Schneider-Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 5.5 200

by bollywoodmovie · Published March 23, 2014 · Updated July 9, 2019

The Schneider-Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 5.5 200 is a light and compact 200mm preset telephoto lens that was manufactured in West Germany. Although not very fast, the Schneider-Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 5.5 200 is sharp and very compact for a 200mm lens (if you compare it to the Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 200mm 2.8 for example).

Schneider-Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 5.5 200 Review

PROs:

- - good build quality
  - sharp
  - compact for a 200mm lens
  - good ergonomics

The Schneider-Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 5.5 200 does not try to compete in terms of lens speed. Instead it has one main advantage: sharpness. The Schneider-Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 5.5 200 is rather geared towards outdoor photographers who want optimal image results. Besides its sharpness, the other main advantage of the Schneider-Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 5.5 200 is its’ size and weight. Measuring only 12,8 cm and weighing only 590 grams it is really compact and lightweight compared to other 200mm tele lenses. The Schneider-Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 5.5 200 is a very nice travelling companion that will not feel like carrying a brick around. Nature photographers will like this lens.

The Schneider-Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 5.5 200 is also very well manufactured and designed. For example, the lens shade can be screwed onto the lens the wrong way around in order not to loose it when it is not required. Quite a nice feature for those who constantly loose their lens shades. Additionally, the focusing is very precise and ergonomically well placed in the middle of the lens barrel. The preset settings are snappy while the aperture setting itself is smooth and click free. This is also an advantage for videographers who which to change the aperture settings while shooting.

CONs:

- - slow
  - bokeh is not overwhelming
  - rare and hard to find

The Schneider-Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 5.5 200 is not very fast compared to most other lenses in its’ range. At f5.5 this lens is definitely only suitable for optimal weather outdoor photography. Most images turn out pretty dark due to the f-stop settings. Along its’ slowness, its bokeh is also not amazing but rather harsh and lacks a bit of complexity compared to the bokeh of other tele lenses.

The Schneider-Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 5.5 200 was also not manufactured that often and is hard to find in good condition.

Schneider-Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 5.5 200 Versions

The Schneider-Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 5.5 200 lens is available both with the EXA / Exakta mount as well as with the M42 / Pentax mount. The Schneider-Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 5.5 200 has an all black finish with zebra stripes. All lenses are coated.