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How can I know if two lenses have interchangeable elements?
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This simple question might have a not so simple answer, and I want to ask it about a single lense, but assume that would be off topic, because I'd basically be asking 'should I buy this to repair my other lens?'
Here's an example: are the lens elements from the nikon 18-55mm vr ii compatible with the elements from the 18-55mm vr? They look cosmetically similar.
Is there a spec sheet?
Same with other lenses, like the 50mm 1.2 ai-s and 50mm 1.2 ai. Compatible elements? Spec sheets?
My example comes with real world motivation: I got a free lens from a friend, wanted to try my hand at repair for cheap. I saw a lens with the same specs, same generation, but one model newer or older and it's af motor is damaged, or something similar.
Feel free to edit my comment if you feel it can be better phrased.
repair lens-design diy lens-construction repair-parts
edited 1 hour ago
mattdm
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asked 7 hours ago
Hellreaver
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Hellreaver is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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up vote
3
down vote
favorite
This simple question might have a not so simple answer, and I want to ask it about a single lense, but assume that would be off topic, because I'd basically be asking 'should I buy this to repair my other lens?'
Here's an example: are the lens elements from the nikon 18-55mm vr ii compatible with the elements from the 18-55mm vr? They look cosmetically similar.
Is there a spec sheet?
Same with other lenses, like the 50mm 1.2 ai-s and 50mm 1.2 ai. Compatible elements? Spec sheets?
My example comes with real world motivation: I got a free lens from a friend, wanted to try my hand at repair for cheap. I saw a lens with the same specs, same generation, but one model newer or older and it's af motor is damaged, or something similar.
Feel free to edit my comment if you feel it can be better phrased.
repair lens-design diy lens-construction repair-parts
edited 1 hour ago
mattdm
117k37343633
asked 7 hours ago
Hellreaver
1164
New contributor
Hellreaver is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
This simple question might have a not so simple answer, and I want to ask it about a single lense, but assume that would be off topic, because I'd basically be asking 'should I buy this to repair my other lens?'
Here's an example: are the lens elements from the nikon 18-55mm vr ii compatible with the elements from the 18-55mm vr? They look cosmetically similar.
Is there a spec sheet?
Same with other lenses, like the 50mm 1.2 ai-s and 50mm 1.2 ai. Compatible elements? Spec sheets?
My example comes with real world motivation: I got a free lens from a friend, wanted to try my hand at repair for cheap. I saw a lens with the same specs, same generation, but one model newer or older and it's af motor is damaged, or something similar.
Feel free to edit my comment if you feel it can be better phrased.
repair lens-design diy lens-construction repair-parts
edited 1 hour ago
mattdm
117k37343633
asked 7 hours ago
Hellreaver
1164
New contributor
Hellreaver is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
This simple question might have a not so simple answer, and I want to ask it about a single lense, but assume that would be off topic, because I'd basically be asking 'should I buy this to repair my other lens?'
Here's an example: are the lens elements from the nikon 18-55mm vr ii compatible with the elements from the 18-55mm vr? They look cosmetically similar.
Is there a spec sheet?
Same with other lenses, like the 50mm 1.2 ai-s and 50mm 1.2 ai. Compatible elements? Spec sheets?
My example comes with real world motivation: I got a free lens from a friend, wanted to try my hand at repair for cheap. I saw a lens with the same specs, same generation, but one model newer or older and it's af motor is damaged, or something similar.
Feel free to edit my comment if you feel it can be better phrased.
repair lens-design diy lens-construction repair-parts
repair lens-design diy lens-construction repair-parts
edited 1 hour ago
mattdm
117k37343633
asked 7 hours ago
Hellreaver
1164
New contributor
Hellreaver is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 1 hour ago
mattdm
117k37343633
asked 7 hours ago
Hellreaver
1164
New contributor
Hellreaver is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 1 hour ago
mattdm
117k37343633
edited 1 hour ago
mattdm
117k37343633
edited 1 hour ago
mattdm
117k37343633
117k37343633
asked 7 hours ago
Hellreaver
1164
New contributor
Hellreaver is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 7 hours ago
Hellreaver
1164
asked 7 hours ago
Hellreaver
1164
1164
New contributor
Hellreaver is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Hellreaver is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Hellreaver is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
It would basically be impossible for anyone other than the manufacturer to answer that question about any given pair of lenses. Two very similar lenses might have some of the same outer elements (particularly the front lens, which is the most commonly damaged part), but they could also be subtly different.
For example, the Canon 16-35 L, L II, and L III look almost identical, and both have 16 elements, but
- L: 10 groups, 14 elements, 77mm front thread
- L II: 12 groups, 16 elements, 82mm front thread
- L III: 11 groups, 16 elements, 82mm front thread
You probably should assume that the lens elements themselves are not interchangeable between lenses. That said, you might be able to take the working autofocus motor from the free lens and use it to repair the other one. Parts like that are often the same across a large number of lenses.
If you can find a parts diagram for the two lenses, that will tell you somewhat definitively whether they have any parts in common.
answered 7 hours ago
dgatwood
1,659411
That's what I figured. I was hoping some weekend warrior (not in a negative sense) would come out of the woodwork with some crazy 'oh yeah I've done that a million times, here's what to Google for the diagrams' like with some other hobbies. Thanks. Leaving the question open for now to allow other answers.
