kelly_flanigan1 Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 "eagle eye lens" almost a <b>century</b> ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_mcbride Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 I've really enjoyed this thread. I've been photographing for over 50 years and (lucky for me) I've never been without a Rolleiflex. My first one was equipped with a f2.8 Xenotar and I traded it for a MF SLR. What a mistake! I've never owned a Rollei with a lens as sharp as that original Xenotar. In later years, I've owned other 'flexes with Planars and Tessars. The Planars have always disappointed me. Surprisingly, I have one old Automat with an exceptionally sharp (but not too contrasty) f3.5 Tessar. As long as I stop down to about f8 I get excellent pictures with that Tessar. One can always put a little more zip into the contrast in the darkroom, but a soft picture will always be a soft picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald_brewster Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 Pick the one in the best condition and don't look back. I prefer the Xenotar (partly because usually cheaper), and I prefer the 3.5 to the 2.8 (better balance). But it all comes down to condition when you are dealing with 50 year old cameras. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob F. Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 Donald: Interesting and helpful comment. Can you explain what you meant by better balance? Are you talking about optical properties? Or the physical balance of the camera? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_erickson Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 Physical balance. I have a 3.5E and a 2.8E. Both cameras take exceptionally sharp pictures, but the 2.8E is significantly more front-heavy in my hands. I prefer to carry the 3.5E. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charles_watson1 Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 A very late answer, but I would say that if you want a 2.8 lens that is closest to the Xenar, get a 2.8 Tessar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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