Schneider-Kreutznach Super-Angulon 1:8.0/65mm

[25asa]

Just wondering about this lens. Does it cover a full 4x5 view? I intend on

using it on a Graflex Speed Graphic 4x5. The seller I think was using a 2x3

Graflex. His comes with a lens board and I'm not sure the smaller camera uses

the same lens boards as the Speed Graphics. Also is this a decent lens for its

day? My main use for it will be landscapes or just general outdoor use. Also

are these lenses coated? And when were they produced? Any info would be great.

[michael_briggs2]

You can date Schneider lenses from the serial number table at http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/age_of_lenses/. The serial number 12,5xx,xxx indicates about 1975, definitely before the end of 1976.

 

From very soon after WWII, Schneider lenses were single coated. From the FAQ at http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/faq/photography.htm, multicoated Schneider lenses are so labeled. Schneider first began multicoating some LF lenses in 1977, so this lens is single coated.

 

You can find more info in Schneider's vintage lens section:http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/vintage_lens_data/index.htm, specifically http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/vintage_lens_data/large_format_lenses/super-angulon/data/8-65mm.html. Coverage is listed by Schneider as 155 mm diameter at f16, so it just covers 4x5 stopped down, without any possibilty of movements. The recommend format was 6x9 cm.

[john lehman, college alask]

I have used one of these on a Supergraphic and now on a Shen Hao 4x5. Even with a bag bellows and a recessed lens board, there is almost no room for movements since the lens is so close to the film plane. But is does cover 4x5

[leicaglow]

Mine does not cover 4x5 without obvious light fall off on the edges. I read a data sheet at one time that said it was never designed for 4x5 coverage. However, stopping it down to f/22 or more, it does cover okay, and the sharpness (maybe not at the edges so much) is stunning. Mine is the Linhof version of about the same vintage, and I use it on a Crown Graphic. I can drop the focusing bed and work within just the area around the camera case itself.

 

I would say it was more than decent for its day. I've used two, more modern 65mm verions: Grandagon and Nikkor and they are much better for 4x5 use, but I've always like the results with mine. One thing though: there is so little movement that you can't really use a lens shade, so outdoors, be sure to put something between the sun and lens to shade it. It has a tendancy to ghost and flare a bit.

[colin carron]

I have the 65mm f/8 and like it a lot. As noted above it just covers 4x5 with a few mm movement. Light fall off is pronounced and if you don't like that you might want to go for the f/5.6 instead. However I find in many instances it works well for landscapes. Sharpness and colour in my example are very good indeed.

 

This lens is often found with the Compur #00 shutter which has no 'T' setting. So you need to use a locking release on the 'B' setting for composing. This shutter is quite small and I find it raher fiddly to set. If you can get an example with a #0 shutter that would be an advantage.