High-resolution variable-magnification float ring lenses like the Mejiro Genossen FL0530 (FL530) are designed to cover the extra wide 12K and 16K line scan sensors used in industrial inspection to identify flaws in the production of semiconductors, FPDs (flat panel displays), and PCBs (printed circuit boards). The lens has to cover the 11,000 to 16,000 pixel wide sensors with a flat field, consistent sharpness, low distortion, and extremely low color fringing. The phrase float refers to the aberration correcting floating element group controlled by the magnification setting ring. Floating elements are lens elements outside of the primary focus group that change positions to correcting aberrations a each magnification. By using a floating element optical design controlled by a float magnification ring, the lens achieves very high performance over an extremely wide magnification range over an extra large image field. The float ring on this lens does exactly as advertised, images made during this test are free from lateral chromatic aberrations (LaCA) and longitudinal chromatic aberrations (LoCAs) from 0.5x to 3.0x. FL530 lenses are rarely seen on the used market, I’ve seen these for sale only two times in the last 5 years!
January 2022 update: Mejiro Genossen has reached out to our office after a few attempts to reach them. They were very helpful. I’ve posted some updated lens info I will post near the bottom of this page under the section: New Mejiro Genossen Technical Information. I will post more pricing info and more next week.
Chendata (EBay seller) has 6 of these lenses in stock now for a very fair price and they one of the very few eBay sellers I recommend. You don’t see these lenses very often and this batch looks like they are in excellent condition.
Auction: https://www.ebay.com/itm/115196772245?
seller: https://www.ebay.com/usr/chendata?
Chendata has supplied colleagues and the office with a some excellent optics over the years.
The Mejiro Genossen FL0530 4.0/110 Float Lens is one of the current float lenses sold my Mejiro, the older model, the Etendue Mejiro M-Zoom 4/110 Float lens, was tested in 2020: https://www.closeuphotography.com/nikon-rayfact-vf-lens-test
About this test
This test and all the content on my site is completely independent and free from industry influence and run for free in my spare time. Almost all photography sites today exist to generate profit selling you the products they are featuring by using affiliate links to generate a commission. I do not making any income from anything you buy, I do not show ads, use any affiliate links or track your web history. The goal of this site is to help people buy the right equipment rather than waste time and money buying the wrong equipment due to misconceptions and falsehoods, and instead of making a few dollars from this site, I would rather teach people to make the most of the equipment they already have.
Mejiro Genossen FL0530 4.0/110 Float Lens
KEY FEATURES OF THE FL0530 LENS
Wide -0.5x ~ -3.0x magnification range!
Extra large 82mm image circle
Chromatic aberrations are effectively controlled by a floating element group
Maintains diffraction-limited performance over the entire magnification range
Bright f/4 maximum aperture
Designed for sensors with up to 3.5 μm pixel size
Low distortion 0% at 1x to 1.9% at 3x
V54 mount (RafCamera has a V54 to SM2 mount adapter available)
Flat image field with zero corner shading
Lockable aperture and float rings (always great to see on a lens)
Aperture and float rings are geared so they can set by external power drives
No trace of CA or LoCAs were seen during testing
Very solid all metal construction
Test setup
Camera: Sony α7R IV, Sony Alpha ILCE-A7R IV
Sensor size: Full Frame. 35.7mm x 23.8mm. 42.9 mm diagonal. 3.76 micron sensor pitch
Flash: Godox TT350s wireless flash x 2 with one Godox X1s 2.4G wireless flash transmitter
A stack of images was made at each magnification on a Nikon MM-11 with a Nikon focus block. The sharpest image was chosen at Photoshop at 100% view. The single RAW file was processed in PS CC with all noise reduction and lens correction turned off, all settings were zeroed out (true zero) and the same settings were used for all of the images. All test image crops are taken from single images. All test image crops are taken from single images that have been processed identically, with similar sharpening, unless noted.
Mejiro Genossen FL0530 4.0/110 Float Lens
Canon MP-E 2.8/65 1-5x Macro Lens
Inspec.x L 5.6/105 Float Lens
Schneider Macro Varon 4.5/85 CAS line scan lens
1x Test
Center, APSC corner, and full frame crop areas outlined above.
