source for front end glass?

David Lyga · Feb 2, 2017

Does anyone know of a source (for the future) for a surprisingly difficult lens to acquire? I am talking about the front end components for the Canon EX series. Technically, this is an SLR, but does not take standard FL, FD lenses. Instead, the rear components are already permanently incorporated into the body. It is only the front element sets which need to be screwed in. See example:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/film-bodies/ex-auto.htm

I do not really need this right now, but I am curious if anyone has seen these advertised. - David Lyga

ic-racer · Feb 2, 2017

Wow, that brings back memories. That was a contemporary camera when I was in high school. I remember the instructor mentioning caution about getting that camera due to the lack of lenses. Of course, back in the hey-day of 35mm SLR the more lenses you had the better . I suspect that camera's lens is fine (if you find one), let us know how it works out. I'd check Ebay, sometimes a search can take years. (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Fixcinater · Feb 2, 2017

I have seen lots of these go on eBay, some for very low prices. The 90mm hood is sometimes repurposed into a somewhat "correct" user hood for the Canon 7's 50mm f/0.95 lens as that original hood is quite rare and expensive.

dynachrome · Feb 3, 2017

I have EX EE and EX AUTO cameras as well as the lenses. They typically do not sell for very much on eBay. I suspect the sellers don't know what they are. If they are used with some care they are capable of decent results.

darkroommike · Feb 3, 2017

There's a 125mm? tele popped up on ebay a few times mounted in a graphic lensboard. else you'll just have to set up a watch or post a WTB here.

David Lyga · Feb 3, 2017

Thank you all. This is perhaps too esoteric a camera but, I assure you, the lenses are stellar. - David Lyga

Leigh B · Feb 4, 2017

If the lenses are "stellar", more than one element is involved.
You can't get stellar performance from any single piece of glass.

So the first problem you have is determining how many elements and the design characteristics of each.
That will likely take you several lifetimes.

Having accomplished said task, and after you win the MegaMillions, contact Edmund Optics.
I'm sure they can make the individual elements for you.

- Leigh

John Wiegerink · Feb 4, 2017

Leigh B said:
If the lenses are "stellar", more than one element is involved.
You can't get stellar performance from any single piece of glass.

So the first problem you have is determining how many elements and the design characteristics of each.
That will likely take you several lifetimes.

Having accomplished said task, and after you win the MegaMillions, contact Edmund Optics.
I'm sure they can make the individual elements for you.

- Leigh

Leigh,
Read Davids post an little more slowly. He is and does not say "single element", but refer "front element sets", which should actually read front lens groups assembly.

Leigh B · Feb 4, 2017

John Wiegerink said:
He [did] not say "single element", but refer "front element sets", which should actually read front lens groups assembly.

Of course. That's why I replied as I did.

Individual lenses are readily available in a wide variety of designs.

Multi-element lens designs are much less common.

- Leigh

John Wiegerink · Feb 5, 2017

Leigh B said:
Of course. That's why I replied as I did.

Individual lenses are readily available in a wide variety of designs.

Multi-element lens designs are much less common.

- Leigh

Hmmm, I wasn't thinking David was trying to built his own front group, but looking to a source for replacement front groups. I still confused, but that's normal for me. Maybe David will clarify this for me?

Leigh B · Feb 5, 2017

John Wiegerink said:
I wasn't thinking David was trying to built his own front group, but looking to a source for replacement front groups.

He seems to be speaking of the "front group", as we would refer to if in an LF context, where the front and rear groups exist as separate entities.

David Lyga said:
...the rear components are already permanently incorporated into the body.
It is only the front element sets which need to be screwed in.

- Leigh

David Lyga · Feb 5, 2017

No, I am not smart enough to build my own elements!!! I meant purchasing the front set of these lenses. When I said 'stellar', of course I meant the performance of the whole lens: the rear, incorporated, plus the front screw-in component. - David Lyga

John Wiegerink · Feb 6, 2017

David Lyga said:
No, I am not smart enough to build my own elements!!! I meant purchasing the front set of these lenses. When I said 'stellar', of course I meant the performance of the whole lens: the rear, incorporated, plus the front screw-in component. - David Lyga

Thanks David for the clarification. I was beginning to wonder if my reading/thinking ability was going wacky. I really did assume that is what you meant, but just wanted to make sure Leigh understood too. What groups are you looking for? Tele, wide or normal? I get around and might stumble onto some. Normally I would not show an interest, but if I know someone that does I will always point them in that direction.

David Lyga · Feb 7, 2017

Thank you, John, but I have no need for any now...maybe not even in the future. But I was curious if there was a source, as for other lenses there usually is no problem. The camera was relatively popular and I used to see these front-end components at photo shows very often. However, I cannot remember seeing one for really years. Was just curious. Thanks. - David Lyga

benjiboy · Feb 7, 2017

Here's two David at Ffordes I can reccomend the company they give six months warranty, and they ship worldwide. EX 125mm f3.5 http://www.ffordes.com/product/16120117445581 there's also a 35mm f3.5 EX http://www.ffordes.com/product/16120117544081

Harry Stevens · Feb 7, 2017

Amazing what you can make from a bucket of sand.......

source for front end glass?

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