Schneider Curtagon 35mm versions

[blotafton]

Hey everyone. To add some activity to the forum maybe you can tell me about the different optical versions of the Curtagon 35mm 2.8.
My research led me to page with three diagrams first version with 5 elements, Alpa version with 6 elements and a new version with 6 elements. If I remember correctly.

What I'd like to know is if you have tried one or more and have opinions on them.

I got a Edixa Curtagon that I think is the 5 element version.

I'm really looking forward to useing it in the summer for bokeh closeups. Samples online looks great.

Recently I have opened my eyes for old 35mm's and 28mm's. It's interesting that some are like normal lenses with a large element in front.
For example Quinon 35mm 2.8 and Super Takumar 35mm f2 V1 are like Planars. Sadly I don't have these two. But I have others that I will mount on close focus adapters and get lots of bokeh.

Just some random thoughts

[calvin83]

I have Quinon 35mm 2.8(chrome and marco) and Super Takumar 35mm f2 V1. You can find few samples below.

http://forum.mflenses.com/steinheil-auto-quinaron-35mm-f2-8-on-a7r-ii-t78332.html

http://forum.mflenses.com/pentax-super-takumar-35mm-f2-ver-i-at-night-on-a7r-ii-t79045.html

[blotafton]

[tomasg]

I like mine, i have the late all metal version in Exakta mount, check this site (using google translate):

https://photobutmore.de/exakta/schneider/

You ll find diagrams of the lens optical construction, one of the members here posted the 3 different optical schemes some time ago (i think it was Stevemark).

few examples with mine, though not close up:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/131684321@N03/albums/72157714815812888

Check also the Isco Gottingen Westron 35/2.8:

https://photobutmore.de/exakta/isco/

Similar lens (Isco was part of Schneider Kreuznach), five elements, i have two close up examples with this one, seems to have a lovely bokeh

https://www.flickr.com/photos/131684321@N03/albums/72157714813992121

[papasito]

I have the schneider angulon 35/2,8 in QBM.
This lens has seven elements.

You can see it from

http://www.klassik-cameras.de/Rollei_QBM_Schneider_dt.html.

[blotafton]

[blotafton]

[kymarto]

The Isco Westron seems to have later become the Westromat, with the same optics. I find it a great lens with really unique bokeh (though maybe similar to at least the Retina Curtagon version). Here are a few processed examples. Another excellent 35mm is the Auto Takumar 35mm f2.3, which was the Japanese version of the Angenieux R1 retrofocus. A few examples follow. Finally, for 35mm lenses, my fave list is rounded out by the Wollensak Fastax Raptar 35mm f2 (there was a civilian version, perhaps a bit older but identical called the Velostigmat). Even though designed for 16mm Fastax cameras, the lens covers full frame. A couple of shots with that follow the others.

Westromat
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Auto Takumar

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Wollensak Velostigmat


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[tomasg]

I have four Isco lenses the Westron ones have a simple manual preset aperture with a lateral knob, the Westromat ones have both a manual or automatic aperture with an A/M switch and a pin in the back. BTW the plastic ones have only the external parts made of plastic, it s a good quality plastic, still felxible today. The internal are all metal, including brass, a few pics of a humble 135/3.5:
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[calvin83]

[blotafton]

[blotafton]

[blotafton]

Here is a lens I have and will use more. MIR 1 37mm 2.8 silver.

This lens made me realize that 35mm lenses can be interesting to use up close.

[papasito]

[kypfer]

I've still got my Curtagon 35mm f/2.8 from my Retina IIIs and was always happy with it in my "film days", though I'd not be able to identify any specific shot I took with it today - negative filing was never my strong point!
I do have a DKL-PK adaptor so really should spend more time with this and my other Schneiders, but just never seem to get around to it

[blotafton]

First shots with the Edixa Curtagon.

The bokeh is well behaved, nothing crazy. Noticeable sharpness drop towards the edges.

[Donny2515]

[Lightshow]

[LittleAlex]

I had some experiences with the Schneider Kreuznach C-Curtagon 35mm f2.8 (M42), which is rather technical lens for the Security & Surveillance Cameras. So, it has simplified construction. And no protection for the first element from the side light-striking. But I was able to modify it, adding the front ring, which permits now to take the lens hood (and itself serves as a moderate hood), and also the filters, that significantly improved the situation:



http://forum.mflenses.com/schneider-kreuznach-c-curtagon-35mm-f2-8-m42-upgrade-t82333.html

There are some of my samples with that lens:

http://forum.mflenses.com/schneider-kreuznach-c-curtagon-35mm-f28-m42--sony-a7s-t82164.htm

[serkol]

My Schneider Kreuznach Curtagon 35mm f2.8 DKL + Ricoh GXR

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[Minolfan]

[Max78]

I have several Schneider 35mm lenses staying on the shelves:

1. Curtagon (Image Orthicon) with M48x1 mount from ca. 1960: 46mm filter thread, many aperture blades, filter ring rotates together with the aperture. This lens was used on a studio TV-Camera;
2. Edixa-Curtagon with M42 mount from 1962: usual zebra, 49mm filter thread, 5 blades
3. Curtagon Electric with M42 mount from 1973: 49mm filter thread, 6 blades
4. SL-Angulon for Rollei QBM from 1973, 6 blades

I’m not using these lenses quite often, so I can’t post any pics made with them. However I can share my personal observations here.

I’m pretty sure that Curtagon Electric and SL-Angulon is the same lens optically, so both should have 7 elements as it is shown on the Rollei Lens diagram. The aperture blades are visually closer to the mount if you look on them from the back. Both lenses also feel the same. The production year is the same, but the coatings look different.

Older Curtagons have possibly 6 elements. It is difficult to judge, since even Schneider literature has errors in the diagrams.

Curtagon for TV cameras just received its adapter and I will try to use it more often in spring 2022 and afterwards.

There are many other Curtagons produced: DKL, Exakta and M42 with different mechanics and exterior…

All four lenses:


SL-Angulon and Curtagon Electric from behind:


Aperture blades of TV-Curtagon

[blotafton]

New revelation. I have acquired an ISCO Göttingen Berolina Westromat 35mm 2.8.

This lens seems to be very similar to the first Curtagon optically and somewhat the way it is built.


This is supposed to be the Westromat. I don't remember where I found this image.


I did a mini test to see if there were any differences.




Berolina Westromat


Curtagon version 1



EBC Fujinon 35mm 2.8



Flektogon 35mm 2.8



Mir-1 silver

[martinsmith99]

The bokeh on these lenses is an acquired taste.

[paulhofseth]

the Curtagons also came in a version with a light meter fitted on top at the time when built-in LMs in SLRs were unusual.

Also, the ISCO name is an abbreviation of Joseph Schneider & co. And due to their wartime production they were not allowed to use the name for a few years afterwards.

While the Westrogon is also connected with German postwar history in that its optics constructor had escaped from the DDT-East Zone where he had a similar job.

p.