The Macro Varon 4.5/85 CAS (MRV) lens has been around for 16 years and today there are newer, less expensive, better performing float lenses with wider magnification ranges but the MRV is still very popular due to the good supply on the used market. One advantage the MRV lens has over longer focal length float lenses is the compact size. The slower f/4.5 aperture means a smaller barrel, and the shorter 85mm focal length requires less extension, and a shorter working distance, so the MRV is easier to use in-the-field or in confined spaces.
The MVR was designed by Witold Hackemer at Schneider-Kreuznach (SK) with a new continuous aberration suppression (CAS) system resulting in low distortion and excellent chromatic correction over a large 62mm image circle from 0.5x to 2.0x. The MVR lens was designed for industrial high-resolution line-scan applications in flat-panel display (FPD) and printed circuit board (PCB) inspection systems. The MVR is able to produce 35% MTF at 100 lp/mm center and 30% in corners at 1.0x and wide open at f/4.5. SK says the MRV can resolve down to 2.5 µm at 2.0x.
Below is a comparison of the MRV vs other well known high-performance float lenses.
| Variable magnification lens | Focal length | Max aperture | Image circle | Mag range | Lens mount | Filter mount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspec.x L/Digaron/Switar 5.6/105 Float | 105mm | f/5.6 | 82mm | 0.3 - 3.0x | V46 | M43 x 0.75 |
| Nikon Rayfact VF Float lens | 91.7mm | f/4.0 | 64mm | 0.5 - 3.0x | M45 | M49 x 0.75 |
| Schneider Macro Varon 4.5/85 CAS | 85mm | f/4.5 | 62mm | 0.5 - 2.0x | V38 | M37 x 0.75 |
The same CAS system used in the MRV is also used in the Linos Inspec.x L, Rodenstock HR Digaron Macro, Cambo Actar, Blue mag. L, and ALPA Macro Switar float designs, all made by Qioptiq. Witold Hackemer is now head optical designer at Qioptiq Photonics GmbH and they now hold the CAS system patent until 2027 (ref: EP2053439B1 European Patent Register Europäische Patentschrift).
Key Features of the MRV lens
CAS – Continuous Aberration Suppression system
Wide 0.5x to 2.0x magnification range and usable to 3.0x
Maintains diffraction-limited performance over the entire magnification range
62mm image circle means the lens the lens can cover medium format sensors
β Setting aberration correction float ring
β Setting Gear Ring allows automatic magnification setting
Marked for best azimuth position to achieve the lens’s absolute highest resolution and contrast
V38 mount allows lens to be rotated for optimal alignment with the camera’s sensor (best azimuth)
β Setting aberration correction float ring and iris setting ring are lockable
The beta ring, here set to 1.5x, is actually a gear that allows these lenses to be externally motorized in an automated industrial installation. The two threaded holes are for locking set screws.
This red dot indicates the position that the lens should be in to perform at its best and the V mount makes it easy to position the lens to that orientation.
MVR TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Schneider Macro Varon 4.5/85 CAS
Macro Varon 4.5/85-0001
Macro Varon 4.5/85-0002
Macro Varon 4.5/85-0018
PYRITE 4.5/85/0.5x-2.0x V38
Part Number: 100901, 1072517
Type: Industrial Large format 12k 5 μm
Resolution / max. sensor size: 16k 3.5 μm
Optical Design: 8 elements / 6 groups
Focal length: 85.1 mm
Maximum aperture: f/4,5
Sharpest aperture: f/4,5
Numerical aperture: 0.11
Aperture range: f/4 - f/8
Coverage: 62mm image circle
Manufacturers recommended magnification range: 0.5x - 2.0x
Usable magnification range: 0.5x - 3.5x
Relative illumination: 85% for 62mm at -1.0x
Distortion:
Image scale β’ / Distortion / Object image distance OO’
0.5 / <0.2% / 378mm
0.67 / <0.1% / 350mm
1.0 / 0% / 335mm
1.5 / <0.1% / 349mm
2.0 / <0.1% / 378mm
Working distance: 143mm at 1.0x (228mm - 100mm)
Lens wavelength range: 400nm - 700nm
Broadband AR coating: 400nm - 1000nm
Lens mount: V38-Mount
Filter thread: M37 P= 0.75mm
β Setting Gear Ring: DIN 58400; M=0.5; Z=95
Dimensions L x D: 48.0 x 48.5 mm
Current price: $4600 USD (PYRITE 4.5/85/0.5x-2.0x V38)
Source: Lens made in Germany
Price: MRV prices have definitely adjusted lower over the last decade due to changes n the line scan lens market. Back in 2007 the MRV was $6275 USD, or $9,291.84 in 2023 dollars . Today MRV price was much lower at $4650 USD, this is due to the fact that Qioptiq’s Linos Inspec.x L 0.3x - 3.0x float lens is $3,935.02 new, and Tochigi Nikon’s excellent Rayfact VF 0.5x - 3.0x float lens is only $3,450 USD and a more flexible and better performing lens than both the inspec.x L and the MRV!
