Abakus News
We have formally and officially shortened our name to Abakus Ltd. Abakus Scientific has often been referred to as just Abakus, so it seemed sensible to make it official. Along with the name Abakus Ltd registered at Company House in London, we have also acquired an equivalent shortened website address which is www.abakus.co.uk. This name became available on Christmas Eve 2005, so we got it as a present to our long suffering customers, who have uncomplainingly used the much longer www.abakus-scientific.com. We hope that the new short version will be more convenient for everyone to use. e-mail:sales@abakus.co.uk.
We still have the same snail-mail address at, Grange Farm, Bourne Road, Carlby, Stamford PE9 4LU, UK
Visit Abakus at the following 2008 Exhibitions
We will be demonstrating our NEW range of B4 mount to C- mount adaptors.
These are available for a large range of formats. The 2/3" B4 mount lens is converted to 1/3", 1/2" and even super-16 format. In each case the angle of view is maintained and for the 1/3" and 1/2" cameras there is also a significant increase in lens speed.
This range of Abakus Adapters enables the use of the full range of B4-mount video lenses with new high quality c-mount cameras. Due to the purpose designed optical quality of the lenses within all the Abakus adapters, there is no loss of picture quality.
The lens optics within each of the adapters have been purpose designed to integrate with specific camera blocks. The front of each adapter has a rugged integrated stainless steel B4-mount which fits onto the rear of B4 video lenses.
There is an integral rotatable collar, with locking screw, to accommodate the screw thread of the camera's c-mount. The rotatable collar allows the B4 lenses to be orientated correctly to maximise usability and picture quality.
The rear of the adapters interfaces perfectly fit with the cameras c-mount. Mechanically they are easy to use. Angles of view are maintained.
We will also be showing our Image Intensifier attachment. This fits between any B4 mount camera and any B4 mount lens. Whilst we will be able to show the adapter on a camera, the pictures are unlikely to be impressive unless we have a power cut!
Abakus will be at IBC2008 in Amsterdam in September where we look forward to seeing everyone associated with TV/Cine. Please come and see us, put your feet up, have a cup of tea and a piece of cake, in Hall 11, Stand G29.
This is where to come to see our range of top quality High Definition B4 mount lenses. This high-end range includes the amazing ultra-wide Abakus Stadium lens. See for yourself the 210° diagonal angle of view in action - seeing is believing! Although it is frequently used for sport where it is often used just to see the whole of a stadium in a single shot, its cinematographic uses are varied and as wide as your imagination. The less extreme lenses in this range are the Arena and Theatre lenses. Click here for further product details.
Stadium Lens Used at Twickenham
The Abakus Stadium lens is now used for rugby Internationals at Twickenham, as well as many International and Premier League football games.
(Picture courtesy of Sky Sports and RFU)
Abakus have a range of format converter/adapters which enable the use of B4 mount HD/SD lenses for super-16 or for super-35. See the Abakus 132 and the Abakus 260 at the show.
If you are a camera operator you will know the problems associated with using a video lens on a tripod. Save your back - come and see the Abakus Viewfinder Extender system. This is still the best system on the market. Click here for further product details.
Abakus are exhibiting Radiation Tolerant Optical Systems at:
Sellafield on Tuesday 8th April and
Risley on Thursday 10th April
The nuclear industry needs to see into radioactive environments and Abakus has a NEW range of radiation tolerant products to let you do this safely and comfortably. The Abakus Ultra-wide Radiation
Tolerant Viewing System. allows 180° up/down and sideways viewing through nuclear containment walls of different thicknesses (6" to more than 6ft) from a single standard 6" diameter port position.
Radiation tolerant relays, transfer images through the wall and also reduce the radiation shine paths. Click here for details.
One Advantages of the this system is that there are no moving mechanical or electronic parts at the "hot" end of the system. This reduces the possibility of expensive breakdowns.
A second Advantage is that, from the comfort of the "cool zone", a variety of viewing options are available. e.g. The whole 180° arc of vision inside the "hot zone" can be seen and/or recorded using simple surveillance methodology. Or, more excitingly, the viewing area can be scanned in detail, with the facility to zoom in close-up anywhere in the field of view. This can be done in real-time or recorded.
If views through smaller than 6" diameter ports are required, the radiation-tolerant Abakus mini-borescope probe provides the ideal solution. This is available as either a straight-through system, or with an in-built angle prism to "see round corners".
Abakus will also have their other radiation tolerant products on show e.g. fixed focal length lenses (6mm. 9mm, 15mm, 25mm) These are a small useful size (e.g. 22mm diameter x 40mm long). Abakus also produce a 4.5mm fixed focal length lens which has a wide 120° angle of vision. Click here for details.
Abakus is well placed to meet the challenges associated with the design and production of first quality lenses using radiation tolerant glass types. Abakus take real pride in their high quality products. Come and talk to Dr. Ken Pollitt about rad-tol products you need.
Abakus were very sad to hear about the demise of Optex Ltd, and that Optex had gone into liquidation on the day before Christmas Eve 2005, particularly as Optex were Abakus's very first customer when Abakus was founded in 1991. Since then Abakus did the optical design, assembly and testing of a variety of products which were sold by Optex and over badged by Optex. These products included the x1.2 Zeiss converter, x2 range extender, all the super-16 lenses (4mm, 5.5mm 8mm) and the High Definition "Excellence" Periscope/Borescope with all its special lenses (40mm, 28mm, 20mm, 14mm and 10mm).
We would appreciate direct feedback from past Optex customers regarding their future needs and wants for any of the above "Optex" products which were originated by Abakus. Customers may find it useful to know that Abakus still carry some spare optical components for these products.
Abakus can now offer new conversion kits for the Zeiss 10-100 16 mm lens to convert it to super 16 12-120. Click here for details.