NikonGear'23

Gear Talk => Lens Talk => Topic started by: Dr Klaus Schmitt on January 31, 2021, 16:07:36

Title: UV-Nikkor 105mm and similar lenses for reflected UV
Post by: Dr Klaus Schmitt on January 31, 2021, 16:07:36
Measured a few lenses for reflected UV as well as UV-VIS-NIR photography including the famous UV-Nikkor f4.5 / 105mm all but one with Nikon-F mount:

- CoastalOpt (Jenoptik) f4 / 60mm UV-VIS-NIR Macro Apo (Nikon-F mount) http://www.macrolenses.de/ml_detail_sl.php?ObjektiveNr=344 (http://www.macrolenses.de/ml_detail_sl.php?ObjektiveNr=344)

- UV-Nikkor f4.5 / 105mm (Nikon-F mount) (identical to the RAYFACT f4.5 105mm sold by Nikon TOCHIGI) http://www.macrolenses.de/ml_detail_sl.php?ObjektiveNr=298 (http://www.macrolenses.de/ml_detail_sl.php?ObjektiveNr=298)

- Lavision f2.8 / 85mm UV (Nikon-F mount) https://lastek.com.au/2622-lavision-extended-its-portfolio-to-a-uv-lens-designed-for-optimal-performance-with-intensifiers (https://lastek.com.au/2622-lavision-extended-its-portfolio-to-a-uv-lens-designed-for-optimal-performance-with-intensifiers)

- Hamamatsu A4869 f3.5 / 50mm (c-mount) http://www.macrolenses.de/ml_detail_sl.php?ObjektiveNr=382 (http://www.macrolenses.de/ml_detail_sl.php?ObjektiveNr=382)

Details are here:
https://photographyoftheinvisibleworld.blogspot.com/2021/01/lens-transmissions-of-specialized.html (https://photographyoftheinvisibleworld.blogspot.com/2021/01/lens-transmissions-of-specialized.html)

(https://a4.pbase.com/o12/08/747708/1/171376891.yfzxnsRk.UVNikkor10_ci_c_c.jpg)
Title: Re: UV-Nikkor 105mm and similar lenses for reflected UV
Post by: JCDowdy on February 03, 2021, 22:03:10
Nice one Klaus!
Title: Re: UV-Nikkor 105mm and similar lenses for reflected UV
Post by: MEPER on February 03, 2021, 22:28:04
The UV-Nikkor seems to be the better lens as it covers a FX sensor (and has no dip). The 50mm has higher transmission but covers less area......?
Title: Re: UV-Nikkor 105mm and similar lenses for reflected UV
Post by: Dr Klaus Schmitt on February 05, 2021, 07:22:20
Nice one Klaus!

Thanks John!

The UV-Nikkor seems to be the better lens as it covers a FX sensor (and has no dip). The 50mm has higher transmission but covers less area......?

The Hamamatsu is a c-mount lens and covers 1" sensors, the Lavision APS-C format. UV-Nikkor and CoastalOpt are full format.
The CoastalOpt is useful from about 310-320nm onwards, good enough for biological work, not for technical (Combustion Analysis etc.)
where UV-B and UV-C recording is needed, which all other lenses are capable of.
Title: Re: UV-Nikkor 105mm and similar lenses for reflected UV
Post by: MEPER on February 11, 2021, 21:34:10
Is this lens just a standard UV-Nikkor?
https://www.ebay.de/itm/RARE-Unused-Nikon-Rayfact-UV-Ai-S-105mm-F4-5-AIS-MF-Lens-From-JAPAN-0078/233883684125?hash=item36748dcd1d:g:X4sAAOSwltBgG4IQ
Title: Re: UV-Nikkor 105mm and similar lenses for reflected UV
Post by: Birna Rørslett on February 11, 2021, 22:10:46
It is the current Rayfact incarnation of the legendary UV-Nikkor. Except for some cosmetic differences regarding the engraved data, they are identical.

These lenses are purely manual focusing and hve excellent workmanship, to last virtually forever. My UV-Nikkors are 30 years old by now and still function perfectly.
Title: Re: UV-Nikkor 105mm and similar lenses for reflected UV
Post by: MEPER on February 11, 2021, 22:44:24
It looks almost as nice as my AIS 105/4 micro.
He has to try hard to make me swap.....
Title: Re: UV-Nikkor 105mm and similar lenses for reflected UV
Post by: Birna Rørslett on February 11, 2021, 23:18:44
The exterior of the UV-Nikkor (and Rayfact UV105) is based upon the Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/4 AIS. Even down to the locking screw for the focusing collar. The interior?  different planet. No glass, just quartz and fluorite.
Title: Re: UV-Nikkor 105mm and similar lenses for reflected UV
Post by: MEPER on February 11, 2021, 23:38:13
They look quite similar. The "front" looks a bit different where the 105/4 has much finer "light diffusers"......if they can be called like that. Smaller steps where 105/4.5 has large steps.
Rayfact makes many lenses "nerds" can get some fun with......it seems. Especially fun with macros. Almost "CA-free" lenses.
Title: Re: UV-Nikkor 105mm and similar lenses for reflected UV
Post by: Birna Rørslett on February 12, 2021, 10:37:33
The UV 105 also has a concave front element. Few lenses at its time of inception had, and still uncommon although the feature is shared with e.g. the current 50mm f/1.8 S-Line Nikkor for the Z system.

By the way, although the UV-Nikkor (and Rayfact UV105) is super sharp, you need to use it for UV to appreciate its quality. For visible range, a UV/IR cut filter has to be used. And the bokeh of the Micro 105/4 is so much nicer. Each to their own [use].
Title: Re: UV-Nikkor 105mm and similar lenses for reflected UV
Post by: Dr Klaus Schmitt on February 12, 2021, 14:06:18
Here now a few 85mm lenses... (the dip in transmission of that UAT85 seems to be from using natural fluorite)

(https://a4.pbase.com/o12/08/747708/1/171407970.o95ocaMF.LA85mmQT85mmUAT85mmtrans1i_c_c.jpg)
Title: Re: UV-Nikkor 105mm and similar lenses for reflected UV
Post by: Dr Klaus Schmitt on June 02, 2025, 08:53:55
Well, it has been a while, just noticed that the famous UV-Planar f2/62mm has not been mentioned....(which will not be sold despite letting go a lot of lenses as there are only two known to exist)

This is its rather elaborate 11e/11g optical scheme, which was computed around 1970 by Prof. Glatzel, ZEISS' Designer in Chief at this time:
(http://www.macrolenses.de/bilder/UV%20Planar%20f2%2050mm%20Glatzel_wp_b.jpg)
 
All that based on a NASA demand for an extraterrestrial lens which covers UVC - NIR (200 - 700nm), but with a speed of f2 using CaF2 (Calcium Fluoride) and synthetic Quartz (fused silica).
 
And this is how it looks as a finished lens in barrel with adjustable iris built in (the blue light was just a reflection from my PC monitor):
 
(http://www.macrolenses.de/bilder/IMG_3173_(c)_wp_b.jpg)

Here on my database: http://macrolenses.de/ml_detail_sl.php?ObjektiveNr=386 (http://macrolenses.de/ml_detail_sl.php?ObjektiveNr=386)

This now is a Zinnia haageana shot with that famous lens in visible light, reflected UV and simulated bee vision stopped down to f5.6:

(http://www.pbase.com/kds315/image/160807910/original.jpg)