Right Angle Prisms - Review of Cheaper Options

[LewDude]

I've been looking for some decent right-angle prisms, but trying to keep budget at a minimum. In the end, this means spending some extra on ebay in order to find the right option(s), but end up with a review that may or may not help someone else wondering what's available on a budget.

I started receiving some earlier this week, and waited until I had a few to look at before starting this. I'll update this thread as more arrive. [Updated 9/26 with 4th option!]

So far here is what I have:


Link to buy: http://a.co/d/9rtomn3



Link to buy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/182876201434



Link to buy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/182917273908


Link to buy: https://ebay.us/rOZhPc

Chart of power transmission / power loss for 3 wavelengths:


A pic of 1st 3 side by side (from L to R , option 3,2,1)


Option 1: Amazon set of 2, different sizes.
$17.76
Delivery Time to US: 3 Days
From Description:

Right Angle Prism Set - Small Right Angle Prism, 1.4" (35mm) Hypotenuse, 1" (25mm) Sides and Large Right Angle Prism, 2.9"(74 mm) Hypotenuse, 2" (50mm) Sides​

​

Product features​

Clear polished surfaces​

90 degrees X 45 degrees X 45 degrees​

Refractive index close to optical glass​

Can produce rainbow from a non-monochromatic light source such as sun light​

All edges have slight bevel​

Power Transmission: .0587/.0680 = 86.3%
Note: These are acrylic. They work, but not as well as the glass options. Fast shipping via Amazon Prime.

Option 2: Ebay, 1 piece
$12.98
Delivery time to US: 12 Days
From Description:

1PC 25.4x25.4x25.4mm 45 90 Degree K9 Optical Glass Right Angle Triangular Internal Inside Reflecting Prism Science Survey For Lazyglasses​

​

Specification​

90 Degree K9 Optical Glass Right Angle Triangular Internal Reflecting Prism​

Material: K9 Optical Glass​

Size:25.4x25.4x25.4mm​

Dimension Tolerance +/-0.1mm​

Angle Tolerance +/- 3​

Power Transmission: .0496/.0680 = 72.9%
Note: Hypotenuse plane is coated on the outside and therefore provides very good reflectivity. EDIT ... power test does not support this



Option 3: Ebay, 10 pcs, all same size
$9.99
Delivery time to US: 12 Days
From Description:

10PCS Optical Triangular Glass Right Angle Prism For Optics Light Science Survey Experiment Physics Teaching Light Spectrum 90 Degree Angle​

​

Specification​

Optical glass Triangular Right Angle prism​

Material: Optical glass​

Quantity: 10 pieces​

Please note prism's dimension.​

Power Transmission: .0598/.0680 = 87.9%
Note: As stated in the description: "Please note prism's dimension." You have to look at the extra pictures to get the dimensions. Essentially its 10.5mm on the square sides. Here is a pic of the dimensions:



Option 4: Ebay, 2 pcs, same size
$14.50
Delivery time to US: 30 Days
From Description:

25mmx25mmx25mm optical triple prism right triangle​

Physics Education Light refraction​

​

Materials：K9 optical glass​

Size:25mmx25mmx25mm​

Equilateral right-angle triangle.​

Quantity:2PCS​

Power Transmission: .0810/.0882 = 91.8%


Samples of items in action:

Option 1 (placed in line after option 2. So the 2nd and 3rd prism are "Option 1":

IMAG5981 by Lewie Wilkinson, on Flickr

IMAG5980 by Lewie Wilkinson, on Flickr

Option 2:

IMAG5976 by Lewie Wilkinson, on Flickr

IMAG5973 by Lewie Wilkinson, on Flickr

Option 3:

IMAG5965 by Lewie Wilkinson, on Flickr

IMAG5970 by Lewie Wilkinson, on Flickr

Dot on beamstop after 10 prisms is pretty good:
IMAG5971 by Lewie Wilkinson, on Flickr

In summation:

Right now, I'm pretty happy with both options 2 and 3. I think option 2 will be used the most, but we'll see. It's fun to have 10 of the small ones - might lend to some creativity down the line. I have some more on the way - like I stated above, I'll update the post when they arrive.

