Scanner Nikkor 38mm f/2.8 LS30 Scanner Lens Tested

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viktor j nilsson
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Re: Scanner Nikkor 38mm f/2.8 LS30 Scanner Lens Tested

Post by viktor j nilsson »

I should have checked first. This is found in the page I linked to:
The 7 elements Scanner Nikkor lens is found in these Nikon scanners:

Coolscan IV ED LS-40
Coolscan V ED LS-50
Super Coolscan 4000 ED LS-4000ED
Super Coolscan 5000 ED LS-5000ED
I probably confused them with the LS-30.

dolmadis
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Re: Scanner Nikkor 38mm f/2.8 LS30 Scanner Lens Tested

Post by dolmadis »

viktor j nilsson wrote:
Sun Dec 20, 2020 7:23 am
dolmadis wrote:
Sun Dec 20, 2020 7:15 am
Hi Robert

Have you tested the lens from the Nikon Super Coolscan 4000 ED Scanner?

I believe it is 7 elements in 4 groups including 3 ED glass elements.

I do not know if it has an LS designation.

Best

John
https://www.closeuphotography.com/scann ... ement-lens

Here's Robert's 2018 test of the Scanner Nikkor ED 7 element lens from the 4000/5000 scanners. Impressive little lens.
Thank you for the link reference. The mounting arrangement that Robert posted in that link requires machining of the lens which is something I would wish to avoid myself. My remaining question is does the LS-50 mount into the RAF M42x1 adapter that Robert shows in his first post?

Thanks for the input.

John

typestar
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Re: Scanner Nikkor 38mm f/2.8 LS30 Scanner Lens Tested

Post by typestar »

RobertOToole wrote:
Fri Dec 18, 2020 9:02 pm
Special thanks to Typestar for the encouragement to run the test and for the loaner lens! :D
Robert,
ThankYOU for taking my suggestion and lens into your appreciated testings!
Its great to be part of this community
.....................................

As for the European price- situation or scanner lenses end of 2020:
As for today, the Nikon LS-30 lens still seems the only reasonable priced scanner lens, although some Ebay sellers
ask for high prices now (just checked) for their LS-30
The price for used Nikon ED 4000 / LS-40 / ED 5000 / LS-50 scanners are too expensive in comparison,
today a bad conditioned LS-40 was sold for 370 EUR, a LS-V (50) just ended for 466 EUR --
Okay, if people search for working units for scanning - but not for our goal of disassembling for the lens only.

As Robert confirms:
the Nikon ED4000 „lens is impossible to beat from a performance vs price standpoint. I can’t think of any lens that can beat it. The SN45 is an awesome value.“
In comparison LS-30 vs. LS-50: at 1,4x - the 7 elements/ 4 groups ED 45mm f/2.8 Scanner still is another league.

Information on MTF-testing the LS-30:

My friend Miljenko from Zagreb MTF-tested the LS-30 vs. LS-50 lens with other lenses November 2019 on his system in resolution and CA (on Fuji-X APS-C):
The tiny LS-30 is resolution wise at 1,4x in center-performance MTF measured identical to the LS-50 (LS-50 superior with CA)
The tiny LS-30 lens beats the LS-50 scanner lens at 1x resolution wise in center-performance in his measurements. (LS-50 superior with CA)

For another Queen of tiny scanner lenses: To find a reasonable priced beautiful Minolta Dimage 5400 lens seems impossible for now…
ray_parkhurst wrote:
Sun Dec 20, 2020 7:25 am
Interesting...I bought an LS-20 and it had the same lens in it as the LS-30.
Ray, interesting -- in my LS-20 I found the tiny 25 mm lens – only in a Nikon Coolscan III / LS-30 I found the LS-30 ---
I agree - Nikon’s main emphasis at the film days / scanners was for sure mostly on sensors and software
dolmadis wrote:
Sun Dec 20, 2020 8:00 am
.....The mounting arrangement that Robert posted in that link requires machining of the lens .... does the LS-50 mount into the RAF M42x1 adapter ....
@For the Nikon LS-50 lens - there is another RAF adapter -- https://rafcamera.com/adapter-m26m-to-24-6mm-id
Personally, I do not like the finish of RAF’s anodizing – but the adapters mechanically work well.
From this up to M42x1 you need another adapter, then…

All the best to all the appreciated members here --
Best wishes for a better 2021...


typestar / Christian

dolmadis
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Re: Scanner Nikkor 38mm f/2.8 LS30 Scanner Lens Tested

Post by dolmadis »

dolmadis wrote:
Sun Dec 20, 2020 8:00 am
.....The mounting arrangement that Robert posted in that link requires machining of the lens .... does the LS-50 mount into the RAF M42x1 adapter ....
@For the Nikon LS-50 lens - there is another RAF adapter -- https://rafcamera.com/adapter-m26m-to-24-6mm-id
Personally, I do not like the finish of RAF’s anodizing – but the adapters mechanically work well.
From this up to M42x1 you need another adapter, then…
Thank you Christian. I echo your good wishes to the forum. Being in an almost total Lockdown again with the variant 'VUI – 202012/01' this community is most welcome.

