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Example photos with these lenses here: https://formlabs.com/blog/photos-from-a-3d-printed-camera/ https://formlabs.com/blog/photos-from-a-3d-printed-camera/

by progre 5y ago

frxx 5y ago
Thank you.
can16358p 5y ago
I think it's a nice start. As materials and tech get more precise, I see a good future of people making their own lenses, at least for general hobby purposes.
- gswdh 5y ago
- dekhn 5y ago
  People (hobbyist astronomers) make their own lenses (well, mirrors) starting from glass blanks and tediously grinding and polishing them to precise shapes. However, it's quite challenging and time consuming and you'd only do it if you absolutely needed a mirror of a specific geometry. And it's quite hard to reach the levels of accuracy that a routine mirror or lens making operation can.
  - Wistar 5y ago
    When I was a young kid, my father ground a 6in mirror with a 48in focal length. I remember him walking around a table at night for weeks. The first mirror didn't work out so he had to grind a second. The resulting telescope was, and still is, a remarkable device, although we had to have the mirror re-silvered a few years ago. The first time I saw Saturn in all its glory was through that telescope, looking the size of a softball, and I remember thinking, Wow, it really exists!
    - dekhn 5y ago
      Sure, but these days you can buy most any lens or mirror you need rather than grinding it yourself, and then spend more time viewing stars and planets and less time breathing glass particulates. I think in most cases making your own lenses is just a labor of love, not a way to save money or achieve better results. This is merely because lens and mirror making was industrialized and has impressive economies of scale.
      - Wistar 5y ago
        This was back in the early 60s and although he could probably have purchased a ground mirror, I think getting one with a 48in focal length may have been beyond his budget.

Example photos with these lenses here: https://formlabs.com/blog/photos-from-a-3d-printed-camera/ https://formlabs.com/blog/photos-from-a-3d-printed-camera/

by progre 5y ago

Example photos with these lenses here: https://formlabs.com/blog/photos-from-a-3d-printed-camera/ https://formlabs.com/blog/photos-from-a-3d-printed-camera/

frxx 5y ago

Thank you.

can16358p 5y ago

I think it's a nice start. As materials and tech get more precise, I see a good future of people making their own lenses, at least for general hobby purposes.

gswdh 5y ago
dekhn 5y ago
People (hobbyist astronomers) make their own lenses (well, mirrors) starting from glass blanks and tediously grinding and polishing them to precise shapes. However, it's quite challenging and time consuming and you'd only do it if you absolutely needed a mirror of a specific geometry. And it's quite hard to reach the levels of accuracy that a routine mirror or lens making operation can.
- Wistar 5y ago
  When I was a young kid, my father ground a 6in mirror with a 48in focal length. I remember him walking around a table at night for weeks. The first mirror didn't work out so he had to grind a second. The resulting telescope was, and still is, a remarkable device, although we had to have the mirror re-silvered a few years ago. The first time I saw Saturn in all its glory was through that telescope, looking the size of a softball, and I remember thinking, Wow, it really exists!
  - dekhn 5y ago
    Sure, but these days you can buy most any lens or mirror you need rather than grinding it yourself, and then spend more time viewing stars and planets and less time breathing glass particulates. I think in most cases making your own lenses is just a labor of love, not a way to save money or achieve better results. This is merely because lens and mirror making was industrialized and has impressive economies of scale.
    - Wistar 5y ago
      This was back in the early 60s and although he could probably have purchased a ground mirror, I think getting one with a 48in focal length may have been beyond his budget.