Heavy Lenses and foldable cameras

[TomAlf94]

Three pounds? That's not very heavy.

What focal lengths are you considering? I ask because the 45-F2 has quite a lot of extension. 395 mm according to their description of the camera. And the front standard moves on the bed rail. If your heavy lens doesn't require full extension, think about extending the bed a good distance, setting the front standard were it has to be, and putting a support (crutch) between bed and lens. I do this with a 12"/4 TTH telephoto ex-F.139 (1.49 kg, 3 1/4#) on a 2x3 Speed Graphic.

Well, that's why I said relatively. I honestly don't know what's heavy for a 45-F2. I am considering focal lengths between the 150 and 200mm, so not very far ahead. I have even seen people put some 120 spools between the bed and the lens. I suppose that makes for a quick cheap solution, not so much a permanent one.

Dan, your lens at 1,49kg definitely beats all the petzvals I am considering. Is the Speed Graphic's front standard suffering much with that wight?

[Dan Fromm]

Dan, your lens at 1,49kg definitely beats all the petzvals I am considering. Is the Speed Graphic's front standard suffering much with that wight?

Not at all because the crutch supports the lens. If you're asking about the bed, also not at all. The struts the support it are quite robust.

[TomAlf94]

Not at all because the crutch supports the lens. If you're asking about the bed, also not at all. The struts the support it are quite robust.

I like this solution because it moves with the bed and the lens, so no readjusting when focusing is needed. I found a Y type of support on the bay, they sell for about a hundred dollars and you can adjust their height. I wonder how hard would it be to DIY one of those.

[Dan Fromm]

I like this solution because it moves with the bed and the lens, so no readjusting when focusing is needed. I found a Y type of support on the bay, they sell for about a hundred dollars and you can adjust their height. I wonder how hard would it be to DIY one of those.

Well, I improvised mine from two bits of perspex that happened to give the right thickness as long as I don't use front rise.

[Mark Sawyer]

I am considering focal lengths between the 150 and 200mm...

Smaller Petzvals don't weigh all that much. An f/4 200mm only has a lens diameter of 50mm, a 150mm f/4 only 37.5mm.

[younghoon Kil]

Uh! That seems a very nice solution! Is that the Chamonix model? I believe theirs is for 8x10 cameras and up.

I bought it from Chamonix for 45N-2.

[TomAlf94]

Hello all!

Thanks for all the information and advice on the matter. I am currently still in the market for some nice petzvals and continue to think of a solution that can prevent the camera from just snapping or falling off into the floor haha

As Mark said, there is no really a heavy stress on the camera as petzvals for 4x5 aren't really that heavy. The ones I'm looking at are about 1.2kg or 2.6 pounds. I also recently messaged Intrepid and they said that weight was no issue on their cameras, so I believe it wouldn't be an issue on mine.

I'm still figuring out how I'm going to mount a "big" diameter lens onto a technika board, probably will have it adapted by a friend that has already done some flange work for me. Exiting problems to have.

I figured I can build some sort of stand to help support the lens and place it on the front part of the camera bed.

I will keep you posted, if there is someone following this thread!

Also, feel free to bring even more ideas and info in this thread.

Thanks again guys