High-MTF-setup-Thorlabs-SM2-Studio-System-www-Closeuphotography — **SM2 Studio System with the 3.5/50 High MTF lens**

Updated August 10th, 2023

2023 SM2 System

The studio system we use in the office everyday is built around Thorlabs SM2 parts; lens tubes, components, and accessories. SM2 threads are 2 inch in diameter (2.035"-40), lens tubes have a 48mm clear aperture that is large enough to cover a Sony a7R IV a BSI-CMOS sensor (60.2 MP, 35.7 x 23.8 mm, diagonal of 42.91mm or 1.69", and a surface area of 849.66 mm²) without any corner shading.

This post will cover the updates we’ve made since our original SM2 system and include a complete list of all the parts used, including technical drawings and links. This should save someone a lot of time if they would like to build something similar.

Updated August 13th, 2023

Over the last few days the new 2023 SM2 system has been working so well that we’ve decided to buy a second set of new-style plate clamps to convert the old 2017 system to match the new equipment. The new style clamps were $13 each with free shipping from the US Leofoto distributor on eBay. Full component details and a links can be found further down this page.

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All tested equipment is owned by our company unless noted otherwise.

Sm2 system: MAcro lens

**SM2 System and Printing-Nikkor 95 with Sony A7RIV**

Our SM2 system is easy to configure for almost any macro, linescan, bellows, or enlarger lens. All you need is enough extension and the proper adapters. Thorlabs and Rafcamera make a good selection of SM2 adapters and Raf can always make a custom adapter if needed.

Thorlabs Optical Component Threading Adapters with SM2 (2.035"-40) Threads:

https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=4956

Rafcamera SM2 adapters: https://rafcamera.com/search/?q=sm2

For extra rigidity one can use an SM2 extension tube over the front of the lens as a lens shade and a place to mount an extra tube clamp ring. For best results all interior surfaces need to be flocked, including the hood.

SM2 System / Printing-Nikkor / Sony A7RIV

Thorlabs SM2L20 - 2 inch long SM2 extension tube as a hood
Thorlabs tube clamp + EO 8-32 to 1/4"-20 thread adapter + Leofoto Arca Swiss clamp x 4
RafCamera SM2 to M45 x 0.75 step-down adapter
Printing-Nikkor 95mm F2.8A
RafCamera M45 x 0.75 female to SM2 clamp style step-down adapter with full-length threaded body
Thorlabs lock ring SM2 internal threads
Thorlabs SM2L20 - 2 inch long SM2 extension tube
Thorlabs SM2L30 - 3 inch long SM2 extension tube
RafCamera SM2 to Sony E mount camera adapter
Hoage 200mm Arca Swiss plate (Amazon)

Additional details and links for all of this equipment can be found below.

Sm2 system: internally mounted Fixed aperture lens

High-MTF-setup-Thorlabs-SM2-Studio-System-www-Closeuphotography-com — **SM2 Studio System with the 3.5/50 High MTF lens**

Fixed aperture lenses like this Lasergraphics High MTF will install inside an SM2 lens tube, magnification is easy to set and lock in place with a lock ring (2 rings are supplied with each tube from the factory). An extra SM2 tube can serve as a hood and at the same time for for extra rigidity by adding an additional ring clamp. For best results all interior surfaces need to be flocked.

SM2-system-hood-Thorlabs-SM2-Studio-System-www-Closeuphotography-com — **SM2 Studio System with the 3.5/50 High MTF lens**

SM2 System / High MTF Lens / Sony A7RIV

Thorlabs SM2L20 - 2 inch long SM2 extension tube as a lens hood
Thorlabs tube clamp + EO 8-32 to 1/4"-20 thread adapter + Leofoto Arca Swiss clamp x 4
RafCamera 43.2mm ø clamp to SM2 clamp style step-down adapter with full-length threaded body
Lasergraphics High MTF 50mm f/3.5 lens
Thorlabs lock ring SM2 internal threads
Thorlabs SM2L20 - 2 inch long SM2 extension tube
Thorlabs SM2L30 - 3 inch long SM2 extension tube
RafCamera SM2 to Sony E mount camera adapter
Generic 150mm Arca Swiss plate (Amazon)

Additional details and links for this equipment can be found below.

