OPTEX EXCELLENCE — Element Camera | Cameras | Lenses

OPTEX EXCELLENCE PROBE LENS

The OpTex Excellence probe/periscope system is an engineering masterpiece in the world of probe lenses.

This lens system is magical with product and macro photography. The OpTex Excellence creates a unique and immersive POV that is intriguing, unusual, fresh and new. The lens allows the camera to become smaller and to get closer - dramatizing smaller commercial objects and props - cell phones, wearables, toys, food and cosmetics etc. The OpTex Excellence has become the industry benchmark of Macro Photography.

Element Camera in Los Angeles, California represents one of the few complete OpTex Excellence Probe Lens Systems in the Western Hemisphere. We spent years searching the world for this system. Despite its brilliance and popularity, the design of the system stressed OpTex to the point of collapse. Very few of these lenses were built by OpTex before the company shut down in the mid 2000’s. In the world of Immersive Close Up Macro Cinematography - there is no parallel. We are happy to share this amazing tool.

Why the OpTex Excellence System?

Image Quality.

The Excellence is purpose built to the highest possible quality. Engineers avoided using hybrid components traditionally used in periscope/probe systems with all the limitations they imposed. All optics are precisely colour matched, so results are consistent in any combination. The result is a periscope/probe system that will give image quality equivalent to the best Prime Motion Picture lenses. Directors and Clients are thrilled with the visual clarity and detail of the OpTex Excellence.

Flexibilty.

Built from the ground up as a rugged modular system, the OpTex Excellence can be arranged in multiple configurations with five different focal lengths and various format modules. Images are prime-lens-sharp at a fast T5.6 in 35mm mode (T2.8 in S-16 and T2.2 in 2/3”). Most probe systems today are slower, built from plastic, designed around a single focal length, and cannot be re-configured to match the needs of challenging shots.

An Optical Swiss Army Knife.

Modular by design, the OpTex Excellence can be quickly and easily changed into multiple configurations. Need to reach across a table top? Configure as a Borescope. Need to get low? A Periscope will get you on the deck. Click through the images below for options and ideas.

5 Degrees Points of View.

Five Prime lenses - 120°, 100°, 78°, 60°, and 43° - marked in Degrees rather than focal length, Focal Length equivalents are represented in the table below by format.
Degrees represent field of view (FOV). This because the system is universal across a wide range of formats.
FOV and Depth of field are maintained across all formats.
Each color-matched telecentric lens is sharp with excellent contrast equal to current prime lenses. Lens quality is superb wide open.
The OpTex Excellence’s Close focus is extreme, but each lens is capable of “twisting” a bit more to add the systems all-ready-amazing close focus capabilities. Think of it as an an additional variable extension tube.
The Aperture scale is in T Stops measured at Short Infinity. There is no need to compensate for exposure, no matter what module is used.

OpTex Excellence Probe Borescope 5 Lenses Macro

OpTex Excellence Lenses closeup Macro Probe Los Angeles

OpTex Excellence Lens Chart equivalents Los angeles Macro

Mission Control.

Because of its compact construction, the OpTex Excellence System will work with a wide range of Motion Control (MOCO) rigs. The following table should be used to calculate movement nodes for pan and tilt. The Table shows the approximate front nodal plane of each prime lens. However, we advise individual tests for precision work. The measurements have been taken from the front ring of the lens.