Ultra cheap entry into 11X14

[johan_erasmus]

I have hade a great deal of success and fun building pin hole

cameras, and am planning to build a new one around the 11X14 film

size. The only thing is the exposure times become insanely long. I

was wondering if it would pay to use some form of lens instead.

 

Does anyone know of any way to obtain a lens with enough coverage for

little or no cost. (I had hoped not to spend much more than the cost

of the film itself.) I have a huge range of MF and 35mm lenses but

none come close to covering except in an ultra wide macro situation -

no real use. I am looking for a trick or idea along the lines of

using one or more elements from an existing lens or any other

suggestions.

[art_haykin]

A simple meniscus lens of the correct diameter and grind (focal length) should do the trick. Just a big box camera,and you'll have to settle for box camera image quality.

[ed_balko3]

Try a dealer like:

 

http://www.surplusshed.com

 

one of the projection or copier lenses might work for you.

 

A second posibility is a used process lens. Some makes such as JML/NuArc and older Wollensak/Raptar appear on eBay and sometimes sell for well less than $20.

[dean_lastoria]

Look in this month's View Camera magazine -- Mr. Simons out did himself on this one -- a complete article on DIY lenses. I'm back on the VC bandwagon.

Dean

[jim_galli4]

Here's some to look at. Not exactly cheap/ free but you might get in for $150. With a lens/ aperture it opens up the door to use Freestyle lith film which is about a 10th the cost of normal film. Also with lith film you can tape it to the back of the box with the lights (red of course) on.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1373690862

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1374494844

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1374907500

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1374245414

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1374617516

[struan_gray]

A good source of cheap to free lenses for 11x14 is the lens off an

overhead projector. They will cover the format with a bit of coma

in the corners, but when stopped down to, say, f64 or f128 they

sharpen up nicely while still being faster than a typical long

pinhole. Modern ones can be surprisingly good, and are often

coated to boot. Other cheapie lenses which work at high f-stops

are drugstore reading glasses, Sherlock-Holmes magnifiers or

the front element of a yard sale kid's telescope.

 

If you are prepared to spend $100 or so, an old process lens is a

leap in quality for not much expenditure. The more obscure but

still high quality ones like Wray, Agfa, Kowa etc tend to be a

better buy if you're on a tight budget.

 

Spend a few hundred and the field opens up considerably.

Modern process lenses will be bitingly sharp, although fitting

them to a shutter often doubles the price. Some older taking

lenses like the 300mm and 360 mm convertible Symmars are

also available in this price range.

[charles_osborne]

One time I took the screw-in filter-type close-up lens from a set and put it in the shutter of my 13" Wollensak triple convertible (it fit!) and it was about as sharp as the Wollensak! The #3 is a 1/3-meter lens, or 330mm, the #2 is 1/2 meter or 500mm, and the 1 is a meter or 1000mm. The latter two should cover 11x14--but I think the diameter of the close-up lens may be a factor--mine was large, I think 62mm. The diameter may also influence exposure--the natural aperture being larger with a larger lens. The distance from film to lens is of course the focal length for infinity, closer for hyperfocal distance or for close ups. As with all lenses, the closer the focus the greater the coverage, but size of aperture does not increase coverage with all lenses--I think it would with a simple lens (miniscus).

[johan_erasmus]

Eureka - Thanks Charles that was exactly the kind of information I needed, seeing as I already have several sets of close-up lenses. I will check out the feasability. Thanks also to everybody else who responded. I was aware of some of the process lenses on e*ay but could not evaluate them without a major research effort. I was also concerned that I would end up getting the whole 11X14 along with the lens. Equipment addicts will know what I mean.

[dean_lastoria]

The close up lens is what the article is about in Vew Camera. Check it out.

Dean