Saving Space: Lens Board Adapter

 

Large format cameras are heavy, bulky and as such can limit the amount of space available in your backpack. While I like the physical challenge from carrying view camera equipment and the subsequent, added cardiovascular exercise, I am always looking for ways to minimize the space occupied in my backpack by my large format camera equipment.

In June of 2015, I purchased my 8x10 Zone VI Studios, Inc. large format camera and noticed a problem that needed a solution. My 4x5 Zone VI Studios, Inc. large format camera uses 4x4 in. lens boards while my 8x10 Zone VI Studios, Inc. large format camera uses 5.5 in. lens boards.

It was time to to purchase some mahogany and put my limited word working abilities to work! Utilizing a table saw and router table, I made a lens board adapter that inserts into my 8x10 Zone VI Studios, Inc. large format camera and allows me to keep all of my lenses attached to 4x4 in. lens boards. This solution allows me to save valuable space in my backpack and maintain the ability to change out my lenses between my 4x5 and 8x10 large format cameras without having to disassemble the lens elements and lens ring.

Please be sure to watch my YouTube video to check out the lens board adapter and view some 8x10 in. images taken with my 8x10 Zone VI Studios, Inc. large format camera with the lens board adapter attached!