Oraganizing lenses (box?)

[eric]

I think I remember seeing Zone VI sell this thing a long time ago. Or maybe it was someone I assisted had one. I'm looking for a long box that can hold a few enlarger lenses on their lensboards (Beseler type). I guess its pretty simple box with slots in it but I could have swore someone used to sell these things.

Anyone remember? Or am I having one of those fake memories?

 

[glbeas]

It's not too hard to nail together a box with slots cut in it with a table saw to slip lens boards into. I imagine you can hang this on the wall pretty easy too for good access. Thats such a good idea I'm going to try this out. Thanks!

 

[Reinhold]

You mean like this...

A lens "Garage", complete with a drop-down door.

More DIY nuggets at: http://www.classicbwphoto.com/Darkroom.html

Reinhold

www.classicBWphoto.com

 

[ann]

i had something made like the lens "garage" years ago. no door on mine but the concept is the same. small world

 

[PKM-25]

So there is not a company who makes this kind of thing? This seems like a no brainer, darn...

 

[Reinhold]

Hmmm...
Now you've got me to thinking:
There are lots of folks that don't have the tools, or want things ready made.

I could add a Lens Garage to my product line.
Easy enough for Beseler boards, but how long should it be?For how many lenses?
Should I make two sizes...
A 3-lens, 35mm to medium format size.
And a 4 or 5 lens 35mm to 4x5 format size?
or...?

Feedback is always welcome.

Reinhold

www.Re-inventedPhotoEquip.com

 

[PKM-25]

Reinhold,

Go for it, I'll take a 4-5 "Lens Garage", Beseler lens boards.
It will house my 50mm 2.8 Apo N, 50mm 2.8 G Mural, 80mm F/4 Apo-N, 150mm 5.6 Rodagon = Sold!

Leave a little extra room in case I swap a 50 for my 90 F/4 Apo.

Mine will hang vertically on the wall...

 

[Reinhold]

Thanks for the suggestion about horizontal -vs- vertical wall hanging.

I'm doing some layouts right now.
I'm thinking of slots at 1/2" centers.
To the next 1/2", how much space would each lens need?
Some lenses project behind the lensboard, (rear caps included).
Each of my medium format lenses occupy 2-1/2" wide bays.
My 4x5 lenses occupy 3" bays each.
The Lens Garage in the photo (post #3) is 15" inside.

I'm back to the drawing board...

Reinhold

 

[RalphLambrecht]

i would need it for 3 lensesone35mmtwo120 and one 4x5.

 

[john_s]

In my experience, no lenses need protection from fungus more than enlarger lenses, since they are usually in a dark place and there are liquids around. So some provision for humidity reduction might well be incorporated, which could be as simple as a bag or two of silica gel.

 

[Doremus Scudder]

Shameless Hijack --Warning-- Shameless Hijack

Reinhold,

As long as you are re-inventing things, how about resurrecting a decent 4x5 film washer along the lines of the now-defunct and really-hard-to-find-used Gravity Works film washer? Just a thought...

Best and sorry for the hijack,

Doremus

 

[PKM-25]

Thanks for the suggestion about horizontal -vs- vertical wall hanging.

I'm doing some layouts right now.
I'm thinking of slots at 1/2" centers.
To the next 1/2", how much space would each lens need?
Some lenses project behind the lensboard, (rear caps included).
Each of my medium format lenses occupy 2-1/2" wide bays.
My 4x5 lenses occupy 3" bays each.
The Lens Garage in the photo (post #3) is 15" inside.

I'm back to the drawing board...

Reinhold

I figure better to have a little more room than not enough. I can't see any of my lenses being longer than 3".

Now, you could up the ante, put some liquid emulsion on the wood and print a few pics on it, this too, should be art...

 

[Sal Santamaura]

...how about resurrecting a decent 4x5 film washer along the lines of the now-defunct and really-hard-to-find-used Gravity Works film washer?...

That would be a waste of Reinhold's time when an even better 4x5 film washer is already available from Alistair Inglis:

Dead Link Removed

I say this as an owner of both Gravity Works and Inglis 4x5 washers.

 

[PKM-25]

Nice Sal, spendy but the 10 sheet in-sink looks good.

If I did not already have a Gravity Works 12 sheet, I might splurge for that one if it came down to it.

 

[Reinhold]

Whew, for a minute I thought I'd have to drop everythind and start cutting acrylic.
I've made lots of darkroom washers, tanks, and trays.
But it takes time and that's in short supply.

Reinhold

 

[Sal Santamaura]

Nice Sal, spendy but the 10 sheet in-sink looks good...

Alistair recently updated his Web site -- and prices too! Before, there wasn't too much difference between the in-sink and out-of-sink versions. All mine (4x5, 5x7, 6-1/2 x 8-1/2 and 8x10) are out-of-sink, but only cost roughly $75 - $100 more than the in-sink versions when purchased.

If faced with the current prices, my approach would be similar to what I do for roll film washing. I use the Jobo Cascade washer attachment, which forces water into the tank's top cover center opening, while the tank is standing in one of these Paterson RC print washers

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/40427-REG/Paterson_PTP235_8x10_High_Speed_Print.html

with just the outlet hose connected and running into a drain. It would work identically with an Inglis in-sink washer sitting in the Paterson.

 

[Ronald Moravec]

If you build a Greg Davis type, beechwood would be nice. The critical thing being leave unfinished. Most all finishes give off fumes.

I would use some king of loose cover like a curtain. Allow for air circulation, but keep off dust.

 

[ac12]

Anyone do something in a sealable plastic box?
I'm thinking sealable so I can put a desicant in the box and not worry about moisture getting into the box.