Newbie can't close up Shen-hao 4x5 with lens attached...

[scott_speck]

I'm a neophyte to LF photography, and I have a Shen-hao 4x5 camera with a

Rodenstock 150 lens. When I first opened up the camera, I noted that the

front of the bellows (to which the lensboard is to be anchored) was positioned

such that the bellows bent "downward", and the front of the bellows was

therefore situated in a horizontal plane. If I fully deploy the camera and

then attach the lens board + Rodenstock 150mm lens, is there any way I

can "fold up" the camera without first removing the lens board + lens?

 

I have an old crown graphic 4x5 (bought on ebay, years ago), and that camera

can fold up with the lens board + lens still attached.

 

Thanks for any help,

Scott

[david_dorcich1]

Try reversing the lens board, then close it up.

[brucecahn]

The wooden cameras are not made to keep the lens on as you can with Graphics and Linhofs. The exception was a camera sold with the Calumet label, with a hole in the bottom to let the lens poke through when it was folded.

[sattler123]

I can leave my 90 Angulon and my 150 Fujinon on the camera, but I have to reverse them in order to close the Shen. If you have a big lens, then it won't work

[profhlynnjones]

Hi Scott,

 

Most people incorrectly name view cameras. We all are aware of the monorail "systems" camera.

 

A press camera has both rangefinder and ground glass focus and it will fold up with the lens in place. It will usually close the lens and most of the parts to prevent dust and dirt.

 

A field camera is very similar to a press camera except for the rangefinder, it focuses with ground glass only and will fold up with the lens in place in most cases. Many times a field camera will not have as many swings and tilts as a flat bed. Field cameras normally have a carrying strap and will often be designed to encapsulate the system and prevent some dust and dirt.

 

A flat bed view camera which is the type that most of us are familiar with, will not fold up with the camera in place. It will usually have more swings and tilts than a field camera, nearly as many as a studio monorail camera. They are usueally of wood and normally are quite light in weight.

 

Lynn

Lynn