Adapter board question

[Ben Calwell]

Could any local machine shop worth its salt take the lens board from my Linhof Tech III 5x7 camera and turn it into an adapter board that would accept my smaller Wista boards? Where I live, they would probably look at me with vacant stares, but if I showed them drawings or photos, would it not be easy to do?
Has anyone used a local shop for this, or would I be better served by going to a camera specialist like SK Grimes?

[Mark Sampson]

SKG will do it right, if it can be done. (I'm not familiar with the 5x7 board size.) But it won't be cheap.
Locally? All you can do is ask. It would help to have accurate dimensions or samples.
And perhaps Mr. Salomon would know if Linhof themselves ever made such a part.

[Bob Salomon]

SKG will do it right, if it can be done. (I'm not familiar with the 5x7 board size.) But it won't be cheap.
Locally? All you can do is ask. It would help to have accurate dimensions or samples.
And perhaps Mr. Salomon would know if Linhof themselves ever made such a part.
No, they didn’t.

But having an adapter from a 57 Technika lll to a 45 Technika board should not be a problem.

Linhof did make this type of adapter for newer 57 to 45 Technika boards. In fact they made adapter boards from Kardan to Technika 57 to Technika 45 to Technika 23 boards. So one size board could be used on the other size cameras, although, in some cases 2 adapters might have been necessary.

Also, be aware, that Linhof made adapter boards in two versions for the 45, one for flat boards and one for recessed boards.

[Ben Calwell]

Thank you, gentlemen. I'll visit some local machine shops and see what happens. I can see the puzzled looks now.

[Doremus Scudder]

Finding some photos of other adapter boards shouldn't be a problem. I'd think the biggest problem would be sourcing good slide locks.