Ideas For Temp. Lensboards?

[LFLarry]

Looking for ideas for making temp lensboards.

I have a variety of vintage lenses that I would like to try on a couple of my different view cameras and I don't want to make or pay for proper lensboards just yet.

Looking for materials that you have used and if you have a link to it online, that would be even better because I live in a very remote area and have to order in just about everything.


Thanks!

[Two23]

I use black foam core if lens isn't too heavy.


Kent in SD

[Jim Noel]

1/8" masonite, hobby plywood, 1/8" styrene sheet, etc

[Vaughn]

Black matboard drymounted to a piece of 8 ply matboard.

[Jac@stafford.net]

[Tin Can]

As already suggested a few sheets of hobby aka aircraft plywood is very handy

1/4” square basswood from the same source with good wood glue can add strength and or light traps for big lenses on big lensboards I use layers and 1/4” plywood when needed

I bite the bullet and buy a new hole saw if needed 6” is the biggest so far

A few boxes of tiny screws, bolts & nuts are also useful for fastening flanges

Add Matt black paint or wide markers

Cheap Hobby saws work better than you would think

I really don’t like going to a store too often

So I stock up and all that stuff

In winter I may not leave home for a month

[goamules]

The iris universal mount shown above was the best thing I ever got for experimenting with lenses. I still have 75% of my small lenses unmounted because a) the often came without a flange, and b) with the iris I can use then any time I want, on 2 cameras.

[LFLarry]

Yes, the universal mount iris looks like the real deal. Are these custom made I assume? Would love to know more about this.

The iris universal mount shown above was the best thing I ever got for experimenting with lenses. I still have 75% of my small lenses unmounted because a) the often came without a flange, and b) with the iris I can use then any time I want, on 2 cameras.

[LFLarry]

Where can one acquire one of these beauties?

[Tracy Storer]

They were made by several manufacturers in a range of sizes historically, and most folks buy them second (3rd, 4th, 10th) hand. Chamonix View Camera does offer a new one which may or may not fit the boards for your particular cameras. I first heard these called a "Universal Lens Mount" in the early 1980s, and have also heard them called "universal iris mount", "iris lens mount", and more recently, a "lens chuck" in casual conversation. Price can be $300 or more depending on size. I have bought and sold probably a dozen over the years and am not planning on parting with the ones I currently own. They are SUPER HANDY to have and use.
The FS/WTB listings here on the forum are a great place to find them since Ebays search functions aren't what they once were.