The DKL Lens thread

[iangreenhalgh1]

Hi folks

I've started collected DKL lenses, so far I have the S-K Xenar 2.8/50, Tele-Xenar 4/135, Tele-Arton 4/85 and Curtagon 2.8/35.

I've tried to list all of the lenses and cameras made with the DKL mount, I think there may be some Enna and Steinheil ones I've missed:

DKL Cameras and Lenses

Kodak Retina Reflex
Kodak Retina IIIS
Kodak Instamatic Reflex
Voigtlander Bessamatic
Voigtlander Ultramatic
Voigtländer Vitessa T
Iloca Electric / Graflex Graphic 35 Electric
Braun Paxette Reflex
Braun Super Colorette II / Wittnauer Continental/Professional
Baldamatic III
Edixa Electronic

Schneider-Kreuznach

Curtagon 4.0/28
Curtagon 2.8/35
Radiogon 4/35
Xenar 2.8/45
Xenar 2.8/50
Xenon 1.9/50
Tele-Arton 4.0/85
Tele-Arton 4.0/90
Tele-Xenar 4.0/135
Tele-Xenar 4.8/200
Tele-Xenar 5.6/200

Voigtländer

Skoparex 3.4/35
Skopagon 2.0/40
Color-Lanthar 2,8/50
Color-Skopar (X) 2.8/50
Septon 2.0/50
Dynarex 3,4/90
Dynarex 4.8/100
Super-Dynarex 4,0/135
Super-Dynarex 4,0/200
Super-Dynarex 5,6 350
Zoomar 2,8/36-82

Rodenstock

Eurygon 2.8/30
Eurygon 4.0/35
Ysarex 2.8/50
Heligon 1.9/50
Rotelar 4.0/85
Rotelar 4.0/135

Steinheil

Culmigon 4.5/35
Cassarit 2.8/50
Culminar 2.8/50
Quinon 1.9/50

Enna

Lithagon 3.5/35
Tele-Ennalyt 3.5/135

Others

Braun Ultralit 2.8/50
Wittnauer Chronostar 2.8/50
Vemar Bittco Super Vemar 4/135
Vemar Telephoto 4.8/200

[calvin83]

Ian. You miss two prototypes from Zeiss.
http://collectiblend.com/Lenses/Zeiss,-Carl/50mm-f2-Planar-%28Voigtl%C3%A4nder-Bessamatic-Ultramatic,-prototype.html
http://collectiblend.com/Lenses/Zeiss,-Carl/50mm-f2.8-Tessar-%28voigtl%C3%A4nder-vitessa,-prototype,-compur%29.html

If we count the Vitessa, we will have few more lenses. The Wittnauer Chronostar 2.8/50 is Vitessa type lens.

[iangreenhalgh1]

Interesting prototypes, however, if they were never put into production then no sense to include them.

[Aanything]

Great idea Ian, I've always been interested in dkl lenses, but gathering info is quite difficult as I always find little bits here and there.
IIRC there's also an f4.8 200mm SK tele xenar

[calvin83]

Prototypes should also be included for the sake of completeness.

DKL lenses are very popular in Asian. You will find lots of discussion in forums with plenty of photos here.

[iangreenhalgh1]

I checked and there is a 4.8/200 so I've added it, cheers.

[JohnBar]

I've always been a fan of these lenses.

The construction quality is breathless, a true symphony of steel, brass, aluminium and glass of the finest quality.

I use them on EOS and NEX and get around the minimum focus issues with extension tubes


If you manage to collect them all you will be truly blessed.

[BurstMox]

I'm not sure if we can count them as DKL, but lenses for Zenit 4-5-6 have DKL mount, but with slight different focal flange (named Ц bayonet). Most of them are pretty rare, exepted the Rubin and Vega-3

Mir-1Ц 37mm/2.8
Vega-3 50mm/2.8
Helios-65Ц 52mm/2.8
Tair-38Ц 133mm/2.8
Rubin-1Ц 37-80mm/2.8
Jupiter-25Ц 85mm/2.8

[iangreenhalgh1]

I didn't include the Russians due to strictly not being the same mount. It is very close, but as you say, slightly different register.

