LINOS d.fine HR-M 2.8/80 Lens Released by Qioptiq

Robert OToole ·

On September 27th Qioptiq quietly released a new high-resolution lens design. The LINOS d.fine HR-M 2.8/80 specs look fantastic, high-resolution, strict chromatic aberration control over a big image circle for sensors up to 3.5µm. This is the only new high-end lens design that I can remember in the last couple of years!

Highlights

  • Ultra fine resolution lens

  • Fast f/2.8 maximum aperture

  • Extra large 62mm image circle

  • Designed for sensors down to 3.5µm pixel pitch

  • Precision alignment for consistent performance

LINOS d.fine HR-M 2.8/80 Lens

The lens is targeted at industrial optical inspection, quality control including PCB and print inspection, sorting applications, as well as 3-D measurement using 16K/3.5µm line scan and area scan sensors.

The inspec.x L 4/100 lens, which happens to cover the same magnification range but is one stop slower than the HR-M, has been discontinued by Qioptiq. The HR-M line also lists a 50mm HR-M so this new lens could replace the inspec.x L 4/60 at some point in the future. FYI, I happen to have two inspec.x L 4/60 lenses here in the office for an upcoming test.

The new LINOS d.fine HR-M lens series will be in the Excelitas’ booth at the VISION 2022 machine vision industry trade show coming up on October 4 - 6, in Stuttgart, Germany.

Qioptiq.com Links For More Info

https://www.qioptiq-shop.com/en/Precision-Optics/LINOS-Machine-Vision-Solutions/LINOS-Machine-Vision-Lenses/d-fine-HR-M.html?

d.fine HR-M 2.8/80 0.2x 0703-146-000-20

https://www.qioptiq-shop.com/en/Precision-Optics/LINOS-Machine-Vision-Solutions/LINOS-Machine-Vision-Lenses/d-fine-HR-M.html?

d.fine HR-M 2.8/80 0.09x 0703-146-000-30

https://www.qioptiq-shop.com/en/Precision-Optics/LINOS-Machine-Vision-Solutions/LINOS-Machine-Vision-Lenses/d-fine-HR-M.html?

Two 80mm HR-M versions are available now on the Qioptiq site, including one for mag=0.2x and one for 0.09x. See the lens data sheet links below.

PDF Lens Data Sheet Links

d.fine HR-M 2.8/80 0.2x datasheet (PDF)

https://www.qioptiq-shop.com/out/Graphics/en/00132903_0.pdf

d.fine HR-M 2.8/80 0.09x datasheet (PDF)

https://www.qioptiq-shop.com/out/Graphics/en/00132906_0.pdf

The official Excelitas press release

https://www.excelitas.com/press-release/excelitas-technologies-launches-linos-dfine-hr-m-lens-series-vision-2022

Sometime next year I hope to borrow an HR-M lens from Qioptiq for a studio and in-the-field test.

Any questions or comments? Send me a message.

This Just In: V-mount to Thread Mount Variable Extension Tube

Robert OToole ·

Last week I came across a Schneider Componon-S 2.8/50 lens, as seen below, with an interesting adapter attached that I had never seen before. I’ve seen lots of v-mount Componon lenses with thread mount adapters attached but this is first one I’ve seen with the female extension tube and lock ring included. So the combination of v-mount thread adapter and tube are a functional lockable focus mount. My bid was the only one made so I was able to pick up the set for a lot less than any of the parts would have cost as new. I’m sharing this information here since I had since I had never seen it I though some might have interest in seeing something like this.

This is basically a variable extension tube that can be used as a focus mount that converts a standard V-mount (V38) to a common thread mount (M42). When locked down the ring makes this setup rock-solid . The ring and aperture lock set screw make this setup resistant to any inadvertent changes due to a bump or nudge.

This exploded view gives you a good look at the setup. Left to right.

  1. Componon-S 2.8/50 lens - external V38 V-mount

  2. V-mount to thread adapter - internal V38 > external M45 threads w/ lock-ring

  3. Thread adapter - internal M45 > external M42 x 1 threads at the back

Note: 45mm x 0.75mm is most famous for being the preferred mount for Rayfact used on lenses like the 95mm and 105mm Printing-Nikkors. Also Linos/Rodenstock uses on the front of the Linos/Rodenstock Modular-Focus units.

Verdict:

Highly recommended!

Schneider Makro-Iris lenses with thread adapters are easy to find on eBay, mostly from sellers in China (with prices marked up 200-300% or more), but if you keep your eyes open you can find complete setups like this from industrial sellers in the US that are solid buys.

