Schneider-Kreuznach Repro-Claron 1:8/55 Lens

Will a Schneider-Kreuznach Repro-Claron 1:8/55 Lens give coverage on a 4x5 camera?

I guess its going to get close to the glass.

Is there an optimum wide angle lens that fits a field Toyo?

Thanks John Maillard

According to Schneider (see this: http://www.schneiderkreuznach.com/archiv/pdf/repro_claron.pdf ) the 55/8 Repro Claron covers 47 mm at infinity. Not what you want for 4x5. They were used for copying 35 mm slides, I've seen them in Honeywell Repronars.

Some sellers on eBay claim these lenses cover 4x5 at infinity and can be used as wide angle lenses on 4x5. Some sellers on eBay lie.

The Repro-Claron was Schneider's equivalent to the Apo-Artar and the Apo-Ronar. They discontinued it when they acquired the Artar. One interesting feature of Repro-Clarons is they use the first high-index, low-dispersion glass -- this glass contains thorium, and has the disadvantages of being slightly radioactive and browning with age. (One thread reports that very late versions don't have the thorium glass: http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=004MVB.) In the 55 mm focal length, the discoloration will likely be slight. Any discoloration can be largely cleared by exposure to UV light.

Here are some past discussions: "What to do with a 55/8 Repro-Claron" at http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=003bfc, "Radioactive Repro-Claron" at http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=004cye and "Repro-Claron vs. G-Claron" at http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=003FKQ

Michael is right, the lens is a 4 element all air spaced apochromatic lens of superb quality. Covers slightly less than 50 degrees.

Schhneider bought the rights to Goerz USA in about 1972-74 (which was basically out of business due to several incompetent ownerships). They re-designecd the existing 4 element Red Dot Artars as 6 element wide field Blue Dot Artars. They created some other designs as well but basically simply bought the names.

Schneider was so busy making theirs and their Isco lenses that they contracted with the great Kern Optical of Switzerland to make those lenses. The problem that we had at that time was lead time. We would purchase a 12" Blue Dot Artar and it woudl take 6 to 9 months for delivery. (ask Lynn about various historical aspects of the 3 various Goerz's)