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Schneider-Kreuznach vs Heligon


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What are the differences between these two makes of lenses? To me the Heligon

seems sharper, but I'm not sure if that's really the case or if it's more a

matter of the particular copies that I have, but it seems to elicit a more

enthusiastic response from those who are in the know. I noticed that on evilbay

a Retina IIa with the S-K lens sold for somewhere in the neighborhood of $30,

while the same camera with the Heligon sold for $152. Is there a measurable

difference in performance or is this a lot of hype? I've wondered the same thing

when looking at Agfas with either S-K lenses or Solagons.

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I have Retinas with both lenses and frankly can't consistently tell one from the other by comparing images. Sometimes I think one is sharper wide open or perhaps has better contrast and then later it might be the other way around. In the US the Heligon is not as frequently encountered and that evokes an imaginary 'enhancement' that may or may not really apply. Either way you go you will get good images if you do everything else right!
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I think the Heligon's popularity may have resulted from a Darkroom Techniques article some years ago which measured the Heligon as sharper than the Xenon and peaking out at f4 around 100LPM whereas the Xenon peaked at f5.6 around 90LPM. And, as mentioned above, it is also rarer in the U.S. as it was only sold in Europe.
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I don't know which Schneider lens you are comparing the Heligon too, but in my medium format kit I have the 80mm Heligon, and the Schneider Xenotar of Rolleiflex fame. Similar in design I beleive (based on the Planar), and both f~2.8, and while I have used both quite a bit now, I believe the Rodenstock Heligon has an edge over the Schneider lens in sharpness. It makes a crisper image, esspecially noticeable with color transparencies. But in medium format the Xenotar is more famous; just look at some of the prices on Rolleiflex cameras. They do make nice B&W's.
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Hi Andy , the Heligon is a six element double gauss .

The closest Schneider lens is the Xenon .I think both lenses are good designs , if you compare old lenses such as these many other factors come in. The Schneider Xenotar is a five element design I think a little better at larger apertures and closer range.

Cheers Manfred

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I have both the Retina IIc with 2,8 Xenon and Heligon, and I strongly prefer the Heligon. It's sharper. I've had a IIIc with 2,0 Heligon and that lens wasn't better than the Xenon at all.

 

It's strange but I find the Schneider Xenar sharper than the Xenon too. Not sure if I have been unlucky with my Xenons...

 

If you want a Retina with Heligon, choose a IIc and buy it from Germany. It will be marked in meters, if you can live with that.

 

The Xenotar on a Rollei should be excellent. I've had a Rolleiflex E3 with the six element 3,5 Xenotar. Contrastier than the six element 3,5 Planar, but I'm not sure if it's sharper since I didn't compare them. The 3,5 Planar on my 3,5F is the sharpest Rollei lens I have at the moment.

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Helo Andy,

 

Well, comparing my prints from both types last night (both f2's) I noted that the Heligon is just a tiny bit better on fine detail, but I then remembered that my photos are at the mercy of the photo lab, and that their skills (or lack of) will make a difference too.

 

Now the 35mm and 80mm auxillary lenses are a different story - I found the Heligon versions much better, pobably due to the special mask used on the back of the rear element which cuts out any stray light (this is being adopted on some modern lenses as well I note).

The Schneider versions can be quite soft (especially the 80mm) but the Rodenstock 80mm holds out well until the far corners.

 

Ian, UK

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