Any questions or comments feel free to send me an email.

Quick Look: Noritsu Zoom NC3x-15.6x H018070

Robert OToole ·

This is the first Noritsu lens I’ve owned with magnification, not focal length printed on the side. This lens was sold as a mini-lab printing machine lens, but after testing the lens I have a feeling this is not correct.

Noritsu Zoom NC3x-15.6x H018070

Noritsu Zoom NC3x-15.6x H018070

Buying an unknown lens is always a gamble but the name Noritsu on the lens barrel and the fact that it price was just $3.93 (+shipping) made it worth the risk, or so I thought. Impulse purchases of unknown optics are always a gamble but staying within a strict price limit has worked for me but still I’ve been burned (stuck with a useless or poor lens) more times than I can remember.

Noritsu Zoom NC3x-15.6x H018070 with EL lens for scale

This is the bare lens without plates, motors and PCB board and its still a big one, 100+mm in diameter and 140+mm long. The SK enlarging lens on the right is for scale.

Three Blade Iris

At first glance the iris shape looks as if the unit is damaged but a close look reveals a 3 blade iris with 3 iris mounting pins (no missing blades). This is the first time I’ve seen a 3 blade iris. Not a very attractive design!

Mounting The Lens

NORITSU ZOOM NC3X-15.6X H018070

Noritsu Zoom NC3x-15.6x H018070 lens in reverse

Mounting the lens for infinity focus was a little difficult. I had to use M74 clamp, M72 tubes, M72 to SM2 and SM2 to E-mount adapters. Mounting this lens in reverse was very easy, a V74 v-mount clamp adapter slipped over the front barrel. The rear threads of the lens is a non-standard 56mm.

Image Quality

The lens is labeled 3x - 15.6x and as with most Noritsu lenses, the film is placed behind the lens when in use. So 3x - 15.6x is actually a reduction of 0.3x - 0.0156x when mounting the lens normally for infinity focus. For magnification the lens should be used in reverse for best results.

Noritsu Zoom NC3x-15.6x H018070 lens at 4.76x resized to 1500 pixels

When I tested the lens reversed at 5x (4.76x), at infinity and at 0.4x the lens gave me similar results. This test images I made were at a middle zoom setting, at maximum and minimum there were issues either with the image circle being too small or the rear lens group would protrude too far rewards and I did not want to risk a damaging the sensor testing $3.93 lens.

The in the middle zoom settings the lens image circle will cover full frame but the corners are soft, maybe the lens would work better on an APS-C or MFT sensor camera.

Edge crop at 4.76x 100 percent view Noritsu Zoom NC3x-15.6x H018070 lens in reverse

Final Verdict

Not recommended for macro photography.

From 5x to infinity and mounted normally or in reverse, lateral chromatic aberrations are a problem. The lens is not completely unusable for photomacrography but for a similar price more there are much better lenses out there. The image quality and lack of CA correction leads me to believe that this is a projection lens, not a mini-lab printing machine lens.

The Noritsu Zoom NC3x-15.6x H018070 lens was not the worst I’ve ever used but I will stay away from this type of lens in the future. Sorry to say that the image quality was so poor I turned down 3 other similar type Noritsu lenses (different magnifications) that I had previously paid for just to avoid the cost of shipping since the seller did not offer refunds I asked them to give them away or just toss them in the bin (garbage bin).

PRINTING-NIKKOR OPTICAL INSPECTION SYSTEM

Robert OToole ·

This inspection system was sold with an unknown and unbranded lens. Luckily I thought I recognized the lens and I was right, this system used a Printing-Nikkor (PN) and not just any PN, but a 5th version of the 95mm PN, one I have never seen before. For all the details click on the image above or the link below to see the full story:

https://www.closeuphotography.com/printing-nikkor-line-scan-system

If you have any questions or comments, just send me a message.

Componon and Makro-Symmar Renamed Pyrite

Robert OToole ·

The Macro Varon, Componon and Makro-Symmar are now history, these and all the other V38 mount lenses have all been rebadged as Pyrite.

Macro-Symmar 5.6/120-1.0 is now the Pyrite 5.6/120/1.0 V38

Most other Schneider industrial lenses have been renamed you can find the all the details with the links below.

Schneider HQ industrial lens overview with updated names:

https://schneiderkreuznach.com/en/industrial-optics/products/lenses

Click the link below to open a new window with a PDF with all the new names:

https://schneiderkreuznach.com/application/files/3116/4207/8805/Schneider-Kreuznach_Renaming_of_Lenses.pdf