After receiving a Crown Graphic 4x5 w/ Optar f/4.7 135mm, I ordered a Xenar f/4.7 135mm (59914xx) mainly because the Optar has an old Graphic shutter that needs work (no B or T working and slow) and the glass has significant marks - albeit that don't affect photos.
I understand the Xenar was standard on the Special which was a budget model. It also seems from the one I received, it is newer? The front element barrel on the lens looks newer and shinier, and the Synchro Compur-P shutter seems much newer, or is just in much better shape and performing much better than the Graphic shutter, plus the Synchro Compur-P has a more useful flash sync vs. the (X) bipost on the Graphic - though I did buy a bipost converter cable.
Is it possible the Xenar I have is newer than the Optar? Did the Xenar's improve as they got newer? Or is the Optar still the superior lens (I understand they are both Tessar designs). Might my Optar fit in the Synchro Compur-P shutter?
Would anyone care to qualify the differences between the two lenses - are the differences great enough to draw comparisons? I've read here that there was variation in the two lines so one Xenar might be better than one Optar, and vice versa.
Thanks,
Bill
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