Kemper Kombi- Missing lens.

Jordant · Sep 10, 2023

Hi.

I recently purchased the above camera at some cost with the intention of using it. Don't ask .

Once I received it the first thing was to check that it had a lens. It didn't and apparently they are often missing. I did inquire about this at the time and was told nothing was missing.

This is a big reach here but would anyone have one of these cameras (an incomplete/damaged example) whereby I could purchase the lens only?
The lens would of course have to be in good condition.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Dustin McAmera · Sep 11, 2023

Notes at Early Photography describe the lens as bi-convex, and approx 33mm f/12. It's a magnifying glass; not even an achromat.
I suppose the f/12 is imposed by one of the metal caps. So if I were in your place, I think I'd look for a magnifying glass of about the right focus, and arrange to fit that at the right distance from the film. This will offend against authenticity, but it would at least fill in until you find the real thing.

I have within reach a cheap loupe which says it is 10x (it's the bottom of a two-part one like the ones offered at https://www.jewellersequipment.co.uk/eyeglasses.html - not where I bought mine, but I dare say it came from the same Chinese factory). Anyhow, this '10x' loupe focuses the sun at about 75mm, so I'd start by looking at about '20x' lenses. Looks like one of these may cost you about a tenner.

Jordant · Sep 11, 2023

Hi.

Thanks very much for the message. Yes, that's certainly an option as getting an original lens is not going to be easy.
I've measured the inside of the lens housing and it comes to 9mm diameter with a lens thickness allowance of around 2.5-2.7mm. I'll have a look around online and see if anything is remotely close and try that.

Thanks again.

Jordant · Sep 11, 2023

After scouring the internet I've managed to find a small enough lens from an optical company in the UK that is a 9mm diameter bi convex which will fit into the lens housing, and 36mm effective focal length.

It's as close as I'm going to get on this one.

Dustin McAmera · Sep 12, 2023

Good luck!

Jordant · Sep 12, 2023

Dustin McAmera said:
Good luck!

Thanks. I'll give an update.

Jordant · Nov 16, 2024

A long time coming but I did manage to source a lens that fit into the Kombi; only just I must add. It proved to be a success as the camera has produced good images. Regardless of how careful I am, as the film passes over the metal rollers and between the platen and film mask 'sandwich', it scratches. It's unavoidable but I can live with it since it's such a unique camera and one that hasn't seen much use in the past century.

I've made around 30+ images with a number of those being printed in the darkroom. I cannot prove this, but I believe this could be the first time in a century or more that the Kombi has had prints made from it; one of which I've attached.

Overall a fun project and a camera I plan to keep on using.

Dustin McAmera · Nov 16, 2024

Very cool!

Kemper Kombi- Missing lens.

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