Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/11/02

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Subject: [Leica] Re: Friday F/S--Schneider Xenogon
From: Robert Marvin <marvbej@earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 06:00:34 -0500
References: <200111012121.NAA11079@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>

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Obviously I set too high a price last week @ $300, so I'm reducing 
the price of this lens to $175. Here is the description I posted last 
Friday:

I've replaced my LTM 35 mm. f2.8 Schneider Xenogon (which I've used 
since the early 60s) with an f1.7 Voigtländer/Cosina Ultron and 
finances (& my spouse) dictate that I sell the Xenogon to recover 
part of the cost. The lens shows signs of use (i.e. light scratches 
on the bright chrome plating) but looks good however a previous owner 
ground a tiny amount of brass from the rear of the mount so that the 
focusing tab doesn't lock at infinity.. Glass is clear--no fungus, 
"wipe marks", or oil on the diaphragm.  I'll include a Schneider 
front cap and a series VI (36 mm) adapter ring.


On shining a flashlight through the lens, I can see some internal 
cloudiness, but this has never interfered with its picture taking 
abilities -- I've used it for about 40 years.

Here is an additional information about this lens that I posted in 
answer to a question last week:

The lens is coated (it has a red triangle which is the Schneider 
counterpart to the CZJ red 'T'). In Marc's book he writes that 
Schneider continued producing these lenses into the late '50s. The 
serial # is 3352167--perhaps someone (Marc?) can date it.

N.B.: apparently the lens was made between 1952 & 1954



The lens is quite sharp stopped down, but soft in the corners @ f2.8. 
FWIW (a lot IMHO) Marc writes that "Schneider lenses enjoyed a fine 
reputation among professionals of the period as being optics which, 
while perhaps not as sharp as the awesome products of Carl Zeiss in 
either East or West production, were noted for superlative colour 
correction and saturation...."
I can't compare the Xenogon's performance to the Ultron because I 
only bought the Cosina lens yesterday

I bought the f1.7 Ultron to replace the Xenogon because:

1- I always wanted a faster 35--in fact when I bought the Xenogon as 
a teenager in the early '60s, (to use on my Yashica YF) I really 
wanted an f1.8 Canon, but couldn't afford it
2- I received a gift certificate from B&H at my recent retirement 
party which covered about half the cost--too good an opportunity to 
pass up--I've been thinking about getting the Ultron since they were 
introduced 2 years ago.

A little more information can be found at Schneider's web site 
http://www.schneideroptics.com/large/vintage/smallformat/xenagon/2,8-35mm.html

Bob Marvin





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