how to make lensboard to last a few weeks
Hello All,
I have an old Heliar 180mm that I want to use for a project on a Chamonix 2n for a few weeks. The problem is that it needs a lensboard that is 49mm and I can't find that in a technica type lensboard. I do have a technika lensboard that is much wider and I am wondering if I could fill in the gap some way, or could I make a board out of really stiff carboard?
I haven't got routing tools, but I am quite handy with an exacto knife.
Or do you know of anyone who makes lensboards for people?
Geraldine
Re: how to make lensboard to last a few weeks
Geraldine,
You need a real lensboard. Anything you can cut with an xacto knife won't do the job at all.
Does this take a Technika style lensboard?
If you have a board I can put a hole in it for you.
- Leigh
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Re: how to make lensboard to last a few weeks
Yes, you can make a lensboard from cardboard. The image here is of my Graphlex Super Graphic with a Nikon 50mm lens mounted on it at infinity focus. Note the sterling work done with black tape to seal out light leaks. I used a darkslide in front of the lens for a shutter.
Re: how to make lensboard to last a few weeks
That's fine.
I'll let Brian make one for you.
- Leigh
Re: how to make lensboard to last a few weeks
Masonite works better than cardboard.
Re: how to make lensboard to last a few weeks
I am grateful for all the suggestions. I love the photo of the Graphlex. I am going to pm Leigh
Geraldine
Re: how to make lensboard to last a few weeks
"or could I make a board out of really stiff carboard?
I haven't got routing tools, but I am quite handy with an exacto knife."
"Masonite works better than cardboard. "
You could go to the store and buy a masonite clipboard to cut down, also get some black foamcore for the inner baffle so it is light-tight. Regular white glue will work well with both. More than strong enough for a temp lens board.
Re: how to make lensboard to last a few weeks
Yes, heavy Masonite would make a suitable lensboard, but it's not easy to work.
- Leigh
Re: how to make lensboard to last a few weeks
I have several I made with matboard -- they have lasted well for many years. I drymount two pieces together. Matboard tends to bend or curve in one direction, so I drymount them so both are curving in opposite ways -- they stay flat that way. At least one of the boards is a solid black.
My Zone VI uses an 8ply drymounted with a 4 ply.
I use to cut the hole with a xacto blade, but now I drill a hole and then use a coping saw -- much faster!
Hey, it ain't fancy, but it works.
Vaughn
Re: how to make lensboard to last a few weeks
Of course you can make a very serviceable board from cardboard, or better, mounting board. If one thickness is not enough, cut 2 or 3 b pieces to size, cut an appropriate hole in them and glue them together.
Black photographic tape can cure a lot of ills. Please don't use black electrical tape, it lets light through rather easily. Black bookbinders tape also works well.