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Which compact works taken apart?


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<p>I have a camera project in mind and I have been looking for a cheap, fixed focal length, digital. However, the only ones that fit this category are too cheap, like those $20-$40 things I see at WalMart, etc. I know that the cameras with the telescoping zooms usually have sensors installed which will detect/make sure that the lens is OK. ALso, my past experience with those is that the armature for that zoom lens is integreal to the overall structure of the camera. Not modular at all.</p>

<p>Today, I did notice the zoom types where the zoom is internal. As in it slides up/down and it's basically a periscope type deal. This might work as there might not have been any expectation of obstruction to the zoom assembly and if I remove it, it might work.</p>

<p>Anyone have any other suggestions? Looking for under $200.</p>

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It's unclear if you want a fixed lens, or

no lens, but you might consider a used

early model 4/3 or micro4/3 camera.

You should be able to find one under

$200. Many adapters are available for

various types of vintage lenses. If

you're looking to take something apart

to build your own lens, you could take

apart a $20 adapter and still leave the

camera intact.

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<p>NEX bodies (I'm familiar with 5N and 6) have a setting to expose without a lens attached, making MF lenses useable as well as dumb adapters. Older models will certainly hit sub-200 prices. Go to Sony's support site and download user manuals to verify whether the setting is available for that model. </p>

<p>The setup menu setting category is "Release w/o lens", and Enable or Disable are your setting choices, with Enable signaling MF/dumb/no electrical contacts.</p>

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I have a NEX, which is by far the best

camera to adapt lenses too. But, the

lens I'm trying to use is 42/.75 and it

has a real short back focal length. Also,

the rest of the lens is just huge in

comparison to the rear element and I

can't get it into the camera body any

more.<br><br>

 

 

 

I might buy another NEX body and

remove the filter block and then find a

way to being the shutter closer to the

sensor. Another option is to use a

logitech C910 webcam as they have a

native 5MP sensor that will work in

Linux. Then maybe find a tablet but

that's just so huge. I was hoping for a

simple camera with a fixed lens and

rolling shutter to capture the image so I

can have the lens as close to the

sensor as possible.<br><br>

 

 

 

BTW (shameless plug):

www.georgesopko.com has all my lens

projects, etc. This will give you an idea

of what I like to do.

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<p>The BFL on this lens is about 6mm. Most of these older, X-Ray or image intensifier tube lenses are designed to be as close to the imaging tube as possible. That's the only way they are really that fast and as you get farther away it costs more and more and more.</p>

<p>Any ways, I found a decent deal on eBay for a NEX-3 w/lens. I have an idea how I'll mod it: 1) remove the AA and IR filter, 2) relocate the sensor and shutter to be outside the body, 3) machine a housing for it all. Probably have it mount into the existing E-mount bayonet and have the ribbon cables extended outside the current image sensor opening.</p>

<p>I'm familiar with the NEX-3 as I own one and I have already tinkered with it, it is error'd out, and I'll do the mock-ups with that one first.</p>

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<p>Yuri, I have experimented with these lenses (espec the Rodenstock Heligons) also stimulated by Rorslett's "Need for Speed" article.</p>

<p>I thought I could mount one as a portrait lens on my Nex 5N, but this didn't work with most of the lenses. The 100mm is the only one with enough back focal length to work. All the others are closeup or macro lenses on this body. </p>

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Sebastian, we have the same "mentor"!

Any ways, I have a Kowa 33.5/.95 that

I can use a close in portrait lens. Took

some machining of the lens but it

works. The 42/.75 is The same as well.

I have a few feet of working space. I

really want to be able to use these

lenses for their maximum. So, I'm on a

quest, and it'll be another attempt at a

NEX body modification. <br><br>

 

 

My very first attempt with a NEX ended

with me loosening a spring on the

shutter mechanism and that assembly

exploded. I bought a spare shutter but

it was junk. Just bought another NEX 3

body so I can use the one I already

worked on and was mocking some

stuff up last night. If I remove the dust-

cleaning frame and the AA/IR filter

block, machine down a stamped flange

on the shutter assembly, I can have the

sensor right on top of the shutter. I

should be within the BFL.

 

BTW: www.georgesopko.com is my

blog and I have most of my lens

adventures detailed in there.

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