going to order a pulsar2 xp50pro, where can I get wide angle lenses and adapters - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: edubz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2021, 08:24:41 pm
content: I see amazon has a pulsar xp 50 pro for $3999 with free returns, I will order one, but I wanted to order it with wide lens. it was very annoying with the AGM 25 MM scanning around my back yard, sometimes I had to move back and my back was in the bushes while I tried to look at a tree. I was going to get the newest pulsar 2 xp pro with the <25 NETDI cant seem to find any, are there after market adapters or something to use?

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2021, 08:47:12 pm
content: https://www.pulsar-nv.com/glo/products/33/accessories/helion-thermal-imaging-lenses/Suggest you contact a local Pulsar dealer and enquire about the available lens options and their prices.

author: NCG
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2021, 11:50:32 am
content: Quote from: edubz on August 27, 2021, 08:24:41 pmThe F28 and F38 lenses fit as I understand, just buy separately and switch. F38 was quoted 700 usd.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2021, 12:20:12 pm
content: I did note that the Pulsar Helion 2 XP50 Pro specification does not state that the lens is interchangeable. The Pulsar Helion 2 XP50 standard (non pro) does state that the lens is interchangeable. Hence why it would be wise to check with the local dealer to ensure compatibility of the lenses with the pro model. As has been stated, I would expect the accessory lenses to fit, but best to make certain before buying. It could just be that the Pro model is designed for greatest performance from a fast lens and the accessory lenses do not come up to that specification so are not stated as ‘compatible’ as they will reduce sensitivity.Also note the speed of the Pro lens is f1.0 but the non Pro is fitted with a f1.2 which will reduce sensitivity. The accessory lenses are also f1.2 so may also reduce sensitivity a little but not enough to concern most users. Increased f number provides better depth of field which can be useful and avoid lots of fine focus adjustment in use. Please also be aware that with increased Field of a view, you also see an increase in Instantaneous Field of View (pixel size on target). This can be detrimental to the imaging of small targets at long range as there will be fewer pixels covering the target to reproduce its shape and detail. A VGA camera is obviously better able to cope than a QVGA camera with the same FOV of course.You may actually be better off buying the Helion 2 XP50 standard model and the accessory f1.2 lens for that unit. Adding an accessory f1.2 lens to the Pro model reduces its sensitivity. Much depends on how the manufacturer is specifying the NETD. With a f1.0 lens fitted they are likely stating the microbolometer manufacturers NETD but when a f1.2 lens is fitted, they may be reflecting the increased NETD figure that results from a slower lens. The difference in NETD specification between the two versions suggests to me that this is the case. The Helion XP chassis appears to use the same microbolometer but the lens is setting the stated NETD for the ‘system’ in the specification. A faster lens is usually larger, heavier and more expensive so if you can live with the f1.2 standard XP version because you will be fitting an accessory wider angle f1.2 lens, it makes sense to buy the cheaper standard (non Pro) model maybe ? Your money, your decisionFraser

author: svgurus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2021, 12:39:20 pm
content: Me jelly - you might get it before me!) I never saw officially sold adapter but i can send you a drawing when i'll make itAdapted lenses have problems with dust/water resistance so I keep using original 28+50 for now.https://pulsarguru.ru/aksessuary-pulsar/teplovisionny-obektiv-f28this is most active Russian Pulsar-selling shop, price is fine(375$) - i found used ones cheaper but here they sell it with rear cap and case. If its much more expensive or sold out in US you can write them email -https://pulsarguru.ru/contactsmaybe they will help) but i dont know about shipping time or import taxesFraser, lens is switchable, it's a mistake in specs) in this vid they switched them:About better depth of field with 1,2 lens youre right, but at 15-20+ meter distance its not that big difference already) If the price difference between 2 and 2pro is less than 500$ i'd buy pro, it has better specs and features)

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2021, 12:45:33 pm
content: SVGURUS,Thank you for clarifying the specificationsI am working from only what Pulsar publish and as I said in my previous comments, maybe Pulsar do not expect users to reduce their Helion XP Pro performance by fitting a slower f1.2 accessory lens ? In the current market there seems to be a NETD marketing battle where manufacturers like to claim the lowest possible NETD. Hence the Pro model being equipped with its larger f1.0 lens.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2021, 12:59:41 pm
content: Regarding mounting supplemental lenses on the front of the standard fitment lens. This has been standard practice in industry for many years where there is a desire to maintain camera sealing against dirt, fluid and vapour ingress. My FLIR PM series cameras use supplemental lenses. The down side of adding another lens to the front of a handheld thermal scope is the additional weight forward of the natural balance point and the reduction in sensitivity caused by the transmission losses within the additional lens. In the case of the scopes natural balance the additional weight of a decent quality Germanium lens assembly can make the scope very ‘front heavy’. Much depends upon the required lens element diameters. My PM series supplemental lenses have an exit pupil of around 50mm and the x0.45 lens weighs around 0.4Kg. The Telephoto X2.0 lens is even heavier due to size.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/inside-flir-pm-series-tele-wide-supplemental-lenses/Fluke made some compact x0.45 and X2 supplemental lenses but they are expensive, need a mounting adapter and may not have a compatible exit pupil size fir the Helion XP lenses.The transmission figures for ‘simple’ supplemental lens are often pretty good as quality optics and coatings are used. Between 0.8 (80%) and 0.95 (95%) is common.

