Glass Bodies a variant-level encyclopedia of vintage lenses and cameras by iwillpat

Schneider Alpa Tele-Xenar 135mm f/3.5

Schneider-Kreuznach Β· Alpa Β· 1956

Also known as: Schneider Alpa Tele-Xenar 135mm f/3.5 Β· Alpa Tele-Xenar 3.5/135 Β· Schneider-Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 1:3.5/135 Alpa Β· Tele Xenar 135 Alpa

Variants & identification

Variant Mount Years Serial ranges Production
Alpa Tele-Xenar 135mm f/3.5 [I] (1957) Alpa 1957 β€” Unpublished
Alpa Tele-Xenar 135mm f/3.5 [II] Alpa 1965 β€” Unpublished
  1. Two constructions under one name: The Lens DB gives the first Tele-Xenar 135 four elements in four groups (1957) and the second five in four. The second is a different optical design and could stand alone under the strict rule; it is here as a variant because Schneider and Pignons sold it as the same lens improved. The [II] date is this entry's inference, not the database's.
  2. The 1956 catalogue date and The Lens DB's 1957 introduction are a year apart; both are carried.
How to tell them apart (expand)
  • TELE-XENAR 1:3.5/135 with the Alpa automatic-diaphragm coupling β€” the preset Tele-Xenars in other mounts lack the arm

Specifications

Formula
Telephoto: 4 elements in 4 groups [I]; 5 elements in 4 groups [II]
Construction
4 elements / 4 groups
Aperture range
f/3.5–f/22
Min. focus
1.5 m
Weight
570 g
Filter
Alpa slip-in (Alpa Tele-Xenar 135mm f/3.5 [I] (1957)) Β· Alpa Size B slip-in (52 mm) (Alpa Tele-Xenar 135mm f/3.5 [II])
Years manufactured
1956
Country
Germany

What reviewers say

No reviews aggregated yet β€” this family is still in the research queue. Written one? We'd love to index it.

History

Schneider’s Tele-Xenar 135mm f/3.5 came to the Alpa with an automatic diaphragm, worked through the external coupling arm that the Kern Switar used, which set it apart from the preset Xenar 75 and the preset Kinoptik and Old Delft telephotos in the same catalogue: with this lens the photographer focused wide open and the camera stopped down for the exposure. Four elements in four groups, f/3.5 to f/22, close focus about 1.45 metres. Production is unpublished and no review has been found; the Tele-Xenar is written about in its Exakta and M42 forms.

This history is AI-written, from the sources listed at the foot of the page. Where the record is silent it says so rather than filling the gap β€” but no human wrote these sentences.

Example photos

Sample photo wanted β€” shot with a Schneider Alpa Tele-Xenar 135mm f/3.5? We'd love to feature it (with credit).

Live listings

Asking price, USD: a median of $280 across 12 fixed-price listings on 2026-10-17 (middle half $190–$300). Tracked since 2026-09-06, 6 days: up 1% from $270.

By day
DateMedianMiddle halfListings
2026-10-17$280$190–$30012
2026-10-16$280$190–$30012
2026-10-15$280$190–$30011
2026-09-21$270$150–$30012
2026-09-18$270$150–$30012
2026-09-06$270$160–$30012

Asking prices from the listings scanned, not sales; junk-flagged rows and auction lots excluded; other currencies are not converted.

Listings updated 2026-10-17. Links go to the shop or marketplace that carries the item.

Related: Old Delft Algular 135mm f/3.2 Β· Schneider Alpa Tele-Xenar 360mm f/5.5 Β· Schneider Alpa-Xenar 75mm f/3.5 Β· Schneider Alpa-Xenon 50mm f/1.9

Sources (3)

Every page here is assembled from public sources, and the gaps are real ones. If you own this lens, know a serial number I'm missing, or can see where I have it wrong, tell me β€” corrections, serials and sample photos are all worth having.