– Hellreaver
7 hours ago
For Nikon, you might try here: allphotolenses.com/pdf/c_18/p_2.html
– dgatwood
6 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Sadly, you can't, without taking them apart to find out.
Unfortunately, it's not reliable to assume anything about the construction of photographic equipment.
Even if two instances of what is marketed as the same lens contain optically identical elements, which isn't always guaranteed, you may find that a bevel on the edge of a particular element (or somesuch) is slightly different, because the manufacturer adopted a slightly different way of mounting it in later versions.
You can't rely on repair manuals or other documentation either; you'll often find that the published description is different from the equipment in front of you.
Most typically, you will discover that the manufacturer found a way to do the same things slightly more cheaply.
Having said that, often you will find that the same elements and other parts are re-used across different models, because that too helps reduce costs, so though you get no guarantees, the chances can be good.
answered 8 mins ago
Daniele Procida
45211
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
It would basically be impossible for anyone other than the manufacturer to answer that question about any given pair of lenses. Two very similar lenses might have some of the same outer elements (particularly the front lens, which is the most commonly damaged part), but they could also be subtly different.
For example, the Canon 16-35 L, L II, and L III look almost identical, and both have 16 elements, but
- L: 10 groups, 14 elements, 77mm front thread
- L II: 12 groups, 16 elements, 82mm front thread
- L III: 11 groups, 16 elements, 82mm front thread
You probably should assume that the lens elements themselves are not interchangeable between lenses. That said, you might be able to take the working autofocus motor from the free lens and use it to repair the other one. Parts like that are often the same across a large number of lenses.
If you can find a parts diagram for the two lenses, that will tell you somewhat definitively whether they have any parts in common.
answered 7 hours ago
dgatwood
1,659411
That's what I figured. I was hoping some weekend warrior (not in a negative sense) would come out of the woodwork with some crazy 'oh yeah I've done that a million times, here's what to Google for the diagrams' like with some other hobbies. Thanks. Leaving the question open for now to allow other answers.
– Hellreaver
7 hours ago
For Nikon, you might try here: allphotolenses.com/pdf/c_18/p_2.html
– dgatwood
6 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
It would basically be impossible for anyone other than the manufacturer to answer that question about any given pair of lenses. Two very similar lenses might have some of the same outer elements (particularly the front lens, which is the most commonly damaged part), but they could also be subtly different.
For example, the Canon 16-35 L, L II, and L III look almost identical, and both have 16 elements, but
- L: 10 groups, 14 elements, 77mm front thread
- L II: 12 groups, 16 elements, 82mm front thread
- L III: 11 groups, 16 elements, 82mm front thread
You probably should assume that the lens elements themselves are not interchangeable between lenses. That said, you might be able to take the working autofocus motor from the free lens and use it to repair the other one. Parts like that are often the same across a large number of lenses.
If you can find a parts diagram for the two lenses, that will tell you somewhat definitively whether they have any parts in common.
answered 7 hours ago
dgatwood
1,659411
That's what I figured. I was hoping some weekend warrior (not in a negative sense) would come out of the woodwork with some crazy 'oh yeah I've done that a million times, here's what to Google for the diagrams' like with some other hobbies. Thanks. Leaving the question open for now to allow other answers.
– Hellreaver
7 hours ago
For Nikon, you might try here: allphotolenses.com/pdf/c_18/p_2.html
– dgatwood
6 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
It would basically be impossible for anyone other than the manufacturer to answer that question about any given pair of lenses. Two very similar lenses might have some of the same outer elements (particularly the front lens, which is the most commonly damaged part), but they could also be subtly different.
For example, the Canon 16-35 L, L II, and L III look almost identical, and both have 16 elements, but
- L: 10 groups, 14 elements, 77mm front thread
- L II: 12 groups, 16 elements, 82mm front thread
- L III: 11 groups, 16 elements, 82mm front thread
You probably should assume that the lens elements themselves are not interchangeable between lenses. That said, you might be able to take the working autofocus motor from the free lens and use it to repair the other one. Parts like that are often the same across a large number of lenses.
If you can find a parts diagram for the two lenses, that will tell you somewhat definitively whether they have any parts in common.
answered 7 hours ago
dgatwood
1,659411
It would basically be impossible for anyone other than the manufacturer to answer that question about any given pair of lenses. Two very similar lenses might have some of the same outer elements (particularly the front lens, which is the most commonly damaged part), but they could also be subtly different.
For example, the Canon 16-35 L, L II, and L III look almost identical, and both have 16 elements, but
- L: 10 groups, 14 elements, 77mm front thread
- L II: 12 groups, 16 elements, 82mm front thread
- L III: 11 groups, 16 elements, 82mm front thread
You probably should assume that the lens elements themselves are not interchangeable between lenses. That said, you might be able to take the working autofocus motor from the free lens and use it to repair the other one. Parts like that are often the same across a large number of lenses.