100% center crop at 1x
Rating the 4 in order of descending sharpness in the center; Canon MP-E sharpest, Mejiro, Macro Varon and Linos inspec.x. All the lenses are excellent in the center at 1x and 100% view and no problems at all with chromatic aberrations at this magnification. The MP-E was closed down to f/4 for best results, the Mejiro, inspec.x and Macro Varon were shot wide-open.
100% APSC corner crop at 1x
Rating the 4 in order; The Mejiro, MP-E, Macro Varon extremely close to call with the Linos inspec.x L very close to the other three.
100% full frame corner crop at 1x
In order of descending sharpness in the extreme corner; Linos inspec.x L is best, Mejiro, Macro Varon and the Canon MP-E weakest. The MP-E was a different frame selected for sharpness, the other 3 were all a single frame for all 3 crops. No problems at all with chromatic aberration except for the MP-E crop where I see some green CAs. The MP-E corners might improve stopped down.
2x Test
100% center crop at 2x
At 2x the MP-E was tested at f/4 for best results, the Mejiro was set at f/4.5, and the other two where used wide open.
Rating the 4 in order of descending sharpness in the center at 2x; the MP-E sharpest but with issues, the Mejiro and Macro Varon were very close, and inspec.x was close behind. The MP-E was sharpest but in terms of image quality I would rate it in last place due to the CAs.
100% APSC corner crop at 2x
In order of descending sharpness in the APSC corners at 2x; the Macro Varon is best, the Mejiro, the inspec.x and the MP-E in last but at least the CAs are cleaned up here.
100% full frame corner crop at 2x
In the extreme full frame corners; Mejiro, Macro Varon, inspec.x and the MP-E close but slightly less sharp than the others and again the red fringing is an issue with the Canon but not with the others. Just in case you are wondering, the images out of all 4 lenses are processed at the same time with identical settings and all correction and noise reduction disabled.
3x test
100% center crop at 3x
All three lenses were shot wide-open at 3x. The Macro Varon was not tested here since 3x is out of the magnification range of the lens.
In the center at 3x the Mejiro had the best balance in image quality. In terms of image quality; the Mejiro is best, and inspec.x, and the MP-E worst due to the glowing red fringing. In terms of sharpness the MP-E was sharpest, followed by the Mejiro, and inspec.x behind due to the slower maximum aperture causing a loss due to diffraction.
100% APSC corner crop at 3x
The APSC corner crop results are the same as the center; the Mejiro had the best balance in image quality. The MP-E worst due to the glowing red fringing. In terms of sharpness the MP-E was sharpest, followed by the Mejiro, and inspec.x behind due to the slower maximum aperture causing a loss due to diffraction.
100% full frame corner crop at 3x
The situation is the same in the full frame corners; the Mejiro had the best balance in image quality. The CAs out of the MP-E are severe in all the crops at 3x. The inspec.x was consistent but limited due to the slow aperture.
final verdict
1. Mejiro Genossen FL0530 4.0/110 Float Lens
2. Schneider Macro Varon 4.5/85 CAS line scan lens
3. Inspec.x L 5.6/105 Float Lens
4. Canon MP-E 2.8/65 1-5x Macro Lens
The Mejiro had the best balance of sharpness and chromatic correction in this test across the entire magnification range. The Canon was sharpest but also the least corrected and the image quality was not consistent at higher magnification. The Macro Varon was excellent all around but the Mejiro was very very close and with a larger magnification range and larger image circle.
It is important to note that the Mejiro (and inspec.x) has the largest image circle at 82mm and the Canon the smallest at 43mm. The Macro Varon IC in between at 62mm. The Mejiro and inspec.x were the easiest to work with since they had a generous working distance, the MP-E was shortest and was the most difficult to handle.
The images out of all 4 lenses were processed at the same time with identical settings and all correction and noise reduction disabled. To be fair the CAs out of the MP-E are severe but this is the case with all Canon macro lenses I’ve tested. Unfortunately Canon is relying on auto-correction to remove CAs. This is common with a lot of manufacturers today. Some cameras use opt-codes that force auto-correction and this cannot be disabled with Adobe apps.
