#3 Copal and lensboard restrictions

[John O'Connell]

Since I ran into a reference in Tuan's review of the Linhof Technika about that particular camera having an issure with #3 Copals, I thought I'd ask before I or der one of my very own:

Are there any boards too small for these shutters? I use an old Calumet (/Orbi t/clunky old metal monorail as svelte as The Hulk) 4x5 with ~4" boards that seem very basic. But since this was never my be-all end-all camera I thought I'd fi nd out what cameras I wouldn't be using if I went with a #3 lens.

(And if anyone knows of someone out there with a pile of boards for old Calumet/ Orbits, let me know privately --- and I could also use some replacement hardware for the stuff I keep breaking! Glad I didn't start with an Ebony...)

[Matt_1193]

A Copal #3 has a diameter of 102mm or just over 4". Much too large for a 4"x4" lensboard. Not to mention a weight of 12oz. Add a lens and your well over a pound. Not a good situation for a 4x5.

[Bob Salomon]

All Copal Prontor and Compur 3 shutters fit on a Technika. Some Technika boards for a 3 shutter come with a spacer so the aperture mechanism won't rub but there is no restriction using a 3 shutter on a 45 Technika ar on a 69 or 45 TechniKardan.

The site's information was incorrect.

However not all lenses that require a 3 size shutter can be used with a Technika or a TK as the rear element of the lens is too large to fit through the hole in the front standard.

But this has nothing to do with a lens board.

You are welcome to contact the Linhof service canter in the US at 973 808-9626 to verify if a specific lens will work.

[Bob Salomon]

"A Copal #3 has a diameter of 102mm or just over 4". Much too large for a 4"x4" lensboard. Not to mention a weight of 12oz. Add a lens and your well over a pound. Not a good situation for a 4x5."

That is not the mounting flange size for a 3. You are apparently listing the maximum diameter of a 3 shutter. The 3 is easily useable on a small lensboard like the ones used on a technika and are done so regularly.

[david clark]

Hi John, I've got a Copal No 3 on a 4" board. The outside diameter of the Copal is just about 4", but the mounting tread is small enough to mount it on a standard 4" square board with plenty of wood to fasten it to. Best, David

[Matt_1193]

It may mount on a 4"x4", but good luck with tilts.

[Bob Salomon]

"It may mount on a 4"x4", but good luck with tilts. "

There is no problem tilting the standard on a Technika or TechniKardan with a 3 shutter. Why should there be?

[David_892]

From what I remember hearing a while ago, a #3 shutter will fit your lens board, however, for cameras with smaller boards there is an alternative that may suit you. If you are a competent crastsperson you may be able to fabricate one from aluminium, or some other strong, light metal. With this you are able to build in a shim to space the shutter out slightly, and as boards with large shutters are weaker (atleast wooden ones in my experience) you will not have this problem with metal.

[Peter Ashmore]

I've got an old Calumet CC400 series 4x5 with the round monorail. It's got 4 inch boards and I've rented (from Calumet) a 240mm Caltar II in a Copal 3. No problems with mounting or movements. Worked like a charm.