210/6.1 Schneider Xenar

Would the Schneider 210/6.1 Xenar be a good lens for landscapes and general photography? I have read that some of the Xenars are sharp in the center, but soft toward the edges. I don't do prints larger than 11x14. Thanks.

The Schneider website gives 225mm of coverage at F6.1, and 249mm

coverage at F22, so I would think it would perform very well on 4x5,

or even 5x7.

This lens is in my opinion excellent. Very sharp, natural colors, overall a bit on the yellow side though. Of

my 8 lenses, the one I use most (on 4x5).

Harley, just a supplementary note:

When I bought this lens, it's price was around $ 500, which helped a lot make my decision.

Now seeing it's actual price on the US market, I think there are some worthy contenders among Fuji,

Nikon and even Schneider lenses.

Just unable to speak from experience.

The MTF chart on the 210 Xenar indicates the image quality will start

to go soft rapidly around the 60% point, which is an image circle of

about 149mm at f/22. Inside the 60% circle, the image quality is

crisp and sharp.

 

<p>

 

The 210 Xenar at infinity will be nice and sharp except a few

millimeters in the extreme corners. It will soften up more when you

use movements and get beyond that 60% boundary.

Keep in mind that the circle of coverage gets larger as you focus

closer. The infinity numbers are worst case. I dont think I have ever

taken a shot while focused at infinity.

I think the Xenars are single coated, as there is no "MC" engraving on the lenses. Despite that, they

produce brilliant images. Probably the small amount of glass-air surfaces did not require multicoating.

(Sorry, Don, for mixing up your name in my previous input!)

Just checked the Nikkor W 5,6 210. At f22: 295 mm image circle. Weighs 80 g more and costs $80 more.

Designed with six elements, integrated multicoating... might be a valid alternative.