Nikon 150X/0.90 WD 0.29 CF Plan Apo Replacement Solution

Product Overview

Nikon 150X/0.90 WD 0.29 CF Plan Apo Replacement Solution: Smooth Transition from Legacy Objectives

When a critical objective fails mid-project or your legacy Nikon optical system reaches end-of-service life, unplanned downtime in a precision imaging environment carries significant cost. The Nikon 150X/0.90 WD 0.29 CF Plan Apo Objective — supplied complete with spacer kit 0040-76219, 0040-76220, and 0040-76221 — is the direct replacement and upgrade solution for laboratories, semiconductor inspection lines, and materials analysis facilities operating legacy Nikon Eclipse, Optiphot, or Measurescope platforms.

This objective delivers a numerical aperture of 0.90 at 150× magnification with a working distance of 0.29 mm, maintaining full compatibility with Nikon’s CF (Chrome-Free) optical correction standard. The included spacer kit ensures correct parfocal height alignment when transitioning from earlier-generation CF objectives or when integrating into a mixed nosepiece configuration alongside components such as the Nikon CF Plan Apo 100X/0.95 or CF Plan Apo 50X/0.55. Facilities upgrading from discontinued Nikon M-Plan or BD Plan series objectives will find the mechanical thread pitch, parfocal distance, and tube length specification fully compatible, eliminating the need for nosepiece or body tube modification.

For facilities running Nikon Eclipse LV, Eclipse MA, or Measurescope UM series platforms, the 150X CF Plan Apo integrates directly into the existing revolving nosepiece without adapter rings. When replacing a worn or damaged Nikon CF Plan Apo 150X DIC variant, the standard brightfield version supplied here supports conversion back to DIC imaging by retaining the existing Nomarski prism slider and analyzer — no optical realignment is required. Facilities that have previously operated the Nikon LU Plan Fluor 150X for semiconductor wafer inspection will note that the CF Plan Apo variant offers superior chromatic correction across the visible spectrum, making it the preferred choice for color-critical metrology and thin-film analysis.

The spacer kit components — 0040-76219 (primary spacer ring), 0040-76220 (intermediate shim), and 0040-76221 (locking collar) — are machined to Nikon factory tolerances and are essential for maintaining the correct 45 mm parfocal distance when the objective is installed on a nosepiece that previously housed a shorter CF Plan series lens. Omitting these spacers during installation will result in focus offset errors and potential contact between the front element and the specimen surface. Each spacer is individually serialized and supplied pre-cleaned to ISO Class 5 cleanroom standards.

Procurement teams sourcing replacement objectives for multi-station inspection lines will benefit from our in-stock availability of complementary system components. Facilities completing a full nosepiece refresh commonly pair this 150X objective with the Nikon CF Plan Apo 20X/0.46 for low-magnification survey work, the CF Plan Apo 50X/0.55 for intermediate inspection, and the CF Plan Apo 100X/0.95 for high-resolution defect review — establishing a four-position nosepiece configuration that covers the full inspection workflow without changing platforms. For transmitted-light applications, the Nikon Abbe Condenser NA 0.90 is the matched illumination component and is available separately.

Facilities migrating from third-party objective brands — including Olympus MPLAPON, Leica N PLAN, or Zeiss EC Plan-Neofluar series — should note that the Nikon RMS thread standard (0.800″ × 36 TPI) is shared across most major manufacturers, allowing physical installation without adapters. However, parfocal distance and tube length correction differ between brands; the supplied spacer kit compensates for these differences when transitioning from non-Nikon objectives on a Nikon body. Our technical team can advise on specific cross-brand migration scenarios prior to order placement.

Each unit shipped from our Xiamen facility undergoes a pre-dispatch optical verification procedure: resolution target imaging at full aperture, centration check, and parfocal height measurement against a calibrated reference nosepiece. Units that do not meet Nikon factory MTF specifications are quarantined and not dispatched. This process applies equally to new-old-stock (NOS) units and refurbished objectives, with the inspection report available upon request.

