Exakta Mount Schneider Xenon 5cm - Can a Retina Xenon front element save this lens?

[Miles.]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a Schneider Xenon 5cm f2 in Exakta mount. Lens dates to 1949.

Except for the scratched up front element, the lens is in really nice condition, so I’m wondering if anyone here has tried swapping the front element from a similar era Kodak Retina that also used the f2 Xenon?

Finding a good parts lens for a fair price seems unlikely, but there are plenty of broken Retinas.

Any insights are welcome!

 

[former member]

I've done similar substitutions for Tessars and Sonnars.
There is only one way to find out.

 

[Miles.]

I've done similar substitutions for Tessars and Sonnars.
There is only one way to find out.

That the filter threads are the same diameter and depth of a Retina suggest to me there’s a chance!

 

[raid]

I've done similar substitutions for Tessars and Sonnars.
There is only one way to find out.

Brian: you have created for me such lenses with elements coming from different Retina camera lenses.
Thanks!

 

[mystichobo]

How deep are the scratches? You might be able to get away with sending it off to be polished/recoated if it's just surface level.