Needed: a caliper-type device to measure filter sizes

[TerryThomasAtlanta]

I've been picking up various old lenses on eBay. Some of which I have no idea what their filter size is.

Yes every time I received one of these I could drop by my friendly camera store to try different filters until I discovered the correct size.

But if my 60 year old brain cells are correct didn't camera stores used to have a caliper type of device that measured lenses and then indicated not a measurement in inches or mm but filter sizes?

I'll bet a lot of camera stores were given these by lens reps or even picked up at trade shows. But these sources are most likely a thing of the past.

So does anyone know where I can buy such a device? Since it wouldn't be designed for precise engineering work it should not be an expensive item.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Terry Thomas...
the photographer
Atlanta, Georgia

See some stills from the set of the forthcoming feature film "Psychopathia Sexualis" here: www.psychopathia.com

 

[Gary892]

I bought mine at Home Depot for $9.99. Nothing fancy and cheaply made but does the job. I just have to convert to mm by multiplying the measurement by 25.40

If you find a source that has one made for photographic use please include me.

Gary

 

[onestopdown]

In 1978 to 1981, I worked at a camera store that had one of those calipers. It was from Tiffen. It was rare even then. It was chained to the counter so it wouldn't walk away. When the owner retired, she let me unchain it and I have it to this day-no it isn't for sale-sorry.

However, you can buy a regular caliper and use the chart at this location to mark the series filter sizes. Other filter sizes are just mm's Series Filter sizes

 

[onestopdown]

I forgot to mention, the vernier type calipers work fine (easier than dial type). Here is a source of a good inexpensive vernier caliper. Vernier caliper

 

[vet173]

pawn shop

 

[jp80874]

Terry,

An alternative method or another tool, might be to look at these lens comparison charts. http://www.largeformatphotography.info/lenses/ . One of the columns shows the filter size required. When considering two similar lenses a look at these charts might tell you if one lens is a size that fits your existing collection of filters. That lens would then be cheaper for you to own and all other things equal, the better purchase.

John Powers

 

[noseoil]

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/cen6508.html

This is a dial caliper for inches. Take the diameter in inches and divide by 0.03937 to get mm. tim

 

[David Brown]

Inexpensive vernier and/or dial calipers are widely available. And there is no need to get one that only measures inches and then convert. Get one that measures metric. They are available in any (good) hardware store.

And, online, of course. http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=43546&cat=1,43513

Cheers

David

 

[Monophoto]

I have a stainless steel inside/outside caliper that was given to my dad as a promotional item by the Westinghouse Electric Company sales person about 45 years ago - in its original leather slip case. No, it's not for sale.

But you can accomplish the same thing with short measuring rule. You can get nice stainless steel pocket rules at a well equipped hardware store. You can also get inexpensive plastic rules at office supply stores. And if there is a "home improvement show" in your area (one of those trade shows that display all kinds of home improvement products and services, often promoted by Rotary Club or other service organizations as a fund raising activity, you can probably get a 6" wooden rule as a free giveaway.

 

[Larry L]

Caliper to measure filter sizes

Some years ago I bought a plastic outside/inside vernier caliper at my local True Value store for less than $20.00. On the top scale is inches with the vernier calibrated to 1/128 inch, on the bottom scale is a vernier that is calibrated in 0.05mm. The minor divisions on the cm are actually mm so you can read to a mm value directly and only use the vernier if needed for more accuracy.

I also have a digital caliper and comparing the two indicates this plastic version is plenty accurate for filter and other lens thread measurements.

Larry

 

[John Koehrer]

I've used both a digital caliper and a 6"(150mm) scale. both work.
With either of the tools there is a slight "fudge factor" sine you can't get into the threads. I usually take the measurement & add 1mm to get to filter size. This is OK w/mm but not so hot with older US non-standard ring sizes.

 

[barryjyoung]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47257


I have six of these, they work great. They measure in inches or metric. They even come with an extra battery. What a deal.

 

[Mike-D]

I've used both a digital caliper and a 6"(150mm) scale. both work.
With either of the tools there is a slight "fudge factor" sine you can't get into the threads. I usually take the measurement & add 1mm to get to filter size. This is OK w/mm but not so hot with older US non-standard ring sizes.

Actually there is usually a bit of a lip before the threads start. If you measure this then you don't need the fudge factor. Using the Harbor Freight caliper I just measured a known diameter thread to find where to take the measurement.

Mike D