Xenar vs. Xenon

[Don C.]

This is a bit of a subjective question, but I am interested to know impressions of the differences between the Xenar and Xenon lenses.

Obviously, they are very different lenses optically (tessar-type vs. non-symmetrical double gauss if I remember correctly). I am more interested in impressions of their sharpness, bokeh, flare, and the other qualities that don't have specific terms. Is there a general favorite?

Also, does anyone have experience using these lenses on other cameras compared to the Retina versions? I know the Xenar and Xenon were available for many other cameras of the period (Exakta, M39 mounts, and M42 mounts). Were the other versions essentially similar or not?

Thanks all!

 

[ZeissFan]

I know the Xenar was on several cameras of different makes and in both 35mm and medium format. I'm not sure about the Xenon -- at least three in 35mm, right? Kodak Retina, Leica and Balda. Likely others. I can't recall seeing a Xenon in medium format.

Both are Schneider-Kreuznach trademarks, and there is very little discussion of the Xenon. This is a Leica-centric board, so most of the discussions tend to be about Leica and Leica-compatible lenses and gear.

The Xenar performs as you would expect: Like a Tessar.

I've gotten some very nice shots with the Retina Xenon. Nice lens, although I don't specifically shoot wide open all of the time. Most of my shots were indoors, but you might expect it to flare at times with that big element right up front. I found the Retina's lens coatings to generally be very good (it didn't flake off like it did on my Summitar).

 

[ZeissFan]

I should add that a 50mm Xenon was available for the Rolleiflex SL 35 cameras.

 

[former member]

The Retina 50mm F2 Xenon on the folding cameras is absolutely superb, and the 50/1.9 for the S-Series is even more superb. I find them sharper than the Xenars. The Xenar has a softer, low-contrast, pleasant look for portraits- but is not as sharp as the Zeiss Tessar or Leitz Elmar.

If you have an S-Mount camera, the 85/4 Tele-Arton and 35/2.8 Curtagon are also worth picking up. The 28/4 is soft, and 135/4 has a close-focus of 14ft.

5cm F2 Xenon on the Retina II
Stopped Down

Wide-Open

I'll create an album with the 50/1.9 Xenon. I also have shots with the 45/2.8 Xenar on the Auto II

 

[MXP]

The Xenon was also available for the Akarelle camera. Some very nice lenses was made for this body. The lenses had a lot higher quality than the body. A shame the mount was so strange so it is probably impossible to use the lenses for other bodies. The Xenon lens is very nice. Xenar can be a bit different in quality but a good one is very good. I was surprised when I tried a Rollei 35 with Xenar......not many Rollei 35 was made with Xenar I guess.......

 

[former member]

50mm F1.9 Schneider Xenon wide-open on the Retina Reflex-S.

This is the later version that will focus to 2ft. It does not have an RF coupling, like the older version.

 

[raid]

I should add that a 50mm Xenon was available for the Rolleiflex SL 35 cameras.

It is one of my favorite 50mm lenses for the 35SL system.

 

[raid]

The Retina 50mm F2 Xenon on the folding cameras is absolutely superb, and the 50/1.9 for the S-Series is even more superb.

Brian,

I have these two 50mm lenses. My two S cameras have stuck shutter releases though.

 

[former member]

I would go for a Retina IIIS. Most Retina Reflex cameras are locked-up. Getting them repaired is expensive, and the problem will re-occur. The reflex mirror puts too much strain on the gears, especially the rack gear. End result- lots of cheap lenses for the IIIS.

 

[kitaanat]

I've Xenar 5.6/150mm on my Linhof Kardan and love the lens too.

Brian, those pictures are really nice. I wish I can find a good IIIS someday.

 

[murpograph]

Retina Reflex vs. IIIs

Retina Reflex vs. IIIs

It's true that most repairmen hate the Reflex as they do have neither spare-parts nor know-how. But be aware that the IIIs is almost the same construction just without the mirror-mechanics. Therefore repairmen hate the IIIs too😀.

Regarding the xenar - xenon discussion there are 2 morer I know about which can have a Xenon-lens: Diax and Wirgin Edixa (SLR). Further more I heard from a postwar Certo (Super Dollina II) using the Compur-shutter and a Xenon-lens.

I love the Xenon-lens producing phantastic images at any f-stop.

Udo

 

[kitaanat]

I've just found that my Welta Weltini have Xenon 50 f 2.0 too.

 

[Tom A]

Found this thread by "default". There are some Xenon 50mm f1.8 shots up on our Flickr site. Just use the tag "Zenon 50mm f1.9" and they should pop up. I got one last year on a Robot Royal III. Also works on my Royal 36. Nice lens, a bit softer contrast than the Xenar 45f2.8 - but works well in black/white.

 

[JPD]

And remember that the pre-war Xenon designs were (and are) different than the ones found on the Retina c-models.

The 2,8/50 Xenon on my pre-war IIa is a five element lens. Two meniscus and one double concave lens in front of the aperture, and a cemented pair behind it. Actually a five element Xenar and not a double Gauss.

My first post here. 🙂