Differences in Schneiders

[Robert Kalman]

Sorry to be asking such a basic question:

I have two 210mm/5.6 Schneiders. Can someone tell me the difference between a Symmar-S and an APO-Symmar?

Thanks.

[Oren Grad]

The Apo-Symmar series is one generation newer than the Symmar-S series - '80s-'90s vintage rather than '70s-'80s vintage. In the 210 focal length, the Apo-Symmar is specified as covering 72 degrees, or an image circle of 305mm at f/22 and infinity focus, while the Symmar-S is specified as covering 70 degrees, or an image circle of 294mm. Either will have plenty of room for movements on 4x5 or 5x7.

Also, if I recall correctly, the earliest Symmar-S are not multicoated - but since you have the lenses in hand, you'll know whether yours is MC.

[Mark Sampson]

The Symmar-S lens series was introduced c.1972. By 1977 or so the lenses were multicoated, and so labeled. The Apo-Symmar series was introduced c.1990, and was replaced by the current Apo-Symmar-L line some time in the last decade. They are all outstanding lenses. The 1973 300/5.6 Symmar-S I once used could out-resolve any film we could put it in front of.

[Uri A]

I believe the APO designation is, as has been said, muticoated, for Apochromatic purposes i.e. to better resolve colour images without colour fringing, chromatic abberation, etc. (different colours focus at slightly different distances softening the image). Not sure if this also improves B&W images..