"Pin" on the back of Copal 3

[Shinnya]

Hi,

I have Nikon 450/9 that I bought with Deardorff 11x14 studio camera some time ago. I have been meaning to set the camera up, but have not had a chance to do yet.

Today I was looking at the lens and I noticed that there is a "pin" sticking out on the back of the shutter. It seems to control the range of aperture. The problem is that, because of the pin, it does not sit on the lens board.

I was wondering if anyone knows how to properly mount this lens onto a lens board. I can drill a tiny hole to accept the pin, but I was hoping to find something a little smarter...

Thanks for your input.

Warmly,
Tsuyoshi

 

[Dave Parker]

Actually, I have alot of other camera lens boards that the manufacture did exacly that, drilled a hole in the board to accomidate the pin, many, many of the graflex lens boards has this and it was from the factory. I don't see how your going to mount it with the pin unless you drill a hole to accomidate the pin, the only other option is to extend the lens mount out from the board to clear the pin.

Dave

 

[ras351]

I have a Nikon 90/F8 which came with a screwed in pin similar to what you describe. On this lens when there's a corresponding hole in the lensboard it helps stop the lens from rotating as you cock the shutter. I unscrewed mine and left it off as for my lens it was optional. Before you go unscrewing it (if that is indeed possible) I might however suggest you wait for a more enlightened response from someone who knows your particular lens.

Regards,
Roger.

 

[Donald Miller]

It's usually an indexing pin for alignment on the lens board. I have removed and chucked several of them.

 

[ras351]

It's usually an indexing pin for alignment on the lens board.

That makes sense. I always figured it was to help stop rotation but that's probably because I always seem to end up with a lens wobbling around in the board every few months.

 

[David H. Bebbington]

That makes sense. I always figured it was to help stop rotation but that's probably because I always seem to end up with a lens wobbling around in the board every few months.

It's well worth buying a flat metal locking-ring key to mount your lenses - tightens the ring correctly and helps get it off again easily if necessary. My key is by Rodenstock, I think others are available too for about $15 -20.

 

[Dave Parker]

I picked a couple of different lens wrenches up on ebay for $10 each that work great for lenses and other things such as tightening filters, they work great, I got two, one smaller and one large, my small one goes up to about 62mm and the large one covers from 62mm to about 115mm.

Dave

 

[ras351]

Lens wrenches

Thanks guys. I do own a lens wrench but it sounds like I might need to put a bit more effort into it.

 

[David H. Bebbington]

Thanks guys. I do own a lens wrench but it sounds like I might need to put a bit more effort into it.

Are you mounting lenses on very thin (metal?) panels? If you can't tighten them properly (not a great deal of force is required) you may need to put some card shims between the lens and the panel.

 

[ras351]

Are you mounting lenses on very thin (metal?) panels? If you can't tighten them properly (not a great deal of force is required) you may need to put some card shims between the lens and the panel.

They're mounted on standard Toyo field camera lens boards which are approximately 3mm (1/8") thick. They seem to start out tight but manage to work loose after a few months of use. I probably haven't been tightening them enough.