A random involving option 1:
2018-08-30_12-18-00 by Lewie Wilkinson, on Flickr

 

[hakzaw1]

Let new buddy Alan help you--his auctions are ending in a very short time hardly any bidders- I have low bids on the x-cube and the two prisms.-- which I now see has competition same prisms BUT BIN and OMG cannot believe the savings from 'Alans' listings.. I already received my cube- for one cent and free$hip and its near perfect.
save blab1391 as a fav seller-- many more items coming soon that WE requested!!


this link will get you started..
one auction ends in 6 hrs ..so.. time to act BUT more will be listed continually.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/blab1391/m.html?item=323417712255&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

____________________________________________________________________________________

 

[LewDude]

Thx, hak. I saved your buddy's store in my eBay to keep an eye out. Looks like some good deals, and I like a seller who is able to take requests/feedback and provide a nice service. Good looking out

 

[paul1598419]

Those equilateral prisms are the least expensive ones you can buy. You should be able to find many places offering them for very low prices.

 

[Pelagius]

Thanks LewDude!
Where do you find your Crystal Balls?

I've been looking for some decent right-angle prisms, but trying to keep budget at a minimum. In the end, this means spending some extra on ebay in order to find the right option(s), but end up with a review that may or may not help someone else wondering what's available on a budget.

I started receiving some earlier this week, and waited until I had a few to look at before starting this. I'll update this thread as more arrive.

So far here is what I have:


Link to buy: http://a.co/d/9rtomn3



Link to buy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/182876201434



Link to buy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/182917273908

A pic of all 3 side by side (from L to R , option 3,2,1)


Option 1: Amazon set of 2, different sizes.
$17.76
Delivery Time to US: 3 Days
From Description:

Right Angle Prism Set - Small Right Angle Prism, 1.4" (35mm) Hypotenuse, 1" (25mm) Sides and Large Right Angle Prism, 2.9"(74 mm) Hypotenuse, 2" (50mm) Sides

Product features
Clear polished surfaces
90 degrees X 45 degrees X 45 degrees
Refractive index close to optical glass
Can produce rainbow from a non-monochromatic light source such as sun light
All edges have slight bevel​

Note: These are acrylic. They work, but not as well as the glass options. Fast shipping via Amazon Prime.

Option 2: Ebay, 1 piece
$12.98
Delivery time to US: 12 Days
From Description:

1PC 25.4x25.4x25.4mm 45 90 Degree K9 Optical Glass Right Angle Triangular Internal Inside Reflecting Prism Science Survey For Lazyglasses

Specification
90 Degree K9 Optical Glass Right Angle Triangular Internal Reflecting Prism
Material: K9 Optical Glass
Size:25.4x25.4x25.4mm
Dimension Tolerance +/-0.1mm
Angle Tolerance +/- 3​

Note: Hypotenuse plane is coated on the outside and therefore provides very good reflectivity.


Option 3: Ebay, 10 pcs, all same size
$9.99
Delivery time to US: 12 Days
From Description:

10PCS Optical Triangular Glass Right Angle Prism For Optics Light Science Survey Experiment Physics Teaching Light Spectrum 90 Degree Angle

Specification
Optical glass Triangular Right Angle prism
Material: Optical glass
Quantity: 10 pieces
Please note prism's dimension.​

Note: As stated in the description: "Please note prism's dimension." You have to look at the extra pictures to get the dimensions. Essentially its 10.5mm on the square sides. Here is a pic of the dimensions:



Samples of items in action:

Option 1 (placed in line after option 2. So the 2nd and 3rd prism are "Option 1":

IMAG5981 by Lewie Wilkinson, on Flickr

IMAG5980 by Lewie Wilkinson, on Flickr

Option 2:

IMAG5976 by Lewie Wilkinson, on Flickr

IMAG5973 by Lewie Wilkinson, on Flickr

Option 3:

IMAG5965 by Lewie Wilkinson, on Flickr

IMAG5970 by Lewie Wilkinson, on Flickr

Dot on beamstop after 10 prisms is pretty good:
IMAG5971 by Lewie Wilkinson, on Flickr

In summation:

Right now, I'm pretty happy with both options 2 and 3. I think option 2 will be used the most, but we'll see. It's fun to have 10 of the small ones - might lend to some creativity down the line. I have some more on the way - like I stated above, I'll update the post when they arrive.

A random involving option 1:
2018-08-30_12-18-00 by Lewie Wilkinson, on Flickr

 

[LewDude]

Those equilateral prisms are the least expensive ones you can buy. You should be able to find many places offering them for very low prices.

Very true - kinda why I embarked on this 'quest' - to find the ones worth buying and share my subjectivism.

On that note - I posted not what I thought was the best prices, but the listings that were "Buy it now" where I actually acquired these items. My hope being if someone likes what they see, its quick to pick some up and not have to spend time sorting through all the options (but I do know that can be fun, too!).

Thanks LewDude!
Where do you find your Crystal Balls?

