FAQ: which lenses are good at more than 1X in a bench setup?

[rjlittlefield]

I don't think we're prepared to give a complete and coherent answer to this question, so by popular request I'm starting off with just some links.

Please suggest others.

--Rik

Meiji 4X vs. 50/2.8 El Nikkor

Aperture and lens effects on stacking (comparison of 7 lenses)

test images with Canon MP-E 65

[NikonUser]

Rik:
What I think to be most important is to show photos of the actual lenses that PMG members use. There are so many lenses out there and often they appear identical; some are useful for us, others not so.
An image of a useful lens is perhaps worth more than trying to describe it in words.

If there are images taken with that lens all the better.

But everyone remember, it's a 'buyer beware' situation; there is usually more than one way to get a certain magnification and one alternative may be a lot better than another. It's up to you, the reader, to look into the pros and cons of each lens.

An example of a useful lens and what it can do;

The 4x microscope objective that came with an old Parco microscope (I believe was made by Meiji) does not look similar to the Meiji 4x referenced in Rik's post. It's marked only 4/0.1 160/- and a red line, it seems even sharper than the Meiji SMPlan 4X.
LENS PHOTO HERE
_________________
NU.
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.

Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives

[NikonUser]

This HM 40/2.8 (fixed aperture) is a very sharp lens when use reversed. However, it is difficult to mount on a bellows.

LENS PHOTOS HERE
_________________
NU.
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.

Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives

[NikonUser]

The 20/0.4 ELWD 210mm tube length is obviously a high magnification lens, possibly the maximum magnification practical for a camera/bellows setup. Useful only for the most experienced macrophotographer (not me!).

LENS PHOTO HERE
_________________
NU.
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.

Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives

[ChrisR]

I have a Schneider HM Apo 40/2.8, which I believe is just a few years old:


Looking at the back of the camera (x27) at an image of a microscope graticule (now broken ):
Gaffer-taped, until I get an adaptor, at about 7x, it's sharper than a 50/2.8 El Nik. Difficult to quantify, I'll do some better tests later.
A 50/2.8 Apo Rodagon is sharper than the Nik too, but almost imperceptibly.

I have a couple of queries, some of which I intend to answer myself, when/if I have time:
1) How much difference do you see between say a 10x NA 0.25 scope objective and a 10x NA 0.3?
2) Does anyone have comparisons of an infinity corrected lens vs a fixed tube length one, used on a bellows?
3) What about a 20x lens designed for use with a coverslip, used without one, compared with an M type designed to be used without one?
4) Or a lens designed to be used with a corrective eyepiece, used without one?
5) Or a lens used at the "wrong" tube length, to get a different magnification?
6) Or a Plan versus a Semiplan?
7) If not Plan so the field is curved, how much do stacking programs hide it?
8 ) Or field coverage - some 10x lenses cover 24x36, but do they all?
9) If your bellows focus block is from a microscope, what's the problem with say 40x objectives?
10) Is flash always fast enough to avoid vibration blur? (assuming you use mirror lock-up and rear-curtain sync)

[Wayne Baker]

I'm finding the Canon 65mm MP-E and 180mm f/3.5L to be very capable macro lenses... Highly recommended.

[NikonUser]

Perhaps some of the best 7 lenses for 4x magnification.
PHOTOS HERE
_________________
NU.
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.

Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives

[NikonUser]

For 10x, 20x, 40x magnifications these Nikon microscope objectives are excellent:
Nikon CF N Plan Achromat 10/0.30 (9.2 mm working distance)
Nikon CF M Plan objectives, either designated LWD (long working distance), ELWD (extra long WD), or SLWD (super long WD).

See Charles Krebs' Photomicrography page:
HERE
_________________
NU.
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.

Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives

[NikonUser]

My older Manual Focus 105 mm f/2.8 Micro-Nikkor (magn. to 1:2) is a versatile lens when used (non-reversed) on the PB-6 bellows, allowing for magnification up to 3.4x.

At infinity setting and minimum bellows extension the long-side field of view is 40 mm with a 29 cm working distance; full frame:


At its near focus position and maximum bellows extension, the long-side field of view is 7 mm with an 11 cm working distance. On my D90 (23.6 mm sensor) this represents about a 3.4x magnification; full frame:

_________________
NU.
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.

Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives

[NikonUser]

Useful discussion on these super-lenses; especially the Nikon Macros and Zeiss Luminars but also others:
HERE
_________________
NU.
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.

Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives

[NikonUser]

The following post should have been on this page
NIKON 4X CF N PLAN
_________________
NU.
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.

Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives

[NikonUser]

The Nikon 40x SLWD CF M Plan Achromat can be used on a bellows setup for, at least, 30x and 40x mag on sensor.
Added: and with very little extension gives a good image at 16x.
IMAGES HERE
_________________
NU.
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.

Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives

[rjlittlefield]

Numerous comparisons of

• Nikkor 50mm f/2.8,
  
• Olympus 38 mm f/2.8,
  
• Olympus 20 mm f/2,
  
• Luminar 16 mm f/2.5,
  
• Nikon CF M Plan Achro 10X NA 0.20 objective

are shown HERE. The illustrations are mostly for higher magnifications, in the 8-10X range, but all except the objective are very good to excellent for use at lower magnifications as well.

--Rik

[NikonUser]

For 60x magnification,
the Nikon CF M Plan 60/0.70 ELWD objective; working distance=4.9mm; very sharp.

Nice image of a butterfly's wing scales.
HERE
_________________
NU.
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.

Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives

[NikonUser]

The 10x Nikon CF N Plan microscope objective can be used at 20.3x magnification:
HERE
and can be used at 15x magnification:
HERE

The Nikon 40x CF M Plan SLWD microscope objective can be used at 24.4x magnification
HERE

he Nikon Plan 4x objective, the Tominon 17mm f4, the Schneider-Kreuznach Componon 28mm f4, and the Leitz Summar f4.5 can all be used at just above 10x magnification
HERE
_________________
NU.
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.

Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives