THE LENSES
Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo lens
Minolta DiMAGE Elite 5400 Scanner Lens
Rayfact GF 80mm f4 Line Scan Lens
Rodenstock Scitex S-3 67mm Scanner Lens
Rodenstock Scitex S-3 89mm Scanner Lens
Rodenstock Magnagon 75mm f/3.5 Scanner Lens
Rodenstock Magnagon 75mm f/5.6 Scanner Lens
Rodenstock Rodagon 80mm f5.6 Scanner Lens
Schneider APO-Componon 45mm f4 Makro Iris Machine Vision Lens
Schneider 85mm Macro Varon CAS Line Scan Lens
Tominon 35mm f4.5 Macro Lens
Line scan and scanner lenses are designed for very consistent performance across the field with high chromatic correction, no field curvature, ultra low distortion, minimal corner shading so this should be an interesting comparison.
Test TARGET
This is the entire wafer image at 2x without any cropping.
This is the 6 inch silicon wafer used in this test.
The test area with all four crop areas outlined in blue.
2x test: Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 Macro Photo lens vs Schneider APO-Componon 45mm f4 macro Lens
Both lenses were were set to f4.5 for this test. This is my fourth and best copy of the SK 45/4 APO-Componon so sample variation should not be an issue here.
Image Quality notes, Left to Right
Corner SK 45: The image quality of the APO-Componon falls off away from the center due to a small image circle so the corners are unusable on a APS-C sensor.
Corner MP-E 65: Very consistent image quality all the way to the far corners but the sharpness is a little spoiled by CAs.
Edge SK 45: The micro lettering is readable.
Edge MP-E 65: Tack sharp details with some CAs.
Off center and center SK 45: This was not much of a contest here, the Canon crops are sharper and more detailed than the APO-Componon.
Off center and center MP-E 65: Very sharp with only very mild CAs.
Chromatic aberrations SK 45: The APO-Componon does control CAs better than the MP-E 65 but thats a moot point since it does not cover an APS-C sensor.
Chromatic aberrations MP-E 65: Sharpness and CAs go hand-in-hand with the MP-E 65 and that’s a little disappointing but one of the drawbacks when you have a lens with a large 1-5x range.
Best: The Canon MP-E 65 macro lens.
2x test: Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 Macro Photo lens vs Tominon 35mm f4.5 macro Lens
Both lenses were used at f/4.5 for this comparison. It’s interesting to see these two lenses compared since a new MP-E 65 costs about 28x the cost of a used Tominon 35/3.5.
Image Quality notes, Left to Right
Corner MP-E 65: The MP-E 65 shows no loss in sharpness from center to corner on APS-C but it does show an increase in chromatic aberrations in the corner unfortunately.
Corner T35: In the corner crop the Tominon sharpness drops off slightly compared to the corner but the sharpness is still very good.
Edge MP-E 65: Both are very good here, the MPE has slightly more sharpness but also slightly more CAs.
Edge T35: Slightly less sharp than the Canon but better CA control.
Off center and center: Both lenses are very good here but the Tominon has slightly better fine details with less CAs than the MP-E 65.
Chromatic Aberrations MPE 65: The MP-E has better contrast in some areas but any advantage is offset by chromatic aberration issues. Looking at the results here Canon placed priority on sharpness and contrast over chromatic aberration suppression.
Chromatic Aberrations T35: The Tominon image quality is much more cleaner and balanced, the engineers at Tominon did a fantastic job on the 35/4.5.
Best: The Tominon 35mm. Its hard to believe this lens is over 40 years old and is available for peanuts on Ebay (a very small amount of money).
2x test: Rodenstock Scitex S-3 67mm Scanner Lens vs Rodenstock Scitex S-3 89mm Scanner Lens
Both of these lenses are probably outside of their designed magnification range here but which lens is better at 2x?
Image Quality notes
The 67mm S-3 is a lot sharper and resolves more fine detail than the 89mm S-3 but it also suffers from severe red fringing where the 89mm is less sharp with without any CA issues.
Best: Both lenses are outside of their design at this magnification. Neither are recommended for 2x.
2x test: Rodenstock Magnagon 75mm f/3.5 Scanner Lens vs Rodenstock Magnagon 75mm f/5.6 Scanner Lens
Both of these lenses are designed to be used in very expensive high end film scanners and like some of the other lenses here are probably not their best at 2x. The rumors are that both lenses operate closer to the 1x range for scanning but lets see how they compare with some more magnification. The f3.5 Magnagon lens set to f4.5 for this test with both lenses mounted normally.
Image Quality notes, Left to Right
Corner 75-3.5: The variable iris 75 is much better in the corner crop. Good sharpness with no chromatic aberrations.
Corner 75-5.6: The fixed 75 image quality is poor here due to CAs. Not exactly a good performance for a scanner lens.
Edge 75-3.5: Both lenses perform well with the micro-text with the f3.5 lens having better CA supression.
Edge 75-5.6: The 5.6 lens has slightly better sharpness here but a lot more red fringing.
Off center and center: The 12 blade f3.5 Magnagon and f5.6 fixed Magnagon are really close in sharpness in the center crop but the fixed f5.6 lens might slightly better job in bringing out fine detail.
Chromatic Aberrations: The f5.6 fixed Magnagon might have slightly more detail and contrast but is also has higher levels of chromatic aberrations from center to corner. The 5.6 lens was sharper with the red filter removed but the CAs also increased. The f3.5 Magnagon has very good CA control across the entire field with almost zero red fringing.
Best: 75mm f3.5 12 blade iris Magnagon Scanner lens.
2x test: Rodenstock Rodagon 80mm f5.6 Scanner Lens vs Tominon 35mm f4.5 macro lens
All I know about the Rodenstock 80mm f5.6 that it was used in a film scanner of some kind so I have no idea what magnification the lens was optimized for but I don’t think it’s 2x.
Image Quality notes, Left to Right
The Tominon 35 crops are sharper and more detailed with less CAs in all of the crop areas except in the center. There the Rodenstock 80 shows less CAs but also less detail in the micro-lettering than the Tominon.
Best: The Tominon 35mm f4.5.
2x test: Schneider 85mm Macro Varon CAS Line Scan Lens vs Tominon 35mm f4.5 macro lens
Both lenses here tested at f4.5. Both are medium-large format coverage lenses made to cover a wide magnification range. $35 used cost vs $4500 as new cost, this should be interesting.
Image Quality notes, Left to Right
Corner: Surprise. The Macro Varon is sharper here but the Tominon has better CA control in this crop.
Edge: The Macro Varon is sharper and more detailed but the difference is not huge. The MV also has better CA control here in fact The Macro Varon has better CA suppression except for the corner crop.
Off center and center: The MV is sharper and cleaner.
Best: 85mm Macro Varon CAS Line Scan Lens. Is the extra performance worth the additional $4465 over the Tominon?
2x test: Schneider 85mm Macro Varon Line Scan Lens vs Rayfact GF 80mm f4 Line Scan Lens
Both of these optics were designed for high-end 12K line scan cameras for work up to the 2x. The Rayfact is sharpest at f4 so it could have a slight advantage over the Macro Varon in resolution. The macro Varon is made to cover a much larger image circle where the GF lens is made to cover a 43.6 image circle. The GF lens is older than the MV but it designed for sensors down with a slightly smaller sensor pitch.
The GF series is now only available on a custom made basis but at the time when they were available off the shelf the resolution of the series was rated to be higher than the Printing Nikkors. The PN lenses were made for work that required lower distortion, 0.001% vs 0.09% for the GF. When I contacted Tochigi Nikon for a current price on the Rayfact GF I was told me would be extremely expensive and pointed me to a cheaper lens in their current line-up called the Rayfact 95 also known as the Printing Nikkor 95mm that sells for $8000.
You can find out more on this site: https://www.closeuphotography.com/nikon-rayfact-gf-lens/
Image Quality notes, Left to Right
Corner: The GF has cleaner image quality in the corners with less CAs.
Edge: Both are excellent here but the Macro Varon has an advantage over the GF in fine detail like the micro-lettering. Awesome job.
Off center and center: The Macro Varon has the edge here no doubt.
Best: The Macro Varon. Both were excellent honestly but the MV did an awesome overall better job with sharpness.
2x test: Minolta Elite 5400 Scanner Lens vs Rayfact GF 80mm f4 Line Scan Lens
This is going to be interesting, both lenses are optimized for a 43.6 image circle. The Minolta is faster but the Rayfact GF has slightly better image quality than the Macro Varon at 2x.
Image Quality notes, Left to Right
Corner: The GF lens has better corner IQ than the Minolta in the corners.
Edge, Off center and center: The Minolta is amazingly good, the image quality is something else. Out of this world sharp and perfectly corrected in all the crops except for the corners.
Best: Minolta DiMAGE Elite 5400 Scanner Lens.
2x test: Schneider 85mm Macro Varon Line Scan Lens vs Minolta Elite 5400 Scanner Lens
Image Quality notes, Left to Right
Corner: The Macro Varon outperforms the Minolta 5400 with better contrast and sharpness.
Edge: The Minolta 5400 easy out performs the MV with zero CAs and can’t possible touch this sharpness. How does the Minolta do that exactly?
Off center and center: At a close glance they are similar, both when you look close the Minolta resolves detail that just absent in the MV center crop. When you look closely the contest isn’t even close.
Best: Minolta Elite 5400 Scanner Lens.
THE BEST at 2x
Overall Best performance: Minolta Elite 5400 Scanner Lens
It’s hard to explain or even describe the absolute sharpness of this lens and the performance vs cost ratio of this lens is impossible to beat even with the new higher used market prices.
This lens was also unbeatable in another 2x test and a x test: https://www.closeuphotography.com/2x-lens-test and https://www.closeuphotography.com/3x-lens-test
A detailed report on the Minolta 5400 lens is available here on Closeuphotography.com: https://www.closeuphotography.com/minolta-dimage-scan-elite-5400-lens/
Best Lens for Large Sensors: Schneider 85mm Macro Varon CAS Line Scan Lens
The MV does have a much larger image circle than both the Rayfact and the Minolta and it is a corrected over a very wide magnification range of 0.5x to 2x. They are expensive but if you get lucky you can get one for less than $2000.
A detailed report on the Macro Varon lens is available here on Closeuphotography.com: https://www.closeuphotography.com/macro-varon/
Best Value: The Tominon 35mm f4.5
This lens costs less than $50 and comes in 4th place overall out of 11 and only after being beaten by the $4500 Macro Varon.
The Tominon also received the best value award in my 3x magnification test: https://www.closeuphotography.com/3x-lens-test
There is some sample variation with the Tominon 35s, I bought 4 of these before I came across this sample tested here.
THE WORST at 2x
Worst Overall Performance: Schneider APO-Componon 45mm f4 Makro Iris Machine Vision lens is a terrible performer at at 2x and this is my 4th sample of this lens so sample variation is not a factor here. Its just not in the same high performance class of lenses as the line scan and scanner lenses here.
How would the 45/4 perform stacked on a tube lens I wonder?
Disappointing at 2x: Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo lens. Sharpness is good but strong CAs are visible at 2x.
Too Far Out of Range at 2x:
Rodenstock Scitex S-3 67mm Scanner Lens
Rodenstock Scitex S-3 89mm Scanner Lens
Rodenstock Magnagon 75mm f/5.6 Scanner Lens
Rodenstock Rodagon 80mm f5.6 Scanner Lens
The S-3 lenses were poor performers at 2x.
2x Test: Quick Comparison
Edge and corner crop image will open to a 2500 pixel file by clicking on the image. You can also right button or two finger click on the image and select open a new tab or window or Save Image As.
Test SET-UP
Camera: Sony α6300, model # ILCE-6300, also known as: A6300
Sensor size: 23.5 × 15.6 mm. APS-C. 28.21 mm diagonal. 3.92 micron sensor pitch
Flash: Godox TT350s wireless flash x 2 with one Godox X1s 2.4G wireless flash transmitter
Vertical stand: Nikon MM-11 with a Nikon focus block
A series of images was shot with each lens in 10 micron steps, and the sharpest image was chosen for center, edge, and corner Photoshop at 100% actual pixel view. All images were shot as a single RAW files and processed in PS CC with all noise reduction and lens correction turned off, all settings were zeroed out (true zero) and the same settings were used for all of the images. All of the images shown here are single files.
More Lens Information
Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo lens
Type: Consumer market macro lens
Focal length: 65mm
Magnification: 1-5x
Aperture range: f/2.8-16
Maximum and sharpest aperture: f/4
Optical Design:
Lens mount: This lens has M40.5 P=0.5 threads on the barrel. Quite a few M40.5 adapters are available on Ebay.
Filter thread: M30.5 P= 0.5mm.
Forward or Reverse: forward
Minolta Elite 5400 Scanner Lens
https://www.closeuphotography.com/minolta-dimage-scan-elite-5400-lens/
Type: 35mm Film Scanner Lens
Focal length: 35mm
Magnification: 1.3x - 3.5x
Aperture: f/2.8
Lens mount: none but RafCamera makes an RMS mount adapter: https://www.rafcamera.com/adapter-18mm-id-to-rms-male
Filter thread: none
Rayfact GF 80mm f4 Line Scan Lens
https://www.closeuphotography.com/nikon-rayfact-gf-lens/
Part Number: QVM05041MF
Type: Industrial Large format 12K Line-scan Lens
Focal length: 81.90
Magnification: 0.47x forward and 2.1 x in reverse
Aperture range: f/4 - f/8
Maximum and sharpest aperture: f/4
Optical Design: 7 elements in 5 groups, no protective cover glass
Manufacturers recommended magnification range: 0.4x - 0.5x in normal mount.
Lens mount: This lens has M40.5 P=0.5 threads on the barrel. Quite a few M40.5 adapters are available on Ebay.
Filter thread: M30.5 P= 0.5mm.
Forward or Reverse: Reverse for 2x
Rodenstock Scitex S-3 67mm Scanner Lens
https://www.closeuphotography.com/scitex-s3-67mm-lens/
Type: Film Scanner lens
Focal length: 67mm
Aperture: f/4.9
Magnification range: unconfirmed but it is reported to be around 0.2x in normal mount
Lens mount: Standard M39 lens mount. 39mm x 26tpi also known as Leica Thread-Mount (LTM).
Filter threads: none
Normal or reverse mounting: Reverse at 2x.
Rodenstock Scitex S-3 89mm Scanner Lens:
https://www.closeuphotography.com/scitex-s3-89mm-lens/
Type: Film Scanner lens
Focal length: 89mm
Aperture: f/5
Magnification range: unconfirmed but it is reported to be around 0.3-0.4x in normal mount
Lens mount: Standard M39 lens mount. 39mm x 26tpi also known as Leica Thread-Mount (LTM).
Filter threads: none
Normal or reverse mounting: Reverse at 2x.
Rodenstock Magnagon 75mm f/3.5 Scanner Lens
https://www.closeuphotography.com/rodenstock-linos-magnagon-lens/
Type: Film Scanner Lens
Focal length: 75mm
Aperture: Labeled as an f/4 lens, the aperture ring is marked f/3.5, but the lens iris will open to give a value of f/3 wide open and f/2.9 in reverse!
Magnification range: Unkown but Internet rumors say 1X to 2X.
