Does anyone know of a good (read: cheap) place to get a lensboard drilled in New York City? My search only yielded one place that would do it, and they wante d $50 for the privilege (Professsional Camera Repair, 47th St.).
Anyone know of a place that specializes in LF and might do it for less?
Thanks,--Josh
I'm admittedly new to LF (building a Bender - not yet finished), but for my lensboard I . . . drilled a hole. Am I missing something? The lens fits fine, is perfectly centered. Why would anyone pay $50 or even $10 for that?
Well, it's because: <ul> <li>I don't have a drill press. <li>Even if I did, it's a heavy metal lensboard... <li>...with a VERY large hole to be drilled (betax #2). </ul>
Look in the yellow pages under machine shops and call a few and see what they charge....I'm sure it would be under $50.00.
Don has the answer. A hole is a hole, whether it is in a lensboard or a piece of tin. Any machine shop can drill any size hole perfectly centered. Despite what some self-appointed gurus try to tell you, a hole in a lensboard isn't rocket science. I would try and find a small neighborhood shop where you can talk to the folks doing the work. The whole job shouldn't take more than a few minutes. Take the shutter along for precise measurements. Most machine shops can make any part you need and simple things like a hole in a lensboard is common bread and butter work. Also, many larger auto parts shops have machine shops if there isn't a full fledged shop near you.
Regards,
Steve Grimes (www.skgrimes.com) charged me about $15 for lensboard drilling last I sent one to him, and does a very neat job and has all the appropriate screws for every kind of flange on hand and knows the hole size without having to think about it. Professional Camera is good for certain kinds of things (I take my Canon stuff there), but unless you need a hole drilled right away, I'd send it off.
If you want to stay in the city, you might also try Lens and Repro. I've never asked, but they handle a lot of LF and might be able to drill a lensboard for you.
Admittedly I had purchased two used boards from them, but B+H kindly drilled the one blank board for free -- I can't believe they would charge much even if you didn't buy the board from them. Heck, they even painted both the proper B&J grey for me. Lens and Repro was another good suggestion.
Hmmm.. that's very interesting. The B&H reps I've talked to tell me B&H won't/can't do it. The used department did it for you?
Betax # 2 is very large? Waid'll you see the Ilex # 5.
I drilled a Calumet lensboard for an Ilex #5 a couple of weeks ago. I centered t he retaining ring, measuring with a ruler all around, and drew around with a pencil. I sawed around with a coping saw, and filed to finish . It took a little over an hour. The Ilex also needed 4 screws, spacers, and light sealing, but most lenses only need the hole.
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