Options for 2x-3x

ray_parkhurst · Post by **ray_parkhurst** » Sun Apr 21, 2013 10:26 am

I'm starting to test options at 2x-3x and am wondering what folks have found works best in this range. I'm on APS-C which widens the field quite a bit, however my goal is stitching for ultra-high resolution. This will put particular emphasis on corner quality, field flatness, and low distortion to allow the images to stitch well without getting a "mosaic" look to the final image.

So, what works for folks at 2x-3x? I have a number of options I'm testing at 2.4x (10mm x-FOV on APS-C) and will publish the results eventually. Surprisingly, so far the best result has been with the Canon MP35 at f/4. The Nikon 95PN (reversed) is in 2nd place, though I expect it might be best for distortion. I also tested the Olympus MPlan 2.5, the Nikon 3xMM, and found they have their strengths and weaknesses. The Nikon 3xMM is sharpest of all (including the MP35 and 95PN) at the center but not as good at the corners.

I know there is a Mitutoyo MPlan 2x, but don't own one. Is it up to the task compared with the above? The 5x was ulitimate winner in my 4-5x shootout, and if the 2x is as good it might be my best option.

I see other options at 2-3x for sale but am loathe to spend without a recommendation.

Ray

Chris S. · Post by **Chris S.** » Sun Apr 21, 2013 11:09 am

Ray,

To bring in a few relevant links: I raised a similar question a couple of years ago, though it's certainly time for an update, as there may be newer insights.

I showed a quick test of the Mitutoyo 2x here. Enrico Savazzi did so here. My sense of this lens is that it probably should be included in your list, but be aware that it exhibits lateral chromatic aberration (quite unlike its other Mitutoyo siblings). I find this particular presentation of CA to be very easy to correct in post. I do use Nikon Camera Control Pro 2 software for this--in my experience, it handles CA correction much better than Photoshop. (Including one image I ran through it that had been shot with a Canon camera as a jpeg and converted to a tif--apparently, for this function at least, the software is not Nikon specific.)

--Chris

ray_parkhurst · Post by **ray_parkhurst** » Sun Apr 21, 2013 11:19 am

Thanks for pointing those threads out. I should have done a search before asking. I'll review and see what my update should include, if anything new. Seems I'm re-inventing the wheel...Ray

seta666 · Post by **seta666** » Sun Apr 21, 2013 11:32 am

It is difficult to find anything better than the Mp-e from 1X to 4X, corner quality , color and contrast are perfectly fine even with full frame.

Regards

ray_parkhurst · Post by **ray_parkhurst** » Sun Apr 21, 2013 12:09 pm

seta666 wrote:It is difficult to find anything better than the Mp-e from 1X to 4X, corner quality , color and contrast are perfectly fine even with full frame.

Regards

Canon 65mm Macrophoto-EOS (MPE65), correct? I was wondering if that would end up being my best bet for this range.

I've never considered it for my regular work on coins because it starts out too high magnification. But for variety work it seems to be a good choice.

typestar · Post by **typestar** » Sun Apr 21, 2013 2:45 pm

ray_parkhurst wrote:IThe Nikon 3xMM is sharpest of all (including the MP35 and 95PN) at the center but not as good at the corners.

Ray, could you specify, what exactly your NIkon 3xMM lens is?
(a picture of it...?) And- what about your Rodenstock S3 67 mm?

Thankyou,
Christian

Chris S. · Post by **Chris S.** » Sun Apr 21, 2013 3:23 pm

Christian,

Check out Ray's post in this thread. These are objectives intended for some of Nikon's measuring microscopes. They are finite objectives with long working distances, part of Nikon's CF series--so they are corrected for chromatic aberration without a compensating eyepiece.

--Chris

ChrisR · Post by **ChrisR** » Sun Apr 21, 2013 3:50 pm

How did you find the 75mm Apo Rogadon D? (1:1 or 1:2)
Thoughts would turn to 65mm Macro Nikkor, Zuiko 38mm (auto) .
(The 120 MN would be in its range, but it's f/6.3)
The Nikon cfi apo 2x NA 0.1 vignettes as one would expect, by the way.
I wonder what a Mitty 5x does on a 135mm tube lens. Never tried it...

If I had one I'd like to try a Zeiss Makro Planar 50mm f/2 reversed..

ray_parkhurst · Post by **ray_parkhurst** » Sun Apr 21, 2013 8:32 pm

OK, I ended up testing a bunch more lenses based on all the recommendations. I'll start a new thread...Ray

seta666 · Post by **seta666** » Mon Apr 22, 2013 3:21 am

ray_parkhurst wrote:
Canon 65mm Macrophoto-EOS (MPE65), correct? I was wondering if that would end up being my best bet for this range.

I've never considered it for my regular work on coins because it starts out too high magnification. But for variety work it seems to be a good choice.

That is right, before the MP-E I owned the Rodagon.D's 1X and 2X and Olympus 38mm f2.8 and I sold them when I got the MP-E.

From 4X in the studio I would use either the JML 21mm 3.5 or the mitutoyo APO 5/0.14 but from 1 to 4X the MP-E as good as I need it to be. Of course the Rodagon-D 1X is almost a perfect lens at 1X but I find the MP-E I way more convinient lens.

For canon and Sony NEX (Via adapter) I would look for no other lens, for nikon then you need to go the bellows route

Regards

Options for 2x-3x

Options for 2x-3x

Re: Options for 2x-3x