sironar-S that is just incredibly sharp. Problem is, when I was shooting in Zion, I ran out of image circle for about half a dozen shots. So now I am considering the 110 XL. Anyone compare the 135 APO Sironar-S to the 110 XL? Is the 110XL comparable?