UV-Nikkor 105mm and similar lenses for reflected UV

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

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

- 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

- 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

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

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

[JCDowdy]

Nice one Klaus!

[MEPER]

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......?

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

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.

[MEPER]

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

[Birna Rørslett]

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.

[MEPER]

It looks almost as nice as my AIS 105/4 micro.
He has to try hard to make me swap.....

[Birna Rørslett]

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.

[MEPER]

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.

[Birna Rørslett]

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].

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

Here now a few 85mm lenses... (the dip in transmission of that UAT85 seems to be from using natural fluorite)

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

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:

 
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):
 


Here on my database: 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: