Schneider Componar 4.5/75

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I found this lens in Prontor-Press shutter, serial No. abot 10 700 000. I know only the age of lens and I want to know some other details, especially image circle and general purpose. Is this macro lens, since it has similair name to enlarging lenses? I never heard before for Componar lenses and I also cannot find any information on Schneider Optics homepage.

Regards,

-- Janez Pelko (pelko@iskratel.si), September 18, 2000

Answers

"Componar" was the name Schneider used for their series of budget enlarging lenses. With Schneider enlarging lenses, one must pay very close attention to the vowels and ending letter: Componar = 3 elements in 3 groups, Comparon = 4 elements in 3 groups, Componon = 6 elements in 4 groups.

For enlarging, I would stay away from 3 element lenses. Four elements is borderline and excellent quality is 6 elements.

In the past it seems to have been more common to mount enlarging lenses in shutters, probably for use as a Macro lenses. As an enlarging lens, the 75 mm focal length was probably intended for 6x6 cm negatives. As a taking lens, focused on a distant object (NOT the intended use), your lens probably won't cover 4x5. If you focus on a close enough object, it probably will cover 4x5. You will just have to experiment.

The Schneider serial number table (http://www.schneideroptics.com/large/serial.htm) indicates that the lens was made in about 1968. A later brochure that I have (probably 1980s), lists the 75 mm f4 Componar-C as an enlarging lens for 6x6 cm negatives.

-- Michael Briggs (MichaelBriggs@earthlink.net), September 18, 2000.


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