The practical use of Lens board adapters

[Ian Grant]

I use three different lens board type for 5x4 cameras. The main two are Linhof/Wista - for my Wista 45DX, and Pacemaker Speed Graphic (for my Pacemaker Speed Graphic, Super Graghic, and Toyo half plate field cameras. Oh, and also a homemade 6x7 field camera.



I bought a 3rd 10x8 Agfa Ansco camera 2 yeras ago which came with an adapter board fo Oacenaker boards. I noticed a Linhof/Wista board would almost fit, so I took off the fittings and snaded off the top so I could improve it adding a veneer top surface, at the same time squaring up where the lens boards sit.



With a Linhof/Wista board, still needs painting. The Aluminium is reflecting the blue sky



With a Pacemaker board.



This is a board I made a few years ago to take Linhof/Wista boards..

My third lens board type is Pre & Anniversary Speed Graphic, which also fits MPP MicroTechnical cameras MkIII to MkVII, these are useful allowing me to fit older brass barrel lenses to my Pre-Anniversary Speed Graphic.



A Squire &Co and Shepherd "Carte de Visite" Petzval on my early Speed Graphic. This camera was modified from new as a Wide Angle camera, the front top has been cut away to allow rise, the range rangefinder is set for a lens, approx 65-75mm,

So, lots of flexibility.

Ian

 

[Ian Grant]

And then here is how I use lenses too large for Linhof/Wista lens boards. I have a 12"x10" field camera and a 20" f8 Rapid Rectilinear lens I had to make a kens board for the camera, which is 6¼" sq. I also wanted to be able to use the lens on my 10x8 Agfa Ansco Commercial View, which has 36½" bellows extension.

So I made an adapter to take these 6¼" sq lens boards.



This is with my 1864 Dallmeyer 2B.






An assortment of 6¼" sq lens boards. By chance the Toyo View lens board that my 360mm f9 Apo Ronar CL (rather dusty) fits the same adapter.



The board in the adapter has a 3" RPS flange that fits 4 of my lenses. 12" through to 20", TT&H, Wray, etc.

To increase usability, different backs and various shutter options are also needed.

Ian

 

[soupdragon]

I really like that camera.
So cool.