menos
Mentor
I just received my first Schneider lens in EXAKTA 66 mount, a 80/2.8 Xenotar MF.
I am looking forward, to use this lens adapted on Mamiya 645 and the Leica S2 but I see one issue, I need some help with.
As I understand, the Schneider lenses in E66 mount should have a functional stop down lever on the lens, that permits to stop down the aperture.
My lens arrived with the aperture always stopped down to the selected value (as if there is no auto aperture function) and the stop down lever has no function at all.
If I press the aperture linkage pin on the lens' rear mount, the selected aperture will open completely, but again, the stop down lever has no function.
Is this normal behaviour?
Unfortunately I have no Pentacon Six/ Exakta/ Kiev camera body around to test the aperture function.
I am looking forward, to use this lens adapted on Mamiya 645 and the Leica S2 but I see one issue, I need some help with.
As I understand, the Schneider lenses in E66 mount should have a functional stop down lever on the lens, that permits to stop down the aperture.
My lens arrived with the aperture always stopped down to the selected value (as if there is no auto aperture function) and the stop down lever has no function at all.
If I press the aperture linkage pin on the lens' rear mount, the selected aperture will open completely, but again, the stop down lever has no function.
Is this normal behaviour?
Unfortunately I have no Pentacon Six/ Exakta/ Kiev camera body around to test the aperture function.
[email protected]
Newbie
When not mounted, the lens should be stopped down, but when the pin is pressed (which is what the body does to open the aperture) the lever should work.
menos
Mentor
mfogiel
Mentor
FWIW, I know, that for Leica S this might be a superfluous (but very cheap) option,but I shot with a P6 when I was a boy, and when I scanned recently some images made at that time with the 80 and 120 Biometars I was quite amazed: the 80 was hellishly sharp in the center - maybe even more than a Hassy Planar, and the 120 was just plain brilliant. Obviously, they weren't exactly luxuriously made. On the other hand, the 50 Flektogon was not anything special.
Here's a shot with the Biometar 120 I like particularly - taken in 1976 !
B.B. by mfogiel, on Flickr
Here's a shot with the Biometar 120 I like particularly - taken in 1976 !
B.B. by mfogiel, on Flickr
menos
Mentor
Marek, thank you for the input and honestly, there is no superfluous lenses.
I love old lenses and the character they offer.
Using the Leica S lenses only would be missing all those wonderful lenses.
I have looked through many photographs, made with the CZJ Biometar lenses and so far I do not prefer the background look of this 80 and 120mm lens.
When I can find a nice sample, I might try it though.
I am very, very impressed by the Schneider 80/2.8 Xenotar (I bought it, as I heard only good things about it, being highly regarded challenging the CZ Planar).
I never got really warm with the Planar on the Hasselblad and thought I see, how different the Xenotar is. It is a lot nicer than the Planar ;-)
I am looking now to find a suitable 6x6 film body to use the Pentacon Six mount lenses also on film. I understand that many people who went the Pentacon Six road at some point gave up on them as of reliability. I will see where it leads me.
It's a long road ahead I see …
I love old lenses and the character they offer.
Using the Leica S lenses only would be missing all those wonderful lenses.
I have looked through many photographs, made with the CZJ Biometar lenses and so far I do not prefer the background look of this 80 and 120mm lens.
When I can find a nice sample, I might try it though.
I am very, very impressed by the Schneider 80/2.8 Xenotar (I bought it, as I heard only good things about it, being highly regarded challenging the CZ Planar).
I never got really warm with the Planar on the Hasselblad and thought I see, how different the Xenotar is. It is a lot nicer than the Planar ;-)
I am looking now to find a suitable 6x6 film body to use the Pentacon Six mount lenses also on film. I understand that many people who went the Pentacon Six road at some point gave up on them as of reliability. I will see where it leads me.
It's a long road ahead I see …
mfogiel
Mentor
If you do not mind all the limitations of 645 and stop down, then a fantastic and cheap film body, that you should find the adapters for, is Pentax 645N ( the non N one has a dim VF).
This is really a very handy camera.
I have also seen cases of Pentax 67 bodies modified to take Hasselblad or P6 lenses, but I believe these are very scarce.
On the other hand, for the S2 you can get the adapters for both the 80/2 Contax and 110/2 Hasselblad F Planars - wonderful stuff for selective focus.
This is really a very handy camera.
I have also seen cases of Pentax 67 bodies modified to take Hasselblad or P6 lenses, but I believe these are very scarce.
On the other hand, for the S2 you can get the adapters for both the 80/2 Contax and 110/2 Hasselblad F Planars - wonderful stuff for selective focus.
menos
Mentor
Thanks for the tip Marek,
I do have already a Mamiya 645, which I intent to use with the 80 Xenotar.
