Schneider Kreuznach M-Componon 28mm f4 Macro Lens with Raf Camera 44mm V-mount - M42 x 1.0 thread mount adapter
2022 updates
M-Componon selling added prices from 1998 to the specifications section of this test. The M-Componons were very expensive lenses when sold as new.
A new 2x test is scheduled for later this year including the M-Componon 4/28.
Schneider Kreuznach sold the M-Componon 4/28 in the 1980s and 1990s as an expensive high-end high-magnification macro lens designed for large format coverage at greater than 1:1 reproduction up to 20x magnification. The M-Componons are in the same class as the Leica Photars, Zeiss Luminars, and Nikon’s Micro-Nikkors and are designed to be mounted normally, not in reverse. The M-Componon 4/28 will cover a medium format digital sensor at 2x or higher magnification, but due to the conservative f/4 aperture, I would limit magnification to 4x or less to stay out of diffraction territory with a full frame sensor camera.
Originally the M-Componon lenses were sold by Schneider, Linholf, Exakta GmbH, and Rollei for use with medium and large format camera systems. Linhof used the M Componon series for the Linholf macro lens-board shutter system which was a Technica lens-board with a tapered tube with a Copal 0 shutter mounted at the front. M-Componons often show up for sale with the Technica lens-boards on Ebay (Rollei sold the M-Componons for use with their Rolleiflex 6000 system with an M39 adapter but I have never seen this version for sale). Made to mount in a Copal shutter the lens was delivered with M29.5 threads but the lens actually has a native 44mm v-mount interface so Schneider supplied the lens with a heavy brass v-mount to 29.5mm mounted on the lens, thankfully, this brass mount adapter is easy to remove and replace with an adapter made by Raf Camera with 44mm V-mount to standard M42 x 1.0 threads. 29.5mm to 42mm adapters are also available that mount over the brass adapter in a double adapter arrangement.
The 4/28 M-Componon can cover a full frame or larger sensor easily with very good chromatic correction so it looks like a great choice for work in the 2x - 4x range much better than a normal 4/28 Componon enlarger lens.
Quick Lens Facts
The M-Componon 4/28 is actually f3.5 wide open, 1/3rd stop faster than advertised
Outperforms the standard Componon 4/28 enlarger lens
100% all metal body
Large 80mm diagonal image circle will cover a medium format size sensor
Excellent CA control
Fantastic performance setup in a stacked configuration
This is a test of the Schneider M-Componon 4/28, for details on the Componon 2.8/28 lens visit this page on closeuphotography.com: https://www.closeuphotography.com/schneider-kreuznach-28mm-f2-8-componon-lens/
This lens was purchased from a used equipment dealer without any discount, credit or commission for this post. There are no affiliate links, banner ads or visitor tracking on this page, just content.
Image sample at 3.2x
Front lens: Schneider Kreuznach 4/28 M-Componon lens mounted normally mounted facing forward
Rear lens: Mejiro 90mm f5.6 line scan lens normally mounted focused at infinity
Stacked lens nominal aperture: f/4 (f/3.5 measured)
Stacked lens effective aperture: f/12.8 (11)
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
To see the image sample below at the full 2500 pixel size, click on the image to open it in a Lightbox viewer, but you will only see the full size image if your screen/window is large enough. To make sure you are seeing the full 2500 pixels look up at the URL window at the top of the browser, the URL. The URL 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.
This image is sharp from corner to corner with almost zero chromatic aberrations and was made with the lens wide open at a nominal f/4, measured f/3.5. This kind of consistent image quality is very hard to find and is only matched by a few other lenses that I have tested. The crop images below are virtually identical, center, near center and far corner. To see the image sample below at the full 100% view, click on the image to open it in a Lightbox viewer, or two finger click with mac or right mouse click with a PC to open the image in a new browser tab. As an alternative you can always select download image as to save and view in another app.
SCHNEIDER M-COMPONON 4/28 TECHNICAL DETAILS
Schneider Kreuznach 28mm f4 M-Componon
Instead of ordinary f-stops the M-Componon lenses are printed with exposure factor of 1 - 2 - 4 - 8 - 16, as you can see in the image above. According to Schneider, these figures correspond to f4, f5.6, f8, f11, and f16. But, since I measured f3.5 as the maximum aperture, the actual corresponding f-stops are really f3.5, f5, f7.1, f10 and f14 technically.
The M-Componon 4/28 is supplied with a heavy duty painted brass mount with M29.5-0.5 mounting threads made to fit the Copal #0 mechanical shutter, see the image above. To replace the heavy brass mounting plate with something useful, I asked Raf Camera to produce a replacement 44mm v-mount with standard M42 x 1.0 threads. I have tested the Raf mount adapter and I can recommend it.
Schneider Kreuznach M-Componon 4/28
Focal length: 29.4mm
Maximum Aperture: Nominal f/4, measured f/3.5
Mount: Schneider 44mm v-mount brass adapter plate with M29.5-0.5 threaded for Copal #0 shutter
Typical used price: $300+ USD
Type: Large format macro lens
Iris: 5 blades
Magnification range: Schneider recommends a range of 4-20x but I would not recommend going past 2 or 3x on extension only due to diffraction. In a stacked configuration high quality results are possible up to 4-5x.
Coverage: 80mm IC at 2.5x
Filter threads: none
BHPhoto selling price when new: $716 USD in 1998, that would be $1330 today. For comparison the plain Componon 4/28 Barrel #00 lens was only $483 retail when sold as new.
Forward or Reverse Mount: Forward
Notes:
BH Photo selling prices from the first edition BH Photo Professional Photo Source Book catalog printed in 1998.
M-Componon 4/28 $716.50 barrel mount
M-Componon 4/50 $674.95 barrel mount
M-Componon 4/80 $784.95 barrel mount
The M-Componon selling prices were not easy to find!
4/28 and 4/80 M-Componons are supplied with these super-sized Schneider boxes.
Is the M-Componon 4/28 is really a Reversed Componon ?
No. Both lenses are designed with 6 elements in 4 groups but they are designed for very different purposes. The M-Componon has a much larger image circle and much better chromatic aberration control than a normal Componon. The M-Componon image circle is 80mm across at 2.5x and higher, where the Componon 28 was designed to enlarge half-frame 35mm film which only needs a 20mm diagonal. After owning and testing multiple samples of both types of the two lenses I can say that the optical design of M-Componon 28 is not the same as the Componon 28. Check out the optical construction diagrams from Schneider to compare the different lens types.
M-Componon 4/28 vs Componon 4/28 at 3x on the Nikon D850
For this test the M-Componon was set to an indicated f4.8 which is actually f4. The Componon model is the plastic BKV-L barrel version with a 5 blade iris and 43mm x 0.5mm filter threads and 39mm mounting threads. The Componon was set to f4.5 which is the sharpest aperture at 3x magnification.
The M-Componon was used in forward mount for this test since it’s designed for high magnification work. The lens is supposed to be optimized to be used from 1x to 20x, although I wouldn’t recommend the lens past 3x when used on extension. The Componon 4/28 was mounted in reverse for the test for better results. The lens is optimized for 10x according to Schneider, and should be mounted in reverse past 1x. The M-Componon has a much larger image circle, so it should perform better overall.
Schneider M-Componon 4/28 Macro Lens and the Schneider Componon 4/28 Enlarger Lens
TEST SET-UP
Camera: Nikon D850 DSLR
Sensor size: 45.4 M pixels sensor 35.9 mm x 23.9 mm BSI CMOS 8,256 × 5,504 4.35 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 10 micron steps, 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. None of the images are stacked.
To see the image sample below at the full 2500 pixel size, click on the image to open it in a Lightbox viewer, but you will only see the full size image if your screen/window is large enough. To make sure you are seeing the full 2500 pixels look up at the URL window at the top of the browser, the URL. The URL 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.
The M-Componon is nice and sharp from edge to edge on the full frame D850.
Center, right of center and corner crop areas are outlined above.
To see a larger version of each crop image below, just click on it to launch a Lightbox viewer window. You can also right click, or two-finger press, and select Open in a New Tab or New Window from the menu, or just select Save Image As to save and view the image full size.
Both lenses are very sharp in the center but the normal Componon has a slight advantage over the M-Componon in sharpness but it’s close. The Componon was designed to cover a tiny 12mm x 18mm format where the M-Componon was designed to handle 50mm x 50mm and larger formats, so the Componon should be better in the center where the M should be much stronger in the corners.
To see a larger version of each crop image below, just click on it to launch a Lightbox viewer window. You can also right click, or two-finger press, and select Open in a New Tab or New Window from the menu, or just select Save Image As to save and view the image full size.
Looking at these off-center crops, the M-Componon performance is almost identical to the it’s center crop where the Componon has a noticeable drop off in image quality. The difference between the two lenses were very close in the center, but here the M-Componon now has the distinct advantage.
To see a larger version of each crop image below, just click on it to launch a Lightbox viewer window. You can also right click, or two-finger press, and select Open in a New Tab or New Window from the menu, or just select Save Image As to save and view the image full size.
In the corners the M-Componon is a little softer, but is still usable, where the normal Componon lens is very soft. The D850 sensor needs at least a 43mm image circle, but the Componon was designed to cover a tiny 20mm image circle so the corner sharpness results are normal the Componon. This is in-line with my experience having tested at least 12 copies of the 4/28 Componon enlarger lens.
3x Test Results
The M-Componon image quality is good across the entire full frame D850 sensor at 3x on extension. For even higher performance this lens can be setup in a stacked configuration.
The Componon failed to cover the full frame sensor on extension, but you could still get away using it with a full frame camera if your subject is small enough and kept in the center of the frame. Better yet this lens performs much better, actually both of these lenses perform much better in a stacked configuration.
