Primitive camera design. Need lens help.

[camerabrain]

I am currently building a primitive Large format camera using plans in Alan Greene's Primitive Photography book. Has anyone else tried this? I am wondering if anyone kows where I can find an achromatic 58mm plano-convex lens element with a 362 mm focal length? This is what the book calls for and I just cant find anything like it.

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

I havent read that book but you might have better luck finding a cheap lens off surplus shed and building the camera around that instead. Maybe a close focal length may allow you to build it close to the specs in the book?

 

[snapguy]

Goo...goo.google

A couple of moments on the Big G leads me to think the 362mm lens is some kind of projection lens. If you look on Google under projection lens you may find something similar. Leica and Hughes made some in Canada a while back in red, blue and yellow for some type of military or space use. The whole thrust of the book seems to be to make cameras with low tech so I doubt you are supposed to be wedded to this lens only. Good luck.

 

[gone]

Reading the reviews of the book, it sounds wonderful. Good stuff apparently.

http://www.amazon.com/Primitive-Pho...619/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?showViewpoints=1

 

[nsurit]

http://www.re-inventedphotoequip.com/Home.html

You might check here for advice and/or the lens. He is a list member from whom I've bought several pieces of equipment and lenses. If he does have it, he can probably tell you where to get it. Bill Barber

 

[Jeff Searust]

I have built many cameras, and love this book.

Do not try to find specific parts -- the idea is to be able to utilize what you have, and not have to find specific items. If you have a nice lens, build a camera around that. Don't feel that you need to follow to the millimeter any specific "rules".

 

[Jim Jones]

I have built many cameras, and love this book.

Do not try to find specific parts -- the idea is to be able to utilize what you have, and not have to find specific items. If you have a nice lens, build a camera around that. Don't feel that you need to follow to the millimeter any specific "rules".

Yes, indeed! Sources such as Surplus Shed may have something close enough to what the plans recommend that only minor changes in the camera will be needed to accommodate their lenses.

 

[camerabrain]

I sucessfully built the sliding box camera and one film holder, was not impressed with my lens though.

 

[removed account4]

you will probably find what you need
through the surplus shed.
they sell planoconvex lenses.
they are reasonably priced ( read-> inexpensive ).
the handful of cameras i have built i have used
p-c lenses from them ...