C-mount lenses can be used for a variety of
purposes. Whether you are looking to purchase a high-quality C-mount lens for a
closed-circuit television camera, machine vision camera or a microscope
phototube, this article is for you. Here you’ll read all the requirements a
good quality C-mount lens should have.

How does a C-mount lens work?

A C-mount lens is the most common type of lens
on the market for industrial camera lenses, especially in machine vision. These
lenses benefit from a wide range of different types of lenses and accessories.
The c-mount connection is a male to female connection, specifically described
as 1-32 UN-2A. The diameter of this imperial thread is one inch and has a pitch
of 32 threads per inch. This makes it possible for the lens to virtually
respond to a metric thread of M25.5 x 0.75 mm and has a back focal distance of
17.536 mm. Compared to the CS-mount connector, the C-mounts back focal distance
is precisely 5 mm longer. You can still use a CS-mount connecter as long as you
insert a 5 mm spacer ring in between the lens and the camera. The standard
threaded connection of these lenses is extremely suitable for machine vision
lenses:

• The outer diameter of the thread: 1 inch (2.54 cm)
• Thread pitch: 1/32 inch
• Flange back distance: 17.526 mm (0.69 inches)
• ANSI B1.1 thread standard: 1-32 UN 2A

Even though this type of lens is
standardly threaded for machine vision lenses, it does interfere with a variety
of different lenses. It is most commonly found on 16 mm movie cameras, as well
as some television cameras and microscopes. Besides their extreme popularity
among 16 mm lenses, a C-mount lens is also suitable for an 8 mm format.
Moreover, they can also operate in the 1/3″, 1/2″, 2/3″, 1″,
and 4/3″ video formats, which corresponds to a range of image circles
approximately from 5 to 22 mm in diameter. The design of the lens and its
performance will differ depending on the format of the lens. For example, when
a 4/3 format is used with a 12 mm lens will create a wide-angle lens and this
will have a retrofocus design. When a 2/3-inch format is used with the same 12
mm lens, this will appear more normal and simple with a fast double Gauss
layout. If you use a 1/3-inch format with the same 12 mm lens, this will create
a long and telephoto design. When using a C-mount lens, please bear in mind
that their back focal distance is far too short to be used with a 35mm film
SLR, or any SLR in general. However, they can be connected to interchangeable
lenses from mirrorless digital cameras such as the Micro Four Thirds used by
Olympus and Panasonic.

Ready to purchase
your new lens?

For the
highest-quality C-mount lenses fit for every purpose you shop at
get-cameras.com. Here you’ll find a wide range of lenses and cameras that will
fit your needs perfectly. If you have any questions please feel free to ask one
of the friendly staff members virtually and they will be more than happy to
assist you.