Sm2 system: tube lens + objective

QIOPTIQ MAG X LD PLAN APO 5X OBJECTIVE and SM2 Studio System www.Closeuphotography.com

The SM2 system also works great with a finite objective or an infinity corrected objective using a tube lens. Using an adjustable SM2 tube makes focusing the tube lens very easy. The Mag.x system above uses an SM2A20 adapter with external SM2 threads and internal M38 x 0.5 threads to accept the ITL200 tube lens. For best results all interior surfaces need to be flocked.

SM2 System / Objective / Tube lens / Sony A7RIV

Qioptiq LD-Plan Apo 5x/0.20 Objective
RafCamera SM2 to M34 step-down adapter
Thorlabs tube clamp + EO 8-32 to 1/4"-20 thread adapter + Leofoto Arca Swiss clamp x 4
Thorlabs SM2A20 adapter external SM2 threads and internal M38 x 0.5 Threads
Thorlabs ITL200 Tube Lens
Thorlabs SM2V10 SM2 Adjustable Lens Tube
Thorlabs lock ring SM2 internal threads
Thorlabs SM2L20 - 2 inch long SM2 extension tube
Thorlabs SM2E60 - 6 inch long SM2 extension tube
RafCamera SM2 to Sony E mount camera adapter
Haoge 200mm Arca Swiss plate (Amazon)

Additional details and links for this equipment can be found below.

SM2 system equipment details with links

Most of the units for this new system were picked up on eBay as new for a better prices than from Thorlabs directly. Some of the tubes are missing the Thorlabs micro label on the edge. Thorlabs would not confirm or deny if the latest tubes are now made in China without the labels or the parts sold on eBay are knock offs from the same factory. Either way Thorlabs didn’t seem to care so I’m not going to worry about it either.

SM2 Studio System new old side by side www.Closeuphotography.com — **Plate clamps; the new type on the left, and old on the right**

Arca-Swiss style plate clamp

For our new system we upgraded to a new smaller, slimmer plate clamp. The plate clamp serves as a mount for the Thorlabs SM2RC tube clamp ring. These Leofoto arca-swiss clamps feature elliptical shaped knobs are much quicker and easier to secure than anything we’ve used in the past.

Leofoto DC-12 screw-knob micro clamp

https://www.leofoto.com/products_detail.php?id=318

Note: The fit and finish of the Leofoto arca-swiss plate clamps are excellent and for only $10-16 each, they are an excellent, and almost unbeatable value. Check the distributors eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/leofotousa.

SM2-studio-setup-Thorlabs-www-Closeuphotography-com

Lens tube clamp ring

Thorlabs SM2RC - tube clamp ring for SM2 Lens Tubes, 8-32 Tap

https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2RC

Note: Mounting the SM2RC tube clamp to the Leofoto micro clamp is easy. The MS2RC uses a female 8-32 thread and the Leofoto unit uses 1/4-20 female so you need to use a male-male thread adapter. Thorlabs also sells a 1/4-20 - 8-32 thread adapters but I prefer the Edmund Optics units.

1/4 - 20 to #8 - 32 male to male thread adapter

This adapter joins the 1/4 - 20 internal threads of the plate clamp securely to the #8 - 32 internal threads of the tube clamp rings.

Edmund Optics 8-32 to 1/4"-20 thread adapter

https://www.edmundoptics.com/p/105mml-14-20-8-32-thread-adapter/44184/

Note: Both Thorlabs and Edmund Optics sell 1/4 - 20 to #8 - 32 male-male thread adapters. I recommend the Edmunds units due to the shorter length and the use of a hex key-way vs a slot on the Thorlabs unit. Both are about $2 USD each online.

Camera mount adapter

RafCamera SM2 to Sony E mount camera adapter

https://rafcamera.com/adapter-sm2f-to-sony-e-mount

Note: SM2 female thread to male Sony E-mount with internal M42 threads.

