Luke Macrobinocular Build - Questions for the EXPERTS

[ssdesigner]

OK, my Kalimar 66 that holds my second lens, well...I got the lens out, and I removed the four screws to get the ring out, the front faceplate is gone, but the ring is in there GOOD. The 1st lens ring was loose right away, so I'm wondering if anyone else has had this "stuck lens ring" issue?? Any suggestions?

-Ss

 

[Sidewinder]

screw the lens back in and give it a waggle?

SAS

 

[ssdesigner]

I'll give that a shot...I've tapped it pretty good with the plastic end of a screwdriver, but it's not budging. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't something OBVIOUS that I was forgetting to do/remove

-Ss

 

[Sidewinder]

IIRC some have had to remove the 'cosmetic' plate surrounding the ring to get it off.

 

[ssdesigner]

Well, after getting a view from the inside....the grim news has been revealed





The threading and hole are molded right into the body of the camera. I have a variation of this camera that may be different from others.

CRAP!!! :cry

I may be calling on an RPF machinist to help me create a ring. :wacko

-Ss

 

[Sidewinder]

That still looks like a seperate ring to me, looking at 11 oclock position on the inside shot there is a gap between ring and body. Also if it was one piece then why would there be screws 'holding' it in?

SAS

 

[ssdesigner]

That still looks like a seperate ring to me, looking at 11 oclock position on the inside shot there is a gap between ring and body. Also if it was one piece then why would there be screws 'holding' it in?

SAS

Sorry SAS, but no gap. If there was a gap it would have to be outside the 4 holes....this baby is molded into the camera body. I can take pics of both the cameras side-by-side later today to show the difference. I'm guessing they made so many of these they, at one point, decided to see if it would be cheaper to mold it all in one piece....not sure why they still went with the 4 screws, very unnecessary step. :confused

This will take me awhile, but maybe I can cut this out of the body and still use it? Does anyone know if this could be setup and done with a plasma or water jet cutting tool? Any other suggestions?

-Ss

 

[Sidewinder]

Roughly hacksaw it out and then grinder/file it down to a round shape the correct diameter. Would be too thick then but it could be lathed to the correct 'top hat' shape.

SAS