8mm Forum: Xenovaron 1.1 lenses

This is topic Xenovaron 1.1 lenses in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=001750

Posted by David Storm (Member # 509) on February 23, 2006, 10:18 AM:

I'm looking for a Xenovaron 1.1 that can be used in my Elmo but there seems to be at least two versions with a 28mm barrel.

Bauer version:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5867115913

Braun Visacustic 2000 version:
http://www.wittner-kinotechnik.de/aktuell/s8mm_zub.php?type=s8_objek

Can any of these be used with a sleeve from CHC or is there a third version?

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on February 23, 2006, 10:25 AM:

David, there's also the 32mm version found on the Beaulieu 708...
Don't know about the Braun version (although I suspect it is quite similar to the Bauer version), but the Bauer version (25mm diameter) will fit the CHC sleeve. You need to remove the original plastic focusing pin from the lens and install a new (preferably metal) pin on the sleeve (drill a small hole and solder/super glue a short metal rod). So, get that Dremmel out!

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on February 23, 2006, 10:42 AM:

Schneider also made a 28mm smooth barel version which is generally the version used in these sleeves such as the one available from CHC.

Kev.

Posted by Tony Milman (Member # 7) on February 23, 2006, 12:58 PM:

I have 2 Xenovarons which are both different. One seems to have been machined down to size before being inserted into the sleve. Nat a pretty job but looks ok inside the sleeve. The design at the lens element is different though. Will see if I can find them and post piccys.

Posted by David Storm (Member # 509) on February 23, 2006, 03:05 PM:

Thanks everyone. So there are 3 different 28mm xenovarons, but which projector was the smooth barrel version made for? Is there any difference in picture sharpness between these versions?

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on March 07, 2006, 11:51 PM:

All I can say is the Schneider Xenovar 1.2/15.5-28mm that I'm using in my Elmo ST-1200HD (with a sleeve ordered from CHC) came from my Bauer T450 so it had the plastic pin on its side, which I carefully sawed and sanded off to leave just the barrel itself. It fits perfectly inside the CHC sleeve now... I'm pretty sure my Schneider lens has a 28mm barrel, and if there is a 32mm version you might want to make sure you get the proper sleeve to fit it into (I was not aware of these size differences when I ordered my sleeve, and CHC didn't ask me).

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on March 08, 2006, 04:05 AM:

Jan, You can only use the 28mm in a sleeve if you think about it. The Elmo's barrel size is 32.5mm so you cant sleeve a 32mm to fit the Elmo it has to be the 28mm which is why Phil didnt ask you...me thinks [Razz]

Kev.

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on March 09, 2006, 11:28 PM:

LOL!

That's it! Something was bugging me in the back of my head while I was writing about the 28mm and 32mm versions of the Schneider lenses, but I just couldn't seem to put my finger on it!

Well, now I know [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Albert Schrijvers (Member # 223) on September 19, 2006, 05:50 PM:

Can anyone tell me more about this CHC Sleeve. From what I understand until now, CHC stands for Classic Home Cinema. I understand the sleeve is a barrel that will allow a Schneider Xenovaron from a Bauer projector to fit in an Elmo. I have looked on the website of CHC but found nothing about a sleeve for an Elmo GS1200. Can anyone tell me more about this, availability and pricing?

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on September 20, 2006, 01:08 AM:

Albert, Welcome to the forum. I'm sure you will find it enjoyable being amongst this happy band of fellows (and lady) who have many years of cine knowledge amongst them.

Hopefully you will take part and join in on a regular basis.

The conversion sleeves are not listed on the CHC web site but the telephone number is. Give Phil a call and tell him that you need a conversion sleeve to allow you to put a 28mm Schneider lens in an Elmo projector.

The cost is about £20 GBP.

Kev.

Posted by Albert Schrijvers (Member # 223) on September 20, 2006, 07:48 AM:

Tanks Kev.