Adjustable extension tube

Thorlabs SM2V10 SM2 Adjustable Lens Tube, 0.81" Travel

https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2V10

Note: tube interior needs to be flocked.

2 Inch long extension tube

Thorlabs SM2L20 - 2 inch long SM2 extension tube

https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2L20

Note: tube interior needs to be flocked.

3 Inch long extension tube

Thorlabs SM2L30 - 3 inch long SM2 stackable lens tube

https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2L30

Note: tube interior needs to be flocked.

6 inch long extension tube

The Thorlabs 6 inch SM2 tube walls are extra thick as you can see in the drawing below, going from 2.5mm up to 3.9mm, this does not change the clear aperture, its still 48.2mm, the same as a normal SM2 tube.

Thorlabs SM2E60 - 6 inch long SM2 stackable lens tube

https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2E60

Note: Tube interior needs to be flocked.

1 inch long extension tube

Thorlabs SM2L10 - 1 inch long SM2 stackable lens tube

https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2L10

Note: tube interior needs to be flocked.

Thorlabs SM2 lens tube coupler without internal threads

Thorlabs SM2T10 - 1 inch long SM2 coupler

https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2T10

Note: tube interior needs to be flocked.

1/2 inch long extension tube without external threads

Extension tubes without external threads are tubes with only female threads that can accept external or male threads on either side. This is useful option to allow the use of a male thread backwards or reversed for special or challenging mounting tasks.

Thorlabs SM2M05 - 1/2 inch long SM2 extension tube

https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2M05

Note: tube interior needs to be flocked.

1 inch long extension tube without external threads

Thorlabs SM2M10 - 1 inch long SM2 extension tube

https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2M10

Note: tube interior needs to be flocked.

2 inch long extension tube without external threads

Thorlabs SM2M20 - 2 inch long SM2 extension tube

https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2M20

Note: tube interior needs to be flocked.

SM2 end cap

SM2CP2 - Externally threaded SM2 end cap

https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2CP2

Note: dust cover.

Tube lens thread adapter

Thorlabs SM2A20 Tube Lens Adapter with external SM2 Threads and internal M38 x 0.5 Threads

https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2A20

Note: use with ITL200 or other tube lenses with M38 x 0.5 threads

Tube lens

ITL200-Thorlabs-www-Closeuphotography-com — **Thorlabs ITL200 Tube Lens**

Thorlabs ITL200 Tube Lens

https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=ITL200

Note: external M38 x 0.5 Threads so use Thorlabs SM2A20 tube lens adapter

Lasergraphics High MTF 50mm f/3.5 lens mount adapter

**RafCamera 43.2mm ø clamp to SM2 clamp adapter**

RafCamera 43.2mm ø clamp to SM2 clamp style step-down adapter with full-length threaded body

https://rafcamera.com/clamp-43-2mm-to-sm2m

Note: threaded sleeve type clamp adapter

Printing-Nikkor lens mount adapter

Flat adapters are useful when you don’t have space and you just want to reduce the thread size and don’t need to adjust the distance from the sensor.

RafCamera SM2 to M45 x 0.75 step-down adapter

https://rafcamera.com/adapter-m45x0-75f-to-sm2m

Note: flat disk style adapter.

Printing-Nikkor lens mount adapter

Clamp style step-down adapters with full-length threaded sleeves are preferred when you want to adjust distance from the sensor to change magnification. Lock rings are used to prevent any movement once the proper distance from the sensor is set.

RafCamera SM2 to M45 x 0.75 clamp style step-down adapter with full-length threaded body

https://rafcamera.com/adapter-m45x0-75f-to-sm2m-30mm

Note: threaded sleeve type clamp adapter

SM2 Facts

No corner shading on a Sony full frame sensor with our SM2 system
SM2 is based around 2.035”-40 threads
SM2 male (external) threads are compatible with female (internal) M52 x 0.75 threads!
Thorlabs and other manufactures, like Newport corporation, make SM thread compatible parts
Originally SM was the code name for machine threads used in manufacturing sewing machines
SM05 = 0.5 inch threads, SM1 = 1 inch, SM2 = 2 inch
The SM2 thread form is a UNS, Unified Special Pitch thread
The thread tolerance accuracy is 2A/2B, the pitch is 40 teeth per inch
Thorlabs makes products in SM05, SM1, SM1.5, SM30, SM2, and SM3 sizes: Thorlabs lens tubes

SM2 Studio System FAQ

Can the SM2RC tube ring be mounted directly to the quick release (QR) plate?

Yes, but in my experience locking SM2RC to the QR plate will save a few dollars but you lose the ability to reposition the clamp rings and the QR plate quickly and easily. Also you will lose clearance from the bottom of the lens tube to the top of QR plate and this will cause issues with larger diameter lenses and larger cameras.

Using the SM2RC and a clamp gives you the ability to reposition freely anywhere along the QR plate in a second and gives you almost 17-20mm of clearance between the lens tube and plate. In practice these are both important advantages.

What is flocking ?

Flocking is light absorbing non-reflective black out material used in optics and photonics applications and can be a coating, a self adhesive or non adhesive sheet or even in the form of an adhesive backed tape.

Unflocked vs Flocked www.Closeuphotography.com — **Unflocked vs Flocked**

What’s the problem?

Flat black anodized aluminum can reflect a lot of the light, especially at high angles of incidence as you can see in the above photo. Image contrast drops when this stray light reaches the camera sensor. The difference can be really significant, in the above image you can see this looking down a black anodized lens tube adapter before and after flocking.

Any bare metal part inside the lens tube system or even inside the camera lens mount area, can create issues with hot spots and/or veiling glare (reduced contrast in shadow areas) all due to stray light hitting the sensor.

How do you apply flocking material?

Over the years I've tried adhesive backed flocking strips cut to fit but this turned out to be a less than ideal. With a lot of use this type would separate from the adhesive back, become loose and end up blocking the light path sooner than later. Also adhesive backed flocking is impossible to use things like variable extension tubes since they block threads.

We’ve had better results from using a 'floating' rolled sheet of flocking material slid into place after the magnification is set. Takes seconds and does a super job reducing veiling glare and enhancing contrast. Variable extension tubes are no problem with a floating sheet.

For best results apply a layer of flocking each time you setup a lens tube system before you notice a contrast issue.

Where can I buy flocking material?

Protostar self-adhesive backed sheets (expensive): https://www.fpi-protostar.com/hitack.htm

Soft flocked paper sheets on amazon.com (cheap):

https://www.amazon.com/Hygloss-Products-Black-Sheets-Velour/dp/B0187Q9YNW/

Why do lens tubes need flocking?

Treating interior surfaces would cost money. Also flocking can absorb heat when using high energy light like a laser. So flocking could cause issues in some laser applications.

2017 SM2 studio System

52mm Studio Set-up with D850 and Nikon S Fluor 4x Microscope Objective.

This is my main studio set-up for studio for full frame and APS-C cameras for the past tree years. The setup is based on Thorlabs SM2/52mm extension tubes and Thorlab slip-ring clamps. The setup is very rigid, uses almost all low-cost parts, and easy to configure for any application.

52mm studio setup for Infinity corrected objectives

The Thorlabs/Nikon ITL200 tube lens and SM2/52mm setup is my standard for use with infinity-corrected objectives.

Thorlabs-ITL200-Tube-lens-and-Mitutoyo-M-Plan-APO-5x-and-Sony-A6300-Closeuphotography-Robert-OToole-Photography.jpg

A detailed review of the ITL200 and a tube lens image quality comparison is available here on Closeuphotography.com: https://www.closeuphotography.com/thorlabs-itl200/

Thorlabs-ITL200-Tube-lens-and-Mitutoyo-M-Plan-APO-5x-and-Sony-A6300-Closeuphotography-Robert-OToole-Photography-1500-labels.jpg

Parts list for the 52mm studio setup for Infinity corrected objectives

In addition to the basic SM2/52mm studio setup I add the following parts, left to right:

RafCamera M26 female to SM2 male thread adapter
Official name: M26 (Mitutoyo, Nikon BD) female to M52x0.75 male thread adapter
Retail price: $24-28 USD each
Link to eBay ad: https://www.ebay.com/itm/SM2-male-to-M26x0-75-36tpi-female-thread-adapter-SM2-to-26mm-step-down-ring/143010687289
Link to RafCamera: https://www.rafcamera.com/adapter-sm2m-to-m26f
Note: This is a new unit that replaces the two-piece unit used in the photo above.

