rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
Between Raid's recent poll about using hacked lenses
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2416447#post2416447
and some stuff I found while trying to organize my camera shelves, I've been thinking about trying to make a few ltm lenses.
I have made one lens: a single element, single f/stop, uncoated 50-ish mm lens I made using an Industar 61 focus mount. That works well enough but the process was very slow; assemble, test, get film developed, evaluate, adjust, test...
So, I am thinking of some digital body that I can use for testing.
I do not need much capability; mainly infinity focus with ltm lenses, a tripod socket, and, possibly, the ability to use the camera tethered to my computer. (That's not a deal breaker though.)
I have seen various vintage/antique "focus checker" type gadgets for ltm lenses but they are not very cheap.
Ideally I can find something second hand at around $100 or so?
Suggestions ,folks, for what I ought to be looking for?
Thanks!
Rob
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2416447#post2416447
and some stuff I found while trying to organize my camera shelves, I've been thinking about trying to make a few ltm lenses.
I have made one lens: a single element, single f/stop, uncoated 50-ish mm lens I made using an Industar 61 focus mount. That works well enough but the process was very slow; assemble, test, get film developed, evaluate, adjust, test...
So, I am thinking of some digital body that I can use for testing.
I do not need much capability; mainly infinity focus with ltm lenses, a tripod socket, and, possibly, the ability to use the camera tethered to my computer. (That's not a deal breaker though.)
I have seen various vintage/antique "focus checker" type gadgets for ltm lenses but they are not very cheap.
Ideally I can find something second hand at around $100 or so?
Suggestions ,folks, for what I ought to be looking for?
Thanks!
Rob
YYV_146
Well-known
A used E-mount camera or M4/3 might be the best choice. Don't know if you can get, say, a NEX-3 that's still working for under $100, but they are pretty cheap these days.
infinity focus is not a problem with the right adapter (you can re-shim the cheap ones yourself), but tethering won't be available on the earlier, cheap bodies.
infinity focus is not a problem with the right adapter (you can re-shim the cheap ones yourself), but tethering won't be available on the earlier, cheap bodies.
nongfuspring
Well-known
E mount is a pretty good way to go, though you'll need an adapter and I've never picked up an adapter that has an accurate flange distance - it may end up being quite a frustrating process. If you're only calibrating for focus can't you just put a piece of matte glass into the film gate and do it that way?
ferider
Veteran
I have one of those, Rob: it's a simple tube with a matte screen on one side and a shimmed LTM mount on the other. Works reasonably well with a loupe. Got it as a gift myself (from Brian); no more lens hacking here, so if you PM me your address, I'll mail it to you.
Roland.
Brian Legge
Veteran
Any idea where Brian got it? Not the best solution. 
mdarnton
Well-known
It seems like an E mount is going to get you exactly nowhere with checking your lens' calibration against a Leica-style rangefinder.
How about picking up one of the later Canon bodies with a flip-open back, and a small piece of ground glass (no NOT tape or waxed paper, if you care about accuracy! What a terrible idea.) The Canon P is a lovely camera. You could use it for checking things, it's near your budget $$, and it also works as a camera!
How about picking up one of the later Canon bodies with a flip-open back, and a small piece of ground glass (no NOT tape or waxed paper, if you care about accuracy! What a terrible idea.) The Canon P is a lovely camera. You could use it for checking things, it's near your budget $$, and it also works as a camera!