The mount decides mechanical stability, sensor compatibility and how much alignment work your station inherits. Here is how the common industrial interfaces differ, and when each one is the right call.
Flange Distance: The Number That Makes a Mount Work
Flange distance is the distance from the mounting flange face to the sensor plane. C-mount is standardised at 17.526mm and F-mount at 46.5mm; M42×1 is commonly 45.46mm. For the larger M58 / M72 / M90 / M95 interfaces, the flange distance is defined by the camera maker — always take the value from the lens and camera datasheets and confirm both agree. A lens designed for one flange distance cannot simply be adapted to a shorter one and still focus at its rated range: adapters change spacing, not optical design.
Why Big Sensors Use Big Mounts
The mount throat must clear the image circle. A rough guide: C-mount passes about φ17mm (2/3″–1″ sensors), M42 about φ38mm (4K–8K line scan at φ32–38mm circles), M58/M72 for φ46–62mm, and M90/M95 exist precisely because 16K line scan sensors at 5µm pixels are 82mm wide. F-mount (≈φ44mm) covers many 8K and 100MP large-format configurations.
Adapters and Back-Focus Shimming
- Use precision adapter rings, not stacked thin rings — each interface adds runout.
- For macro and metrology work, shim with measured foil to set flange-back within tens of microns; our macro series ships with nominal flange back, and factory-measured flange reports are available on request.
- After mounting, verify with a resolution target at two field positions before trusting any measurement.
Mechanical Envelope: Filters, Cables, Fixtures
Check the filter thread, barrel diameter and clamp length against your lighting bracket and guarding — the most common integration surprise is a filter thread that no longer aligns once the adapter is added. Every catalog model has a 3D STEP/IGS model and dimensioned drawing to make this a five-minute CAD check.
When a Custom Mount Is Worth It
Because we machine our own barrels and mounts on 300+ CNC machines, custom flange distances, non-standard threads, locking mechanics and cable-exit positions are prototype-level changes, not a new optical project. If your station needs to mate our lens to a camera or housing you already have, send us the drawing.
Quick Chooser
- C-mount — area cameras up to 1.1″, most FA and macro series.
- M42 / M58 — 4K–8K line scan on φ32–46mm circles.
- M72 — 8K on φ62mm circles and large-format FA.
- M90 / M95 — 16K line scan on φ82–φ90mm circles.
- F-mount — legacy 8K cameras and 100MP large-format configurations.
Browse mounts by series: FA fixed focal · line scan · 360° wall inspection. Mount options are listed in every model’s parameter table.
Still Unsure?
Tell us the camera and the mechanical envelope — we confirm the mount, flange-back and adapter plan within one business day. Start here →