Broken Knob Shen-hao

[optV]

Today I was focusing my Shen-hao (which was leaning towards the ground) And I noticed that the front Standard would creep forward with the weight of the lens, so I tightened (over tightened) the focusing knob on the left (from the rear) and now the knob doesn't rotate with the one on the other side, It will tighten down and prevent the camera from adjusting focus or loosen up and just not spin, I cannot use that knob to focus anymore, which is annoying because I'm a lefty.

After removing and inspecing the knob it looks like the base plastic broke. Any ideas? I assume the knob wouldn't screw off it it wasn't broken?

 

[Amund]

Actually, that knob is meant to lock the focus only, not meant for focussing.
I`m a lefty myself, and you`ll get used to focus with the right know quick....

 

[noseoil]

I had one of the screws loosen and fall out while using my Shen Hao two years ago. I wrote to Badger and they were able to supply a new one. Jeff was great about this. Try contacting your supplier and see what they say about getting one for you. Best, tim

 

[Bob F.]

I just had a look at my Shen, and I see what you mean. It never occurred to me to use the left hand knob to focus - you need to unscrew it all the way for it to lock with the right hand focus knob. It's difficult to then unlock it without moving the focus so I guess you would need to use the RHS knob for fine focusing in any case? Anyway, as long as it locks the focus you are OK but it's probably worth getting a new one in case it breaks further and ceases to do that.

Cheers, Bob.

 

[optV]

Thanks for the replies, I'm glad to know that the knob was meant to lock or unlock the focus, which it still will do. It is just annoying to me that it is broken.

However, it screws on all the way and therefore is fully functional. I need to learn how to focus with my right while holding the loupe with my left, then lock the focus with my imaginary third hand

 

[HerrBremerhaven]

Seems to me that if you are reasonably mechanically adept, and have a few tools, you should be able to swop the right for left side. The focus rail and gears are in the same dimensional orientation. In other words, if you want to try taking apart the focus mechanism, you should be able to re-install it the other way around, giving you left side focus. Do this at you own risk, and I take no responsiblity for any complications.

I am a left eye and left handed shooter, though with my Shen-Hao I like to use my left hand to hold the loupe, leaving my right hand for focus. Left handed people often need to do things somewhat ambidextrous, so adjusting other knobs on a view camera is a two sided and two handed affair. Focus is one of the few things only on one side.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio
Dead Link Removed