Mounting a lens without a matching flange.

As you might know I love to use old petzval lenses for my photography.
Lenses with a beautiful history and  most of the time more than 140-150 year old.

Unfortunately many of those lenses are offered without the matching flange.
Finding a matching flange is like seeking for a needle in a haystack.

In other words, you won't find it.

So you will have to look for a machinery shop and ask if they are able to make you one.

I can tell you, they will cost a lot of money.

 

A much easier and perfect solution is shown in the pictures underneath.

Just cut a hole in a lens plate using a jig saw.

DON'T try to cut it at the exact size, that won't work.

Most likely you will cut it to big!
So make it slightly smaller and take of the rest of the wood using a simple file.
When done, just use the thread of the lens to screw it into the wood.

Don't force it, otherwise you will crack you nice wooden lens plate.

When mounting a petzval, please make sure toy slide the sleeve of the lens all towards the front.

Now wrap a small piece of rubber around it and use a tyrap to secure the rubber.

(if you don't have a flat piece of rubber, just use an old inner tube of your bicycle....)

 

For big , more heavier lenses better use a hose clamp.