Tube lens for Fuji GFX medium format?

[Davids]

Greetings all,
I recently obtained a Fuji GFX and would like to use some microscope objectives. Does anyone have recommendations for tube lenses for the larger sensor (43.8 mm x 32.9 mm)? I've seen posts by Nathan who had good success with the Raynox DCR-5320, but was wondering if others have any recommendations?

Thanks!

[Macro_Cosmos]

Apo-nikkors and Rodenstock Apo-gerogons may be a good start. I do know someone who tried all these types of large format lenses and concluded it's not really that good.

[RobertOToole]

Greetings all,
I recently obtained a Fuji GFX and would like to use some microscope objectives. Does anyone have recommendations for tube lenses for the larger sensor (43.8 mm x 32.9 mm)? I've seen posts by Nathan who had good success with the Raynox DCR-5320, but was wondering if others have any recommendations?

Thanks!

I would avoid the Raynox, all the Raynox units that I own show corner CAs and LoCAs.

After trying maybe 12-15 diopters and prime lenses to beat the 52mm Sigma LSA, my standard tube lens, I found the one that is sharp and CAs free, the Century Optics Achromats.

BTW, Century is a company that served the movie and video industry in Hollywood for years, but they were bought by Schneider Optics USA a few years ago.

58mm:

https://www.schneideroptics.com/ecommer ... x?CID=1081

Schneider also offers 86mm units:

https://www.schneideroptics.com/ecommer ... x?CID=1088

I posted about the lens on my site, but I have included samples yet. I can send you a couple if you are curious just message me.

https://www.closeuphotography.com/centu ... c-diopter/

[rjlittlefield]

Robert, have you had a chance to test the DCR-5320, or are you generalizing from other Raynox's like the DCR-150?

The reason I ask is that nathanm seemed to have done quite an extensive set of testing, specifically for use on his PhaseOne (53.7 x 40.4 mm sensor), and his tests did show the DCR-5320 to be excellent. The reference is http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... hp?t=32346, a long thread with some mistakes in the middle of it but eventually cleared up.

Also, are your tests of the Sigma LSA and Century Optics Achromats validated for sensors larger than full frame?

--Rik

[Davids]

Robert - I'm also curious if you have tested the DCR-5320. I followed the thread in which Nathan tested it out as a tube lens and he seemed to get quite excellent results.

[RobertOToole]

Hi Guys,

Not specifically the DCR-5320 but I own 11 other Raynox and they are all sharp in the center but all show CAs in the corners.

Maybe the DCR-5320 is better?

Sorry for not mentioning it was general advice on Raynox.

Rik, Thanks for the reminder, I need to note on my site that although I have been meaning to try the Century on the D850, I have not done so! So my findings on the Century have been on APS-C up to this point. I would bet money that the century will be fine on FF, maybe larger but thats another project on the list :-)

The Sigma does work great on full frame sensors.

[Davids]

Robert,
I looked back at Nathan's original post and he did say that the 72mm diameter Century +2 diopter did work quite well when reversed for his phase one sensor. Do you normally have it reversed?

[RobertOToole]

Robert,
I looked back at Nathan's original post and he did say that the 72mm diameter Century +2 diopter did work quite well when reversed for his phase one sensor. Do you normally have it reversed?

Davids,

I missed Nathans comment on the Century, and I thought I discovered them!

Tried both ways and the normal mount direction was best. This is on the +4 though, the +2 might be a different story of course.

FYI, I use a variable 52mm extension tube that threads into my SM2 tubes, making my life so much easier by allowing me to focus on infinity in seconds with a tube lens. After using these, I would never run a tube lens set-up without one.



RAF Camera made this one for me and other M42 versions for my M42 studio set-up. I will post something on my site and here on the forum when I get a chance.

Robert

[Davids]

Very nice! I've been contemplating how I'd like to attach the tube lens and currently am leaning towards this Borg m75 helical focuser for telescope use:
http://www.sciencecenter.net/hutech/pri ... l/7875.htm

It's not exactly cheap, but I found that were I to purchase all the thorlab parts to build my own set up it actually wouldn't be that much cheaper.
The focuser can be extended from 125mm to 155. The GFX has a flange back distance of 26.7 mm. I'd add a 25mm extension tube which allows me to a. easily get around the 200mm needed for most tube lenses and b. attach the borg collar and arca foot http://www.sciencecenter.net/hutech/pri ... l/8992.htm.

I just need to get a GFX to M75 adapter.
On paper it should work, but I just need to figure out which tube lens to purchase.

[RobertOToole]

Very nice! I've been contemplating how I'd like to attach the tube lens and currently am leaning towards this Borg m75 helical focuser for telescope use:
http://www.sciencecenter.net/hutech/pri ... l/7875.htm

It's not exactly cheap, but I found that were I to purchase all the thorlab parts to build my own set up it actually wouldn't be that much cheaper.
The focuser can be extended from 125mm to 155. The GFX has a flange back distance of 26.7 mm. I'd add a 25mm extension tube which allows me to a. easily get around the 200mm needed for most tube lenses and b. attach the borg collar and arca foot http://www.sciencecenter.net/hutech/pri ... l/8992.htm.

I just need to get a GFX to M75 adapter.
On paper it should work, but I just need to figure out which tube lens to purchase.

I've looked at the Borg catalog a few times, the US distributor was down the street from me in Torrance, but I don't recall seeing that unit. Looks great for large format set-up.

Be sure to post whatever set-up you decide on.

Also should mention I have had excellent experiences with RAF camera. He has made a few custom items for me over the past 6 months that came out perfectly, all done very quickly and for excellent pricing. He is very helpful with advice also if you need some ideas. He is making 2 new adapters for me right now actually.

Robert