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Photo Forum / Film Photography / Large Format / March 2004Lens Board
Hello, I've just acquired a Newton "New Vue" 4x5 camera for my introduction to large format photography. The camera did not come with a lens board. So, here's my questions: 1. Are lens boards relatively standard amongst 4x5 cameras? In other words, can the lens board for another camera be used with the New Vue? 2. Can a lens board be crafted at home with relatively simple tools, or must it be precision-machined by a skilled and properly equipped craftsman? 3. Related to question #2, what are the proper dimensions for the board and the lens cutout? I understand that the lense cutout determines the type of shutter that can be used (Copal #0, 1, 3 or Prontor Press). If this is the case, can someone post the dimensions for all these options? Thanks, Trad Lad Hallo T R, Du schriebst am 23.03.2004: > 1. Are lens boards relatively standard amongst 4x5 cameras? Unfortunately, no. The Linhof Technika lensboards can sometimes be used with other camera brands, but I would not call it a standard. Also, sometimers there are adaptors to use lens boards from brand A on cameras of brand B. > In other words, can the lens board for another camera be used > with the New Vue? Perhaps - don't know which boards your camera needs... > 3. Related to question #2, what are the proper dimensions for > the board and the lens cutout? I understand that the lense > cutout determines the type of shutter that can be used (Copal > #0, 1, 3 or Prontor Press). If this is the case, can someone > post the dimensions for all these options? For hole sizes: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/lensboard_hole_sizes.html I'm also looking for an overview of lensboard sizes, but could not find anything yet. For a start, I can contribute that the Toyo Field lensboards are 110mm x 110mm... ;-) HTH Thom@s  Signature"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst." (Henri Cartier-Bresson) Kein "reply-to" mehr vorhanden, danke Swen! > [...] > I'm also looking for an overview of lensboard sizes, but could not > find anything yet. For a start, I can contribute that the Toyo > Field lensboards are 110mm x 110mm... ;-) And how thick at the mounting edges? :) I doubt we can get a significant sample, but given a choice, what kind of material would you prefer for a lensboard? For example wood, plastic, stainless or aluminum? (using the simple approach - not specifying the kinds of each material.) Hallo jjs, Du schriebst am 23.03.2004: > I doubt we can get a significant sample, but given a choice, > what kind of material would you prefer for a lensboard? For > example wood, plastic, stainless or aluminum? Well, I would always use some kind of metal. But because I do neither have got the tools nor the skill to make my own lensboards, this is just a theoretical answer ;-) Regards, Thom@s Signature"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst." (Henri Cartier-Bresson) Kein "reply-to" mehr vorhanden, danke Swen! > Well, I would always use some kind of metal. But because I do > neither have got the tools nor the skill to make my own lensboards, > this is just a theoretical answer ;-) I'm making brass and wood (cherry and maple) boards right now. The brass backs the wood and is thin and strong to fit into tight front fits. No way I'd ever make a living on it. :) > > I doubt we can get a significant sample, but given a choice, > > what kind of material would you prefer for a [DIY] lensboard? For > > example wood, plastic, stainless or aluminum? Laminated chip-board (board from the back of legal pads type stuff) stuck together w/ contact cement to build thickness, painted black and then shellacked. Cut the individual boards to size and make the hole before laminating. File/sand to fine fit after laminating - a 1/2 round file is a good tool for cleaning up the edges and the hole. Make a step in the board with small squares and large squares to effect a light baffle. These boards, made in 1/2hr and costing nada, hold up remarkably well. The key is the shellac: really saturate the board. For one-use boards I use foam-core and black spray paint. SignatureNicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio nolindan@ix.netcom.com Consulting Engineer: Electronics; Informatics; Photonics. psst.. want to buy an f-stop timer? nolindan.com/da/fstop/ > Hello, > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > 1. Are lens boards relatively standard amongst 4x5 cameras? In other > words, can the lens board for another camera be used with the New Vue? Not standard in the sense that every camera uses the same one. Some cameras share the same design so if you can find out if the New Vue uses the same board other cameras use then you could use those. > 2. Can a lens board be crafted at home with relatively simple tools, or > must it be precision-machined by a skilled and properly equipped craftsman? Mine are mostly hand crafted. They range from stuff hacked out quickly with a sharp chisel. To ones that I took the time to make them look reasonable. They all work. Including the one I covered with duct tape to make the thin wood light tight. But all my cameras use relatively simple lensboards. > 3. Related to question #2, what are the proper dimensions for the board > and the lens cutout? I understand that the lense cutout determines the > type of shutter that can be used (Copal #0, 1, 3 or Prontor Press). If > this is the case, can someone post the dimensions for all these options? No the shutter determines the hole. The lens determines the shutter. Basically you choose the lens you want and it will come with a shutter. You then drill a hole for the shutter. I don't know what board the New Vue uses. Measure the opening. It might be the relatively standard 4"x4". Nick > 2. Can a lens board be crafted at home with relatively simple tools, or > must it be precision-machined by a skilled and properly equipped craftsman? Making your own lensboard is a perfectly good idea. > 3. Related to question #2, what are the proper dimensions for the board > and the lens cutout? [...] Please see the late Steve Grimes' site here: http://www.skgrimes.com/lensmount/shutmt/index.htm > Hello, > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > Trad Lad Unfortunately there has never been any standard on lensboards for cameras of any size. However, a number of 4x5 cameras take 4"x4" lensboards of the type used on Speed Graphics from the early 1930's to late 1940's. Its possible that the Nue Vue takes these. If the opening is 4" square there is a good chance it does. Nue Vue cameras were made for only a few years after WW-2. I don't have one and its been too long since I've seen one to remember what the lens board looks like. If its the 4x4 board they are not hard to find and can be made pretty easily. For temporary use you can make a lens board of corrugated cardboard. Use two pieces glued together with the corrugations crossed. Tape the edges with black masking tape to avoid light leaks. Such boards are surprizingly strong. Signature--- Richard Knoppow Los Angeles, CA, USA dickburk@ix.netcom.com |
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