Michael,

Just read the Shneider thread on APUG, and it's interesting to note that it's not the same people who spoke in both threads, and yet the conclusion to both is about the same : let's take matter into our own hands...

The suggestions so far revolve around wide angle lenses, and i agree that's a piece of the market that is not covered by modern lenses, but i was also thinking about "normal" lenses and long lenses for ULFers, lenses with 50 degree coverage, that can be made simply, and are less "high tech" than the process lenses that are used today and that frankly are overkill for contact printing....

Hand grinding optical elements might be going a little too far into taking matters in our own hands, but getting optical assemblies with only the elements made and machining the pieces needed to mount to shutters might be a simpler alternative... with symetrical designs you even get the advantage of needing half as much different elements to design and make...

PJ