Different size lens holes?

ITD · Mar 9, 2012

Do LF lenses come in different mount sizes? I've got myself a Super Graphic to see if I get on with LF and am idly looking out for lenses with better coverage than the 135/4.7 Xenar that came with it but don't want to buy something that doesn't fit.

Follow up question - can I use other lens boards on this camera, or make one?

Thanks
Paul

Steve S · Mar 9, 2012

Commonest sizes are Copal 0, 1 and 3. Older lenses can often be found in sizes which are non standard and the usual trick is to find a board with a smaller hole and file the hole to a size that will allow the lens to fit. If you Google S.K. Grimes (in the States) there is lots of information about different lens sizes and lens boards.
The Super Graphic takes the same lens board as the Pacemaker Speed and Crown Graphics. These are made of a light alloy with a rounded lip on all four sides which act as a light trap. You can create your own boards from 3 ply board using your existing board as a template. Then use strips of velvet ribbon in this instance to act as a light trap. Not pretty but effective.

ITD · Mar 9, 2012

OK, looking at SK Grimes and measuring the hole in the lensboard it looks like I have a Copal 0. Does that restrict me very much in terms of lenses available?

Steve S · Mar 9, 2012

No, there are lots of compact lenses in Copal 0 ideal for storage on camera. Many more modern lenses use Copal 1. You will probably not see too many Copal 3 size that you would want to use on Graphic.

paul_c5x4 · Mar 9, 2012

Thalmann & Perez have a table listing a range of lenses and include info about the shutter size - Worth a look if you want to build a shopping list.

If you have your eye on a specific lens, the manufacturers usually list the shutter size in the specifications.

Ian Grant · Mar 9, 2012

I was using a 135mm f4.5 Tessar essentially very similar to your Xenar on my Crown Grapghic for a while and coverage is tight corners tend to be soft until f22. I bought a Catar S II (a rebranded Symmar) to use instead, it's now on my Super Graphic - much better coverage and much sharper at f11 & f16 than a Tessar design. It's in a #0 shutter.

Spare lens boards are very cheap new from Heavystar on Ebay but you need to adapt a Pacemaker Graphic board as they don't have the raised bits for the board to lock in place.

Ian

ITD · Mar 9, 2012

paul_c5x4 said:
Thalmann & Perez

That link seems to be broken.

ITD · Mar 9, 2012

Ian Grant said:
Spare lens boards are very cheap new from Heavystar on Ebay but you need to adapt a Pacemaker Graphic board as they don't have the raised bits for the board to lock in place.

I found a new one on ebay from the US. Hopefully it'll do the job. What raised bits are you referring to?

Edit: sorry, just checked for myself and see what you mean. The one I just bought was from heavystar and looks like it's got raised bits from the picture.

paul_c5x4 · Mar 9, 2012

ITD said:
That link seems to be broken.

Try again - Edited the post, so it *should* work. If not: http://www.hevanet.com/cperez/testing.html

Ian Grant · Mar 9, 2012

ITD said:
I found a new one on ebay from the US. Hopefully it'll do the job. What raised bits are you referring to?

Edit: sorry, just checked for myself and see what you mean. The one I just bought was from heavystar and looks like it's got raised bits from the picture.

The Pace maker boards have raised bit - 2 each side top and botom, the Supper Graphic boards need 4 different ones on the sides. You can glue a piece of card or something to the front to do the same job. I used some self adhesive black material.

Ian

Different size lens holes?

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