Schneider Componon 35mm f2.8 Line Scan Lens Test

Robert OToole ·

Schneider Kreuznach Componon 2.8/35 - 0001 Line Scan Lens

The Componon 2.8/35 is an awesome performing lens if you know how to get the most out of it. On extension the performance of a Componon lens is pretty average with a sharp center and a general fall-off in performance towards the corners with a peak in performance of about f4.5-5.0 and some visible chromatic aberrations. When the 2.8/35 Componon is used in a stacked setup the performance peaks around f2.8-3.5 and the sharpness is fantastic from edge to edge with almost zero CAs.

You can see test results with the 2.8/35 Componon used in a stacked configuration here on Closeuphotography.com: https://www.closeuphotography.com/three-point-four-x-lens-test You can see a test the Componon 35mm f4 version of this lens here on Closeuphotography.com: https://www.closeuphotography.com/4x-lens-test-part-3

The Componon 35 is a well known in the macro photography world and there are at least different 5 versions that I know of. From experience with all 5 types I can tell you that although the f2.8 version is pretty much unheard of it is the best performer of all the different types. The f2.8 and f4 versions have similar optical designs but they are designed for different applications and optimized for different magnifications. The f4 version is a little less costly than the f2.8 type but the faster maximum aperture and v-mount interface are easily worth the slightly higher cost.

Schneider Kreuznach Componon 2.8/35 industrial machine vision lens

Schneider Componon 2.8/35 Technical Details

Schneider Kreuznach Componon 2.8/35 - 0001
Schneider Optics part number: 14792
Filter threads: 37mm x 0.75 - standard for the V38 line scan line up
Mount: V38 V-mount B-V mount
Current Retail Price: $681 USD Schneider Optics USA
Typical used price: $300-350 USD. Easy to find on the used market in Dec 2018
Type: Industrial Machine Vision
Iris: 5 blades
Nominal Aperture: f2.85 forward and f2.7 in reverse
Magnification rating: 0.10x
Coverage: the 32.5mm image circle will cover the APS-C with a sharp edge to edge image.
Forward or Reverse Mount: Reverse and stacked on a telephoto lens.

Rating

What I Like: 
Sharpness and CA correction
All metal body and V-mount interface
Low used prices on Ebay
Locking iris ring

What I Don’t Like: 
Non-circular 5 blade iris

2.8/35 Componon Price and Availability

The price of this lens is not too bad direct from Schneider Optics but there are new in-the-box units available right now on Ebay for only $350 USD. To avoid getting a dropped or disassembled and re-assembled lens on Ebay, it’s always better to pay a little more for a new unit if you can. The harder to find f2.8 version is worth the extra time and effort if you can find one for a good price. Expect to pay about $50-$90 USD for the 4/35 version on Ebay new units can be found on the Schneider Optics USA site for about $500 USD.

Setting up the 2.8/35 Componon for photography

For best results from 1x to about 5x, I would recommend using this lens in a stacked configuration reversed on the front of a telephoto lens as setup as above. The rear lens in the stack is mounted out of sight inside the extension tube focused at infinity. The lens hood is actually mounted on the rear of the lens that is reverse mounted and just touching the rear lens.

Stacked Lens Mounting: to use this lens in a stacked combination my favorite rear lens is the Schneider Makro-Symmar 120/5.6 mounted inside a 52mm extension tube using a V38 to 42mm x 1.0mm adapter to Thorlabs SM2 to 42mm to 1.0mm adapter. Another 42mm x 1.0mm adapter goes on the front of the 2.8/35 and that mounts to the Thorlabs SM2 to 42mm to 1.0mm adapter and the lens also mounts inside the 52mm extension tube directly in front of the Makro-Symmar lens. Detailed information on this stacked combination is available here on Closeuphotography.com: Coming soon

Normal mount: This lens should be mounted in reverse mount for use at 1x or more. To mount this lens normally you just need a V38 adapter to adapt to threads of your choice, for example; V38 to 42mm x 1.0mm. Generic brand V38 adapters are available on Ebay.

Reverse mount: Thanks to the design of the V38 mount, the lens will reverse with the same adapter used for normal mount, for example; V38 to 42mm x 1.0mm adapter.


IMAGE EXAMPLE AT 3.2X

COMPONON SETUP INFORMATION

Front lens: Schneider Kreuznach 2.8/35 Componon lens reverse mounted inside the Thorlabs SM2 tube
Rear lens: Schneider Kreuznach 5.6/12 Makro-Symmar Line Scan Lens set to f.5.6 forward mounted focused at infinity mounted inside the Thorlabs SM2 tube
Stacked lens NA:
Stacked lens nominal aperture: f/3.1
Stacked lens effective aperture: f/9.9


TEST SET-UP 

Camera: Sony α6300, model # ILCE-6300, also known as: A6300
Sensor size: APS-C. 23.5 × 15.6 mm. 28.21 mm diagonal. 3.92 micron sensor pitch
Flash: Godox TT350s wireless flash x 2 with one Godox X1s 2.4G wireless flash transmitter
Vertical stand: Nikon MM-11 with a Nikon focus block

For this test a stack of images was made with 4 micron steps, and was repeated for each aperture. The sharpest frame was then chosen using Photoshop at 100% actual pixel view. Separate images were selected for center, edge, and corner if needed. Each image was processed in PS CC with identical settings with all noise reduction and lens correction turned off, all settings were zeroed out (true zero) and the same settings were used for all of the images. All of the images shown here are single files.

2500 PIXEL IMAGE SAMPLE

Click on the image below to view a larger version in a Lightbox viewer, but this will only be the largest size image if your screen/window is large enough. The size of the image sent to your device is based on the screen size. The below is 2500 pixels across. To check the size of the image you are looking at, look up at the URL window at the top of the browser, the address should have 2500w at the end. If the image size is anything smaller you can easily change the number to 2500 manually and press enter to bring up the largest image.

To see an images in a new browser tab, right click, or two-finger press, and select Open in a New Tab or New Window from the menu. You can also right click, or two-finger press, and select  Save Image As to save and view the image full size.

These are the crop areas outlined in white and shown below at 100% actual pixel view.

100% actual pixel view crops below, left to right, center, edge and far corner.

To see an images in a new browser tab, right click, or two-finger press, and select Open in a New Tab or New Window from the menu. You can also right click, or two-finger press, and select  Save Image As to save and view the image full size.

The Bottom Line; the 2.8/35 Componon is an Ideal for Stacking But Not so Much on Extension

For best results I highly recommend the 2.8/35 Componon stacked or coupled with a suitable telephoto lens. When focused on extension only the 2.8/35 and 4/35 Componons are average performers at best. The biggest problem is one of coverage, even on a APS-C sensor you’ll find poor corner performance. When the 2.8/35 is set up reversed on a telephoto lens like the 120 Makro-Symmar the performance is outstanding edge-to-edge on an APS-C sensor. For a detailed review of the 2.8/35 Componon + 5.6/120 Makro-Symmar combination see the test available here on Closeuphotography.com: coming soon.

At 3.2x I found peak sharpness at f3.1 or so I would recommend the f2.8 V38 version over any of the 4/35 enlarger lens type lenses. The extra expense is worth it. The maximum aperture of the 2.8/35 in reverse mount actually measures f2.7!

2.8/35 Componon Lens DATA