Compatibility Comparison Table

Seamless Upgrade Solutions

A complete nosepiece modernization or platform migration typically involves more than a single objective. When upgrading from a legacy Nikon inspection system, the following components are commonly required alongside the 150X CF Plan Apo.

For facilities building a full magnification range, the Nikon CF Plan Apo 10X/0.30 and CF Plan Apo 20X/0.46 provide the survey and navigation magnifications, while the CF Plan Apo 50X/0.55 covers intermediate defect classification. At the high end, the CF Plan Apo 100X/0.95 complements the 150X for sequential high-resolution review without platform change. Facilities operating in reflected-light mode will require the Nikon LV-UEPI2 episcopic illuminator, which mounts directly to the Eclipse LV body and supports the full CF Plan Apo nosepiece range. For transmitted-light brightfield and DIC work, the Nikon Abbe Condenser NA 0.90 is the matched sub-stage component. Laboratories requiring photomicrography or camera integration should verify compatibility of their existing Nikon DS-Ri2 or DS-Fi3 camera adapter with the 150X objective’s image circle — the CF Plan Apo series is corrected for Nikon’s standard 25 mm image field. Finally, facilities performing wafer or flat-panel inspection on motorized stages should confirm that their Nikon TI-S-ER motorized stage Z-travel range accommodates the 0.29 mm working distance without risk of objective-specimen contact during autofocus routines.

Retrofit Guidance FAQ

Q: Can I install this objective directly without the spacer kit?
A: No. The spacer kit (0040-76219, 0040-76220, 0040-76221) is required to achieve the correct 45 mm parfocal distance. Installing without spacers will cause focus offset and risk front-element contact with the specimen.

Q: Is this objective compatible with my existing Nikon Eclipse MA200 system?
A: Yes. The CF Plan Apo 150X uses the standard Nikon RMS thread and is compatible with all Eclipse MA, LV, and Measurescope UM nosepieces. No body tube or nosepiece modification is required.

Q: Can I use this objective with both 200 mm and 300 mm tube length systems?
A: Yes. This unit supports both 200/300 mm tube length configurations as indicated in the SKU specification. Confirm your tube length setting in the microscope body before installation.

Q: Will my existing DIC Nomarski prism slider work with this objective?
A: Yes, provided the prism slider is matched to the 150X/0.90 NA specification. No optical realignment is required when replacing a CF Plan Apo DIC variant with this standard brightfield unit while retaining the existing prism.

Q: What is the lead time and shipping origin?
A: In-stock units ship from our Xiamen facility within 1–3 business days. International express delivery (DHL/FedEx) typically reaches major destinations within 3–7 business days. Tracking is provided at dispatch.

Q: Can I migrate from an Olympus or Zeiss objective to this Nikon unit?
A: The RMS thread is physically compatible. However, parfocal distance and tube length correction differ. Contact our technical team before ordering for cross-brand migration guidance.

Warranty Assurance

Every Nikon 150X/0.90 WD 0.29 CF Plan Apo Objective supplied by TOPNLMS is covered by a 12-month warranty against optical defects, mechanical failure, and coating delamination under normal operating conditions. Prior to dispatch, each unit undergoes a documented optical verification procedure including resolution target imaging, centration measurement, and parfocal height confirmation. Units failing to meet Nikon factory MTF specifications are not shipped.

In the event of a warranty claim, TOPNLMS provides a replacement unit or full refund within the warranty period. Customers are required to return the defective unit with the original inspection report. Replacement units are dispatched within 5 business days of claim approval. Our after-sales team responds to warranty inquiries within 24 hours on business days.

For procurement teams requiring documentation for incoming inspection or quality management systems, we can supply the pre-dispatch inspection report, certificate of conformance, and packing list in advance of shipment upon request.