Notes:
MVR Release Dates
2007: Macro Varon 4.5/85 CAS Type -0001
2009: Macro Varon fixed beta Type -0006 to -0011
2009: Macro Varon 4.5/85 CAS Type -0002
2012: Macro-Varon 4.5/85 with beam splitter 3.5x Type -0017
2013: Macro Varon 4.5/85 Type -0018
2022 Macro Varon 4.5/85 is renamed Pyrite 4.5/85/0.5x-2.0x V38
Macro Varon Lens Types
Macro Varon CAS
Macro Varon 4.5/85 CAS Type -0001
Macro Varon 4.5/85 CAS Type -0002
Macro Varon 4.5/85 CAS Type -0018
Pyrite 4.5/85/0.5x-2.0x V38
Note: According to Schneider the three CAS types, -0001, -0002, and -0018 are all identical optically.
Macro Varon beamsplitter
2012: Macro Varon with beamsplitter 4.5/85 3.5x Type -0017
Note: The MRV beamsplitter uses a different design to compensate for the beamspitter glass block.
Macro Varon fixed beta
Macro Varon fixed beta 4.5/85 0.5x Type -0006
Macro Varon fixed beta 4.5/85 0.6x Type -0007
Macro Varon fixed beta 4.5/85 0.7x Type -0008
Macro Varon fixed beta 4.5/85 0.8x Type -0009
Macro Varon fixed beta 4.5/85 0.9x Type -0010
Macro Varon fixed beta 4.5/85 1.0x Type -0011
PROS AND CONS
What I really like:
Consistent image quality over the entire magnification range
Locking aperture and float rings
Useful mag range
Short focal length (less extension needed)
What I dislike:
More expensive than other float lenses.
MRV MTF and Relative Illumation
MTF 60 lp/mm above and 100 lp/mm below.
tests on Closeuphotography.com that include the Macro Varon
High Performance 2x Lens Test 2022
https://www.closeuphotography.com/2x-lens-test-2022
1X HIGH-END LENS TEST
https://www.closeuphotography.com/1x-test-2020
2x Lens Test: Line Scan Lens vs Scanner Lens
https://www.closeuphotography.com/2x-lens-test-2018
1.4x Scanner Lens Test
https://www.closeuphotography.com/1-point-4-x-lens-test
MEJIRO GENOSSEN FL1030 2.5/95 1-3x HIGH-RESOLUTION VARIABLE-MAGNIFICATION FLOAT LENS TEST
https://www.closeuphotography.com/mejiro-fl1030-float-lens-test
NIKON RAYFACT VF 0.5x - 3.0x Variable Magnification LINE SCAN LENS TEST
https://www.closeuphotography.com/nikon-rayfact-vf-lens-test
Mejiro Genossen FL0530 4.0/110 high-resolution variable-magnification Float Lens Test
https://www.closeuphotography.com/mejiro-float-lens
Nikon Printing-Nikkor 95mm F2.8A 2x Lens Test
https://www.closeuphotography.com/printing-nikkor-95mm-test
It doesnt get much more simple than this, L-R, Schneider Macro Varon > V-mount 39mm adapter > 75mm Canon M39 extension tube > Novoflex Niklei-K adapter and Nikon D810
Schneider Componon-S, 50mm enlarging lens, Macro Varon, and Sigma 105mm OS Macro lens on the right.
SCHNEIDER MACRO VARON MRV 4.5/85 LENS at 1X, Nikon D810, 1/60th second, f/4.5, single flash. Uncropped.
This is a simple, single frame test image made an hour or two after I picked up the lens. More images made with this lens will be posted soon.
100% extreme corner crop of the image above.
100% center crop of the same image.
Macro Varon Shroud
A 37mm to 25mm step down ring makes a perfect hood for the Macro Varon without losing any working distance. This $1.49 step down ring is cheap flare prevention and will help prevent a bent front lip in the case of a fall.
Macro Varon Fixed Beta Type
Macro-Varon 4.5/85 with beam splitter
This lens is designed to be used in line scan applications where coaxial illumination is required. The 60 mm beam splitter cube offers the opportunity to create an in-line illumination for high reflective objects. Coaxial illumination is ideal for demanding circuit boards and other high resolution applications where a bright, diffuse uniform illumination is needed.
This lens offers a high optical performance at a 3.5x magnification over the entire field. The lens design considers the optical glass path of the high quality beam splitter to achieve a top performance. Lens and beam splitter assembly are precisely aligned to each other, so that a maximum of light is captured and directed to the image plane of 12k cameras with 5μm pixel size, with almost no loss at the image edges.
Found this interesting slide from Schnieder showing the recommended lens magnification ranges and where the Macro Varon fits in, thanks google!
This Schneider slide differs in recommending the Macro Varon from 0.05x to over 3.0X! Found via google.
Macro Varon CAS setup for machine vision use.