Thorlabs SM2 Extension Tube Without Male Threads 3 inches long
Official name: SM2M30 - SM2 Lens Tube Without External Threads, 3" Thread Depth, Two Retaining Rings Included
Retail price: $34.31 USD each
Link to Thorlabs site: https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2M30
Note: This tube has only female threads and mounts between the Mitutoyo objective and ITL200.

Thorlabs ITL200 to SM2 Adapter
Official name: Thorlabs SM2A20 Adapter M38 x 0.5 tube lens to SM2 adapter
Retail price: $48.93 USD each
Link to Thorlans site: www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2A20
Note: This unit uses only male threads.

Thorlabs/Nikon ITL200 tube lens
Official name: ITL200 - Tube Lens, f = 200 mm, External M38 x 0.5 Threads
Retail price: $482.23 USD each
Link to Thorlans site: https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=ITL200
Note: ITL200 lenses were available on eBay for $99 for quite some time so check there first for a better price.

Thorlabs SM2 Stackable Extension Tubes
Official name: Ø2" Stackable Lens Tubes
Retail price: $23-36 USD each
Link to Thorlabs site: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=3383
Note: The choice of tubes varies depending on use.

RafCamera Adapter Sony E mount to 52mm female thread
Official name: M52x0.75 female thread to Sony E-mount camera adapter
Retail price: $24. USD each
Link to RafCamera site: https://www.rafcamera.com/adapter-m52x0-75f-to-e-mount
Note: Front side - M52x0.75 female thread, Rear side - Sony E-mount. SM2 tubes will thread into this mount without any issues.

Thorlabs Variable Extension Tube
Specs: SM2V15 - Ø2" Adjustable Lens Tube, 1.31" Travel
Retail Price: $53 each
Link: https://www.thorlabs.us/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2V15
Note: Not required but highly recommended, see the use of this item in the photo below, it sits behind the Sigma tube lens. Supplied with lock ring.

52mm-Tube-Lens-Set-Ip-Robert-OToole-Photography-2017-063.JPG

Baisc 52mm studio setup parts list

52mm-Tube-Lens-Set-Without-extension-tubes-Robert-OToole-Photography-2017.jpg

Thorlabs SM2 Slip Ring Clamps
Official name: SM2RC - Ø2.20" Slip Ring for SM2 Lens Tubes, 8-32 Tap
Retail price: $30.99 USD each
Link to Thorlabs site: https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2RC
Note: 3 or 4 pieces are recommended. This unit will have to me mounted to the Small Arca-Swiss compatible clamps

Thorlabs SM2 Stackable Extension Tubes
Official name: Ø2" Stackable Lens Tubes
Retail price: $23-36 ea.
Link to Thorlabs site:https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=3383
Note: These are available from 1 inch to 6 inches in length.

Extra Long Arca-Swiss compatible plate
Official name: Haoge 220mm Quick Release Plate
Retail price: $25.
Link to Amazon ad: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015V137L6/

Small Arca-Swiss compatible clamps
Official name: Mini Quick Release Plate Clamp
Retail price: $4.75
Link to eBay ad: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-Tripod-Mini-Quick-Release-Plate-Clamp-1-4-Screw-Aluminium-Alloy-AL/283168779331?
Note: 3 or 4 pcs are recommended. This unit will have to me mounted to the Thorlabs SM2 Slip Ring Clamps

Note pictured here but hight recommended:

Thorlabs Variable Extension Tube
Specs: SM2V15 - Ø2" Adjustable Lens Tube, 1.31" Travel
Retail Price: $53 each
Link: https://www.thorlabs.us/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2V15

Parts List for SM2/52mm Studio Setup with Scanner Nikkor ED Lens

Originally I started working on this set-up for a Scanner Nikkor lens. I used to threaded collars on the front and back of the lens that mount inside the Thorlabs tubes. On the front of the lens I mount about Thorlabs tube to serve as a lens hood and to use a third clamp. With the Scanner-Nikkor the set-up is super solid, and it's quick and easy to dial in any magnification I need.

