Schneider Kreuznach Xenar 50mm f:2.8 - some new samples

[Olivier]

Cheers,

[std]

This Xenar has a very nice rendering and clarity.
I have it too, bought it once again after selling my first copy

[Hari]

gorgeous rendering and colors!

of course, nicely framed as always!

Olivier, you make me want this lens

[Olivier]

[iangreenhalgh1]

Interesting, I always overlooked the Xenar as I figured it was the same as the 2.8/50 Tessar and I have a lovely copy of the Tessar, you just changed my mind!

Tres bon, merci beaucoup!

[lowersaxonguy]

about the pics shown above
regrads
Paul

[Olivier]

[Ymmot]

Well, if he does not have a clear question, I have one.
There seems to be a bit of disagreement on what i find on the lens design?
Some say that it is a normal tessar, others that it is a 5 element design adapted from the tessar?
The Scheider website seems to agree with the tessar camp:
https://www.schneideroptics.com/info/vintage_lens_data/small_format_lenses/xenar/data/2,8-50mm.html
Maybe the topic starter can shed some light on this by looking at the reflections?

[Olivier]

Hi Tommy.

I'm not sure I do the test correctly, but here I go :

I close the aperture (f:22).
I look in the front glass under a lamp.
I see the lamp light reflecting 4 times. 2 close from the front, 1 in the middle and 1 in the back.
It's what is shown on Edixa lenses documentation :
http://www.schneiderkreuznach.com/archiv/pdf/edixa_objektive.pdf
I found this pdf here : http://www.schneiderkreuznach.com/archiv/archiv.htm


In this topic, we can count 5 reflections on this different Xenar 2.8/50 :
http://forum.mflenses.com/schneider-kreuznach-xenar-50-2-8-first-impressions-t5887.html

[Minolfan]

AFAIK there has been a period (I don't know exactly when) that a Xenar was sold with 5 elements. Most Xenar lenses are 4 element Tessar-like, and Xenars made now are all 4 elements as you can find on the Schneider website.
So it is possible to find an older Xenar with 5 elements.

[laenee]

elegant tone

[Ymmot]

Ok, Thanks, so if i understand correctly the edixa-xenar is indeed a tessar 4 element design.
Then it indeed renders very different from what i have seen from the CZJ tessar so far.
(Please call me Tom or use Ymmot, Tommy makes me feel like a small kid. No offence though)

[vador111]

Hello,
I just bought on ebay an Isco iscotar 50mm 2.8 plastic aspect, is it the same formula (TESSAR)? quality approaches does the Xenar? cons by poor manufacturing, bleached plastic, it is cheap, this lens has been manufactured in factories Schneider (ISCO)?
So to summarize, my goal is as good on the optical plane, relative au Xenar? (iscotar = not aesthetic, awful!)
Excuse my poor English - thanks

[Olivier]

Bonjour Vador

If it's the lens shown in the following link, I think it's not the same design as my Xenar.
http://m42.org.ua/336
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52298454@N07/5959971607/in/photostream/

Maybe it has 5 elemnts in 3 groups.

Looking at this picture, shot wide open at 2.8, it should be a very good lens :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52298454@N07/5960530138/in/photostream/

Maybe it's the same design as this Xenar which has 5 elemnts :
http://forum.mflenses.com/schneider-kreuznach-xenar-50-2-8-first-impressions-t5887.html

[Minolfan]

AFAIK the Isco was a cheapo standard lens, 3/3 maybe 4/3, not a more complex design.
Reported MFD is 0.90 or 0.80m - a reason more to expect a three elements design.
Can be a good lens though.

Edit: found on http://captjack.exaktaphile.com/Isco%20page.htm a picture of an Iscotar 50mm 2.8 and box with the design on it; triplet as I supposed.

[Mos6502]

The Iscotar is not only a triplet, but a front element focussing design, so even simpler than the ubiquitous Domiplan. It was the cheapest lens offered on the Edixa Reflex cameras, even below the Steinheil Cassaron 2.8/50.

I like the results from the Iscotar, but it is not any better really than any of the other triplets, Domiplan, Meritar, Cassar, etc. I think what sets it apart from the others is its "sparkly" bokeh.