I just finally got all of the parts for my lf camera. The lens was the last
component. I went to put it on and, of course, the hole is about 1/16 to 1/8
to large . Can I assume that the lens hole needs to be fairly close? It's
probably for a # 1. Are there any adapters or shims or do I now have to get
a lensboard drilled specifically for the copal 0?
Thanks,
Matt A.
> lens ... put it on ... hole is about 1/16 to 1/8 to large.
You may have found out by now that the mounting ring has (or
should have) a shoulder that fits into the lens-board hole
and that everything is just the size it needs to be.
If, however, the hole is too large even with the mounting ring
then you _may_ have a small problem. If you can tighten down
the mounting ring and there are no light leaks all is OK.
If the mounting ring sort of tips/slips into the hole or light
leaks then you may need to make a 'washer' out of AOS
(Any Old S---[Stuff]).
The oversize hole/shoulder on the mounting ring is good
engineering practice. A similar shoulder is present in
the upper unthreaded portion of a bolt.
The reasons are:
1) The shoulder can fit into the hole with a tight
clearance and hence precisely locate the lens
(a pretty useless feature on a view camera where
the whole purpose of the thing is to move the
lens off-center);
2) The shoulder prevents the threads on the lens
from rubbing against the sides of the hole and
getting damaged (if the lens board is metal).

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Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio
Consulting Engineer: Electronics; Informatics; Photonics.
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