Lens dimensions

glitch

glitch

glitch

Soldato
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8 Nov 2005
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Does anyone know a resource where I can find out the exact dimensions of a lens? For example, I know the Canon 400mm f/2.8 is (supposedly) 163 x 349mm but that doesn't include the hood, nor account for the way the lens tapers down towards the mount or the tripod foot.

I need to get some custom cases built and I'd like to spec some snugly-fitting interiors so the lenses sit in the case perfectly and are adequately protected.

And while I could sit here and measure the lot of them, that's a tedious job and I'm sure someone else has already done that - I just don't know where to look!
 
are you cutting foam to match the profile of each lens? Or just taking a max and min dimension and cutting a kind of trapezium shape.

If you're handy with a computer, you could take a photo of each lens (side on, with a telephoto to reduce distortion) and scale them to a known dimension (i.e. the diameter of the lens mount, same for every lens) then print them to scale. Cut them out and you'll have some templates for cutting foam.
 
Stupot_ said:
are you cutting foam to match the profile of each lens? Or just taking a max and min dimension and cutting a kind of trapezium shape.
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I'm not cutting anything. I'm paying someone to make me some custom aluminium cases for these lenses and I'd like a really snugly-fitting interior that fits the lens perfectly, so I need to give the exact dimensions to the people who are doing the build for me.

I could send them each lens to measure for themselves, but I can't afford to do that.

Stupot_ said:
If you're handy with a computer, you could take a photo of each lens (side on, with a telephoto to reduce distortion) and scale them to a known dimension...
Click to expand...
Now that's a good idea. I could photograph them with a ruler in each shot and measure the dimensions on the Mac...
 
I was going to suggest the Canon Camera Museum, but that only gives you maximum dimensions.

Could you use the block foam available for standard size flight cases. It's half cut so that you can remove small sections, getting the desired fit. I've used it for years, when I decide to rejig kit, I buy another sheet. Not as nice as a custom cut-out, but it's been OK for me for about 20 years, and it will be a lot cheaper.
 
I'm using cases with that 'pick and pluck' foam at the moment and they're just not working out. The dimensions don't really favour lenses so I'm looking at a custom-built solution and getting a custom interior sorted isn't much more expensive.

And the snugger it fits the less (potential) damage can be caused when transporting them. Well, that's the theory anyway.
 
glitch said:
Does anyone know a resource where I can find out the exact dimensions of a lens? For example, I know the Canon 400mm f/2.8 is (supposedly) 163 x 349mm but that doesn't include the hood, nor account for the way the lens tapers down towards the mount or the tripod foot.
Click to expand...

I looked long and hard for this when I was getting a custom case built for my 800. There is no source. Not even close. You are going to measure it yourself.

Are you using http://www.aluminiumcases.com/ ?

They are very nice. But they are darned expensive. I got mine made so that it will *just* fit in the guage for hand luggage :-)

Andrew
 
Gaffer said:
There is no source. Not even close. You are going to measure it yourself.
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Damn.

Oh well, time to get creative with the tape measure then!

I can't remember the name of the company I've been speaking to off-hand, but I've not heard of Aluminium Cases before so I'll take a look at them too - thanks for the tip, Gaffer!
 
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