Lens board/tool problem (?)

[cluttered]

I've recently bought a nice 150mm Rodenstock, which I now want to mount on a Chamonix (Linhof-style) lens board.

The lens in question is already mounted on a small lensboard, 8cm x 8cm. So I want to remove the lens from that lens board and mount it on my Chamonix lens board. But it looks like my lens tool is too wide for this task; it works fine on my other lenses and lens boards, but this particular small lens board has a raised ring on the back which is just a bit too narrow to allow me to get my lens tool into place. (See attached photo.)

The retaining ring is too tight to allow me to just use my fingers to remove it, and I can't get this lens tool into place because of the size. I've also tried to gently use a screwdriver in one of the retaining ring notches in order to loosen it, but it's too tightly attached for that. As far as I can see, my lens tool is pretty much the "usual" size, I can't see any for sale which are usefully narrower.

I can't see any other options, other than somehow grinding down that raised ring on the back of the lens board or to modify my lens tool to make it narrower. Given that I don't need this small lens board I'm leaning towards the first option.

Anyone got any better ideas? (Hopefully I've just missed something simple!)

[Keith Pitman]

It looks like you need an adjustable lens spanner wrench for this lens. Here's an inexpensive example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pro-Spanner-...item4ae9b0cac2

[Michael Graves]

It looks like you need an adjustable lens spanner wrench for this lens. Here's an inexpensive example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pro-Spanner-...item4ae9b0cac2

That one is decent for most lenses. I purchased the one on the site below, because the availability of both flat blades and pointed tips makes it far more versatile.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DSLR-Camera-...item43d001266e

[hoffner]

That one is decent for most lenses. I purchased the one on the site below, because the availability of both flat blades and pointed tips makes it far more versatile.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DSLR-Camera-...item43d001266e

Indeed, I can only concur with you. Such a tool is a must for a LF photographer even more than a dark cloth that is easily improvised in the field unlike this tool.

[TXFZ1]

That one is decent for most lenses. I purchased the one on the site below, because the availability of both flat blades and pointed tips makes it far more versatile.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DSLR-Camera-...item43d001266e

Can you rotate the flat blades or are they fixed in orientation?

David

[Michael Graves]

Can you rotate the flat blades or are they fixed in orientation?

David

They're fixed. Can you give me an example of when you might want them rotated to a different angle? I'm having trouble picturing that.

[TXFZ1]

They're fixed. Can you give me an example of when you might want them rotated to a different angle? I'm having trouble picturing that.

Thanks, no reason to think of, just in my minds eye, I saw the blades 90 deg out of position when I first looked.

David

[Michael Graves]

Thanks, no reason to think of, just in my minds eye, I saw the blades 90 deg out of position when I first looked.

David

Well, they fall into the right position when I'm using it, and that's what matters to me. One of the first things I did was cut myself a small block of wood have my brother and law use his router to cut a lengthwise groove along it. The blades, especially the pointed ones, aren't all that comfortable when you press the palm of your hand against them. The groove is deep enough for the opposing blades to nestle in and I can grip the tool comfortably.

[Bob Salomon]

The Rodenstock tool that you have fits all Copal and Compur and Prontor 0, 1 and 3 size shutters. Is your lens in something else?

[Alan Gales]

The Rodenstock tool that you have fits all Copal and Compur and Prontor 0, 1 and 3 size shutters. Is your lens in something else?

Bob, I think the OP is saying that his tool fits the retaining ring but he can't get it in position due to the design of the back of the lens board. The diameter of the raised circle is too small to allow the Rodenstock tool to fit.


You could take a screwdriver and fit it in one of the retaining ring slots and gently tap the end of your screwdriver with a hammer. That will loosen it.