Xenon in mist

grainy · Joined: 27 Dec 2015 Posts: 54 Location: Hong Kong

After testing this Schneider Xenon 50/1.9 under different weather conditions, I like it most when the day is wet.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

jamaeolus · Expire: 2015-08-20

Nice shots. I really like the monkey.

WNG555 · Joined: 18 Dec 2014 Posts: 784 Location: Arrid-Zone-A, USA

Very nice photos!

The lens has plenty of resolution. But the imaging seemed softened purposely.

grainy · Joined: 27 Dec 2015 Posts: 54 Location: Hong Kong

Thank you. This is the 'stock' softness of the lens when it's wide open, and yes I purposefully tested it wide open.

I don't have many old lenses but this is the only one that exhibits the 'soft yet detailed' character. Most of my other lenses the out of focus regions and the corners are more like blurred by rubbing.

WNG555 · Joined: 18 Dec 2014 Posts: 784 Location: Arrid-Zone-A, USA

Ah, I see, didn't realize it was wide open. The lens does have a consistent level of sharpness across the frame in some of the photos.

Thanks for the explanation.

grainy · Joined: 27 Dec 2015 Posts: 54 Location: Hong Kong

I didn't specify and you have picky eyes too. Smile

Are you aware of some other lenses sharing such character?

l9magen · Expire: 2016-10-21

I wasn't aware Schneider had an f1.4 Xenon. Which mount is this? I really like the images, soft or not. Good work!

In looking around for info on the f1.4, I found a posting that indicates Schneider intend to release a 35/1.6, 50/1.4 (both 82mm filter) and an 85/1.4 (a 95mm filter) in both Canon and Nikon mounts, and expect them to be expensive. Aimed at rivalling the Otus line from Zeiss.

grainy · Joined: 27 Dec 2015 Posts: 54 Location: Hong Kong

Hi l9magen, you've just pointed out a great mistake and the first post has been corrected accordingly. Laugh 1

I hope I can try the new 1.4 some day! Mine is a DKL mounted on Nikon using an adapter.

WNG555 · Joined: 18 Dec 2014 Posts: 784 Location: Arrid-Zone-A, USA

grainy,

There is still decent sharpness wide open in #2, #3, #5. I like the compositions and they have a nice ambiance due to it.
No, not aware of any lenses with such a flat-field characteristic.
I am a fan of the Schneider-Kreuznach Edixa-Laudar 50mm f2.8. One of my favorites. But it renders like a Tessar.

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

The Xenon is a very sharp lens indeed stopped down. Even the best 50s are not very good shot wide open at distance, not the way to get the best out of them.