I have been following this forum on an irregular basis for several years now, profiting the vast amount of knowledge in this forum about the Elmo GS1200 projectors.
I own two of them, one being a Xenon. The second (non Xenon) projector I acquired a year ago, but I never could obtain a sharp image with this projector having the same 1.1 lens as my Xenon. The 1.1 lens in my Xenon is pretty good an never posed any focusing problems. I followed your advice of buying an SMPTE testfilm from Wittner, then fiddling around with the “3 screws” to obtain proper alignment of the lens. My final conclusions were that this particular lens is far less impressive than the one on my Xenon, confirming other opinions in this forum that the quality of this lens varies considerably. I think I have now 3 options: 1. Try to find a better 1.1, 2. opt for the expensive 1.0, or try the CHC sleeve (I own a Schneider Xenovaron 1.1 11-30 form a Bauer projector). I read about this option for the first time yesterday and have already contacted CHC about this. It is currently sold out but they are expect to be able to deliver soon in the future. I believe an 1.0 is extremely hard to find and very expensive (about 150 pounds?). Also I fear the shallow depth of field, requiring to refocus over and over during projection.
My Elmo GS1200 Xenon is the most wonderful equipment I have ever owned. I love the stunning colour, brightness and sound quality of this machine.
I might as well adopt the same signature as yours when I have the Schneider in place

Albert.

Posted by John Clancy (Member # 49) on September 23, 2006, 12:29 PM:

Albert, why don't you just switch lenses and see how the good lens performs in the standard GS. You may find it's just the xenon light making the picture look that much more impressive. Brighter projection often causes people to assume the picture quality is superior when all that has changed is the brightness. For years some were proclaiming staggering results from budget video projectors when in fact all they were really seeing was the bright imagery and ignoring everything else about the picture.

The Elmo 1.0 lens produces superior images on all 3 of my GS1200's. I have 2 of them, a 1.1 and a Schnieder 1.1. However, please note lenses vary from lens to lens. You may get a 1.0 and be dissatisfied with the results. I don't have any focussing issues with them.

Posted by Albert Schrijvers (Member # 223) on September 25, 2006, 03:41 AM:

Hello John,

Of course this is a good idea to switch the lens from the Xenon. The only reason that I haven’t done this until now is because the Xenon is in the repair shop right now and only available again within two weeks (If everything goes well). It’s discouraging to hear about varying lens qualities, although one member, I believe Ugo, said that the 1.0 lens quality is constant. I am surprised to hear that you don’t have focusing problems with the 1.0 lenses. By the way, what is a reasonable price for an 1.0 lens in your opinion?

Regards,
Albert

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on September 25, 2006, 11:46 AM:

It may be a case also of the best lens match for your projector. I had 2 x 1.0 Lenses for the GS1200 that I owned. But on Kev's suggestion I purchased a Schneider 1.1 from Ian. This one was different as it needed no sleeve to go into the GS. It was designed to fit right in. And that is the sharpest, best contrast lens that I have used on my GS. A perfect match and I did not notice a drop in picture brightness.

Posted by John Clancy (Member # 49) on September 26, 2006, 04:46 AM:

My own Schieder lens is probably not as good as your own Alan. I must come over there and mug you for it one of these days.

I don't have focussing problems with the 1.0 lens because I've taken the time to ensure they fit snuggly in the lens holder (generally with the aid of some electrical tape) and align the projector and the lens to be as completely flat to the screen as possible. Once focussed, unless the depth of the film changes then the focus remains the same. And that includes the HTI machine which gets very hot after prolonged use. Of course there are occasions where focussing has to be fiddled with which results in me checking everything over after the show. But that would be the same with any lens.

One of my 1.0 appears to have a slight fogging if viewed from certain angles which is possibly why I said the quality varies from lens to lens. They're all getting old now.

As to what to pay for a 1.0 lens... I don't know. Perhaps it's better advice to buy another GS with one already installed. I've managed to do that twice without even considering it.

