Schneider-Kreuznach 6-180mm f/1.8 Variogon lens for Beaulieu Super 8 cameras

[Nicholas Kovats]

An optical behemoth and legend has been acquired by an American friend.

Jos. Schneider Optische Werke GmbH originally manufactured this incredible Schneider-Kreuznach 6-180mm f/1.8 Variogon lens (30x) made for Beaulieu 6008/7008/9008 series Super 8 cameras. I was only aware of it's existence as a prototype vis a vis the attached lens data sheets originally supplied by Schneider.

Apparently a few were produced for the German market. Note the attached Beaulieu Lens Control Unit (LCU) regarding iris/zoom and the Beaulieu breech-lock. There are two kinds of Beaulieu breech-lock mounts, identified by different placements of the ‘locating pin’. This zoom has the pin located at six o’clock for Beaulieu 7008/9008 series cameras. The alternative would be a pin located at ten o’clock for the Beaulieu 6008 series of cameras. Check out the reference shot comparing the length of this lens relative to the "tiny" classic Beaulieu 4008 ZM II. :)

Google Photo Album (original resolution): https://goo.gl/photos/r7TZJC5tKPuKsKPU9

Schneider still provides current links that reference it's origins and development, i.e.

http://www.schneiderkreuznach.com/fileadmin/user_upload/bu_photo_imaging/Foto-Objektive/know_how/Variogon_Zoom_Lenses.pdf

http://www.schneiderkreuznach.com/en/photo-imaging/product-field/photo-lenses/products/know-how/zoom-lens-variogon-and-betavaron/

Edited December 29, 2016 by Nicholas Kovats

[Andries Molenaar]

There was some discussion about the mounting of the lens and the LCU on others

 

http://www.cinematography.com/index.php?showtopic=73401&hl=

[Nicholas Kovats]

Thanks, Andries.