Schneider Apo-Artar 240mm f/9 Information Needed

[david_b3]

I just got my hands on a new, but inexpensive Schneider Apo-Artar

240mm f/9.It's black in a copal #1 I shoot only landscapes/seascapes

on 4x5 tmy 100 film. I'm aware of the whole 1:1 ratio thing, but

that is all i know about it. Will it perform well for landscape

(medeum to infinity distances) or am i wasting my time with it for

that kind of work? I don't mind working at f/22 and smaller if

that's all it takes to get the thing to work. Also, is it coated?

Filter size? Image circle? Thank you in advance.

[michael_briggs2]

<p>You have an uncommon lens. Most production of Apo-Artars was by Goerz; Schneider eventually acquired the rights. You can date your lens from Schneider's serial number table at <a href="http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/age_of_lenses/">http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/age_of_lenses/</a>.</p>

 

<p>It is definitely recent enough that it will be coated, but most likely too old to be multicoated. Schneider lenses are multicoated only if they are labled "Multicoating" or "MC".</p>

 

<p>The lens is of the dialyte design, symmetrical with 4 elements in 4 groups. While the symmetry implies optimization for 1:1, this design has an excellent reputation even for 1:infinity. Manufacturers usually specify the coverage of this lens design as 46 degrees or there abouts. For a 240 mm lens focused on infinity, this corresponds to an image circle diameter of 204 mm.</p>

[michael_briggs2]

<p>Even though Schneider hasn't made this lens in years, they have nicely posted a pdf of the datasheet at <a href="http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/vintage_lens_data/large_format_lenses/">http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/vintage_lens_data/large_format_lenses/</a>.

 

<p>Schneider spec'd the image circle of the 240 mm version at infinity and f22 as 205 mm. Their description includes: "Their [Apo-Artar lenses] performance remains constant over a wide magnification range. The lenses are excellent for general photographic work right up to infinity."</p>