In an effort to spare others from wasting their time and money on poor performing optics I’ve started this not recommended list, also known as the Hall of Shame.
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Admon 105mm f/2.8 model 918 lens
Lens Type: Line Scan
Magnification tested: 1.55x
Issue(s): strong pink and green chromatic aberrations
Price paid: $25
Notes: had high hopes for this great looking lens but it appears to be designed for a wavelength range other than visible.
Link for more info: https://www.closeuphotography.com/blog/this-just-in-admon-918-industrial-inspection-lens
Update: https://www.closeuphotography.com/blog/admon-918-industrial-lens-update
Presentation Technologies Montage FR1 50mm f/4 (47mm f/4.2) (also sold by Lasergraphics)
Lens Type: Digital Film Recorder
Magnification tested: 2.4x - 3.5x (in reverse)
Issue(s): Some of highest chromatic aberration and fringing levels seen in a lens tested here at the office
Price paid: $29
Notes: this lens also used by Lasergraphics, deserves some kind of award for exceptionally bad image quality, and to think I paid good money for this lens! This 50mm f/4 lens was also in some Lasergraphics standard SmartBack LFR models.
Link for more info: https://www.closeuphotography.com/blog/montage-fr1-50mm-f/4-lens
Noritsu Zoom NC3x-15.6x H018070
Lens Type: sold as a printing lens but my theory is that this is video projection lens.
Magnification tested: infinity, 5x, and 0.25x, normal and reverse.
Issue(s): overall poor IQ, and poor CA control.
Price paid: $3.93
Link for more info:
https://www.closeuphotography.com/blog/2022/5/27/quick-look-noritsu-zoom-nc3x-156x-h018070
Noritsu 124mm f/21 Z902703 135F 2UP 62mm x 39mm (2.5in x 3.5in)
Lens Type: Minilab printing machine lens for enlarging 35mm film to 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 inch prints.
Magnification tested: 1.4x - 1.6x normal and reversed
Issue(s): soft image due to the f/50 effective aperture.
Price paid: $7.50 + shipping
Link for more info:
https://www.closeuphotography.com/blog/2022/10/28/quick-look-noritsu-124mm-f21-minilab-lens