author: svgurus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2021, 01:41:42 pm
content: I meant bayonet adaptors for interchangeable lenses, not front attachments) there is some company on ebay selling front attachments for pulsar but i didnt buy them - lot# 114517101239 - example photo doesn't look inspiring but these 2 photos on ebay are very soft from the beginning even w/o converter(maybe its a screenshot from stretched video), numbers and symbols on edges of screen usually are pixel-sharp. For sure this attachment lowers sensivity thermal contrast 2x but its a photo from pulsar xp1, on xp2pro you will get better picture in terms of contrast.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2021, 01:55:05 pm
content: LogoxXXL recycle Germanium lenses from decommissioned cameras and sell them on eBay. The chap constructs supplemental lenses using these recycled lens elements that are mounted in 3D printed lens barrels. The performance of these lenses will be very dependant upon the condition, specification and matching of the lenses as well as the knowledge of LogoXXL. It should be remembered that mixing unmatched lens elements can be a very ‘hit and miss’ affair when it comes to performance and many lens systems were not originally intended to be used in a supplemental lens configuration. Commercial lens designs will employ a hard carbon or other scratch resistant coating on the front lens element to extend its life. Lenses recovered from inside thermal camera equipment are normally AR coated only and no hardened surface coating is employed. These ‘internal lenses’ are easy to scratch and can degrade if exposed to damp conditions.LogoXXL is a member of this forum so I leave it for him to comment on the performance of his lens systemsFraser

author: edubz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2021, 03:12:52 pm
content: I thought I could use any lens like with my micro 4/3rds camera, with an adapter I can use any lens, even lens from the 1960s and they all give their own good quality. I thought I could put something wide. With the pulsar lenses I would only be gaining maybe 3 or 4 degrees of FOV, and the lenses cost alot. I might have to look at different models as the FOV of the XP50 is very small

author: Bill W
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2021, 11:54:37 am
content: Quote from: edubz on September 02, 2021, 03:12:52 pmIndeed, most of this product type are for narrow field of view as the use is shooting small things from a long way away.As e2v we made a similar camera with a set of interchangeable lenses - the Argus P-type camera:https://res.cloudinary.com/iwh/image/upload/q_auto,g_center/assets/1/26/Argus_P-Type_Thermal_Camera_Datasheet.pdfNow I'll be honest that the only reason it came with 50° and 25° degree field of view lenses was that we already had the designs from the earlier Argus4 (P7250 / P7225) and it made a nice low 'From' price. Slightly surprisingly we did sell quite a few with the 25° field of view lens 'C', but the majority (of not that many) went for the 10° lens 'E' or a 'C' and an 'E' or 'F'.No demand for the 50°, although lens 'B' was of course 25° on the 160x120 sensor.Note that this is no longer available as new from Avon / distributors but a lot of the older 2014 webpages are still live.Bill

author: svgurus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2021, 06:04:31 pm
content: Quote from: edubz on September 02, 2021, 03:12:52 pmWell, if you thought you can adapt ANY lens, including non-thermal I totally wish you good luck in your searches)If you think you'll find decent VGA resolution imager with changeable lenses for similar price - good luck again;)Guide made one with bayonet mount but there is almost 0 info about it, Guide ir 517v model. Others want you to buy new imager for each focal length. There were Flir BHS binoculars with 35-65-100 bayonet lenses, they are still expensive and still limited to 3 lenses, for adapting others you must make a ton of work, plus their images are interpolatedi have adapter for helion XQ lenses and XP cameras, its a ring with bayonet and m32 thread, bought it for ~60$ from guy who produced dozens of them. guess he could make m25 thread too then you can adapt this lens:https://aliexpress.ru/item/4001201070938.htmlwith 24mm adapter you can try flir tau 7,5 9 13mm lenses, but I still haven't bought them.And imagers without focus ring dont have autofocus lol, they are focused at infinityAF is incorporated in flir/fluke/testo imagers for "professionals", check if you have 3rd kidney to buy VGA one with set of lenses because they dont allow adapting third-party lenses afaik