KUBOTEK Nikon Rayfact 80MM F/3.5 Line Scan Lens Test Saga

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mawyatt
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Post by mawyatt »

Lou Jost wrote:I absolutely agree, if you already have a lens with serious problems, do whatever it takes to make it better. You have nothing to lose. I do it too.

My comments are directed at people buying used lenses. I think one should try to stay away from "professionally cleaned" lenses, even older ones, if others are available.
Yep, begs the question "professional", like the "I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night" commercial!! The windows repair guy, not IT :D, he deals with glass all the time, he's a "pro" with glass, but don't think I'll let him fix my broken lenses :shock:

Best,
Research is like a treasure hunt, you don't know where to look or what you'll find!
~Mike

mjkzz
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Post by mjkzz »

Lou Jost wrote:I absolutely agree, if you already have a lens with serious problems, do whatever it takes to make it better. You have nothing to lose. I do it too.

My comments are directed at people buying used lenses. I think one should try to stay away from "professionally cleaned" lenses, even older ones, if others are available.
I am scared of touching anything optical as I always think of them as precision tools, so if I do not see what this guy in 5ft by 5ft shop does, I think he is a "pro".

But from now on, it will change once the lens spanner wrench arrives :D

mjkzz
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Post by mjkzz »

mawyatt wrote:
Lou Jost wrote:I absolutely agree, if you already have a lens with serious problems, do whatever it takes to make it better. You have nothing to lose. I do it too.

My comments are directed at people buying used lenses. I think one should try to stay away from "professionally cleaned" lenses, even older ones, if others are available.
Yep, begs the question "professional", like the "I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night" commercial!! The windows repair guy, not IT :D, he deals with glass all the time, he's a "pro" with glass, but don't think I'll let him fix my broken lenses :shock:

Best,
Believe me, before I bought the scratched Mitutoyo and this cleaned EF-100 by a "pro" (I paid him 30USD to clean it), I am so scared of anything optical, when I handle my lenses, I treat them as if they are my eyes.

Now, I think I am going to do some "exercises" with the spanner wrench on a few "dead" lenses :D

RobertOToole
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Post by RobertOToole »

mjkzz wrote:
Lou Jost wrote:I absolutely agree, if you already have a lens with serious problems, do whatever it takes to make it better. You have nothing to lose. I do it too.

My comments are directed at people buying used lenses. I think one should try to stay away from "professionally cleaned" lenses, even older ones, if others are available.
I am scared of touching anything optical as I always think of them as precision tools, so if I do not see what this guy in 5ft by 5ft shop does, I think he is a "pro".

But from now on, it will change once the lens spanner wrench arrives :D
Hi Peter,

Not that I am an expert, far from it, but I have found these to be more useful than a spanner sometimes, and they don't leave marks. 8)

Image

mjkzz
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Post by mjkzz »

thanks Robert! I saw the spanner wrench in a shop and asked the name of it, then bought it on Taobao. I do not know the Chinese name for yours, so I will show it to that guy and see if he can give me the Chinese name for it. Thanks

kds315*
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Post by kds315* »

Just found this thread: I have that lens in MINT condition, bought several months ago on ebay, shipped perfectly packed in foamed box with two adapters and screws/shims. Just tested it quickly and got great images.

Thanks for this extensive testing Robert and for the tip to add flocked black to get rif of the reflections!

Guess I should use it more ... :-)
Klaus

http://www.macrolenses.de for macro and special lens info
http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos for UV Images and lens/filter info
http://photographyoftheinvisibleworld.blogspot.com/ my UV diary

RobertOToole
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Post by RobertOToole »

Glad to hear Klaus.

When I first got the lens I stuck it on my Nikon D850 and I ended up with something like 2x due to all the extension, and the lens IQ was only average.

It really helped me to have the line-scan camera with it since it allowed me to measure the flange to sensor distance. Once I figured out the proper magnification, 0.24x - 1x, the lens performance is fantastic.

When you look at the quality of the lens, can you imagine what this lens must have cost new?