Best, John

viktor j nilsson
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Re: Scanner Nikkor 38mm f/2.8 LS30 Scanner Lens Tested

Post by viktor j nilsson »

dolmadis wrote:
Thank you for the link reference. The mounting arrangement that Robert posted in that link requires machining of the lens which is something I would wish to avoid myself. My remaining question is does the LS-50 mount into the RAF M42x1 adapter that Robert shows in his first post?

Thanks for the input.

John
RAF has made this adapter. It is what I've been using with my lens.

https://rafcamera.com/adapter-m26m-to-24-6mm-id

viktor j nilsson
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Location: Lund, Sweden

Re: Scanner Nikkor 38mm f/2.8 LS30 Scanner Lens Tested

Post by viktor j nilsson »

typestar wrote: As for the European price- situation or scanner lenses end of 2020:
As for today, the Nikon LS-30 lens still seems the only reasonable priced scanner lens, although some Ebay sellers
ask for high prices now (just checked) for their LS-30
The price for used Nikon ED 4000 / LS-40 / ED 5000 / LS-50 scanners are too expensive in comparison,
today a bad conditioned LS-40 was sold for 370 EUR, a LS-V (50) just ended for 466 EUR --
There was a while where it was easy to find a lens only for GBP 55. That's what I paid. Felt like the hype over the Minolta 5400 was pushing down the price.

However, there's actually still quite a few available at decent prices:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Super-Co ... SwHflf3iIM

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Scannerobjekti ... SwgqxfgLkA

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NIKON-COOLSCAN ... Sw6Ahffg9p

Note that the second link has stolen Robert's photo. Can you do something about that?

RobertOToole
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Re: Scanner Nikkor 38mm f/2.8 LS30 Scanner Lens Tested

Post by RobertOToole »

Lou Jost wrote:
Sat Dec 19, 2020 9:57 am
Great test as always. It's nice to see a new set. I particularly liked your short introduction to scanner lenses.

I'd suggest adding one more answer to your question "Why scanner lenses?" They really are designed to have perfectly flat fields "wide open" (which they always are since there is no iris). Although the very best consumer macro lenses have good flatness of field, this is not often the case wide open, and most cheaper consumer macro lenses balance flatness of field with other desired qualities (including economic factors).

Edit: Another reason is that, contrary to most consumer macro lenses, these are designed to work best at their maximum aperture. I know of no consumer macro lens with that property.

Edit again: You make a good point about scanner lenses being corrected for a thin glass coverslip, unlike the high-performance film-era lenses. Luckily f/2.8 is close to the cutoff above which such correction doesn't matter.
Hi Lou,

Thanks for the comments.

Speaking of sensor glass, just FYI, Rodenstock/Linos includes that info on their lens data sheets:

Design includes CCD coverglass: Y or N

In the case of a yes, they give the glass type and thickness =D>

Good to know, even if in most cases there is probably no detrimental effect. FYI, almost all the newer Linos designs are a Yes, almost all the older designs like enlarger lenses like the Rodagons, and APO-Rodagons are a No.

Best,

Robert

RobertOToole
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Re: Scanner Nikkor 38mm f/2.8 LS30 Scanner Lens Tested

Post by RobertOToole »

lothman wrote:
Sun Dec 20, 2020 4:15 am

I also would like to see how the Laowa 100mm 2:1 lens would perform in such a test. On my A7r4 the Laowa 100mm and the 2,5-5x replaced all the scanner lens and special lenses, much easier to handle and having an aperture to be closed if necessary.
Hi Lothar,

Yes, I would also like to see those lenses tested, I had plans to pick one the Laowas, that and the Sigma's 105mm f/2.8 Art Lens but then the pandemic hit and my business disappeared in Feb so plans changed. (My wife is back to work but I am still jobless 10 months later and our gov't has just about given up).

If anyone has a Laowa to loan for a week or so, let me know.

:D okay, add Voigtlander's 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar to my future buy list also #-o :-k

Best,

Robert

Lou Jost
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Re: Scanner Nikkor 38mm f/2.8 LS30 Scanner Lens Tested

Post by Lou Jost »

It's very good of them to publish this info!! Thanks for pointing to that resource.

