Lens Board

Hello,

I've just acquired a Newton "New Vue" 4x5 camera for my introduction to
large format photography. The camera did not come with a lens board. So,
here's my questions:

1. Are lens boards relatively standard amongst 4x5 cameras? In other
words, can the lens board for another camera be used with the New Vue?

2. Can a lens board be crafted at home with relatively simple tools, or
must it be precision-machined by a skilled and properly equipped craftsman?

3. Related to question #2, what are the proper dimensions for the board
and the lens cutout? I understand that the lense cutout determines the
type of shutter that can be used (Copal #0, 1, 3 or Prontor Press). If
this is the case, can someone post the dimensions for all these options?

Thanks,

Trad Lad


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Hallo T R, Du schriebst am 23.03.2004:

1. Are lens boards relatively standard amongst 4x5 cameras?

Unfortunately, no. The Linhof Technika lensboards can sometimes be
used with other camera brands, but I would not call it a standard.
Also, sometimers there are adaptors to use lens boards from brand
A on cameras of brand B.

In other words, can the lens board for another camera be used
with the New Vue?

Perhaps - don't know which boards your camera needs...

3. Related to question #2, what are the proper dimensions for
the board and the lens cutout? I understand that the lense
cutout determines the type of shutter that can be used (Copal
#0, 1, 3 or Prontor Press). If this is the case, can someone
post the dimensions for all these options?

For hole sizes:

http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ole_sizes.html

I'm also looking for an overview of lensboard sizes, but could not
find anything yet. For a start, I can contribute that the Toyo
Field lensboards are 110mm x 110mm... ;-)

HTH

Thom@s


--
"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst."
(Henri Cartier-Bresson)

Kein "reply-to" mehr vorhanden, danke Swen!

T R wrote:
Hello,

I've just acquired a Newton "New Vue" 4x5 camera for my introduction to
large format photography. The camera did not come with a lens board. So,
here's my questions:

1. Are lens boards relatively standard amongst 4x5 cameras? In other
words, can the lens board for another camera be used with the New Vue?

Not standard in the sense that every camera uses the same one. Some
cameras share the same design so if you can find out if the New Vue uses the
same board other cameras use then you could use those.



2. Can a lens board be crafted at home with relatively simple tools, or
must it be precision-machined by a skilled and properly equipped craftsman?


Mine are mostly hand crafted. They range from stuff hacked out quickly
with a sharp chisel. To ones that I took the time to make them look
reasonable. They all work. Including the one I covered with duct tape to
make the thin wood light tight. But all my cameras use relatively simple
lensboards.


3. Related to question #2, what are the proper dimensions for the board
and the lens cutout? I understand that the lense cutout determines the
type of shutter that can be used (Copal #0, 1, 3 or Prontor Press). If
this is the case, can someone post the dimensions for all these options?


No the shutter determines the hole. The lens determines the shutter.
Basically you choose the lens you want and it will come with a shutter. You
then drill a hole for the shutter. I don't know what board the New Vue uses.
Measure the opening. It might be the relatively standard 4"x4".


Nick

In article , T R
wrote:

2. Can a lens board be crafted at home with relatively simple tools, or
must it be precision-machined by a skilled and properly equipped craftsman?

Making your own lensboard is a perfectly good idea.

3. Related to question #2, what are the proper dimensions for the board
and the lens cutout? [...]

Please see the late Steve Grimes' site he
http://www.skgrimes.com/lensmount/shutmt/index.htm

In article , Thomas Rauers
wrote:

[...]
I'm also looking for an overview of lensboard sizes, but could not
find anything yet. For a start, I can contribute that the Toyo
Field lensboards are 110mm x 110mm... ;-)

And how thick at the mounting edges?

I doubt we can get a significant sample, but given a choice, what kind of
material would you prefer for a lensboard? For example wood, plastic,
stainless or aluminum? (using the simple approach - not specifying the
kinds of each material.)

Hallo jjs, Du schriebst am 23.03.2004:

I doubt we can get a significant sample, but given a choice,
what kind of material would you prefer for a lensboard? For
example wood, plastic, stainless or aluminum?

Well, I would always use some kind of metal. But because I do
neither have got the tools nor the skill to make my own lensboards,
this is just a theoretical answer ;-)

Regards,

Thom@s

--
"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst."
(Henri Cartier-Bresson)

Kein "reply-to" mehr vorhanden, danke Swen!

In article , Thomas Rauers
wrote:

Well, I would always use some kind of metal. But because I do
neither have got the tools nor the skill to make my own lensboards,
this is just a theoretical answer ;-)

I'm making brass and wood (cherry and maple) boards right now. The brass
backs the wood and is thin and strong to fit into tight front fits. No way
I'd ever make a living on it.

I doubt we can get a significant sample, but given a choice,
what kind of material would you prefer for a [DIY] lensboard? For
example wood, plastic, stainless or aluminum?

Laminated chip-board (board from the back of legal pads type
stuff) stuck together w/ contact cement to build thickness,
painted black and then shellacked.

Cut the individual boards to size and make the hole before
laminating. File/sand to fine fit after laminating - a 1/2
round file is a good tool for cleaning up the edges and the
hole. Make a step in the board with small squares and large
squares to effect a light baffle. These boards, made in 1/2hr
and costing nada, hold up remarkably well. The key is the
shellac: really saturate the board.

For one-use boards I use foam-core and black spray paint.

--
Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio
Consulting Engineer: Electronics; Informatics; Photonics.
psst.. want to buy an f-stop timer? nolindan.com/da/fstop/

"T R" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I've just acquired a Newton "New Vue" 4x5 camera for my
introduction to
large format photography. The camera did not come with a
lens board. So,
here's my questions:

1. Are lens boards relatively standard amongst 4x5
cameras? In other
words, can the lens board for another camera be used with
the New Vue?

2. Can a lens board be crafted at home with relatively
simple tools, or
must it be precision-machined by a skilled and properly
equipped craftsman?

3. Related to question #2, what are the proper dimensions
for the board
and the lens cutout? I understand that the lense cutout
determines the
type of shutter that can be used (Copal #0, 1, 3 or
Prontor Press). If
this is the case, can someone post the dimensions for all
these options?

Thanks,

Trad Lad

Unfortunately there has never been any standard on
lensboards for cameras of any size. However, a number of 4x5
cameras take 4"x4" lensboards of the type used on Speed
Graphics from the early 1930's to late 1940's. Its possible
that the Nue Vue takes these. If the opening is 4" square
there is a good chance it does. Nue Vue cameras were made
for only a few years after WW-2. I don't have one and its
been too long since I've seen one to remember what the lens
board looks like.
If its the 4x4 board they are not hard to find and can be
made pretty easily. For temporary use you can make a lens
board of corrugated cardboard. Use two pieces glued together
with the corrugations crossed. Tape the edges with black
masking tape to avoid light leaks. Such boards are
surprizingly strong.


--
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA

Trad Lad
Lens Board

Post a picture with some dimensions.

Bob AZ