NikonGear'23
Gear Talk => Lens Talk => Topic started by: ARTUROARTISTA on August 27, 2025, 11:54:14
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Lens from a 19th-century magic lantern.
Can it be adapted to a modern camera?
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Probably. Whether it is going to be useful or practical, depends among other considerations on what focal length it has. If long, the likely alternative, you might need added extension to make the lens focus to anything closer than infinity.
You don't need to know the exact focal length, merely what the distance will be from the rear end of the lens to the sensor/film plane. Easily observed by projecting an image of the sun or other bright objects onto a sheet of paper and moving the lens back and forth to focus the test target seen on the paper sheet. Be aware that the sun might set fire to the paper when you nail the infinity focus :)
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Thanks, Birna. I see what I can do with your instructions. I think that's a huge distance, 17 cm.
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Hmm. Makes using it for ordinary photography a bit complicated, unless you have a long bellows device :)
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I've reached 14 cm. I think I'll have to buy a bellows like you say Birna.
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Maybe a length of blackened plastic water pipe of a suitable length and diameter - certainly inexpensive for proof of concept purposes.
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Maybe a length of blackened plastic water pipe of a suitable length and diameter - certainly inexpensive for proof of concept purposes.
That's a good idea. Thanks, Hugh.