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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

i Want to build a Prime lens. Where to find glass.?

B

Bo Randers

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Hi

I just look at the inside of one of my prime lenses. I know..not to smart:-). I can easy build the mecanics of a lens. And i would love to try to build my own lens. But i need a company that can make the glass for me. I want it to be a really fast lens. Any idea where to go for glass and advise.

Cheers

Bo Randers
 
Your best bet, at least to start with, if you feel you can build the mechanics but not the glass, is to rehouse existing stills lenses to cinema lenses. Try some of the old nikon or canon or zeiss lenses from the 80s and 90s. They are relatively inexpensive, and if you do a good job you can sell them for a pretty penny.

If you could rehouse my nikon set, 18 24 35 50 85 105, id be happy.
 
Optical design is a very Large and complicated science. High speed lenses (or at least ones that are any good) adds emensly to the complication factor. Even the mechanics envolved are very advanced what with internal focusing and floating elements etc. What John said about rehousing existing lens to achieve proper barrel rotation direction and expanded footage scales etc. might be a better way to go.
 
rehouse

rehouse

J. Bernard Vallon said:
Your best bet, at least to start with, if you feel you can build the mechanics but not the glass, is to rehouse existing stills lenses to cinema lenses. Try some of the old nikon or canon or zeiss lenses from the 80s and 90s. They are relatively inexpensive, and if you do a good job you can sell them for a pretty penny.

If you could rehouse my nikon set, 18 24 35 50 85 105, id be happy.
Click to expand...

I could easy rehouse still lenses. But i would like to make some lenses that are faster. And i would like learn a bit more about the optics. It is really not about making a cheap way. But more about the fun of doing it. I would be ready to invest serius into a project like that.

So ideas or contact would be very welcome

Cheers

Bo
 
Most old school prime lenses have a lens block, which is all the elements in a stack. The lens barrel just mechanically moves it back and forth in relation to the film plane to focus. It's not rocket science to rehouse a nikon 50mm for example, it's just a ton of really tedious work.

I kind of wanted to try this myself, but I don't have the time or the patience ;-)

cheers,

Nick
 
Cool Bo, go for it. DIY primes - sound interesting, but its only for a few.
I think that there is very, very few manufacturers of glass for primes.
Don't forget to post your progress and good luck.

cheers

Petr
 
thanks

thanks

Hi

Thanks for your replys. Really helpfull. I just talked with a friend at MIT and he gave me some nice info as well.

I will post with news about the progress.

Cheers

Bo
 
Data on the Red one sensor

Data on the Red one sensor

Anybody know where i can find the data for the sensor. Like pixel spacing and so on.

Cheers

Bo
 
ReHousing Lenses :) Like that !

ReHousing Lenses :) Like that !

I like this !
I make M42 mounts for the Red One Camera and I sell them on Ebay But now I want to star making cinema housings for good old lenses and even new ones that are good fast lenses
To me this motivating ! :)
There is a need for good but affordable lenses.
I'm a film maker but I like to make my camera mounts on my free time.
To me is all the same !
Making mounts and filming it's art ! Love it !
now I will like to start working on ReHousing the best lenses I have.
But I will like to be able to talk to some one that can help me learn more about rehousing
To make sure I take it all in to consideration and not ignore anything in the process.
Howard
787-980-8911




It may already know all I need to know but If any one can help, I will appreciate it !

1 What to read ?
2 what software it's best to work with when redesigning a lens Housing ?

In Advance,
Thanks
 
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