Schneider Symmar-S 150mm f/5.6

Schneider Symmar-S 150mm f/5.6 is the refined Symmar 4×5 normal — the "S" denoting improved coatings and updated optical formula. Schneider produced the Symmar-S as the bridge between the original 1950s Symmar and the late-1980s Apo-Symmar, with multi-coating standard from the Symmar-S era forward.

Key features

• Mount: Copal 0 shutter (1s to 1/500, X-sync at all speeds)
• Focal length: 150mm
• Maximum aperture: f/5.6
• Image circle: ~200mm at f/22 — covers 4×5 with movements
• Optical formula: 6-element/4-group plasmat (refined from original Symmar)
• Multi-coating standard
• No longer convertible (the rear-element-alone tradition was dropped after the original Symmar)

Use case + rendering

The 150 Symmar-S is the next-generation 4×5 normal — multi-coating gives noticeably better contrast against backlit subjects and improved color saturation versus the older single-coated Symmar. Sharpness specifications are similar; the practical difference is contrast in difficult lighting.

Compatible cameras

• Toyo 45A / Toyo 45AII / Toyo 45G
• Cambo SC / Cambo Calumet 45NX
• Graflex Crown Graphic / Graflex Speed Graphic / Graflex Super Graphic

Related lenses

• Schneider Symmar 150mm f/5.6 — original sibling
• Schneider Apo-Symmar 150mm f/5.6 — apochromatic successor