Componon-S 135 5.6... lens board?

M Carter · Aug 20, 2016

Oh, I got a great deal on a really pretty, mint condition 135-s. $40-some bucks. No jam nut or lens board.

But - what the heck lens board will this go on? Googling tells me this lens has been manufactured with 50mm, 42mm, and 40.5mm threads. And there seem to be several variants, in some the entire lens is about the same diameter top to bottom, with a narrower extension past the threads (like mine), others have pieces with various widths or front elements in a flared-out section. Mine seems to be the 40.5mm thread.

I've googled like a fiend to find a lens board or jam nut (for Beseler 4x5). How does one mount this sucker? And does the extra few MM of barrel extension (rear element, past the threads) create any issues?

Here's a pic - thanks for any info:

MattKing · Aug 20, 2016

You might be able to use a 42mm threaded Beseler lensboard and a 40.5mm jam nut.

mgb74 · Aug 20, 2016

The nice thing about Beseler 4x5 lensboards is that they are just a 4x4 piece of metal with a hole. So not too hard to fabricate if necessary. Even a careful filing out of a 39mm board should be OK.

As to the jam nut, I wonder if a 40.5 to X step up ring would work (if you can't locate a jam nut). I don't know if the thread pitch is compatible. I have heard of people using a tight fitting O-ring in place of a jam nut, but I'd be worried about this hunk of good glass hang down by friction fit.

M Carter · Aug 20, 2016

No google joy for a 40.5mm jam nut. May have to check with the specialist enlarger shops.

M Carter · Aug 20, 2016

mgb74 said:
As to the jam nut, I wonder if a 40.5 to X step up ring would work (if you can't locate a jam nut). I don't know if the thread pitch is compatible. I have heard of people using a tight fitting O-ring in place of a jam nut, but I'd be worried about this hunk of good glass hang down by friction fit.

Actually, a step-up ring would have a male thread, not female. Maybe a reversing ring would work? May be out there since enlarging lenses are popular with the macro crowd.

Anyone know what the thread pitch is?

winger · Aug 20, 2016

Sorry, I checked my spare parts pile and extra enlarger lenses and didn't find a jam nut that would be big enough. The back part that extends up from the board shouldn't be an issue, though. The 150mm I have has that as well and I haven't noticed anything weird (Beseler 45MX). PM me if you need to find a board 'cause I may have an extra around here.

M Carter · Aug 20, 2016

Thanks - I actually haven't picked it up yet, friend of a friend with a pristine MXT. She says she has glass and boards for all formats, but I wanted the 135 for bigger prints, been sticking to 16x20 and up lately. I already have nikkors for 35 and 6x7, I assume she's got a 150... trying to hook up and finalize!

Looks like a step-DOWN ring could work, and they're like six bucks so worth a try.

mgb74 · Aug 20, 2016

M Carter said:
Actually, a step-up ring would have a male thread, not female. Maybe a reversing ring would work? May be out there since enlarging lenses are popular with the macro crowd.

Anyone know what the thread pitch is?

Your right. You'd need a step down ring (to 40.5) which is not likely.

M Carter · Aug 20, 2016

mgb74 said:
Your right. You'd need a step down ring (to 40.5) which is not likely.

Found several online, in the $6 range. Will probably grab one in my next Amazon or Adorama order to at least check the thread size.

faberryman · Aug 20, 2016

The Beseler lens board you are looking for is the 42mm #8032.

M Carter · Aug 21, 2016

faberryman said:
The Beseler lens board you are looking for is the 42mm #8032.

Thanks - but is that the 40.5 thread size?

B&H Photo still sells this lens new, shows it in stock. Photo doesn't look like my version though, very different, but the description says The high performance of the Componon-S is maintained even at high magnifications. This Componon-S lens has a 40.5mm rear mount thread and is fitted in to a barrel with a click stop aperture scale.

faberryman · Aug 21, 2016

8032 is the 42mm

M Carter · Aug 21, 2016

Thanks - Ian C sent me a load of info, looks like B&H is wrong and I need the 8032. Or a jam nut and a grinder...

MartinP · Aug 29, 2016

You could also bodge it. Cut a ply (possibly not enough thread for 2mm ply?) or thin alloy plate with a tight fitting hole, oil up the threads of the lens, screw it in to the tight hole in the plate, take a little oil on an earbud and go over the threads again, put slow cure car-filler paste around the plate/thread interface up to the top of the threads, when the paste is half set unscrew the lens, allow to cure fully, screw in the cleaned lens and use as normal.

Componon-S 135 5.6... lens board?

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