That photo certainly paints a picture.
Unless it's quite a bit less expensive in comparison, is there any argument for the 165mm Super-Angulon over the 150mm XL?
The differences in focal length, angle of coverage and image circle are insignificant, at least for my purposes.
Weight
Super-Angulon 165mm with shutter: 1605g/3.54lb
XL 150mm: 740g/1.63lb
Shutter
Super-Angulon 165mm: Copal 3
XL 150mm: Copal 1
Maximum Aperture
Super-Angulon 165mm: f/8
XL 150mm: f/5.6
Centre Filter Street Price New
Super-Angulon 165mm: $1080 (unique to this lens and probably uncommon used)
XL 150mm: $430
Filter Requirements
Super-Angulon 165mm: 110mm (125mm with centre filter fitted)
XL 150mm: 95mm (112mm with centre filter fitted)
Comparison of all the specs is in the Chart attached to post #52.
Last edited by r.e.; 23-Oct-2021 at 19:29. Reason: Added a reference to the Chart in post #52.
Or why Schneider stopped the 165mm f8 Super Angulon not long after the 150mm f5.6 SSXL _ which is simply a better lens in every way.
The 165mm f8 SA has been made for decades, initially single AR coated, then later versions became Multi-Coated. Later MC versions do have higher contrast rendition and all that, still it is a whopper of a lens. $ on the used market is likely the only significant advantage the 165mm f8 has over the 150mm f5.6 SSXL.
Due to the current fashion of 8x10 view camera and sheet film, the market $ of these wide angle lenses continue to grow.
Bernice
Follow-up... I went with the Schneider Super-Symmar XL f/5.6 150mm and Schneider's 4a centre filter. The one downside is that the centre filter has an outside thread of 112mm. However, I've been able to obtain a good 112mm polariser at an attractive price, so it's a start.
I got some great advice in this thread, for which I'd like to thank everyone who contributed.
I haven't used filtration on a rear element, but my impression is that it tends to be problematic unless you're just using colour correction gels. If you're using a gel, I would think that it's easier to use it on the front. I mostly use a polariser for reflections and neutral density filters. I don't think that trying to use a polariser on a rear element would be a fun way to spend time. Nor would focusing the camera after screwing an ND filter onto the rear element (to avoid focus shift), although depending on the light maybe a couple of stops might not interfere with focusing too much. Anyway, can't hurt to try it.
As much as I find myself enjoying my recently-acquired 110XL (mainly for 5x7)...I still cannot seem to let go of my 120mm f/8 Super Angulon - despite its being twice as large and half as bright as the newer, "better" lens. Something about the geometry of the SA's rendering I think, perhaps as this relates specifically to 5x7, but might be more than this. Interesting.
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