What lens board do I need for this Fujinon A 180 f/9

bonk · Feb 19, 2021

I just bought this Fujinon A 180mm f/9 with a “Copal” shutter.

I would like to buy a matching Chamonix carbon lens board for my Chamonix C45F-2 from here: https://www.jobo.com/chamonix/?ecms_lang=EN

Which lens board do I need for this camera and lens?

BradS · Feb 19, 2021

I think it is a Copal #0 (35mm hole diameter) but not certain. The lens board that it is on will work with your Chamonix.

voceumana · Feb 19, 2021

It should be a Copal #0 shutter. See: https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/00910/00910.pdf for specs on the lens and shutter. It looks like they are sold out of the #0 lensboard for this camera. You may have to contact them to see if they can get it for you. Camera and shutter size are all they need to pick the right lensboard.

BradS · Feb 19, 2021

Incidently, the Copal shutter shown is quite old...I'd pass on it myself.

bonk · Feb 19, 2021

BradS said:
the Copal shutter shown is quite old...I'd pass on it myself.

For some reason I have never seen this lens with a newer shuttter. It almost always has this one it seems.

grat · Feb 19, 2021

BradS said:
Incidently, the Copal shutter shown is quite old...I'd pass on it myself.

Looks to be the shutter that came with the lens, and in remarkably good condition. What would you suggest instead?

Keep in mind, I've got a dial-set Compur from 1914 that runs like a champ, so I find your description of "quite old" to be kind of humorous.

voceumana · Feb 19, 2021

Fuji changed the labelling on this lens to the outside rim of the lens at some point. I don't know if they reformulated the lens or not--Fuji experts might know. But the old style would have this shutter or maybe a Seiko. The newer lenses have a Copal shutter that is the new style, where it will say Copal No. 0 where this one says Copal. If it's in good condition, I don't see any reason to doubt the shutter. I've got Copal shutters from various dates and styles and they all seem to work just fine.

Bob S · Feb 19, 2021

Why switch boards I’d the LInhof fits? Weight savings would be negligible.

grat · Feb 19, 2021

Bob S said:
Why switch boards I’d the LInhof fits? Weight savings would be negligible.

To center the lens, and gain some fall in the front standard?

grat · Feb 19, 2021

voceumana said:
Fuji changed the labelling on this lens to the outside rim of the lens at some point. I don't know if they reformulated the lens or not--Fuji experts might know. But the old style would have this shutter or maybe a Seiko. The newer lenses have a Copal shutter that is the new style, where it will say Copal No. 0 where this one says Copal. If it's in good condition, I don't see any reason to doubt the shutter. I've got Copal shutters from various dates and styles and they all seem to work just fine.

The "NW" lenses (Marked as "W", but markings on the outside of the barrel) tend to be EBC multi-coated.

voceumana · Feb 20, 2021

See: http://www.subclub.org/fujinon/byseries.htm for a list of Fuji LF lenses. The A series you have is the older type; the newer type was improved, but the site given doesn't say how, except it has EBC (multi-coating).

That said, I have doubts that any real image quality could be discerned between the series, except in the most difficult of optical situations. Even 4 element lenses like the Kodak Commercial Ektars do well.

Personally I'd recommend a standard design over the A design for a 180mm lens, unless you have need of its low magnification/reduction ratios. I'd much rather have an f/5.6 than f/9 for ease in focusing, even though you'd probably not shoot at 5.6 very often.

AnselMortensen · Feb 20, 2021

That is definitely a Copal 0 shutter.
Top marked speed is 1/500.
The Copal 1 has a top marked speed of 1/400.
Notice that I said "marked speed... "
Top speeds are rarely, if ever, accurate.

Doremus Scudder · Feb 20, 2021

If it ain't broke...

You don't need a different lensboard to mount this on your Chamonix; it is designed to take Technika-style lensboards, including the offset. Unless you really care that much about how it looks... and even then, I like the look of the Technika board.

Doremus

DREW WILEY · Feb 20, 2021

I've never seen an older single-coated version of that lens before. I've used the multicoated version in Copal 0 for many years.

What lens board do I need for this Fujinon A 180 f/9

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