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Thread: Interchange lens between large format cameras

  1. #1

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    Interchange lens between large format cameras

    Question: I have a lens which I want to use it on 2 different kind of large format cameras (non-compatible lens board, no adapter between them), what's the easiest way of doing it? To unmount the whole lens from one lens board and mount it to another lens board takes too much time. A second way I can think of is to get a second identical shutter assembly and mount that on the other lens board. To switch the lens, unscrew the front and rear elements from one shutter and screw them onto the other shutter.

    The second way seems logical (I have not tried it yet), is there anything I missed that this can not be done? Another doubt is that I have never seen in the Shutterbug that a shutter assembly is sold just by itself, nor I know how much the shutter (say a Copal 00) cost.

  2. #2
    Founder QT Luong's Avatar
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    Interchange lens between large format cameras

    You could get a custom adapter from a machinist which specialises in photographic work. I have also seen adds for a lensboard system where lenses are mounted on small discs, and then adaptors between discs and your front standard are sold for different sizes of front standards. I think your idea is quite feasible, with the only caveat of having to avoid to get dust inside the lenses during that operation. Calumet sells copal shutters #0,1,3. The #0 is around $200. However, the #00 is no longer in production and I don't know where to find one.

  3. #3

    Interchange lens between large format cameras

    One low cost technique....particularly if you know someone with access to a lath e, is to mount your lenses to 77mm screw on lens caps. Then mount female threade d caps (these are available in filter stack cap sets) to the camera lens boards using small screws and epoxy. This system works well when you are moving lenses among camera systems.

  4. #4
    8x10, 5x7, 4x5, et al Leigh's Avatar
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    Re: Interchange lens between large format cameras

    You can find adapters for ?most? cameras to use Linhof Technika boards, which are rather small.
    The lensboards themselves are readily available, in a range of qualities and prices.

    I have such adapters for my 4x5 and 8x10 cameras, with lenses mounted on Linhof boards.
    Switching a lens from one body to the other is trivial.

    - Leigh
    If you believe you can, or you believe you can't... you're right.

  5. #5

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    Re: Interchange lens between large format cameras

    I picked up a 305mm Kodak Portrait lens with an old 8x10 wooden tailboard camera cheap. Kodak 305mm Portrait lenses normally go for too much on Ebay. On mine the shutter is really worn. Since I also own a Kodak 14" Commercial Ektar in the same Kodak style Ilex #5 shutter, I just swap out the lens cells when I want to use the portrait lens. I don't mind since I don't use the portrait lens that often.

    I used to own a Tachihara 4x5 which took Technika style boards. I had Bruce Wehman make me an adapter board to use the same boards on my 8x10 Wehman camera. It's a lot nicer than swapping lens cells between shutters.

  6. #6
    Foamer
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    Re: Interchange lens between large format cameras

    Quote Originally Posted by Leigh View Post
    You can find adapters for ?most? cameras to use Linhof Technika boards, which are rather small.
    The lensboards themselves are readily available, in a range of qualities and prices.
    Twenty years ago when the original post was made, there weren't many options. Now there are plenty of ebay sellers to pick up lens boards that convert to the now more or less standard Technika style boards.

    (Looks like that was the one and only post the OP made. )


    Kent in SD
    In contento ed allegria
    Notte e di vogliam passar!

  7. #7
    Drew Bedo's Avatar
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    Re: Interchange lens between large format cameras

    This is a pretty old thread . . .the question was first posted back (way back) in 1997, almost 20 years ago. While others may have an interest, at this point is any response still relevant to the OP ,ember R.Ying?
    Drew Bedo
    www.quietlightphoto.com
    http://www.artsyhome.com/author/drew-bedo




    There are only three types of mounting flanges; too big, too small and wrong thread!

  8. #8
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    Re: Interchange lens between large format cameras

    It's OK to add new on-topic posts to old threads. The OP isn't the only person reading these.

  9. #9
    multiplex
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    Re: Interchange lens between large format cameras

    adapter boards are worth their weight in gold.
    i've all my 4x5 lenses on round edged metal speed graphic lens boards
    i was advised to do this back when i first came here, and haven't looked back.
    originally it was for speed graphic + GVII to share the same boards and now it is
    between a speed graphic, toyo cx, and szabad 5x7 ( uses GVII lensboards, i no longer have a GVII ) i use 2 adapters
    between 3 cameras and couldn't be happier. speed graphic lensboards are tiny/ take up very little space
    and the adapter boards just stay on their cameras. works perfectly !

    Quote Originally Posted by Oren Grad View Post
    It's OK to add new on-topic posts to old threads. The OP isn't the only person reading these.
    hope he/she actually came back to read the responses! its been a long long time, and this was the OP's only post

    john

  10. #10

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    Re: Interchange lens between large format cameras

    We have a new resource today: 3D printers. I easily made some boards and a CAMBO to Sinar adapter. Cheap and straight. With Solidworks or Inventor one can do a lot. Just one needs some knowledge of that cad software, and about 3D printing...

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