I ended up getting both of mine off of Amazon. I tried searching a few spiritual stores, and found some - but Amazon's prices could not be beat. PM me if you'd like some links :beer:

 

[hakzaw1]

sorry cannot resist
Thanks LewDude!
Where do you find your Crystal Balls?
In my glass BVDs of course...



>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I am a admitted novice on optics.. I learned a few things in spite of trying not to.
about cube surface polishing.. and PLZ correct me..
the better job w/ polish --the less losses. seems correct.
BUT what about 'six sides polished' how would that help?? duh photos from above...for one.
most have flat/frosted looking 'bottoms' and 'tops' which I would think has also its advantages- very easy to see where NOT to hold it.. duh again..

X-cube auction ends in about 32 min. my max is almost reached..as planned.

hope one of you wins!!
you will like the cube..

__________________
update edit.. whomever the other bidder is.. one more 25cent bid and it would have been yours.. sry I went so high early on.. AND could be for the best as I now know that he sent me the best of the lot.. and that 'Very Slight' is a grade of defect optics.. duh I just thought ,, n/m
this is why listings for the 18mm cube w/ V. S. is a grade below my made up one 'near-perfect' which he correctly used for the two mirrored (2 sizes) prisms.
he will list these in the future accordingly -- he still wants to offer several bigger sizes. most common prod with all cubes is one or more of the corners is chipped. IMO these would have very little probs/effect for photos.
better luck ya'll on the prism listings ending very soon. IIRC I did not make my ebay max bid very high at all.. and will let whomever bids beyond have it.

 

[paul1598419]

sorry cannot resist
Thanks LewDude!
Where do you find your Crystal Balls?
In my glass BVDs of course...

:crackup: You are in a mood today, Len.

 

[hakzaw1]

low BP and very low HR-42 at awakening completely at rest - (crack of 11 am)- slow rise all day- now at 50brm..

ya'll have a great Holiday.

 

[LewDude]

sorry cannot resist
Thanks LewDude!
Where do you find your Crystal Balls?
In my glass BVDs of course...

Hahahahaha, that was good :crackup:

 

[Pelagius]

Very true - kinda why I embarked on this 'quest' - to find the ones worth buying and share my subjectivism.

Thanks Lew!
I ended up getting both of mine off of Amazon. I tried searching a few spiritual stores, and found some - but Amazon's prices could not be beat. PM me if you'd like some links :beer:

Hakzaw1- HAhAHAHA! Thanks for that!

sorry cannot resist
Thanks LewDude!
Where do you find your Crystal Balls?
In my glass BVDs of course...



>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I am a admitted novice on optics.. I learned a few things in spite of trying not to.
about cube surface polishing.. and PLZ correct me..
the better job w/ polish --the less losses. seems correct.
BUT what about 'six sides polished' how would that help?? duh photos from above...for one.
most have flat/frosted looking 'bottoms' and 'tops' which I would think has also its advantages- very easy to see where NOT to hold it.. duh again..

X-cube auction ends in about 32 min. my max is almost reached..as planned.

hope one of you wins!!
you will like the cube..

__________________
update edit.. whomever the other bidder is.. one more 25cent bid and it would have been yours.. sry I went so high early on.. AND could be for the best as I now know that he sent me the best of the lot.. and that 'Very Slight' is a grade of defect optics.. duh I just thought ,, n/m
this is why listings for the 18mm cube w/ V. S. is a grade below my made up one 'near-perfect' which he correctly used for the two mirrored (2 sizes) prisms.
he will list these in the future accordingly -- he still wants to offer several bigger sizes. most common prod with all cubes is one or more of the corners is chipped. IMO these would have very little probs/effect for photos.
better luck ya'll on the prism listings ending very soon. IIRC I did not make my ebay max bid very high at all.. and will let whomever bids beyond have it.

 

[Cyparagon]

Do you have any way of measuring optical attenuation or reflectivity? These would be handy to know.

 

[LewDude]

Do you have any way of measuring optical attenuation or reflectivity? These would be handy to know.

I do not, and I totally agree.

 

[paul1598419]

If you have a LPM, this is all you would need to get those figures. Measure the power before and after reflection or refraction. Divide the second by the first x 100 and this will give you the % of each.

 

[LewDude]

If you have a LPM, this is all you would need to get those figures. Measure the power before and after reflection or refraction. Divide the second by the first x 100 and this will give you the % of each.

Good point...mine is not 'the best in the west' but I think it's consistent enough at lower powers it could prove useful. :beer:

 

[RedCowboy]

I was going to say use a LPM to test pre and post optic power, also use a stable laser and if possible test wth different wavelength lasers and at high and low power, then compare all the data, do the optics have a VIS AR coating ?