Is is possible to swap aperture blades?

[dust'n the callipygous]

This is probably way more work than it'd actually be worth, but I was wondering if it'd be possible to swap out aperture blades in a lens. More specifically, swap out the 6 blades in an old Zeiss C/Y lens for 12 blades, like in the CP.2s. I've never taken apart a lens, so I don't know if it'd just be up to making new blades, or actually machining the inside of the lens to accomodate more blades. I doubt I'll ever actually attempt this--just curious. Anybody know?

 

[Ryan Patrick O'Hara]

It is possible, but not probable.

First of all, unless you design or repair lenses for a living.... don't open up your lens.

Second, the aperture blades in a lens are part of an assembly, you would not be adding more, but simply replacing the entire iris assembly. It is possible to change an aperture/iris assembly but you'd need the new aperture to fit the criteria of the old, in order to fit. You'd be best to contact somebody who repairs Zeiss lenses and may have experience with old zeiss lenses and CP.2's.

It's really going to be a shot in the dark regarding if any lens is or can be compatible, but it's worth a shot. What you have going for you is Zeiss. Since both products are Zeiss, there is a chance they might use similar designs and perhaps this is possible. I wouldn't count on it though. If you can find a way to work around and custom adapt it to work, it will probably require you to slightly adjust the F or T stop markings on the iris barrel, as they will most likely not be accurate anymore.

Possible? Yes. Probable or economical to do? Probably not.