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View Full Version : Desirability of lens flanges for older lenses



pgk
31-Oct-2022, 07:41
How much difference does it make in terms of desirability/%price if an old (say pre ~1900) is supplied with a flange? I ask because I've realised that getting flanges made is both tricky (measuring worn threads is not so easy) and potentially expensive, especially when they are of a very non-standard imperial thread.

domaz
31-Oct-2022, 08:09
Having the flange is a bonus, many will not buy without a flange because of the reasons you've stated. On Ebay- it's a crap shoot, some collectors may not care if they never intend to use the lens, and sometimes the lenses will go lower than normal. For big heavy brass lenses not having a flange is not an easy problem to solve. A lot of the conventional "without a flange" mounting techniques literally break down when the lens weights 6 pounds by itself.

Tin Can
31-Oct-2022, 08:32
I only bought 1 very heavy lens without a flange

But I did pay the seller in Vietnam to make one there

as I knew it would be cheaper

900mm Jena

Alan9940
31-Oct-2022, 12:09
Personally, I would never buy a lens requiring a flange if it wasn't included. As you said, too difficult to get one made and mounting without it is generally unreliable.

Oslolens
31-Oct-2022, 14:35
I have glued on small to medium weight lenses to the lens board using glue gun.

Nowadays the fastest and cheapest is 3D-printing.

Incredible what fiber reinforced plastic can hold.

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

Ron (Netherlands)
31-Oct-2022, 15:49
Few years ago I could and wanted to buy a big and beautiful Perken lens, but on condition I got it with the flange (which I wanted to pay extra for). However the seller didn't want to take the flange off the camera which was sold separate. Then I didn't want to buy the lens anymore (assuming that Perken had non standard measures for their flanges and that it would be almost impossible to find a matching one....and I already had another Perken lens which I couldn't find a match for)

Greg
31-Oct-2022, 16:29
S K Grimes has machined several flanges for vintage lenses and shutters that I have acquired over the years. All fit 100% as they should, and the cost of their fabrication/machining was very fair.

John Kasaian
31-Oct-2022, 17:15
A toilet to tank gasket aft of the lens board will hold a sh*t load of optical glass rigidly in place.
That's how my15" Magic Lantern Petzval/Pretzel rides.:rolleyes:

neil poulsen
31-Oct-2022, 17:31
S K Grimes has machined several flanges for vintage lenses and shutters that I have acquired over the years. All fit 100% as they should, and the cost of their fabrication/machining was very fair.

The above is what I would expect, having worked with S.K. Grimes on previous occasions. So, if I really wanted a lens, I wouldn't let the lack of a flange deter me.