Xenotar 150mm f:2,8 at 1/60s in Copal 3

[Daniel Unkefer]

I never find it easy to focus a 150 Xenotar. It's tricky and somewhat easier with a reflex camera I have found. Sometimes I stack two 4X ND filters, to maintain the F2.8 aperture. If I want to stop down, frankly there are lots of WAY BETTER lenses. Xenar, Symmar, Apo Ronar, etc. immediately come to mind. This is a very subjective observation, some say Xenotar bokeh is UGLY. I happen to like it wide open.

Automatic Makiflex 150 Xenotar by Nokton48, on Flickr

My first Handheld Makiflex Automatic image! I think a success.
150mm F2.8 Xenotar wide-open, Foma 200 Legacy Mic-X Replenished.

[J. Patric Dahlen]

I never find it easy to focus a 150 Xenotar. It's tricky and somewhat easier with a reflex camera I have found. Sometimes I stack two 4X ND filters, to maintain the F2.8 aperture. If I want to stop down, frankly there are lots of WAY BETTER lenses. Xenar, Symmar, Apo Ronar, etc. immediately come to mind. This is a very subjective observation, some say Xenotar bokeh is UGLY. I happen to like it wide open.

I remember that fish. Good point, but not everyone has several lenses to choose from and Xenotars are expensive. The busy out-of-focus rendition is horrible for calm portraits, but great when you want to add stress/fear/movement to the photos. Busy traffic in the city, spooky portrait in a abandoned hospital, a marathon runner... It's good bokeh for that.

I have a 3,5/150 Eurynar I would like to use wide open when I get the light traps in the old plate holders cleaned and reglued.