If you can find a parts diagram for the two lenses, that will tell you somewhat definitively whether they have any parts in common.
answered 7 hours ago
dgatwood
1,659411
answered 7 hours ago
dgatwood
1,659411
answered 7 hours ago
dgatwood
1,659411
answered 7 hours ago
dgatwood
1,659411
1,659411
That's what I figured. I was hoping some weekend warrior (not in a negative sense) would come out of the woodwork with some crazy 'oh yeah I've done that a million times, here's what to Google for the diagrams' like with some other hobbies. Thanks. Leaving the question open for now to allow other answers.
– Hellreaver
7 hours ago
For Nikon, you might try here: allphotolenses.com/pdf/c_18/p_2.html
– dgatwood
6 hours ago
add a comment |Â
That's what I figured. I was hoping some weekend warrior (not in a negative sense) would come out of the woodwork with some crazy 'oh yeah I've done that a million times, here's what to Google for the diagrams' like with some other hobbies. Thanks. Leaving the question open for now to allow other answers.
– Hellreaver
7 hours ago
For Nikon, you might try here: allphotolenses.com/pdf/c_18/p_2.html
– dgatwood
6 hours ago
That's what I figured. I was hoping some weekend warrior (not in a negative sense) would come out of the woodwork with some crazy 'oh yeah I've done that a million times, here's what to Google for the diagrams' like with some other hobbies. Thanks. Leaving the question open for now to allow other answers.
– Hellreaver
7 hours ago
That's what I figured. I was hoping some weekend warrior (not in a negative sense) would come out of the woodwork with some crazy 'oh yeah I've done that a million times, here's what to Google for the diagrams' like with some other hobbies. Thanks. Leaving the question open for now to allow other answers.
– Hellreaver
7 hours ago
For Nikon, you might try here: allphotolenses.com/pdf/c_18/p_2.html
– dgatwood
6 hours ago
For Nikon, you might try here: allphotolenses.com/pdf/c_18/p_2.html
– dgatwood
6 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Sadly, you can't, without taking them apart to find out.
Unfortunately, it's not reliable to assume anything about the construction of photographic equipment.
Even if two instances of what is marketed as the same lens contain optically identical elements, which isn't always guaranteed, you may find that a bevel on the edge of a particular element (or somesuch) is slightly different, because the manufacturer adopted a slightly different way of mounting it in later versions.
You can't rely on repair manuals or other documentation either; you'll often find that the published description is different from the equipment in front of you.
Most typically, you will discover that the manufacturer found a way to do the same things slightly more cheaply.
Having said that, often you will find that the same elements and other parts are re-used across different models, because that too helps reduce costs, so though you get no guarantees, the chances can be good.
answered 8 mins ago
Daniele Procida
45211
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Sadly, you can't, without taking them apart to find out.
Unfortunately, it's not reliable to assume anything about the construction of photographic equipment.
Even if two instances of what is marketed as the same lens contain optically identical elements, which isn't always guaranteed, you may find that a bevel on the edge of a particular element (or somesuch) is slightly different, because the manufacturer adopted a slightly different way of mounting it in later versions.
You can't rely on repair manuals or other documentation either; you'll often find that the published description is different from the equipment in front of you.
Most typically, you will discover that the manufacturer found a way to do the same things slightly more cheaply.
Having said that, often you will find that the same elements and other parts are re-used across different models, because that too helps reduce costs, so though you get no guarantees, the chances can be good.
answered 8 mins ago
Daniele Procida
45211
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
Sadly, you can't, without taking them apart to find out.
Unfortunately, it's not reliable to assume anything about the construction of photographic equipment.
Even if two instances of what is marketed as the same lens contain optically identical elements, which isn't always guaranteed, you may find that a bevel on the edge of a particular element (or somesuch) is slightly different, because the manufacturer adopted a slightly different way of mounting it in later versions.
You can't rely on repair manuals or other documentation either; you'll often find that the published description is different from the equipment in front of you.
Most typically, you will discover that the manufacturer found a way to do the same things slightly more cheaply.
Having said that, often you will find that the same elements and other parts are re-used across different models, because that too helps reduce costs, so though you get no guarantees, the chances can be good.
answered 8 mins ago
Daniele Procida
45211
Sadly, you can't, without taking them apart to find out.
Unfortunately, it's not reliable to assume anything about the construction of photographic equipment.
Even if two instances of what is marketed as the same lens contain optically identical elements, which isn't always guaranteed, you may find that a bevel on the edge of a particular element (or somesuch) is slightly different, because the manufacturer adopted a slightly different way of mounting it in later versions.
You can't rely on repair manuals or other documentation either; you'll often find that the published description is different from the equipment in front of you.
Most typically, you will discover that the manufacturer found a way to do the same things slightly more cheaply.
Having said that, often you will find that the same elements and other parts are re-used across different models, because that too helps reduce costs, so though you get no guarantees, the chances can be good.
answered 8 mins ago
Daniele Procida
45211
answered 8 mins ago
Daniele Procida
45211
answered 8 mins ago
Daniele Procida
45211
answered 8 mins ago
Daniele Procida
45211
45211
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
Hellreaver is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Hellreaver is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Hellreaver is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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