Replacing an element on a Voigtlander Petzval lens.

<p>Hey guys,<br>

I have an old voigtlander petzval lens. I got it for a great price, because the front element on it was cracked through the center. the front element is a doublet and I managed to remove the cracked front element under a heat source. does anyone know of a Optical glass manufacturer that is able to make a Bi-Convex lens element? </p>

<p>THANKS!</p>

<p>Maybe http://www.jmloptical.com/<br>

But it can't possibly be cost-effective. They will need to determine the glass type, measure the radius of both sides, and make a new element. Also, many old types of glass aren't available due to environmental regulations.<br>

I'd say paint both sides of the crack black (perhaps even use the black paint as a simple glue), and then re-balsam the group.<br>

In theory, given a blank of the right glass, this is a do-it-at-home project, just like folks make their own telescope mirrors. You need to cast lapping forms from the existing glass, and then use the proper array of grinding powders to grid down the lens. But finishing the edge and centering is challenging.</p>

<p>thank you for the response. have you used JML Optical before? </p>

<p>No experience with them at all. Just the second match for Google search for "custom optics". They're in Rochester, where there's a fine talent pool from the folks who used to work at the Kodak Hawkeye Lens Works.</p>

<p>Surplus Shed offers a number of lenses at very reasonable prices. ( www.surplusshed.com )<br>

I recently bought an old projector lens but it was missing the rear crown element of the Petzval formula. Ordered a couple bi-convex ones from them with a similar diameter. <br />Problem is I don't know the focal length of the missing element.</p>

Hello everyone, I wanted to ask art_major which serial number is the petzval lens that you have damaged? Thanks for your response, greetings.