Best,

Robert

kds315*
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Post by kds315* »

RobertOToole wrote:Glad to hear Klaus.

When I first got the lens I stuck it on my Nikon D850 and I ended up with something like 2x due to all the extension, and the lens IQ was only average.

It really helped me to have the line-scan camera with it since it allowed me to measure the flange to sensor distance. Once I figured out the proper magnification, 0.24x - 1x, the lens performance is fantastic.

When you look at the quality of the lens, can you imagine what this lens must have cost new?

Best,

Robert
I got a matching M42 mount plate with it (factory made) which I exchanged the factory M41 mount with and mounted it on my mirrorless camera, so no problems here.

Mine was in MINT condition, seemingly unused, and I paid quite more for it, but considering its certainly 5 digit new price, it still was a steal! Seller had three of them, all gone in a quickness...(also bought a Macro Varon from the same seller, also seemingly unused)
Klaus

http://www.macrolenses.de for macro and special lens info
http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos for UV Images and lens/filter info
http://photographyoftheinvisibleworld.blogspot.com/ my UV diary

mjkzz
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Post by mjkzz »

What is the total length of this Kubotek lens? I am ditching the idea of getting Rayfact 95mm f/4, but looking at a Rayfact 80mm f/3.5. The one I am looking at has magnification range of infinity to 2x.

I am thinking maybe convert it into telecentric one if possible so that I can have a telecenric lens with up to 2x, this way, I can do some stack and stitch projects again.

kds315*
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Post by kds315* »

mjkzz wrote:What is the total length of this Kubotek lens? I am ditching the idea of getting Rayfact 95mm f/4, but looking at a Rayfact 80mm f/3.5. The one I am looking at has magnification range of infinity to 2x.

I am thinking maybe convert it into telecentric one if possible so that I can have a telecenric lens with up to 2x, this way, I can do some stack and stitch projects again.
155mm with factory made M42 adapter attached instead of the M41 one (w/o rear thread length)
Klaus

http://www.macrolenses.de for macro and special lens info
http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos for UV Images and lens/filter info
http://photographyoftheinvisibleworld.blogspot.com/ my UV diary

mjkzz
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Post by mjkzz »

Thanks, Klaus, 155mm version is probably for 1.5x or less, I think. The one I saw in China says 165mm total length and says up to 2x, but I want to make sure because sometimes these sellers do not know anything and just make things up.

Well, let me check Robert's website.

kds315*
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Post by kds315* »

mjkzz wrote:Thanks, Klaus, 155mm version is probably for 1.5x or less, I think. The one I saw in China says 165mm total length and says up to 2x, but I want to make sure because sometimes these sellers do not know anything and just make things up.

Well, let me check Robert's website.
Nope, mine is the 2x version. But do ask whomever if you don't trust me...
Klaus

http://www.macrolenses.de for macro and special lens info
http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos for UV Images and lens/filter info
http://photographyoftheinvisibleworld.blogspot.com/ my UV diary

mjkzz
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Post by mjkzz »

Klaus,

Sorry, did not mean that I do not trust you. I do trust you but you did not mention yours is 2x, so I thought yours has less mag because the seller in the surplus store (in Shenzhen, China) says total length is 165mm and specifically said it is up to 2x (vs 1x for others).

The guys was pushing the sale, so I had some doubts in him, therefore I asked here where I always get right answers.

RobertOToole
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Post by RobertOToole »

Not sure if this helps but I do know that there are Kubotek 1x and 2x lenses out there. I know for sure since I have tested both types.

The one in this thread seems to be optimized for 1x since past that the IQ falls off, and it is not at all anything special at 2x.

On the other hand I did try another Kubotek with a much shorter barrel that was about as good as I have seen at 2x. When I say good its right next to the Macro Varon and just slightly behind the Minolta 5400 in terms of sharpness, detail and CA suppression.

I believe there are both types on Ebay right now.

Robert

dolmadis
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Post by dolmadis »

Hi Robert

What is the 2x described as when for sale?

Thanks

John

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