[LargeFormat] (was Anguloning ) wideangle lenses and Linhof recesses

[philip lambert]

----- Original Message ----- >
> My problem with the linholf recessed lensboards (used on my Tachihara)
they
> recess about 15mm then they have a lip that takes back 6mm so you only
have
> a 9mm recess - why they do that??
>

To do a better job you need to cut a plywood board copying a Linhof board to
fit the camera and

to make up a series of disks just smaller than the diameter of the bellows
throat adding up to15mm thickness

with another such disk having the shutter mounted in the middle or somewhat
offset to get at the controls.

Glue all but the last disk to the back of the plywood lensboard such that
they fit the bellows throat and

Cut a circular hole through the lot about 6mm smaller than the bellows
throat to form a rim 3mm wide all round. Maybe 2mm is enough.

Glue the disk on which the shutter fits to the back of this rim and the
shutter is thus inset below the level of the board.

Round off the rear corners of this disk to permit easier insertion into the
camera front.

Obviously you do any glueing and spraying matt black with the lens removed
and covered.  Accurate cutting is advisable.  I do have a slight problem
cutting neat circles but a competent woodworker would cope easily.

Getting a cable release in to fit is tricky and I recommend that you make
the minimum recess you can get away with.  Shutters come in different sizes.
My 47mm Super Angulon is in a S Compur 00 and I even made it a slightly
recessed panel for a Century Graphic so as to reduce bellows bind.

Nevertheless a folding technical camera is not as simple to use with a WA
lens as some monorails.  Bunched-up bag bellows hampering movements is less
of a problem on a monorail .

I sold my Tachihara and Gandolfi at a small profit and bought an old Sinar
F1(I think) for £217 on Ebay with bag and standard bellows. Later I bought a
stubby rail clamp to replace the oversize original one. The bag bellows
permits lenses up to 135mm to be used so I don't use the accordion pleats
much with a rollfilm back.  The Sinar is easy to use and has big lensboards
so making recessed ones is simple.  The camera and a short rail fit into a
cloth briefcase with the standards slackened and turned sideways & the
bellows in a pocket.  It takes a little longer to set up than a Tachihara
but the extra time is insignificant.  I have the impression the Gandolfi
weighed more than the Sinar but did not actually weigh either. The old Sinar
feels almost indestructible compared with the delicate furniture feel of the
wooden cameras.  I don't wreck my equipment but I feel happier if I don't
need to worry about scraping off a little black paint (I buy it in small
bottles)   Philip