metal lens holder, reliable?

[Nii]

Can I cut a lens holder from steel block instead of aluminum or brass? Besides the drawback of unnecessary weight is there any other issue with using steel? Maybe displacement from corossion?

[andy_con]

Aren't aluminium and brass a metal?

[Diachi]

Guessing OP means steel ...

[catalanjo]

Aren't aluminium and brass a metal?

Depends where you come from mate !
Cheers

[Nii]

Steel, not metal. Shit.

[VDX]

... most metal parts used with high precision optics are selected for stability first, then for machinability, then for weight.

Tempered cast iron should be better than 'normal' steel

Viktor

[Nii]

but is steel good?

[VDX]

but is steel good?

... good enough

Viktor

[buffo]

Corrosion (both general corrosion of the steel itself, and galvonic corrosion between the steel and the presumably aluminum baseplate) are your only real concerns, and unless you need holographic-level precision, they are a non-issue. Go ahead and use steel if you want.

Adam

[catalanjo]

... most metal parts used with high precision optics are selected for stability first, then for machinability, then for weight...... Tempered cast iron should be better than 'normal' steel Viktor

Especially for static adjustors with medium fine threads. They also have the advantage/disadvantage of getting magnetically "involved"
Cheers