removing fixed lenses from cameras

[Nisseliten]

I am aware this is sacrilege, ethically wrong and generally not a good idea, but I have alot of nice old fixed lens cameras and rangefinders that are broken in one way or the other. I have no intention of destroying them, I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience in non-destructively removing fixed lenses from cameras, preferably reversible and adapting them to say micro 4/3's. It varies from camera to camera i am sure, but any general advice would be appreciated.

[kansalliskala]

Most fixed-lens 35mm cameras have very short registration legth?

[Nisseliten]

Too short even for M4/3?

[luisalegria]

Old folders are very easy.
There is usually just a retaining ring that can be unscrewed from the back of the front standard.
This is true even of most of the 35mm folders, like Retinas.

Most old rangefinders are the same, with just a retaining ring to unscrew. However, because of the lack
of working room it is often quite difficult to do. I usually have to make a tool to do it, and I don't always succeed.

This will get you the lens and shutter only.

If you want the focus helical too, thats more complex.

In general though most of whats wrong in an old rangefinder is probably the shutter or diaphragm, and if you cant fix them in the original camera you cant fix it off the camera, and you will need to, at least to get it working. The shutter needs to work in "T" at least.

[Attila]

Lot of hassle for so so result, even if images are good enough or excellent, most people never try canibalized lenses more than 2x.
You need to solve register distance, focusing , aperture issues. Simple not worth it, friend of mine Charles who is a repair man and very much interest to try new things did give up.

[calvin83]

Many people in China do convert the lens in RF camera for use in m4/3 and NEX cameras but they do it in a destructive way.

[Nisseliten]

I guess it was a fools errand then, too bad.. Alot of fine glass that goes to waste. Thanks for all your inputs!

[Oreste]

[luisalegria]

Most of the lenses one would find on the best fixed-lens rangefinders are f/1.7-f/2 6-element gauss types.
There are plenty SLR lenses like this around, and they are almost all very cheap and on average just as good if not better.
The advantage of a rangefinder camera vs SLR is not the lens.

There are a few exceptions like the f/1.4 Yashinon on the Lynx Ic, but even there its not clear to me that this lens is better than most f/1.4 SLR lenses. I don't see it in the results on film. Its a good lens, but not better than a Super Takumar.
The advantage of the Lynx for low light is not just the lens aperture but the leaf shutter (low vibration) and rangefinder focus.

[Braddanman]

If you're still interested have a look at this series of photos on flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xy9z/4511879003/in/set-72157623833920480/

[Nisseliten]