RobertOToole
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Re: Scanner Nikkor 38mm f/2.8 LS30 Scanner Lens Tested

Post by RobertOToole »

ray_parkhurst wrote:
Sun Dec 20, 2020 6:40 am

Unfortunately, I've purchased several adapters that were marked M42x1 but were actually 0.75 pitch. Maybe an even simpler rule is to always ask.
Good idea but sometimes with no-name generic Chinese adapters, even the brand name items occasionally, the fit isn't the best, to put it nicely. :shock:

Some of the newer made in the USA adapters like the breakthrough brand are excellent and of course I have had really good results with all of my adapters from RafCamera.

Best,

Robert

RobertOToole
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Re: Scanner Nikkor 38mm f/2.8 LS30 Scanner Lens Tested

Post by RobertOToole »

dolmadis wrote:
Sun Dec 20, 2020 7:15 am
Hi Robert

Have you tested the lens from the Nikon Super Coolscan 4000 ED Scanner?

I believe it is 7 elements in 4 groups including 3 ED glass elements.

I do not know if it has an LS designation.

Best

John
Hi John, Yes, its part of the full 38mm LS30 lens test on my site.

38mmm Scanner Nikkor full test page:

https://www.closeuphotography.com/cools ... -lens-test

There is also a dedicated page on the 45mm Scanner Nikkor :

https://www.closeuphotography.com/scann ... ement-lens

The 45mm Scanner Nikkor vs Minolta 5400:

https://www.closeuphotography.com/minol ... -5400-lens

Minolta 35mm f/5.8 vs 45mm Scanner Nikkor:

https://www.closeuphotography.com/minol ... -lens-test

45mm Scanner Nikkor vs Polaroid 4000 scanner lens:

https://www.closeuphotography.com/polar ... -lens-test

RobertOToole
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Re: Scanner Nikkor 38mm f/2.8 LS30 Scanner Lens Tested

Post by RobertOToole »

viktor j nilsson wrote:
Sun Dec 20, 2020 7:23 am
dolmadis wrote:
Sun Dec 20, 2020 7:15 am
Hi Robert

Have you tested the lens from the Nikon Super Coolscan 4000 ED Scanner?

I believe it is 7 elements in 4 groups including 3 ED glass elements.

I do not know if it has an LS designation.

Best

John
https://www.closeuphotography.com/scann ... ement-lens

Here's Robert's 2018 test of the Scanner Nikkor ED 7 element lens from the 4000/5000 scanners. Impressive little lens.
Thanks Viktor! My notifications must be turned off, I need to check, I was unaware I had any replies in this thread!

The 45mm Scanner Nikkor is really impressive, I've had such nice results lately with that lens, I couldn't help pick up an extra copy last month for $60 + free shipping, he sold another later for $50.

You should read this though if you buy one from the same seller:

https://www.closeuphotography.com/blog/ ... de-it-okay

Screen cap of the post:
Screen-Shot-2020-12-20-at-10.19.34-AM.jpg

Best,

Robert

dolmadis
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Re: Scanner Nikkor 38mm f/2.8 LS30 Scanner Lens Tested

Post by dolmadis »

Thanks for the references to your Tests, Robert.

I will give that seller a big miss !!

BR, John

Lou Jost
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Re: Scanner Nikkor 38mm f/2.8 LS30 Scanner Lens Tested

Post by Lou Jost »

I will give that seller a big miss !!
In fairness, that was probably not entirely the seller's fault, though he should have used a stiffer box. In fact, you might even consider it a mark in favor of the seller's (inner) packing that the lens arrived in perfect shape in spite of someone stamping on it!

RobertOToole
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Re: Scanner Nikkor 38mm f/2.8 LS30 Scanner Lens Tested

Post by RobertOToole »

viktor j nilsson wrote:
Sun Dec 20, 2020 7:30 am
ray_parkhurst wrote:
Sun Dec 20, 2020 7:27 am
viktor j nilsson wrote:
Sun Dec 20, 2020 7:23 am


https://www.closeuphotography.com/scann ... ement-lens

Here's Robert's 2018 test of the Scanner Nikkor ED 7 element lens from the 4000/5000 scanners. Impressive little lens.
I'm fairly sure the lens is the same in the LS-40, LS-50, 4000, and 5000 scanners but will wait for Robert to confirm.
Oh, I was under the impression that they were different, but it's been a while since I was researching these lenses very carefully. Finding a 100$ minolta 5400 scanner caused me to stop looking...
Yes, I just posted the Nikon Scanner Lens info that is part of the 38mm test page.


Here is the info again, this is posted on the 38mm Scanner Nikkor test page for future reference.


This is off topic but does anyone know why the forum is stretching these tiny 500 px files to 1922 pixels in the browser? :-k

Screen-Shot-2020-12-20-at-10.30.59-AM.jpg
Screen-Shot-2020-12-20-at-10.31.05-AM.jpg

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