Skinflint's Fresnel Lens for up to Whole Plate (US)

[Kino]

If you're known to be rather "thrifty" in some aspects of your photo kit, here's a tip to visit the Dollar Tree and grab one of these for $1.25 USD.

I am sure they are available in other similar, "fine establishments" around the globe, but I found mine at the above store.

It's just a bit larger than whole plate and can be easily cut with a rotary or guillotine blade cutter to fit your camera view system. I cut one down to 4x5 and stuck it on my Calumet 45NX. While it won't blow your socks off, it does brighten the image enough to be worthwhile.

Be sure to measure and cut from the center point of the lens, of course. You can only get one screen per sheet, but at this price, who cares? Probably not fine enough to attempt anything below 2 /14 x 2 1/4.

 

[_T_]

That sounds fun. I think I’ll try to find one when I get a chance.

 

[ags2mikon]

I am so glad that I'm not the only one doing that. It's like they say "not the best thing on earth but close to it"

 

[Joe Kashi]

Also inexpensive on Amazon in sizes large enough for 8x10. Remember that these go on the outside of the ground glass, not inside where they can put the GG focusing surface out of the depth spec. The rough side should face toward the lens.

 

[JPD]

I bought a 150 mm focal length fresnel to use with a 9x12 camera and 150 mm lens. Optimal they said. It didn't make anything brighter, so that was just a waste of money and time.

 

[ic-racer]

About ten years ago I put a similar fresnel on the back of my Shen-Hao 8x10 to try. It works ok and is still on the camera. The one I got is pretty thick plastic so it also serves as a ground glass protector. I made notches so it slides under the ground glass clips. So no modification to the camera needed.