of larger angular aperture. These advantages are 

 absolute and unquestionable, but whether commensurate 

 with the additional pecuniary outlay must be left mostly 

 to the judgment of the purchaser. That he may be 

 somewhat guided, we may say that the selection of 

 higher or highest grade objectives is not by any means 

 exceptipnal, but general, and would undoubtedly be 

 more common but for the barrier of expense. 



In these days of competition, prices alone are too 

 often made the inducement without any reference to 

 quality. Be distrustful of all such objectives and if 

 contemplating their purchase, always reserve the right 

 of having them examined by an expert. Have a dis- 

 trust especially of all " nameless " objectives. It is 

 safe to assume that if the maker cannot attach his 

 name he is doubtful of their quality. 



It is sometimes found that dealers offer the same 

 objectives of different quality at different prices. Too 

 great care cannot be observed in such cases, as the 

 very fact of the admission of a difference in quality 

 indicates that they are made by an unreliable maker. 

 This mode of offering objectives was in vogue many 

 years ago when the principles of optics and the facilities 

 for making were limited and when a higher price was 

 asked for those which might be termed a happy com- 

 bination. There is no excuse, however, at the present 

 day, for anything of this kind, because every con- 

 scientious optician has his standard for every objective. 



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