I am working on mounting a large, heavy, old brass lens on a 2-D (6x6) lensboard. Using the
mounting flange on the front of the lensboard,
the lens
puts a lot of strain on the front standard. Has anyone tried mounting a big lens like this
midway along the barrel, where the weight of the lens is balanced?

I have seen cameras with an added standard at the front of the lens. That would probably be an easy way to help spread the weight. I'm going to do that with my Aero Ektar.

Quote:

On 2005-12-23 09:55, camz wrote: I am working on mounting a large, heavy, old brass lens on a 2-D (6x6) lensboard. Using the mounting flange on the front of the lensboard, the lens puts a lot of strain on the front standard. Has anyone tried mounting a big lens like this midway along the barrel, where the weight of the lens is balanced?

You can also put a removable "crutch" between the lens and the bed. I use one between my 12"/4 telephoto's barrel and the front crossmember of my Speed's outer bed rail.

Mount the lens, and then see if in practice it is really a problem. Many of these big old brass lenses are actually relatively light, so they don't always put as much of a strain on the front standard as one would expect.

Another option I've seen for supporting a heavy lens is to use something like a Bogen Magic Arm or Matthews articulated arm between one of the tripod legs or center column and the lens. You can find this sort of thing along with other sorts of lighting and grip equipment.