I am in search though for my dream 6x6 camera to use this lens on.
The Exakta 66 looks really nice with upgraded Rollei screen and plain prism - a pity, they seem so hard to come by.
I think, second hand prices of modified Pentax 67 are really on the high side (at least around here).
I remember a modified Pentax 67ii with Hasselblad mount going locally for as much as you could buy a nice condition 203fe body !!!
I have already adapters to use the Contax and Hasselblad lenses on the S2 - the Contax lenses being my favourite so far.
From what little I have seen from the Xenotar though my favourite could be changed soon.
I stopped using the heavy Hasselblad lenses on the S2 quickly after the novelty wore off - it is simply not a convenient combination.
I have now used the Xenotar in Exakta 66 mount on the S2 briefly and really like this lens:
night scene with Oriental Pearl Tower by teknopunk.com, on Flickr
midnight snack by teknopunk.com, on Flickr
I hope to get out with this lens, having some daylight soon …
I do have already a Mamiya 645, which I intent to use with the 80 Xenotar.
I am in search though for my dream 6x6 camera to use this lens on.
The Exakta 66 looks really nice with upgraded Rollei screen and plain prism - a pity, they seem so hard to come by.
I think, second hand prices of modified Pentax 67 are really on the high side (at least around here).
I remember a modified Pentax 67ii with Hasselblad mount going locally for as much as you could buy a nice condition 203fe body !!!
I have already adapters to use the Contax and Hasselblad lenses on the S2 - the Contax lenses being my favourite so far.
From what little I have seen from the Xenotar though my favourite could be changed soon.
I stopped using the heavy Hasselblad lenses on the S2 quickly after the novelty wore off - it is simply not a convenient combination.
I have now used the Xenotar in Exakta 66 mount on the S2 briefly and really like this lens:
night scene with Oriental Pearl Tower by teknopunk.com, on Flickr
midnight snack by teknopunk.com, on Flickr
I hope to get out with this lens, having some daylight soon …
Nokton48
Mentor
I used to have the 60mm Curtagon, 80mm Schneider Biometar (not the Xenotar), 150 Tele-Xenar, and the 250mm Tele-Xenar. All original EX66 lenses. And I had a couple of EX66 MK2 bodies and accessories.
The Pentacon Six is the same camera. The Pentacon factory even added EX66 advance levers to my P6's. But I sold them all (while they still worked well).
I liked the Exakta 66 Schneider lenses.
The Pentacon Six is the same camera. The Pentacon factory even added EX66 advance levers to my P6's. But I sold them all (while they still worked well).
I liked the Exakta 66 Schneider lenses.
mfogiel
Mentor
I don't know, if you can get adapters for S2 for Pentax 645 lenses, if yes, then you should try some of these, particularly if you are a bokeh junkie. I like a lot the 55/2.8 - some vignetting wide open, but otherwise a very pleasant rendering. This Xenotar looks very nice indeed, I see no coma anywhere.
P645 55/2.8
MF20130104 by mfogiel, on Flickr
P645 55/2.8
MF20130104 by mfogiel, on Flickr
JohnTF
Mentor
About the time the Exacta was being made, one of the magazines tested most of the lenses available in the P6 mounts, and found the CZJ to be exceptional once stopped down by one or more stops? The Schneiders tested better, but only at full open.
I used to have them repaired in Prague, I generally got the Pentacons back with a small bag of broken parts, some took a couple of extra trips -- but I liked them and if you knew someone in Prague, you could find an experienced repairman.
Lord knows how many bits I still have, I began to use the lenses on the Mamiya 645 which themselves are going for very reasonable (hell, cheap) prices now, and collected some adapters when I found them at Foto Skoda-- even finding a LTM to Pentacon-- though you had to shoot very close-- the later adapters would work for both P6/Kiev 88 mounts (both) to Mamiya. I still have the big Russian fisheye which is amazing-- and probably the 50 CZJ, and some huge Kiev lens, probably a longer 2.8?.
I preferred to shoot the Pentacons/Kiev 66 with the normal WL viewfinder, just thought the prisms were too heavy, and I like the perspective of the WLF. I think I still have a Kiev 66, which was gone over in LA by repair, and has a bright finder, which makes it a very usable item. The local shop gave me a lens from their used display as I was the only one who knew what camera it fit.
The Kiev screens made for the 88 were very bright and dropped in to Hassys, plus I had a few cut down for Pentacons by an optician.
I must have had more time in those days.
I ended up with a number of Mamiya 645 lenses which I need to send along one day, including some NIB, and even a mint 50mm shift. Come to think of it, I probably have a few bodies , and this is after giving several to my protege / model / photography student.
