Schneider Tele-Xenar 135mm f/3.5 SM?

[Chuck A]

I was rummaging through a box of photo stuff from 25 years ago and ran across a lens I didn't know that I had. It is a Schneider Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 135mm f/3.5. It looks like the M39 screw mount. I don't remember using this lens back when I had a IIIf. Anyway, does anybody know anything about this lens? Is it any good?

 

[John Robertson]

Schneider did make lenses in 39mm leica fit, but watch out it is far more likely to be for a Super Paxette, made by Braun. This is 39mm thread but a totally different register to the Leica, and will not couple correctly or focus correctly.
I had the Paxette version for my Super Paxette and its a very good lens. It could be adapted to the Leica with the use of a short extention tube, but would not couple to the R/F.
you will need to test it out.
If it is correct for the Leica, then lucky you!!!

 

[FPjohn]

Good performer...

Good performer...

Hello:

I have one for LTM and it is a good performer-perhaps a little overlarge.

yours
Frank

 

[John Robertson]

I meant to add this
The flange-to-film distance for the Paxette is 44 mm. The flange-to-film distance for the Leica is 28.8 mm. Might help you for checking the lens.

 

[John Robertson]

Schneider Kreuznach made some extremely good lenses, if fact they still do!!
Leica themselves have used them, Super Angulon, Xenon, and the Curtagon shift lenses for the Leicaflex.
My Arette has a five element f2.8 50mm lens which is quite superb!!

 

[Chuck A]

I got an LTM to M adapter today and the lens seems to focus correctly. I haven't done any film but infinity seems correct and when the rangefinder says infinity the lens does also. I will measure some close distances tommorrow to see if they are correct.

 

[matt_mcg2]

It's, erm, been a while since this thread was updated. I acquired one of these recently, and wondered if anyone else had one? It's surprisingly heavy, and the handling a bit awkward, but the lens is very nicely built. Mine focuses accurately on a Leica, but I'm finding I get quite a few soft shots which are clearly caused by hand-shake, something I'm not normally prone to.

 

[Rich Sobieski]

I have said Schneider that I bought in Germany in the early 60's. It has a Leica M adapter, but alas, will not couple with my M2, so I had to either guesstimate the distance( a meter scale only), at which I am not good. I saw one of about my vintage SN: 1925xxx on Ebay asking $775.00! I'm wondering if the "1925" part of the serial number is the year of manufacture. It appears to be at least pre-war. Have resurrected it and the lens and want to go out and shoot with it again, using another camera to get the distance right.