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View Full Version : Installing Fresnel in Shen Hao



J V McLure
26-Jul-2007, 20:57
I need help. I just received the Fresnel lens I ordered for my 4 x 5 Shen Hao. It came with a peice of glass that is just slightly larger and contains a grid. Just like the camera, the dern thing came without any instructions. How do I install it?

Does it take the place of the Ground Glass?? If not, on which side of the GG is it placed? Finally, where does the clear glass with the grid go?

Not being sure, I am stuck. I don't want to take a chance on throwing the focus plane out of where it should be and end up with out of focus shots.

I thank anyone in advance for any help they can provide.

J V McLure

Gordon Moat
26-Jul-2007, 21:09
Rough side of the glass towards the lens. Place that into the wooden holder first, then place the fresnel over that. The fresnel has a textured side, and a smooth side; the textured side should be against the glass. That leaves the smooth side closest to you, and furthest from the lens, which makes it slightly easier to keep clean.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio (http://www.allgstudio.com)

Mike Snider
26-Jul-2007, 21:17
I had the same problem not too long ago with my Shen Hao. The ground glass was purchased from Badger Graphics so this might not apply to you.

It came as two pieces. The ground glass goes in first. It has a "frosted" side and a fresnel side. The frosted side faces the lens and the fresnel faces you. The clear glass with the grid lines goes on top of the ground glass. Together, they replace the stock ground glass. I don't think is matters what side the painted lines go on. I placed the side with the painted lines inside so they can't rub off.

As a disclaimer, I must admit that I haven't taken any pictures with the new set up. So if I'm wrong, someone please chime in! Hope this helps.

J V McLure
26-Jul-2007, 22:29
Gordon, Mike,

Thank you very much! I am installing it now and will test this weekend. Mine came from Badger as well. No instructions - not a scrap of paper comes with any of the Shen Hao stuff. Along with the fresnel, I purchased a reflex viewing hood and a pop open straight viewing hood. Both came was a bracket, clip and 3 tiny wood screws - but no instructions! Badger provides great service and the Shen Hao product line is great. You would think that after taking the time to develop such a fine camera, they would publish instructions for use.

Anyway, thank goodness for this board and source of information straight from the trenches.

J V McLure

Turner Reich
26-Jul-2007, 23:01
It's a nice little camera isn't it? The glass goes in first with the frosted side towards the camera lens. The Fresnel on top of it with the rough side toward the ground glass and the smooth side of the Fresnel towards the user, where the loupe is positioned.

Good luck and let us know how you like the views.

tr

Gordon Moat
27-Jul-2007, 10:49
After using my bookstore magnifier fresnel set-up for a while, I finally ended up with a Satin Snow (http://www.satinsnow.com/html/cameras.html) bought through Badger Graphic Sales (http://www.badgergraphic.com/). I was pleasantly surprised after installing the Satin Snow that it was brighter and slightly more even in illumination. There seems to be a circular texture to it on the non-frosted side; perhaps that acts a little like a fresnel. The only downside was no grid lines. I ended up only drawing four lines on the glass to show the outlines of my Linhof 56x72 rollfilm back. I might add more lines, in pencil, later.

I am interested in your opinions on using the focusing hood and viewer . . . after you get them installed. The few images I saw of those items seemed to show them mounted to the left side of the film holder, but it is not easy to tell from the images on the Shen-Hao website. You might want to try asking on the Shen-Hao Users Group (http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/shenhao/) (SHUG) on Yahoo Groups; perhaps someone already is using this set-up.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio (http://www.allgstudio.com)