Lens mount: Standard M39 lens mount. 39mm x 26tpi also known as Leica Thread-Mount (LTM).
Filter threads: none
Normal or reverse mounting: Forward
Rodenstock Magnagon 75mm f/5.6 Scanner Lens:
https://www.closeuphotography.com/rodenstock-magnagon-75mm-scanner-lens/
Type: Film Scanner Lens
Focal length: 75mm
Aperture: f5.6
Magnification range: unconfirmed but it is reported the lens is made for around 1x.
Lens mount: Standard M39 lens mount. 39mm x 26tpi also known as Leica Thread-Mount (LTM).
Filter threads: none. Lens is supplied with red filter installed.
Normal or reverse mounting: Forward
Rodenstock Rodagon 80mm f5.6 Scanner Lens
Type: Film Scanner Lens
Focal length: 80mm
Aperture: f5.6
Magnification range: unconfirmed but it is reported to be around 1x or another report of 0.3-0.4x
Lens mount: Standard M39 lens mount. 39mm x 26tpi also known as Leica Thread-Mount (LTM).
Filter threads: 40.5mm
Normal or reverse mounting: Reverse at 2x.
Schneider APO-Componon 45mm f4 Makro Iris Machine Vision Lens
Part Number: 14783
Type: Machine Vision
Focal length: 45
Magnification: 1:20 to 1:1, optimized for -0.17
Lens mount: Schneider V-Mount (V38)
Filter thread: M40.5mm
Forward or Reverse: Reverse for 2x
Schneider 85mm f4.5 Macro Varon CAS Line Scan Lens:
https://www.closeuphotography.com/macro-varon/
Part Number: 1072517
Type: 12k line scan applications with pixel sizes from 3.5 μm
Focal length: 85
Magnification: 0.5X - 2.0X
Sharpest aperture: MVR is diffraction limited so the lens performs at its best wide open.
Lens mount: Schneider V-Mount (V38)
Filter thread: M37 x 0.75
Forward or Reverse: Forward
Note: The Tominon 35mm f4.5 Macro Lens:
https://www.closeuphotography.com/tominon-35mm/
Type: Reproduction/Duplication lens
Focal length: 35mm
Optical Design: 4-element, 3-group. Reverse Tessar design
Manufacturers recommended magnification range: 5 - 7.5x
Real world magnification range: 2x
Sharpest Aperture: f/4.5 - f/5 in testing.
Lens mount: M40 x 0.75
Filter thread: Series 5 (30.2mm)
Forward or Reverse: Forward
LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION
Minolta Elite 5400 Scanner Lens
https://www.closeuphotography.com/minolta-dimage-scan-elite-5400-lens/
Schneider 85mm f4.5 Macro Varon CAS Line Scan Lens:
https://www.closeuphotography.com/macro-varon/
Rayfact GF 80mm f4 Line Scan Lens
https://www.closeuphotography.com/nikon-rayfact-gf-lens/
Rodenstock Magnagon 75mm f/5.6 Scanner Lens:
https://www.closeuphotography.com/rodenstock-magnagon-75mm-scanner-lens/
Rodenstock Magnagon 75mm f/3.5 Scanner Lens
https://www.closeuphotography.com/rodenstock-linos-magnagon-lens/
Rodenstock Scitex S-3 89mm Scanner Lens:
https://www.closeuphotography.com/scitex-s3-89mm-lens/
Rodenstock Scitex S-3 67mm Scanner Lens
https://www.closeuphotography.com/scitex-s3-67mm-lens/
The Tominon 35mm f4.5 Macro Lens:
https://www.closeuphotography.com/tominon-35mm/
Earlier this year I tested a 6 macro lenses at 2x, you can see the test here: https://www.closeuphotography.com/2x-lens-test,
For a comparison of lenses in the 3x range, that test is available here on Closeuphotography.com: https://www.closeuphotography.com/3x-lens-test