Mating Kern Switar 10mm with Bolex Aspheron 5.5mm

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carllooper
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Mating Kern Switar 10mm with Bolex Aspheron 5.5mm

Post by carllooper »

I was hoping the following two lenses would mate with each other (and produce children) but there is a problem. Hopefully a marriage therapist might have some tips for me.

The wideangle lens is labelled:

BOLEX
Aspheron 5,5 mm
for/pour
Switar 10mm
Made in Switzerland


and the 10mm is labelled:

Kern Palliard Switar 10mm H16RX

The wideangle lens has a back outside thread diameter of 37mm.
The 10mm lens has a front inside thread diameter of 32 mm.

Apart from how to physically interface the two (some sort of thread adapter?) is not knowing what distance (and tolerance) a candidate interface will need to provide, if indeed an interface is possible. The following discussion thread (while not specific to my problem) did give me an indication of the potential issues:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-hvr-z1 ... ttach.html

Anyone with tips?

Is this what I need:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/9 ... _Lens.html

Carl
Carl Looper
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bolextech
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Re: Mating Kern Switar 10mm with Bolex Aspheron 5.5mm

Post by bolextech »

Hi Carl,

The back of the Bolex Aspheron is actually 38mm and the 10mm is exactly 32mm.
A simple step-up ring is would do the trick but it might be difficult to find one as 32mm is a size found almost exclusively on a few Kern Switar lenses. The one for the Century 6mm adapter lens would work. Its Century #FA-6010 Adapter Ring for Switar 10mm Lens. I see there is one for sale at Leo's Camera Supply ($50): http://www.leoscamera.com/clearance/

If all else fails, a ring could be custom machined.$$$.

Otherwise, maybe you could trade-in your older Switar for the newer preset type which has a 38mm filter thread.

Cheers,
Jean-Louis
Jean-Louis Seguin
Motion Picture Camera Technician
Montreal, Canada
carllooper
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Re: Mating Kern Switar 10mm with Bolex Aspheron 5.5mm

Post by carllooper »

bolextech wrote:I see there is one for sale at Leo's Camera Supply
Thanks Jean-Louis. I've now contacted Leos for such.

cheers
Carl

ps. wow - the presets I found while browsing for such, cost 2000+ more than the lens I'm currently using (which was only 200). I think I'll just concentrate on software based image reconstruction/correction rather than spend that amount of dollars :)
Carl Looper
http://artistfilmworkshop.org/
bolextech
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Re: Mating Kern Switar 10mm with Bolex Aspheron 5.5mm

Post by bolextech »

Hi Carl,

The prices for the 26 Macro and 75 Macro have gone through the roof in the last two years.
The preset 10mm is not that expensive. You should be able to get one for around $500.

Cheers,
Jean-Louis
Jean-Louis Seguin
Motion Picture Camera Technician
Montreal, Canada
Lunar07
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Re: Mating Kern Switar 10mm with Bolex Aspheron 5.5mm

Post by Lunar07 »

The Switar 10mm preset in a very good condition is averaging $200 on eBay when sold via a regular auction (not a buy it now from one of the dealers). As for the rest of the presets (26mm, 50mm and 75mm) you need to dip into your retirement plan to buy one. I am only so glad I got the 50mm and 75mm macro presets long long ago for cheap.
carllooper
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Re: Mating Kern Switar 10mm with Bolex Aspheron 5.5mm

Post by carllooper »

Thanks guys. I'll hunt down a cheap preset. Spending another 200 to 500 won't be too bad. As usual Leos have failed to respond to my emails. Took me months to buy anything from their clearances last year. I don't know why they are so slow. Oh well.

Carl

ps. the cheapest on ebay was 400, so grabbed it. 400 is a lot cheaper than 2500. Well that's about the end of my budget for lenses. I've already got a few longer ones that are fine. It was really just the wide angle I needed and which I'll be predominantly using for the film I'm putting together this year.
Carl Looper
http://artistfilmworkshop.org/
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