Photon extreme 135mm lens

[big kev]

Is there anyone out there in NV land know if there's any pictures on the forum of an extreme build with a 135mm lens on, just wondered if it would look too front heavy

[Brooksy]

I think the original post/thread was a 135mm lens and it looked OK.

Here it is.
http://nightvisionforumuk.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11280

Sorry, this may be a 105mm on the picture. But do you need good looking Photons in the dark?

[Radagast]

A few guys are using F3.5 135mm lenses, but more IR is required compared to the f2.8 105mm lens. Gypo is using a 700 gram Zenit 100mm F1.5 lens, so the housing can take the weight. There are F2.8 & F2.5 135mm lenses, but they tend to go for good money.

[jackal1]

I use a 135mm lense and it is fine.

[Tremo]

Is there anyone out there in NV land know if there's any pictures on the forum of an extreme build with a 135mm lens on, just wondered if it would look too front heavy

Alright Kev?

I use a 105mm and a 135mm. In all honesty I can't see much difference between the image (i.e. FoV). The 135mm gives you a little more magnification. I've never found the 135mm to be "front heavy" at all. A decent 135mm can be picked up for sub £30, whereas a decent 105mm will cost you in the region of £90 and upwards. So in short I would definitely recommend the 135mm over the 105mm. Of course this is just my opinion. There are plenty of guys on here that would disagree.

One factor is commonly accepted though ......... Make sure you get one that is in good nick. Minimal usage and well cared for.

Tremo

[Brooksy]

As Tremo says, any wear in the focussing rollers/guides and they are all over the place.

If you get a chance before purchase, turn the focussing ring until the lens extends and grip the inner tube and twist it back and to, if it rattles around with any free play don't buy it.

[big kev]

Thanks for the replies ,I found a 105mm f3.5 on Ebay for £37, I spoke to the seller before hitting the buy it now button, who was quite happy to take it back if it turned out not to be suitable, there is minimal movement in the lens which I'll find out shortly if its gonna be a problem but other than that a nice clean lens. I fitted it yesterday with no issues and tried it from the back of my house, I was quite impressed, a big improvement on the original and with the iris closed down there was no need for any caps or filters even though it was quite bright. Had a quick walk out on one of my permissions last night just me the scope and the new XC50 ir torch, no rifle and true to form when you havn't a gun with you, a charlie playing peek a boo through a hedge, soon forgot about that when I started scanning about with the photon, what a difference, before with the old lens you could only tell a fox was a fox when it was about 60 yards away, now 80 yard rabbit looks about 20 yards away, a lamb in front of a feed hopper at 180 yards clear as a bell, even a sheep's head from behind a gatepost at about 300 and other sheep further than that, maybe not quite as clear but still identifiable, all in all a £70 well spent an a big thumbs up to the originator of the extreme thread and all others involved .

[Tremo]

Another happy customer.

Have a look at the footage that some of us have dropped on Youtube.