Trouble finding lens boards for my Hasemi 4x5

[digital_archivist]

I'm having trouble finding lensboards to fit my Hasemi 4x5. Like many wooden field cameras, it uses Linhof-style lensboards. But most of the imported boards from the usual sources are too thick; then won't slip into the slot at the bottom, and they interfere with the slide lock at the top.

I've recently purchased a used Linhof recessed board. The thickness seems fine, and it slots right in. But the top has a silver band in the center that makes is just a bit too thick for the lock to slide over. Annoyingly, if I reverse the lensboard so the silver bar is against the felt light trap, it locks right down; unfortunately, this doesn't help since the recessed part is now an outie instead of an innie.

Could my camera simply have the top lock screwed down too tightly? I'd rather not waste film by testing for light-tightness if someone already knows the answer.

Has anyone else run into these issues with cameras that use the Linhof-style boards?

 

[abruzzi]

my first thought is to loosen the screws the clamp slides down to get is a touch more space. Alternatively some sellers on ebay sell linhof type boards cut from acrylic sheets. I don't like them because the trade the normal linhof light trap (the raised circle on the rear) for some kind of felt, but they are thin.

 

[digital_archivist]

I'm always a little reluctant to loosen screws, but I think I'll give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[EHM2]

There is a circular protrusion at the top rear of a Linhof board that may be carefully filed down with a fine small file to ease the clearance. I had to do this so that a Linhof recessed board would fit on a Technikardan 45S. If you loosen the screws holding the retaining clip on your camera, even just to add small washers or so that you may file away at the lower inside part of the clip to make room, you may wear the screw holes a little in the wood, potentially reducing the screws holding power.

 

[xkaes]

I'm always a little reluctant to loosen screws, but I think I'll give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion.

...you may wear the screw holes a little in the wood, potentially reducing the screws holding power.

Loosening screws is NOT a good idea. You won't gain much if any space, and you will lose the grip the screws have -- and they will eventually fall out, being loosened a little bit every time you remove a lens board.

You can file down the edges of the lens board (or find one that is slightly thinner), but make sure you paint them with matte black paint -- which will probably add the same depth that you removed from filing.

Take a look at the camera face first. Is it painted or does it have some material on it? Are there any bumps or uneven spots?

Don't FIX something that you can't UNfix without being 100% sure it will work.

 

[digital_archivist]

As it works out, loosening screws didn't work anyway; I had to back them almost all the way out just to close the shutter. I didn't dare try actually mounting a lens.

I've read somewhere online that the Technika III lensboards don't have the silver strip at the top, and might be a better fit than the more common Technika IV boards. Can anyone confirm?

 

[Chuck1]

I can't definitely confirm(never seen a hasemi), but they are thinner, it might be worth a shot

 

[reddesert]

As it works out, loosening screws didn't work anyway; I had to back them almost all the way out just to close the shutter. I didn't dare try actually mounting a lens.

I've read somewhere online that the Technika III lensboards don't have the silver strip at the top, and might be a better fit than the more common Technika IV boards. Can anyone confirm?

A Technika III lensboard is a different shape than the more common Technika IV/V lensboards. The III lensboard is a bit taller and narrower (by a few mm), lacks the clipped corners at the bottom, and has a recessed rather than protruding light trap on the rear. I think it might make your problem worse rather that better, although it would help to see pictures of your lensboards and camera with the problem areas indicated.

If offbrand Tech-IV-copy boards are not working well, I would consider (a) filing bevels into them to fit, (b) looking for Linhof-brand, Toyo-view, or other name brand copies to see if they are a slightly more faithful copy. Lensboards are typically aluminum and should be easy to file if you need to bevel the edges.

 

[digital_archivist]

Thank you for the advice. I recently obtained some stainless steel shim stock, and determined that a 2mm thick lens board should fit. One of the online vendors have a generic Technika IV lens board that is supposedly 2mm thick. I ordered one; we'll see how that goes.