Lens Modifications - Is this a stupid or great idea?

tokyoscape · 11-26-2021, 05:20 PM

Originally posted by shyrsio

I don't know if you ever held an aperture blade in your hands but they are fragile. they look like plastic at first but they are super slim metal sheet, it is impossible to alter them without braking them imo.

You beat me to the punch. That things are really thin. I can't see a way to DIY hand modify it.

**Digitalis** · 11-26-2021, 07:44 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

All it will take is one simple touch to bring home the folly of the attempt. They are flexible.

Very flexible, and fragile. any alteration to aperture geometry will require further adjustment as you are removing material and the aperture will no longer close down as far as it is designed to.

Theoretically possible, but it would be foolhardy to attempt it with improvised tools.

wadge22 · 11-26-2021, 11:44 PM - **1 Like**

If I had to try it, I would do it this way: Clamp them all one on top of another sandwiched (perfectly aligned) and interlayered with waste material (shim stock, probably precut just slightly larger than the blades), then grind them all at once from 'the side.'
I'm still guessing you would have to deburr and reflatten them individually afterwards.
Getting the clamping just right and as close as possible to the spot you will be cutting would be critical. Probably would need to make some kind of jig to assist clamping.

Seems like a lot of work for little gain...

**pentaxus** · 11-27-2021, 12:08 AM - **1 Like**

The diaphragm can be adjusted on most lenses but a bigger problem is that you are creating a shiny edge to the blades that is sure to cause problems.

officiousbystander · 11-27-2021, 01:44 AM

It's begs the question of whether rounded blades are better than straight blades. They may have different impacts. There must be swings and roundabouts. I remember the DA 15 upgrade starburst backlash.

house · 11-27-2021, 02:01 AM

Originally posted by officiousbystander

It's begs the question of whether rounded blades are better than straight blades. They may have different impacts. There must be swings and roundabouts. I remember the DA 15 upgrade starburst backlash.

That's what I came here to write. The difference in bokeh was absolutely minimal with the DAlimiteds right? Did they change the blades with the HD FA35 makeover? I own the lens but don't know. I certainly still has a bit of hexagonal bokeh but I don't know how it compares to the smc FA35

LennyBloke · 11-27-2021, 05:45 AM

So overall I think the voting is on the "Stupid idea" side

**c.a.m** · 11-27-2021, 06:44 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by LennyBloke

So overall I think the voting is on the "Stupid idea" side

Yes, Minister, one might say the exercise is fraught with challenges and risks.

- Craig

DeKay · 11-27-2021, 06:57 AM

What about swapping out the blades from a damaged donor lens that has rounded edges.
I realise the chances of them fitting are slim, but if you found the right match it may work.

**TwoUptons** · 11-27-2021, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by DeKay

What about swapping out the blades from a damaged donor lens that has rounded edges.
I realise the chances of them fitting are slim, but if you found the right match it may work.

That's what I would think would have the greatest chance of success...

Obviously, there are some that would be pretty close, like the SMC vs HD limiteds with different blades...

Others would be extremely challenging... unless you wanted a preset lens or didn't mind disabling the aperture mechanism...

At some point, you might as well cut a slit in the lens body and use Waterhouse stops...

-Eric

BeeShooter · 12-04-2021, 08:52 PM

I love the idea of a CNC laser cutter. But removing material might not work out.
So perhaps measure the thickness of the metal, and get some equal thickness titanium shim stock from McMaster, and cut it out of that!
Using a modern CAD program you don't even have to learn calculus, you can just have the software calculate the area.

zapp · 12-05-2021, 11:19 AM - **1 Like**

No you can‘t.

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11-26-2021, 05:20 PM	#16
tokyoscape Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,256	Originally posted by shyrsio I don't know if you ever held an aperture blade in your hands but they are fragile. they look like plastic at first but they are super slim metal sheet, it is impossible to alter them without braking them imo. You beat me to the punch. That things are really thin. I can't see a way to DIY hand modify it.

11-26-2021, 07:44 PM	#17
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by stevebrot All it will take is one simple touch to bring home the folly of the attempt. They are flexible. Very flexible, and fragile. any alteration to aperture geometry will require further adjustment as you are removing material and the aperture will no longer close down as far as it is designed to. Theoretically possible, but it would be foolhardy to attempt it with improvised tools.

11-26-2021, 11:44 PM - 1 Like	#18
wadge22 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: NE Ohio Photos: Albums Posts: 897	If I had to try it, I would do it this way: Clamp them all one on top of another sandwiched (perfectly aligned) and interlayered with waste material (shim stock, probably precut just slightly larger than the blades), then grind them all at once from 'the side.' I'm still guessing you would have to deburr and reflatten them individually afterwards. Getting the clamping just right and as close as possible to the spot you will be cutting would be critical. Probably would need to make some kind of jig to assist clamping. Seems like a lot of work for little gain...

11-27-2021, 12:08 AM - 1 Like	#19
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,320	The diaphragm can be adjusted on most lenses but a bigger problem is that you are creating a shiny edge to the blades that is sure to cause problems.

11-27-2021, 01:44 AM	#20
officiousbystander Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 912	It's begs the question of whether rounded blades are better than straight blades. They may have different impacts. There must be swings and roundabouts. I remember the DA 15 upgrade starburst backlash.

11-27-2021, 02:01 AM	#21
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	Originally posted by officiousbystander It's begs the question of whether rounded blades are better than straight blades. They may have different impacts. There must be swings and roundabouts. I remember the DA 15 upgrade starburst backlash. That's what I came here to write. The difference in bokeh was absolutely minimal with the DAlimiteds right? Did they change the blades with the HD FA35 makeover? I own the lens but don't know. I certainly still has a bit of hexagonal bokeh but I don't know how it compares to the smc FA35

11-27-2021, 05:45 AM	#22
LennyBloke Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Worcestershire, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 677 Original Poster	So overall I think the voting is on the "Stupid idea" side

11-27-2021, 06:44 AM - 1 Like	#23
c.a.m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,191	Originally posted by LennyBloke So overall I think the voting is on the "Stupid idea" side Yes, Minister, one might say the exercise is fraught with challenges and risks. - Craig

11-27-2021, 06:57 AM	#24
DeKay Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Photos: Albums Posts: 208	What about swapping out the blades from a damaged donor lens that has rounded edges. I realise the chances of them fitting are slim, but if you found the right match it may work.

11-27-2021, 01:53 PM	#25
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,223	Originally posted by DeKay What about swapping out the blades from a damaged donor lens that has rounded edges. I realise the chances of them fitting are slim, but if you found the right match it may work. That's what I would think would have the greatest chance of success... Obviously, there are some that would be pretty close, like the SMC vs HD limiteds with different blades... Others would be extremely challenging... unless you wanted a preset lens or didn't mind disabling the aperture mechanism... At some point, you might as well cut a slit in the lens body and use Waterhouse stops... -Eric

12-04-2021, 08:52 PM	#26
BeeShooter Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Oregon Posts: 36	I love the idea of a CNC laser cutter. But removing material might not work out. So perhaps measure the thickness of the metal, and get some equal thickness titanium shim stock from McMaster, and cut it out of that! Using a modern CAD program you don't even have to learn calculus, you can just have the software calculate the area.

12-05-2021, 11:19 AM - 1 Like	#27
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,388	No you can‘t.