Still very good cameras.
Early Pentacons are collected-- and sell I am told.
Regards, John
I used to have them repaired in Prague, I generally got the Pentacons back with a small bag of broken parts, some took a couple of extra trips -- but I liked them and if you knew someone in Prague, you could find an experienced repairman.
Lord knows how many bits I still have, I began to use the lenses on the Mamiya 645 which themselves are going for very reasonable (hell, cheap) prices now, and collected some adapters when I found them at Foto Skoda-- even finding a LTM to Pentacon-- though you had to shoot very close-- the later adapters would work for both P6/Kiev 88 mounts (both) to Mamiya. I still have the big Russian fisheye which is amazing-- and probably the 50 CZJ, and some huge Kiev lens, probably a longer 2.8?.
I preferred to shoot the Pentacons/Kiev 66 with the normal WL viewfinder, just thought the prisms were too heavy, and I like the perspective of the WLF. I think I still have a Kiev 66, which was gone over in LA by repair, and has a bright finder, which makes it a very usable item. The local shop gave me a lens from their used display as I was the only one who knew what camera it fit.
The Kiev screens made for the 88 were very bright and dropped in to Hassys, plus I had a few cut down for Pentacons by an optician.
I must have had more time in those days.
I ended up with a number of Mamiya 645 lenses which I need to send along one day, including some NIB, and even a mint 50mm shift. Come to think of it, I probably have a few bodies , and this is after giving several to my protege / model / photography student.
Still very good cameras.
Early Pentacons are collected-- and sell I am told.
Regards, John
Nokton48
Mentor
I'm not wrong. Aside from sync speed (I'll give you that) you can put Rollei screens into any P6 or Ex66. Any P6 or EX66 can be fitted with Rollei screens, some I got from the factory, I still have at least a dozen different ones. Bought extra spring clips from the factory, too. And the factory put mirror lockups into all my P6's, that was no big deal. And I never recall ever using the MLU. They also installed EX66 advance levers in my four P6's, and gave me free extra EX66 advance mechanisms. Expensive work but worth it to me at the time. Unfortuately the Gentlemen who was upgrading these cameras at Pentacon Dresden passed away several years ago. Last I heard they were no longer taking in work. Rolph Dieter Baier also did quite a bit of work for me, also Herr Olbrich in Oberkoken.
The MK3 I never owned but I know the EX66 and P6 system very well. Always wanted an EX66 Meter Prism but never had the opportunity to find one at a decent price. I used to own two Exakta 66 MK2's but I sold all of it off to fund other projects.
The MK3 I never owned but I know the EX66 and P6 system very well. Always wanted an EX66 Meter Prism but never had the opportunity to find one at a decent price. I used to own two Exakta 66 MK2's but I sold all of it off to fund other projects.
Nokton48
Mentor
I'm chillin'. I've known Trevor for many many years (from the Delphi Forum) and consider him a friend. Take care and enjoy your equipment.
Evanjoe610
Established
Dirk,
Trevor Allin has a fantastic website as indicated by both Alex and Dan. I know Dan and Trevor from the Kiev Report on DelphiForums. Trevor has helped me get my (3) Exakta 66 bodies (MK1 to MK3 conversion, MK2 to MK3 COnversion, and a MK3) overhauled and brought up to spec. I use the Xenotar 80mm MF, Curtagon 60mm, Xenotar 150mm, later CZJ MC version of 50mm, 80mm, 120mm, 180mm, 300mm, and finally the Big Boy Pentacon 500mm.
The Schnieder lens are fantastic and if you are looking for another test of P-6 mount optics, look for Rick Denney's Mother of All Tests. Several years ago Rick was up in NJ area and several members of the Kiev Forum met up to participate in his optic test. The results are quite interesting. Rick has his own website he host, so if you Google his name, you should be able to find this test.
My wife and I are in talks of visiting Shanghai next year, if it comes to fruition, I will let you know. I still have all of my Exakta equipment.
Evan
Trevor Allin has a fantastic website as indicated by both Alex and Dan. I know Dan and Trevor from the Kiev Report on DelphiForums. Trevor has helped me get my (3) Exakta 66 bodies (MK1 to MK3 conversion, MK2 to MK3 COnversion, and a MK3) overhauled and brought up to spec. I use the Xenotar 80mm MF, Curtagon 60mm, Xenotar 150mm, later CZJ MC version of 50mm, 80mm, 120mm, 180mm, 300mm, and finally the Big Boy Pentacon 500mm.
The Schnieder lens are fantastic and if you are looking for another test of P-6 mount optics, look for Rick Denney's Mother of All Tests. Several years ago Rick was up in NJ area and several members of the Kiev Forum met up to participate in his optic test. The results are quite interesting. Rick has his own website he host, so if you Google his name, you should be able to find this test.
