Rear Optic Size? DIY Lens (Yes, I'm Crazy...)

I've decided that, budget allowing, I'm going to try to source parts to create a lens (I'll probably try to base it on an existing patent).

I have a Sony a7iii - how big/small would the rear optic have to be in order to fit the E-mount? What image circle size should I aim for? What size should the rear optic be (and what type of optic should it be to project the image onto the sensor)?

I don't have any experience with lens building, but I just want to have some fun and create something semi-usable. Reignite my passion for photography. Any advice on the size and type of element would be very appreciated!

PhotoW wrote:

I've decided that, budget allowing, I'm going to try to source parts to create a lens (I'll probably try to base it on an existing patent).

I have a Sony a7iii - how big/small would the rear optic have to be in order to fit the E-mount? What image circle size should I aim for? What size should the rear optic be (and what type of optic should it be to project the image onto the sensor)?

I don't have any experience with lens building, but I just want to have some fun and create something semi-usable. Reignite my passion for photography. Any advice on the size and type of element would be very appreciated!

There are too many variables to determine ideal lens diameter at this point. A pinhole is capable of covering well beyond the sensor, so it's not critical for getting an image.

You may find the homemade lens group on Flickr a useful resource - it has quite extensive tips on building your own optics.

petrochemist wrote:

PhotoW wrote:

I've decided that, budget allowing, I'm going to try to source parts to create a lens (I'll probably try to base it on an existing patent).

I have a Sony a7iii - how big/small would the rear optic have to be in order to fit the E-mount? What image circle size should I aim for? What size should the rear optic be (and what type of optic should it be to project the image onto the sensor)?

I don't have any experience with lens building, but I just want to have some fun and create something semi-usable. Reignite my passion for photography. Any advice on the size and type of element would be very appreciated!

There are too many variables to determine ideal lens diameter at this point. A pinhole is capable of covering well beyond the sensor, so it's not critical for getting an image.

You may find the homemade lens group on Flickr a useful resource - it has quite extensive tips on building your own optics.

This looks like such a great resource - thanks! I've already learned something about different focal lengths for each element in the optic, and I'm only 10 minutes in!

If anyone has any other resources to share, I'd love to see them, though I'm a beginner and likely won't understand it if it's too complex (the above link is a perfect example of simplicity).

bclaff wrote:

I didn't follow the link but if you'd be curious to do some ray tracing of designs like this :

52mm f/2 for Nikon F mount

Then contact me by email or Private Message (PM).

Sorry, what do you mean by "Ray Tracing?" Will I need special software to do that?

bclaff wrote:

PhotoW wrote:

bclaff wrote:

I didn't follow the link but if you'd be curious to do some ray tracing of designs like this :

52mm f/2 for Nikon F mount

Then contact me by email or Private Message (PM).

Sorry, what do you mean by "Ray Tracing?" Will I need special software to do that?

Ray tracing is sending light rays through an optical prescription like the blue and green rays above. (That optical prescription is from a patent.)

There's a way you can use my software especially for something so simple but I would have to lead you through the process.

It could be helpful to confirm things like distances depending on what other resources you have.

I'd definitely be interested, but I don't know what many of the technical terms mean at the moment. Will that inhibit my ability to use it?

Just started reading an optical textbook by W. J. Smith on Modern Optical Lens Design. Very informative, but very complex.