Pherdinand
the snow must go on
Proof that mechanical compatibility does not mean go-for-it 
raid
Dad Photographer
Not really. It is good that some photographers enjoy such adventures with some lenses.
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
Oh sure! don't get me wrong. I love tinkering with hardware. I do it for my work too, in the last 15 years. (And it often goes the same way: it's cool that it technically is possible, but the result is just a "mwah".)
raid
Dad Photographer
...but it can be a very nice "mwah"!
hamradio
Well-known
Well, I stuck the lens on a folding Land Camera body. I fixed it at infinity, fashioned a little ground glass panel for the back, and shimmed the lens/shutter out so that when the camera's focus was at infinity, the lens was focused as such too. I then 'adjusted' the RF a little and went on my way.
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raid
Dad Photographer
Could you post some images taken with your set-up here?
hamradio
Well-known
Those three Polaroids I posted earlier in this thread are from that camera.
raid
Dad Photographer
Of course, they are! Sorry for the question. They look really good, by the way.
Nokton48
Veteran
Nope it's not a "macro" lens, it is a classic Tessar-type optical formulation. Think of a Rolleiflex with Xenar, this is just -slightly- longer than that, which can be a very good thing. With an adjustable bellows, it focuses from infinity to ultra close-up. Of course, with the Sinar Normas, you also have the benefit of infinitely adjustable camera movements, as well. Putting this lens on a cheap bellows that will compact sufficiently should do everything you might require to do with a digital body. An adjustable extension tube or focusing helical of the proper minimum and maximum extension lengths would do the same thing. Basically all those adapters you have put together ARE functioning as extension tubes.
So, go forth and enjoy
There is absolutely nothing "soft" about Xenars if you get a good one. I have them from 100mm to 300mm, which is the entire Schneider lineup from the time. Great general-purpose lenses.
raid
Dad Photographer
Thank you. I need to find some bellows that fits.
I once used this lens on a Nikon F2.
I once used this lens on a Nikon F2.