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Thread: 210 Xenar for 5x7 Portraits w little movements?

  1. #1

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    Jun 2002
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    210 Xenar for 5x7 Portraits w little movements?

    I'm looking to get into 5x7 and the older Xenars have always been good lenses for me in the past. I haven't boughten one yet, but I wonder if a 1950s-era Schneider Xenar 210/4.5 in a compound shutter will work for 5x7, I don't mind ~a little~ softness or vignetting at the corners, I just want a sharp center and nice bokeh wide open.

    Any experiences with that?

    Is there anything similar in a 240mm? I don't see many 240 Xenars listed.

  2. #2

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    Re: 210 Xenar for 5x7 Portraits w little movements?

    Quote Originally Posted by Frank Petronio View Post
    I'm looking to get into 5x7 and the older Xenars have always been good lenses for me in the past. I haven't boughten one yet, but I wonder if a 1950s-era Schneider Xenar 210/4.5 in a compound shutter will work for 5x7, I don't mind ~a little~ softness or vignetting at the corners, I just want a sharp center and nice bokeh wide open.
    I have a 21cm Xenar in a compound that dates from around 1942. I haven't used it to take pictures yet but I put it on my 8x10" to check coverage. It illuminates the whole ground glass though it gets soft in the corners. I think it would be real nice on with 5x7". From the 1939 catalog Schneider rates the image circle of the lens at around 220mm (sharp at small apertures.)

    -Darren

  3. #3

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    Re: 210 Xenar for 5x7 Portraits w little movements?

    Are you sure you want to use a normal FL lens for portraits? This is especially important since you mentioned "bokeh". You'd more likely be happier with a 300-450mm portrait lens.

  4. #4

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    Re: 210 Xenar for 5x7 Portraits w little movements?

    Gee I don't know, I've never done portraits with a big camera before ;-)

    (kidding - yeah I know what I want)

  5. #5

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    Re: 210 Xenar for 5x7 Portraits w little movements?

    Okay then.

    I have a newer coated 210mm Commercial Astragon in the classifieds I listed just today. I have an older uncoated Tessar in shutter laying around... somewhere... I can sell.

  6. #6

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    Re: 210 Xenar for 5x7 Portraits w little movements?

    Frank,

    I have two of the newer 210/6.1 Xenars (and two 150mm Xenars as well). I love 'em! They cover 5x7 just fine. Even the 150mm f/4.5 will light up all of 5x7. It gets kinda greesy looking in the corners though.

    Go for it!

    and...share some results!



    (no. none of my Xenars are for sale! ...sorry).

  7. #7

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    Re: 210 Xenar for 5x7 Portraits w little movements?

    Thanks. I want an older one with a nice rounded aperture Compound shutter this time around.

  8. #8

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    Re: 210 Xenar for 5x7 Portraits w little movements?

    Quote Originally Posted by Frank Petronio View Post
    Thanks. I want an older one with a nice rounded aperture Compound shutter this time around.

    yeah...me too Hope you find one. You'll not regret it.

  9. #9

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    Re: 210 Xenar for 5x7 Portraits w little movements?

    Is this Compur aperture round enough for you? This is the 210 Commercial-Astragon I have listed in the classifieds. Sorry for the blurry ugly color... quick shot under a CFL.

  10. #10

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    Re: 210 Xenar for 5x7 Portraits w little movements?

    The xenars I have in compound shutters have double the aperture blades. They look comparatively round instead of just decagonal (sic?).

    The 210 f4.5 in barrel also has the 20 leaves, but that might be awkward for Frank's approach. ;-] But mine covers 5x12, if in a psychotic sort of way.

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