Want to Buy WTB Calumet 4by5 lens board Copal #1

[Bernard Kelly]

Looking for Calumet (4 inch by 4 inch) lens board drilled for Copal #1.

 

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[Rick A]

I have a Calumet 4x4 lensboard drilled 1 3/4"(44.5), is that close enough?

 

[Bernard Kelly]

I'm no expert, but the wikipedia page for lens boards gives 41.6 mm as the size for Compur/Copal #1. I'm no handyman, either, so redrilling the hole isn't something I'd be likely to do. But thanks anyway.

 

[stawastawa]

Rick's might be close enough. The flange and lens often cover slack in the hole.

 

[Bernard Kelly]

You're probably right. And I thank Rick for his offer. But I've found a supplier on eBay (zbima1) who makes just the thing (in wood, not metal), at a very reasonable price. I'll see how that works out.

 

[Rick A]

The one I have is the only Calumet brand lens board I still have from owning three CC-4xx series cameras. I make my own boards for all my LF cameras, just made a recessed board to fit a 90 mm WA on my 5x7(it covers with some movement).

 

[Bernard Kelly]

I only wish I had your experience, Rick. It takes ten of me to screw in a lightbulb, not counting the one holding the ladder.

Three Calumets, though. I hope that's an indication of how much you liked them rather than how fragile they are. Mine is en route. All I have yet is a manual I downloaded, a kind of 4x5 primer. They do seem very versatile for such a simple construction. Any tips?

 

[Rick A]

I liked them a lot, but they were a PITA to haul around in the woods, especially my CC-401(long bellows). It was the first one I owned, followed by the 400 then 402. I now use a B&J Speed Press 4x5 and a B&J 5x7 tail board camera. Both fold fairly compact into ruck sacks with needed accessories for a day's shoot. The Calumet's are super cameras for the studio, more movements than you'll need.

 

[Bernard Kelly]

That's good to know. Studio work is really all I expect to use the Calumet for. I'm still shopping (i.e., saving) for a field camera, have in mind one of the Chamonix 4x5s.