My wife and I are in talks of visiting Shanghai next year, if it comes to fruition, I will let you know. I still have all of my Exakta equipment.
Evan
BW400CN
Bessamatic forever!
Bought recently a P6 as defect for 20,-€ - got it repaired in a minute!
The mirror was locked somehow while advandcing the film.
I´m realy impressed how this cam handles and how nice the Biometar 2,8 80mm MC draws
Pentacon Six TL von Michael Relguag auf Flickr
Pentacon Six TL - Ilford XP2 - Adonal von Michael Relguag auf Flickr
Pentacon Six TL - Ilford XP2 - Adonal von Michael Relguag auf Flickr
Pentacon Six TL - Kodak T-Max 400 von Michael Relguag auf Flickr
The mirror was locked somehow while advandcing the film.
I´m realy impressed how this cam handles and how nice the Biometar 2,8 80mm MC draws
Pentacon Six TL von Michael Relguag auf Flickr
Pentacon Six TL - Ilford XP2 - Adonal von Michael Relguag auf Flickr
Pentacon Six TL - Ilford XP2 - Adonal von Michael Relguag auf Flickr
Pentacon Six TL - Kodak T-Max 400 von Michael Relguag auf Flickr
Nokton48
Mentor
Hey Evan. Good to see you here. Hope All Is Well. Happy Holidays and Best Regards. -Dan
Dirk,
Back on topic the Schneider Exakta 66 lenses are fantastic. I used to own the 60mm F3.5 Curtagon, the 80mm F2.8, the 150mm f/4 Tele-Xenar, and the 250mm f/5.6 Tele-Xenar. Very Highly Recommended lenses. In the Kiev/P6 lenses the 30mm F3.5 Zodiak Fisheye and the CZJ 180mm F2.8 Sonnar are two of the main reasons alot of people buy into this system.
These are old but here are some of my P6/Exakta 66 images: http://hassydan.tripod.com/
Dwig
Well-known
Those interested in these lenses and cameras will probably enjoy Mike's recentessay over at The Online Photographer. You can skip down to the "Disclaimer" and just read from there.
menos
Mentor
Nice one BW400CN !
It seems like a crazy deal to buy such a nice MF camera!
I really love that 80 Xenotar a lot and decided to look for a 60 Curtagon and a 150 Xenar as well, so much do I like these Schneider lenses.
It's a pity, not more were made in P6 mount.
@ Dan, thanks for the link! That 180 Sonnar look is indeed special!
It seems like a crazy deal to buy such a nice MF camera!
I really love that 80 Xenotar a lot and decided to look for a 60 Curtagon and a 150 Xenar as well, so much do I like these Schneider lenses.
It's a pity, not more were made in P6 mount.
@ Dan, thanks for the link! That 180 Sonnar look is indeed special!
Nokton48
Mentor
BW400CN
Bessamatic forever!
Thanks guys!
I seem that I found my cam and that´s why I wend crazy today - send the misses out and did a bit online shopping
I bought a TTL prism and a nice big 2,8 180mm CZJ MC Sonar
Baierfoto is a very good adress for the P6 and Exakta as well as Kiev 60 - mine is going there in February to repair the frame counter and maybe the film spacing.
Btw - I run a Porta 160 throu it at the moment - could wait to see the results how this film draws with the Biometar.
I seem that I found my cam and that´s why I wend crazy today - send the misses out and did a bit online shopping
I bought a TTL prism and a nice big 2,8 180mm CZJ MC Sonar
Baierfoto is a very good adress for the P6 and Exakta as well as Kiev 60 - mine is going there in February to repair the frame counter and maybe the film spacing.
Btw - I run a Porta 160 throu it at the moment - could wait to see the results how this film draws with the Biometar.
Nokton48
Mentor
Rolph-Dieter is a Super Nice Guy and is an expert on the P6 and EX66. You make an appointment well in advance, and then send the camera when your time comes up. I bought alot of P6 screens and EX66 screens from Rolph-Dieter. Still have some ultra expensive Rollei HD ones he custom cut for me. At least a stop brighter than anything I've ever used, except for the Maxwell screens. I've used every screen Rollei ever made in the EX66 and P6. Figured out how to make them myself after special ordering a few from the Pentacon factory and Rolph-Dieter.
I always liked the P6 TTL Meter Prism, always found it to be quite accurate. Trevor has an excellent writeup on how to use it effectively on his great website.
I always liked the P6 TTL Meter Prism, always found it to be quite accurate. Trevor has an excellent writeup on how to use it effectively on his great website.