Lens Rehousing  -  Frequently Asked Questions

Lens Rehousing  -  Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Who will provide the original lenses for the conversions?

A1. We have asked customers to send their own sets of lenses to us for conversion. This also enables us to pre-plan the amount of metalwork sets we need to make in advance of manufacture. It can be difficult to source good quality, suitable lenses if the customer does not already own them already. Cooke Speed Panchro lenses were not manufactured after 1971, making the youngest lens over 45 years old! Good examples of Bausch and Lombs, Canon K35s and Spherical Kowas are no less difficult to locate.

Q2. What is the cost if I provide lenses in good condition?

A2. Cost of each lens conversion is dependent upon manufacturer and focal length. Prices can vary between lenses if supplied in individual units, part set or whole set. Once the lenses have been inspected on site at TLS, a firm quotation will be given covering all aspects of the conversion.

Q3. What is the cost for a set of lenses I provide?

A3. We have in the past anticipated that customers will provide a whole set of lenses for conversion. The optical units and iris mechanism undergo a complete service as part of the conversion process. We will advise of any detrimental issues with your lens before we convert them.

Q4. What is progress so far?

A4. The system we have developed is of modular design and as a consequence, it has been adaptable in being able to accommodate a wide variety of optical units. 

Cooke Lenses

All focal lengths of the Speed Panchros have been designed and manufactured (18, 25, 28, 32, 35, 40, 50,75 & 100mm). These are from all three series. The inclusion of the Double Speed Panchros into this list is the latest innovation which we see as an ever expanding exercise. Astigmat 105mm, Cooke Telepanchro 152mm and 203mm as well as the 100mm and 150mm Kinetals have been converted.

Bausch + Lomb

Super Baltars 20mm, 25mm, 35mm, 40mm, 50mm, 75mm, 100mm (4”) 152mm (6”) 228mm (9”) Baltar 100mm (4”) 152mm (6”)

Canon K35

18mm (t1.5, t2.8), 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 55mm, 85mm

Kowa

15mm, 20mm, 25mm, 32mm, 40mm, 50mm, 75mm, 100mm

Q5. What will they look like and what is the mechanical principle?

A5. Due to the design being modular, the lenses have a distinctive look which is now recognisable as part of the True Lens brand. To distinguish between the various manufacturers, we have introduced an optional colour coding system on one of the bearing rings to aid identification.

Black – Cooke

Red – Canon

Blue – Kowa 

Gold ­– Bausch & Lomb

All the re-housings use a cam to drive the focus, eliminating back lash and image shift. Some Canon K35 lenses need to be housed with a dual cam system to incorporate the floating elements inside the lens. Each manufacturer’s series have the same size focus and iris gear with standard 0.8 pitch gears throughout the range, all in the same relative position to the PL flange. They will work with all manual follow focus units or remote servo drives. The double sided scales will be easy to read and evenly spread to give focus control toward infinity.

Q6. Does it matter which mount the original lenses were set in?

A6. No.The Canon K35 lenses were generally mounted on BNCR, but some have been previously converted into other fittings. Original speed Panchros were supplied in various mounts, as were the Bausch and Lomb and Kowas. Typically, Arri standard, BNC, C mount, Camiflex, and plain thread for bespoke mounting. Others were mounted for specific applications, with some mounted by a third party for use on projectors using tailor made metalwork. In each case, the original optical units were used inside the necessary metalwork. TLS takes the optical unit from within and re-house it in the new metalwork.

Q7. Will they Colour Match?

A7. That all depends upon the original glass in your individual lenses. TLS will not be able to do anything about mismatching of colour balances. However, with all digital cameras, a white balance will correct for any discrepancies in colour balance between your set. Filters can be used in pre-shoot testing to compensate for any shift.

Q8. Who have your customers been so far?

A8. Our lenses have been delivered to individuals and rental houses worldwide, with no issue and all round positive feedback regarding their design and build quality from every recipient.

Q9: Does TLS manufacture all of the lens components?

A9: All component parts, except the lens elements and the tube of metal holding the elements, will be of TLS design and totally designed and manufactured in house. This project will bring the Cooke Speed Panchros up to modern day specification. As with all potential customers for this conversion, we are not asking for any advanced funding. What we do ask is for the customer to deposit the lenses with us, in that way we can accurately calculate the amount of metalwork to produce without over or under production.

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'To inspire through innovation, passion and quality'
'To inspire through innovation, passion and quality'