Posted by Tony Milman (Member # 7) on September 26, 2006, 02:09 PM:

One day, I hope that someone who knows what they are doing could tell me if the picture from my 1.0 lenses is out of focus. It must be me not being as picky over the piccy as some others that leaves me generally happy with the 1.0's that I own.

To answer your question as to a suitable price,I may be listing one of them on ebay soon so let's see.......

Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on April 29, 2009, 06:08 PM:

Okay, I have just got off eBay a Schneider 1.1 lens and for a good price. Received it today and as I had hoped it fits my Eumig 938 really nicely. Didn't know if it would. It has a 32mm barrel with a screw fitting so back to turning for focus and zoom. Apart from not being able to use the Eumig focussing knob it's an easy upgrade. I tried it in my Elmo ST600, it will work but it disappears inside the cover so focussing was awkward to do. I'm happy. Having read these posts I wonder if mine has a sleeve on it. There is an obvious screw in the barrel, like a gripping screw for a sleeve. So are they all 28mm smooth with various sleeves. ( Haven't undone the screw yet, didn't want it to all fall apart in my hands.)

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on April 30, 2009, 06:29 AM:

Dut to the old thread, I thought Jan was alive ... [Big Grin]

regards,

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on February 28, 2010, 09:33 PM:

OK, I have a Schneider MC Xenovaron 1.1 11-30 lens with the 28mm barrel diameter.

I understand that CHC have a sleeve for this to fit my Elmo ST 1200 (I use a carboard one now), but is there one to have it fit my Eumig 940? Will the same sleeve for Elmo fit my Eumig?

I don't mind twisting the lens itself for focus as Steven mentions, but would love the extra light for my Eumig.

David

Posted by Albert Schrijvers (Member # 223) on May 10, 2012, 10:50 AM:

Hello David,

Ok, this is a very old thread, but still relevant.
David, don’t bother to try to get the CHC sleeve. I tried to acquire it back in 2006, it was “currently out of stock”, and I even provided them with my Visa Card number. I never heard from them since.
Then a few months ago I stumbled over this eBay item:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH-15-5-28-adapter-ELMO-K100SM-ST600-800-1200-GS800-1200-/160793453619?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_186&hash=item2570096433
I didn’t hesitate a second and I ordered it immediately.
This item is beautifully finished and very easy to use, right out of the box. It worked perfect with all my Bauer lenses I had like your Schneider MC Xenovaron 1.1 11-30, but also my Kern Vario Switar 1.3 12-28mm, which is much smaller.
César Ballesteros is a very competent guy!!

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on May 12, 2012, 10:56 AM:

Thanks for this Albert.

So he only sells the lens and adapter together? I have a lens and would love to buy just the adapter.

I will ask him just the same.

Thanks again.

Posted by Albert Schrijvers (Member # 223) on May 13, 2012, 11:10 AM:

Hello David,

Yes, I believe that indeed it is not possible to acquire only the sleeve, although this has not always been the case before. But you can always try and ask him. (And say to him that you got is name from me: he knows me and this might help [Wink]

)

Albert

Posted by Oscar Iniesta (Member # 1731) on May 13, 2012, 02:58 PM:

Cesar is one of the expert members in the spanish 8mm forum. You can buy him with confidence. He is making beautiful accessories and solutions for our hobby. I recommend all the new cine fans to buy articles from the shops and people who are working hard to keep this alive.

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on May 15, 2012, 03:43 AM:

I have asked him if he will sell one to me. He said he'll get back to me.

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on June 09, 2012, 01:53 AM:

Well my lens sleeve has arrived (on the same day as 5 rolls of processed 100D from Dwaynes) and I am very happy.

Cesar makes a beautiful adapter for the Schneider xenovaron 1.1 lens to mount into your Elmo. It comes with mounting grub screws to fit your lens snuggly into position. I have not had the chance to set it all up correctly yet, but the light and focus have both improved over the old Elmo 1.3 lens with it just sitting in the sleeve.

Those of you looking for more light from your Elmo, this is the answer.

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2