Test Notes
Mejiro Genossen FL0530 4.0/110 Float Lens
Highly recommended especially for the prices on the used market and especially compared to the Macro Varon. The perfect lens for someone using or looking to upgrade to medium format. Excellent chromatic aberration correction!
Schneider Macro Varon 4.5/85 CAS line scan lens
Very good and one of my favorites but expensive compared to the competition and the smaller image circle. The strengths of the MV are the shorter focal length and compact size.
Inspec.x L 5.6/105 Float Lens
The maximum aperture was not a good match for the Sony α7R IV and the 3.76 micron sensor pitch of the sensor but would be fine with real life subjects for medium format cameras. Easy to find online and an awesome magnification range!
Canon MP-E 2.8/65 1-5x Macro Lens
Convenient to use and easy to find on the used market but very expensive for what it is and not the best handling lens of this test due to the short WD and poorly-designed light-blocking front end. Also it looks like chromatic aberration correction was not high on Canon’s design priority list. The Canon MacroPhoto 2.8/35 is a better all around performer and about 1/4 the cost of the MP-E.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Mejiro Genossen FL0530 4.0/110 Float Lens
Part Number: FL0530
Type: Industrial Large format inspection with line scan and area scan cameras
Sensor: large format line and area scan 16k/3.5 μm & 12k/5 μm
Maximum sensor size: 82mm image circle. This lens will cover medium format digital camera like Phase One IQ3 100MP (11608 x 8708 pixel, 53.7 x 40.4mm sensor, 4.63 μm sensor with a 67mm diagonal).
Focal length: 110mm
Optical Structure: unknown
Maximum aperture: f/4
Sharpest Aperture: f/4
Aperture range: f/4 - f/8
Iris Blades: 7
Working Distance: 198mm - 114mm, 1x to 3x, front glass to subject
Manufacturers recommended magnification range: 0.5x - 3.0x
Lens mount: V-mount V54
Filter thread: M49 P= 0.75mm
Source: Lens made in Japan
Retail price: unknown
PROS AND CONS
What I really like:
Consistent image quality over a extra large image circle
Excellent chromatic aberration correction
Locking aperture and float rings
Wide 0.5x - 3x range
What I dislike:
Mejiro customer service
Mejiro Customer Service
Update: As of 2022 Mejiro Genossen has contacted the office now so it looks like they have upgraded their customer service department.
Mejiro float lens INSTALLATION NOTES
This lens uses easy to use v-mount rear and M49 accessory threads so you should not have any problems mounting and using the lens. I bought this lens from eBay seller Chendata and they includes a V54 to M58 thread adapter as a free bonus. Raf Camera makes a V54 to SM2 adapter which also makes installation very convenient. Email me if you have need any assistance.
Variable Mag Float Lens quick comparison
| 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 Linos Inspec.x L float lens, Rodenstock Digaron, and Alpa Macro Switar, share optical designs and are all made by Qioptiq. The HR Digaron and Macro Switar magnification range is labeled 0.24-4.0x but in reality the range is 0.3 - 3.0x.
New Mejiro Genossen Technical Information
2019 Mejiro Lens Lineup
LINKS FOR MORE INFO ON OTHER FLOAT LENSES
Linos Inspec.x L float lens on the Qioptiq site:
Inspec.x L float lens data sheet PDF:
https://www.qioptiq-shop.com/out/Graphics/en/00121322_0.pdf
Rodenstock HR Digaron (Linos Inspec.x L float lens) PDF on the Linhof site:
http://linhof.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/HR-Dig-Macro-105-mm-2017-Manual.pdf
Macro Switar info on the Alpa site:
https://www.alpa.ch/en/article/macro-switar-5-6105-mm
Macro Switar lens data PDF:
https://www.alpa.ch/_files/Macro_Switar_105_Manual.pdf
Rodenstock HR Digaron float lens data sheet:
https://www.alpa.ch/_files/HR-Dig_Macro-105mm_Data-Sheet_E_2017-11.pdf
The VF lens info on the Tochigi Nikon site:
https://www.tochigi-nikon.co.jp/en/products/lens/vf.htm
VF PDF on the the Tochigi Nikon site:
https://www.tochigi-nikon.co.jp/en/products/lens/VF_V7_2_E.pdf
VF lens page on the North American distributors site: