[LargeFormat] Shen Hao's Yer Father - lensboard

[rstein]

Dear Nephew Philip,

     The Shen Hao lensboard is a circle of plywood about the size of a small
dinner plate. It rotates just in front of the Packard shutter on a central
axle and is detented into positions with a small spring plate. There is
really no room for a recessed lensboard to drop back in, more's the pity.

    I take my courage in my hands and cut the board tonight to fit the
Seagull lens. The flange is well made and has 6 countersunk screw holes
round the edge to support the weight.

    The fascinating thing about the front of the Shen Hao is the box .
You'll see it in that illustration on the web site. That door on the front
with the hole in it is just that - a swinging door to enclose the battery of
lenses that might be mounted on the rotating board. It puts me off on a
quest for more barrel mounts of whatever vintage - I am going to try in
Melbourne or Adelaide for some sort of 500-600mm process lens if I an get a
good price.

    The filmholders were unpacked yesterday and I have decided that I might
be able to back the paper or film with thin plywood if I reduce the power of
the holder springs. This would save weight and cost over aluminium plate.
Mind you, weight is not really a consideration - this is not going in the
backpack....

     Uncle Dick

PS: I hope you bought comics and humbugs with the 5 shillings.