Used body as a test bed for hacked ltm lenses?

[rbiemer]

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

 

[YYV_146]

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.

 

[nongfuspring]

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]

I have seen various vintage/antique "focus checker" type gadgets for ltm lenses but they are not very cheap.

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]

Any idea where Brian got it? Not the best solution. 😉

 

[mdarnton]

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!