So I have been watching e-bay for a Leica 1x plan achromat #10450167. There has been a #10450167 objective listed on E-bay for about 2 years at $800. I just could not justify that cost. This objective has the same M60 thread interface as the M80 and does not require an adapter. Alternatives like a Leica 1x plan Apo objective, for example, requires an Adapter as the plan Apos have an M65 thread designation. Leica adapters pop up on occasion but often list for as much as $300 just for the adapter. The Plan Apo objectives list on E-bay for between $700 - $2400. So again that means investing at least $1000 to upgrade the 1x achromat I have.
There are, however, quite a few Wild M8 1x plan achromats listed on E-bay for less than $300. I managed to obtain one for less than $150. Holding it up to my M80 it appeared to function perfectly with noticeably better resolution. The problem was the interface. Although the Wild M8 objective has an M60 thread it would not mount to my M80 due to the threads being positioned further down the objective. Take a look at the photos below.
![Image](https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q70/922/YDw7yu.jpg)
As you can see the position of the threads on the Wild objective would not allow the objective to screw in to the body of the M80. So I contacted our friend Rafael Pankratau. He owns RAF Camera located in Belarus. He has made custom adapters for me in the past. So I described what I wanted and we agreed on the following design:
![Image](https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/2663/DOjxbU.gif)
Here is the finished Adapter mounted to the Wild M8 1x plan achromat:
![Image](https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q70/923/Fe8bE8.jpg)
The results were fantastic. The resolution and chromatic blur of the Wild M8 Objective is significantly superior to the 1x achromat at all magnifications. The cost less than $200 including the objective and adapter.
Raf also provided me with adapters so I could try M65 Leica Plan Apos and even Olympus Plan Apo objectives in the future.
I highly recommend RAF Camera. The workmanship is incredible and he can make just about any adapter you can conceive. Total time from conception to delivery was about 6 weeks.
Now..where did I see that Plan Apo listed?
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)