Schneider APO-Symmar 300mm f/5.6

Schneider Apo-Symmar 300mm f/5.6 is the 8×10 normal apochromatic plasmat — successor to the 300 Symmar at the standard 8×10 normal focal length. The lens that defines "300mm" on 8×10 for many modern photographers.

Key features

• Mount: Copal 3 shutter (1s to 1/125, X-sync at all speeds)
• Focal length: 300mm
• Maximum aperture: f/5.6
• Image circle: ~425mm at f/22 — covers 8×10 with movements; covers 11×14 tightly
• Optical formula: 6-element/4-group plasmat with apochromatic correction
• Multi-coating standard
• Heavy — Copal 3 mount; tripod mandatory

Use case + rendering

The 300 Apo-Symmar is the modern 8×10 universal normal — sharper than the original Symmar 300, multi-coated for high-contrast lighting, with apochromatic correction for color work. Particularly noticeable improvement on color slide film (E-6) where chromatic aberration in older designs would be visible.

Compatible cameras

• 8×10 view cameras with Copal 3 lens-board capacity
• 11×14 view cameras (tight coverage, limited movements)
• 4×5 view cameras can mount this lens for long-tele use

Related lenses

• Schneider Apo-Symmar 240mm f/5.6 — wider sibling
• Schneider Apo-Symmar 360mm f/6.8 — longer sibling
• Schneider Symmar 300mm f/5.6 — predecessor