[Macca]

Hi Ian I have the Schneider Kreuznach Retina Xenon 50mm 1.9. You can pick it up relatively cheaply on a used body, there are two MFD`s as you probably know, mine is the 0.6m which is pretty decent for most 50mm shooting.

I can recommend the original Kodak Nahlinse or close up lenses for these, they are dedicated, perfect fits and every bit as good workmanship and quality as the lenses themselves.

The Schneider is very much a keeper, beautiful rendering. I managed to snag a Rodenstock Rotelar 85mm too very cheaply but the lug for aperture operation is broken off and I need a replacement.
Having opened an old damaged Schneider Balda Tele Xenar 135mm 4, they are precision pieces of brass etc, like old clockwork but sadly beyond my sausage fingers for repairing. I have the 135mm 4 Schneider in mint also and they`re fine lenses.

[Tedat]

[iangreenhalgh1]

Thanks for the tips Macca.

Beautiful collection Jan!

[iangreenhalgh1]

Some BW film samples using Ilford FP4 expired in 1988 and rated at 100. Developed in Fomadon LQR diluted 1:14 for 10mins at 21C.

First, here is the Curtagon 2.8/35, it's a very sharp lens from f4, didn't try it at f2.8, these are all at f4:





A couple with the Tele-Arton 4/85, both wide open. It's a very sharp lens, as sharp at f4 as the CZJ Sonnar 2/85 is stopped down to f4:

[Attila]

They are all good lenses and cameras I had several of them under years.

[jamaeolus]

These lenses are fantastic IMHO. Just a symphony of Brass, Chrome , and Glass. The thing is their are several variants and understanding what works where is challenging. I have a couple different type of adapters. They work with the Retina Schneiders. Also with the Voigtlander lenses from bessamatic and ultramatic. But not with the Rodenstock rotelars I have. I also have a braun from a super colorette that does not work on the adapters. They fit but don't lock in place. It seems the position of the locking slot is slightly different. Anyone have expereince with these things? Of course the Vitessa lenses won't work as they have the aperture control on the lens instead of the adapter.

[calvin83]

Aperture ring on the lens, Vitessa T adapter should fit.
Aperture ring on the camera, DKL adapter should fit.

[papasito]

The Schneider 200/4 8 is one of the more beautiful lenses ever made.

I sold mine. I shall buy it again, sure.

[kypfer]

[papasito]

Hello old thread.
Hello guys.
I have purchased a nice skoparex 35/3,4 lens and a dynarex 90/3,4 one.
Specilly the dynarex is a great lens with images above average IQ.
I hope very good inages with my ultramatic CS camera and those lenses.

[calvin83]

[jamaeolus]

Another reminder that with mirrorless there are helical adapters that allow both macro and infinity. With one of my all time favorite Schneider lenses, the Tele-Arton 85mm f4 I can get to around 4 inches and very close to 1 to 1. Alternatively the AF available via the techart is very nice as well!


The pixco EF helical plus a generic EF-DKL at infinity:




The same at minimum focus:



Mounted with Techart Nex -LM , (which I chose because it allows use with Konica and Minolta lenses and when I win the lottery Leica glass).

[calvin83]

[Arutemu]

I am very interested in DKL myself. Too bad there aren't that many fast ones...
Mine are:

Curtagon 2.8/35
Xenar 2.8/45
Xenon 1.9/50
Tele-Xenar 4.0/135

I use them on Sony A7R II via Techart AF adapter.

Some samples:

The superb Xenon 1.9/50

Timothy by Artem, on Flickr

Birding by Artem, on Flickr

AREX to Incheon by Artem, on Flickr

Xenar 2.8/45

Summer light by Artem, on Flickr

Vivid world by Artem, on Flickr

Waiting for the Knight Bus by Artem, on Flickr

[Oldhand]

[jamaeolus]

That cat has remarkable eyes!