I am familiar with the standard lens/filter system often used - the UV-Nikkor 105mm f/4.5s lens, what I am wondering is if there are cheaper alternatives to this standard (which I believe is also discontinued?). Is it possible to be able to obtain such equipment for less than say US $500?
Answer
The problem with UV photography is that standard optical glass filters out UV light, so lens designers have to turn to more exotic formulations such as phosphate glass, or other materials such as quartz. This fact combined with the very low production volumes are not a good recipe for cheap lenses.
I can't answer with a hundred percent certainty, but the only UV lens I know of in production is the Coastal Optics UV/vis/IR 60mm macro lens which sells new for $4500, and the only other lenses I know of in the used market were by Zeiss and Rodenstock. And I'm afraid you don't often hear the phrase "rare Zeiss lens" or "rare Rodenstock lens" in the same sentance as "under $500"...
update
You can rent the Coastal Optics UV-vis-IR lens from lensrentals.com for three weeks for $531
No comments:
Post a Comment