52mm Studio Set-up and Scanner-Nikkor ED with Nikon D850

1. Thorlabs SM2 Slip Ring Clamps
Official name: SM2RC - Ø2.20" Slip Ring for SM2 Lens Tubes, 8-32 Tap
Retail price: $30.99 USD each
Link to Thorlabs site: https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2RC
Note: 3 or 4 pieces are recommended. This unit will have to me mounted to the Small Arca-Swiss compatible clamps

2. Thorlabs 2 inch SM2 threaded Sleeve for Scanner Nikkor ED
Official name: SM2T20 - SM2 (2.035"-40) Coupler, External Threads, 2" Long
Retail price: $39.67 USD each
Link to Thorlabs site: https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2T20
Note: 2 pieces are recommended and are included with each SM2 threaded sleeve

3. Thorlabs SM2 Stackable Extension Tubes
Official name: Ø2" Stackable Lens Tubes
Retail price: $23-36 ea.
Link to Thorlabs site:https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=3383
Note: SM2L15, 1.5 inch unit

4. RafCamera Nikon F mount to SM2 female thread adapter
Official name: SM2 female thread to Nikon F camera mount adapter
Retail price: $29-32
Link to RafCamera site: https://www.rafcamera.com/adapter-sm2f-to-nikon-f
Link to eBay ad: https://www.ebay.com/itm/SM2-female-thread-to-Nikon-F-camera-mount-adapter-/14298443471
Note: Thorlabs makes an F-mount to SM2 adapter but I don’t recommend it at this time

5. Thorlabs SM2 Extension Tube Without Male Threads 3 inches long
Official name: SM2M30 - SM2 Lens Tube Without External Threads, 3" Thread Depth, Two Retaining Rings Included
Retail price: $34.31 USD each
Link to Thorlabs site:https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM2M30
Note: 1 pcs

6. Scanner Nikkor ED lens

7. Extra Long Arca-Swiss compatible plate
Official name: Haoge 220mm Quick Release Plate
Retail price: $25.
Link to Amazon ad: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015V137L6/
Note: 1 pcs

8. Small Arca-Swiss compatible clamps
Official name: Mini Quick Release Plate Clamp
Retail price: $4.75
Link to eBay ad: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-Tripod-Mini-Quick-Release-Plate-Clamp-1-4-Screw-Aluminium-Alloy-AL/283168779331?
Note: 3 or 4 pcs are recommended. This unit will have to me mounted to the Thorlabs SM2 Slip Ring Clamps

Quick release plate notes

Go with the lowest cost QR plate available, these work just as well or better than name brand plates. I paid $10 for my plate on Amazon, Ebay has lots of low-cost choices also. Look for clamps like the no-name version on the far left. Second from the left is a Wimberly plate. Not only does the plate cost 5x the cost of the amazon plate but it has an obsolete legacy flash bracket attachment point that no photographer has used in the last 10 years. Save your money, don’t pay the extra $40-80 for name brand plates like RRS or Wimberly. RRS clamps are $70 each so save your money and buy the clamps I used for $13 for a pair with free shipping! There is absolutely no advantage to the more expensive plates. The only people that will tell you different are the ones trying to see you a brand name plate.

Newport Corporation compatibility notes

The SM2 products from Thorlabs use an industry standard Ø2" Lens Tubes with 2.035"-40.0 threads. So at least some parts from Newport are compatible with Thorlabs SM2 parts, I’m not sure exactly how many are so check carefully before you buy. Newport parts are very high quality so its nice to have some alternative choices.

Newport lens tubes on the official Newport site: https://www.newport.com/f/lens-tube-multi-element-lens-holders