35mm lenses (Schneider-Kreuznach)

[Lambo]

Hi everyone !

I'm new to RFF and the Kodak Retina IIIC is my first RF camera.
I'm thinking about purchasing one of the 35mm lenses.
So which one would you pick ?

Schneider Retina Curtar Xenon 4/35mm
or
Schneider Retina Curtar 5.6/35mm ?

Is there a difference in image quality ?
Is it possible to close the camera door with the f/5.6 lens ?

Thanks !

[Brian Sweeney]

Even the F5.6 lens is too big to close the door on the IIIc, probably the same for the IIIC.

The 35/4 was better suited for the original Retina Reflex.

I have both 35/4 and 35/5.6. The latter is my favorite.

[Gumby]

I have both and have found all Retina accessory lenses to be cumbersome enough to use that I don't use any of them. So any difference in IQ isn't an issue for me.

[Lambo]

Originally Posted by Brian Sweeney

I have both 35/4 and 35/5.6. The latter is my favorite.

Why ?
Because of its size/weight ?

[Brian Sweeney]

Size and weight, the F4 is a "Monster" that uses 58mm filters.

[Lambo]

Ok !
I see there are some variations of the F/5.6. Some are all silver with one distance scale and other with two distance scales. Some have a red triangle others don't. What does the triangle mean ? Which one do you have ?

[Brian Sweeney]

Just to add- The Retina IIIS with the Retina-Curtagon 35/2.8 is much easier to use. The Retina IIIc requires that you "refocus"- focus with the rangefinder, transfer the distance to a secondary scale. Usually, you will stop down and use it as a zone-focus. The F5.6 is more than practical for real use.

[Brian Sweeney]

Optically- probably the same. I will have to dig out the big leather case with a dozen Retinas in it, and lenses... Folding cameras can be stored densely.

[Gumby]

red triangle, if I recall correctly indicates "coated".

[Lambo]

Thanks Guys !
Gymby,
You voted for the other 35mm ? Why ?

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by Lambo

Thanks Guys !
Gymby,
You voted for the other 35mm ? Why ?

I didn't vote for either one. Both are too clumsy to use. If I voted, however, it would be for the f/5.6 since it doesn't require an acesory viewfinder.

[Lambo]

Ah sorry ;-). Good point the external viewfinder ! I guess The f/4 is too big and so one can see the lens in the built-in viewfinder ?

[Gumby]

I've used the 80mm with the accessory rangefinder. It's OK but only if you range focus like Sweeny suggested. So for the 35mm, it might not matter which one if one doesn't focus!

[Brian Sweeney]

My 35/5.6 has the one scale for determining DOF. The 35/4 has the 50mm to 35mm conversion scale on it.

The 35/5.6 is much longer than the 50/2 front module. The difficult accessory to find is the plastic lens case made to hold the 50mm front module when it is taken out.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by Lambo

Ok !
I see there are some variations of the F/5.6. Some are all silver with one distance scale and other with two distance scales.

Remember that it's just a depth-of-field scale. When you have focused with the rangefinder as usual, you then transfer the distance reading to the wide-angle scale on the under side of the camera.

[crawdiddy]

I recently purchased a IIc with the gorgeous 80mm f4 and 35mm f5.6 lenses. Yes, even the 35mm f5.6 is too large to close the lens cover.

I second Brian's comments about the cumbersome nature of focusing (determining distance), and then checking the conversion scale underneath and transferring the distance to that scale. It's not user friendly.

By the way, I have a IIIc (which has f2 Schneider lens) and also the IIc (with f2.8 Schneider). The extra lenses (35mm and 80mm) came with the IIc, and they WILL NOT fit on the IIIc. So, be very careful when acquiring lenses.

[JPD]

I compared the Retina lenses last summer:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19332145@N00/

[Lambo]

Originally Posted by crawdiddy

By the way, I have a IIIc (which has f2 Schneider lens) and also the IIc (with f2.8 Schneider). The extra lenses (35mm and 80mm) came with the IIc, and they WILL NOT fit on the IIIc. So, be very careful when acquiring lenses.

You are sure about that ?
Some ebay sellers indicate that their lenses fit IIc AND IIIc...

Originally Posted by JPD

I compared the Retina lenses last summer:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/19332145@N00/

Unfortunately, you didn't compare the two lenses i'm interested in. But these are still nice tests !
Thanks

[Brian Sweeney]

I do not have any problems switching front elements between the Schneider equipped IIIc and IIC that i currently have. i used to have a IIc, but sold it. again- no problems with front elements. The Rodenstock lenses are not compatible.

[Lambo]

I have an other question !
Is it possible to close the door with a filter mounted ?

[JPD]

Originally Posted by Lambo

Unfortunately, you didn't compare the two lenses i'm interested in. But these are still nice tests !
Thanks

I thought the f:4 wide angles were too big, so I didn't buy them.

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by Lambo

I have an other question !
Is it possible to close the door with a filter mounted ?

With the 50mm... yes.

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by Brian Sweeney

(Ther are) not any problems switching front elements between the Schneider equipped IIIc and IIC. The Rodenstock lenses are not compatible.

This is fact!

[JPD]

Originally Posted by Gumby

With the 50mm... yes.

As long as they are the thin original Retina filters. I use them. Good quality filters.

[Gumby]

Yes, I was making that assumption. Thanks for the clarification!