In the purest form of experimentation, today I revisited the lens I built out of a projection-TV lens last Autumn.
The only focus mechanism is a lens-iris for aperture control. The lens seems to function as a telephoto-macro with a focus distance of roughly six inches. The focus plane is razor thin and outside the "confusion plane" is just blown into butter soft bokeh. Aperture fully open, there is no focus and the lens is a complete light-bucket.
This test was not about a subject - On my desk I just placed a d20 on top the lens that's currently on my Nikon d5500. The very bright light are my soft-boxes for using Zoom.
Taken with a Nikon Z6, using IBIS and Focus highlights.
First image is the raw file image, second is added contrast, and final is my crushed b/w preset in Luminar. Really like the crushed version. It's no state-of-the-art 2020 lens, but there is character, and lots of it.
I'll try to get some better photos tomorrow as I'm out of time for today.
[Edit: Added three more images]
I do like that a lot. How did you make the lens?
Happy to share...
Inside each older projection TV is a set of three lens assemblies like the first image here. (The last one I didn't crack open yet)
Inside that is the core lens assembly as seen in image two... Also in image two you can see I taped (for now) a Canon reverse mount macro ring... This gives me the Canon mount. The back opening for the plastic lens assembly just happened to fit a 77mm reverse ring perfectly; the tape is just added security.
In the third and fourth image is the Iris lens attachment and the reason I went with a Canon reverse mount.. This Iris unit is Canon to Sony e-mount. (amazon $20)
But I use a Nikon you say... Interesting thing about e-mount, it will still fit and click into place on a f-mount... No controls of course, but that's a given building your own lens.
So my lens with Canon mount -> Iris (Canon to Sony) -> Sony to FtZ f-mount adapter for the Z Nikon Cameras.
Incredible.
I love tinkering :)
I tried tinkering with a 18-24 lens. All the bits are in a box.. And nice work again..
ohh no, that's not good, hopefully not in the box too much longer.... and thanks1
good stuff mate. Can't wait to see some more.. Think I like the B&W but all are very clever.
More better (hopefully) images here shortly, about to head outside and get some shots.
Added three more images...
I do Like the flower one.