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Xenar 7.5cm f/2.8 1937 - Certo Super Sport Dolly
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:10 am    Post subject: Xenar 7.5cm f/2.8 1937 - Certo Super Sport Dolly Reply with quote






from the test roll - shot entirely without a meter! (pride goeth...)

The xenar by its serial # is from 1937. There's still a leak in the bellows, and I never did get the range finder fully calibrated... but the lens cleaned up well etc. It is an interesting helical focus folder. I think I'll see about getting this one restored by a professional, as it does need new bellows, the Compur Rapid needs a thorough CLA, and I couldn't figure out just how to adjust the coupled RF.


PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks absolutely beautiful! Which film did you use and what scanner ?


PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice results! I once owned a prewar Certo Super Dollina with uncoated 5cm f/2 Xenon, but somehow I got rid of it. The focusing was cumbersome though, as the coupled rangefinder was super dark and also completely off.


PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 1:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ah - film is Fuji 160NPS slightly expired, the scan's a small one by Magnolia Digital in Hoboken, NJ who processed the film.

Here's another sample, for this I used the rf focusing on the near edge of the bench. You can see the actual focus is further out... f/8 or so at 1/200 sec, 160NPS


The Super Dollinas look very nice - I have the Retina IIa with a f/2 Xenon, post war of course and coated. I do like the Retina and use it fairly often.


PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 1:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

YES! It produce great result!


PostPosted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 10:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote



I estimated the distance with this shot, and I shot the whole roll without the help of a light meter. In the case of these statues, my exposure is better than the auto exposure of the scanner - I have to let the background go over exposed to have correct exposure on the stone.

I think I left the shutter at 1/200 so the aperture would have been around f/4 for this shot.

Another cool thing about this folder - it takes the Retina filters and lens shade. And I happen to have just such a set Wink


PostPosted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 12:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Very lucky that you have a shade for this. I'm still looking for something
that will be more permanent than one made from heavy black construction
paper for my Bessa. Looking good, Nesster!


PostPosted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 5:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What lens is that on the Bessa? Or can you measure it or find the size, as I may have something...


PostPosted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 6:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nesster wrote:
What lens is that on the Bessa? Or can you measure it or find the size, as I may have something...


Well, dumkin Bill left it at work, but will let you know Wednesday morning.
Wasn't planning on using it on my days off this time. A friend on another
forum (RFF) simply uses a yellow filter with a cut-down rubber hood that
he holds in place to make the shot. With color he uses a CP polarizer with
same hood. He's made some REALLY nice shots in both mediums so I can't
fault his methods. And no flare anywhere...

That's something I can try straightaway as I have the parts.

FWIW my Bessa has the 4.5/105 Helomar