Good/best Lens/Objective for 1x-5x?

[rjlittlefield]

In the UK we find the BE range extremely difficult to purchase at a reasonable price. I recently enquired about the cost of the 10x BE and was quoted £180 locally versus the $85 in US?

Hhmm... That's way higher than the Nikon list prices I've seen. Was that from Nikon UK or some other source?

I don't have a 4x BE, I'd be curious to know if the rear-mounted diaphragm causes vignetting at 2x.

No vignetting -- the images are clean. As always there's a certain range of diaphragm settings where the adjustable diaphragm cuts rays to the corners before it does to the center. But in this case that range is very small because the objective's aperture and the added diaphragm are so close together. It's only a fraction of a stop down before the added diaphragm is completely in control and the field is again uniform brightness. (It's never far off uniform at any setting.)

--Rik

[ChrisR]

ChrisR wrote:
(Nikon infinite 4x BE isn't rms, is it?)

It is. The CFI BE's are RMS and 45 mm parfocal distance.

--Rik

Thanks. Thread FAQ post updated.

[DumbMarine]

May I just say thanks to all contributors?

It is the friendly, enthuisiastic and professional contributions from all concerned that make this forum a delight. The articles and previous other forums threads as well as posted photographs that have thoroughly enthused me.

The admins deserve a special mention as such a forum can be very demanding in time. Well done!

[rjlittlefield]

Thank you for the kind words.

We couldn't do it without such a fine membership!

--Rik

[DumbMarine]

I would like to correct a fact I posted earlier where I stated I was quoted £180 for a Nikon 10x Achromat BE part Number MRN70100.

It is true that this what was quoted to me by a Nikon Sales Manager but it has since transpired that that price is not accurate.

Following a helpful PM from Rik Littlefield in which he supplied the following:-

Customers within the UK can purchase these lenses directly from Nikon Instruments UK either via email on discover@nikon.co.uk or our sales office on 020 8247 1717

I made contact via the provided telephone number and was quoted and purchased the following Nikon objectives:-

Nikon 4x BE Achromat £30 + vat (@20%) Part Number MRN70040
Nikon 10x BE Achromat £47 + vat Part Number MRN70100

Postage was £5 (in UK) + vat

I have not taken advantage of the email address but the young Nikon representitive was extremely helpful and responded immediately when my request to purchase was made through the following email address: instruments.orders@nikon.co.uk

I hope this clarifies and helps others locate Nikon objectives (and other parts) in future.

thanks
Ian

[johan]

Thanks for posting... useful

[rjlittlefield]

Ian, thanks for the report.

In general, Nikon dealers can be found by entering your location into the web page at http://www.nikoninstruments.com/Where-to-Buy. That's how I got the contact info for the UK.

I would be interested to hear from people in other countries who try this approach.

By the way, I've heard from more than one person that Nikon was initially reluctant to sell them the requested objective, apparently believing that it would not do what they wanted. The problems were quickly resolved when the buyers simply pointed to some of the many threads here at photomacrography.net that showed good examples.

--Rik

[Craig Gerard]

I've purchased Nikon microscopy items in Australia via Coherent Scientific.

Coherent Scientific are listed on the Nikon distributor page (link below). They may not have the part in stock but will source it directly from Nikon Japan and charge only local shipping costs (+GST).

http://nikon.com/products/instruments/s ... .htm#toc02


Craig

*edit: added detail

[ChrisR]

Nikon 4x BE Achromat £30 + vat (@20%) Part Number MRN70040

Out of stock in the UK for about 4 weeks.
I've ordered one.

[Craig Gerard]

By the way, I've heard from more than one person that Nikon was initially reluctant to sell them the requested objective, apparently believing that it would not do what they wanted. The problems were quickly resolved when the buyers simply pointed to some of the many threads here at photomacrography.net that showed good examples.

My impression is they are genuinely concerned that the parts ordered are appropriate for your purposes. As long as you have the original Nikon part # there should be no problem, even if the distributor is unfamiliar with the particular part, Nikon Japan will send them the correct box.


Craig