Hello All. This is directed at those who are using (or have used) Schneider lenses on technical cameras (ALPA, Cambo, Sylvestrie, etc).
I'm mulling putting together a small light compact kit for landscape photography. I recently purchased a Mamiya 645 AFD II system and a P45+ back, and while it's everything I had hoped for, and reasonably small and light as far as MF systems go, it's a bit more weight and size than I want to haul around on some upcoming trips (too much hiking involved, limited access to power for charging batteries, etc). What I have in mind is an ALPA TC, P45+ back, and three lenses. For lenses, I'm primarily looking at the Schneider Digitar series, but maybe also some other Schneider or Rodenstock lenses. I'm interested in any feedback or opinions you might have on such lenses, preferrably based on actual usage.
For wide, I'm primarily interested in 47mm or thereabouts. The choices are the Schneider APO-Digitar 47/5.6, the Schneider Super-Angulon 47/5.6, the Schneider/ALPA APO-Helvetar 48/5.6, and the Schneider/ALPA APO-Alpar 45/5.6. What's the buzz on these lenses? Is one clearly superior to the others in sharpness and contrast?
For mid-range, I'm primarily interested in the range from 72mm to 90mm. The choices are the Schneider APO-Digitar 72/5.6, the Schneider Super-Angulon 72/5.6, the Schneider APO-Digitar 80/4.0, the Schneider Super-Symmar Aspheric 80/4.5, and the Schneider APO-Digitar 90/4.5. Again, the same questions as for the wide lenses.
For short telephoto, I'm primarily interested in 120mm. The choices are the Schneider APO-Digitar 120/5.6 N, the Schneider APO-Digitar 120/5.6 M (macro), and the Schneider APO-Symmar 120/5.6. Again, same questions.