Thorlabs Tubes No More - A Cost Effective Alternative

C

Chris Knight

Member
http://www.camerafilters.com/pages/spacerrings.aspx

I'm not sure if this has been posted before, but this website sells lens spacer rings with a variety of thread sizes, in lengths of 1 inch or 1.5 inches. These tubes are less than half the cost of the Thorlabs tubes that many have been using, and may be a working alternative to the overpriced optical component that we know and love.

"Spacer Rings - High quality black metal spacer rings. Male threads on one side and female threads on the other. This ring is used to increase the distance of the accessory from the camera lens.

These rings can be used with camera filters, extension lenses, lens hoods, and additional spacer rings."

Prices are as follows

1 Inch Tube:
49mm - $4.21
52mm - $5.21
55mm - $6.21
58mm - $7.21

1.5 Inch Tube:
49mm - $4.41
52mm - $5.41
55mm - $6.41
58mm - $7.41

According to the website, they're only available in the US.

Now, the only concern is whether or not the 52mm tubes have an inner diameter of 2 inches. I'm emailing them now to find out. If so, then this could be pretty helpful to us DIYers.

My apologies if this has been brought up before a long time ago. I tried searching but didn't find anything about them.
 
the reason for thorlabs being so expensive is the tubes are internally threaded all the way through being able to use retaining rings. these aren't...still a good alternative.
 
To be honest, I didn't even know that. anyway, I can figure out my own way of mounting the screen holder in these tubes without a retaining ring. I placed my order yesterday, so this should be cool.
 
The guy running the place was really helpful, I talked to him on the phone. When I called him he got up and measured the ID for me. He said the 52mm are about 48.5 mm, which is too small for us, so I ordered the 55mm tubes, which have an ID of slightly larger than 2 inches. I'm going to take some thin plastic and make a shim that I can use to close the gap.
 
Man, I just received a 58mm from the link and they have a vast difference from OD to ID. I didn't think it would be like that when he mentioned the guy measuring it. My ID on a 58mm is 52mm. That's crazy. I'm thinking I need to get the asian ones with a 68mm. Pretty crazy.
 
I have a 62mm Asian spacer on order. I will let you know the ID when it comes in.

I also have a query out to cinevate as to the ID of their 72mm tubes, but no response yet.

Anybody out there have a cinevate 72mm spacer tube they can measure the ID for me?
 
60.4 for almost all of it, although there is a "lip" on the inside male thread side that is 55mm ID.
 
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