4/28 M-Componon Notes
What I Like:
Sharpness and CA correction
All metal body
Huge coverage
Mint condition units are easy to find on the used market
What I Don’t Like:
5 blade iris and the weird pentagon shaped aperture
Proprietary V-mount
Copal M29.5-0.5 mounting threads
Stacking vs Extension
For the highest performance possible this lens should be setup in a stacked configuration. Stacking lenses, also called coupling lenses, is a technique where you mount a lens in reverse, or face-to-face, on a second lens, usually a telephoto lens. With the rear lens set to infinity focus and with the front lens reverse mounted there is no loss of light due to extension. Together the combination has the potential to resolve more than either of the lenses setup for close-focus with extension. You can predict the maximum possible resolution from a certain lens by using the simple fact that a wider aperture = higher potential resolution.
For example, an f4 lens focused at 3x magnification by extension would have an effective aperture of f/16 using the simple formula, effective aperture = nominal aperture * ( Magnification + 1 ). F16 is in nearing diffraction territory with a full frame camera and definitely in diffraction territory on a smaller sensor like APS-C. With the same lens setup in a stacked configuration the effective aperture would be only f/12 using the formula effective aperture = nominal aperture * Magnification. That is a gain of close to a full stop.
Stacked lens setup:
For this test the lens was used in a stacked setup as seen in the above image. The Componon 2.8/28 is reversed and mounted on the rear lens in the stack, a Schneider Makro-Symmar 120 that is mounted out of sight inside the SM2-52mm extension tube and focused on infinity. The Componon lens is reversed in the above image with the lens hood mounted on the rear of the lens.
The Schneider Makro-Symmar 120 is mounted inside a SM2-52mm extension tube using a V38 to 42mm x 1.0mm adapter attached to a Thorlabs SM2 to 42mm to 1.0mm adapter. Another 42mm x 1.0mm adapter goes on the front of the 2.8/28 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.
The advantages of mounting both lenses inside a SM2-52mm tubes is that each lens can be positioned exactly as needed leaving room for a threaded iris or aperture disk or no room at all. It’s also possible to thread one lens so that its front cell is inside a recessed area at the front of the lens. Once assembled setup is very rigid and it is possible to leave the barrel of the front lens protruding from the tube to allow easy access to change apertures.
M-COMPONON 4/28 TEST AT 3.2X
In the last few months I have tested more than a dozen telephoto lenses as a rear lens in a stacked set-up. Out of these two dozen lenses that I tested, the Mejiro 90/5.6 line scan lens was one of the very best performers and the best at 90mm.
3.2x SETUP INFORMATION
Front lens: Schneider Kreuznach M-Componon 4/28
Rear lens: Mejiro 90mm f5.6 line scan lens normally mounted and focused at infinity
Front lens aperture at infinity: f/3.5
Stacked pair effective aperture: f/11.2
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.
2500 PIXEL IMAGE SAMPLE
Click on the image below to open larger image in a Lightbox viewer. The size of the image sent to your device is based on the screen size. To check the size of the image on your screen, look up at the URL address 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 full size 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 on the app of your choice.
Schneider Kreuznach M-Componon 4/28 and Mejiro 90mm f5.6 line scan lens stacked at 3.2x
Mounting the M-Componon
M-Componon lenses are designed specifically to fit into a Copal #0 shutter, not an enlarger like a normal Componon, so they were supplied with M29.5-0.5 threads which is just about useless for 99.9% of photographers so you will need an adapter of some kind to mount the lens. You can use an adapter that mounts on top of the M29.5-0.5 threads, or you can just replace the heavy brass adapter. Raf Camera offers both kinds of adapters for this lens, the 44mm v-mount to M42 replacement type mount, my preference, or the M29.5 to M39mm adapter that mounts on top of the heavy brass M29.5mm mount. With the mounting issue solved, the 42mm (or M39) mounting threads make it easy to use this lens on a variable extension tube(s), bellows, or even in a stacked setup.
M-Componon 4/28 links
Lens data on the Schneider USA site, there are errors on the page:
M-Componon lenses in Exakta mount: http://www.pentaconsix.com/macrolenses.htm
OTHER COMPONON LENSES you should know about
The Schneider f2.8 28mm and 35mm lenses are available for about the same price as the M-Componon 4/28. These f2.8 lenses offer better sharpness and resolution over the M-Componon 4/28 when stacked but the M-Componon has better coverage when focused with extension.
A detailed review of the 2.8/28 Componon is available here on Closeuphotography.com: https://www.closeuphotography.com/schneider-kreuznach-28mm-f2-8-componon-lens/
The Componon 2.8/ 35 test is also available: https://www.closeuphotography.com/schneider-componon-35mm/
The M-COMPONON 4/80
This is the second M-Componon 80 copy that I’ve owned. The performance of the first lens was nothing special at all, but thankfully, this copy seems to produce a cleaner and sharper image, so I plan to test the lens and post the results here.