4x5 monorail camera in Australia

tomalophicon · Dec 14, 2010

Does anyone here know of any dealers or whatever who sell monorail cameras? I'm having a hard time taking the plunge on one with ebay.

Mick Fagan · Dec 14, 2010

What are you after?

I have a couple.

One is not the greatest, needs a GG (I think), one of the rear springs is cracked. It's a Calumet 400 or 600 $100.

Not sure if there is a lens board, but one can be whipped up in an hour using 3mm plywood, matt black from a spray can and some marine grade lacquer on the front.

Mick.

Ross Chambers · Dec 14, 2010

If this helps. Downloaded today FYI. Do note that lenses, lens boards & film holders add quite a few dollars. Not the most portable of 4x5s but it can be done:

http://www.vanbar.com.au/catalogue/product.php?id=60853

SMBooth · Dec 14, 2010

Also try ringing Camera exchange in Melbourne

tomalophicon · Dec 14, 2010

Thanks guys. The toyos were what I had in mind but I don't necessarily want new. Ross, thanks, they are pretty cheap.

Mick, I'm after something with a GG and ready to add a lens board and lens and start shooting. I fear I may lose interest if I have to fix one up. What can you offer as far as those criteria are concerned?

I'll contact Camera exchange tomorrow.

Mick Fagan · Dec 14, 2010

I have one very good Calumet, well as good as can be considering it's age. Until I saw the link that Ross posted for the Toyo, I wouldn't part with it.

However on Saturday morning I might pop into Vanbar and check out one of these Toyo thingys.

She'll kill me if I do it!!!

Do you have anything specific you were after?

I could lend you the good Calumet until February, do you have a lens or lenses?

Mick.

tomalophicon · Dec 14, 2010

Mick, all I was after was a basic monorail with good movements so I can see whether I would like to pursue portraits with a large format camera.
I have nothing. No lenses, nothing.

I'm not sure how we could arrange a loan, I'm moving soon and I wouldn't have a chance to even look at anything photography related until around mid January.

jford · Dec 14, 2010

Camera Exchange had lots last time I was in there a few weeks ago. Also, the guy at Photo Resource in North Fitzroy (Stephen?) had a Cambo at the camera fair in March or April. I almost bought it for about $450 but he may well have sold it by now.

Stephen Frizza · Dec 14, 2010

There is mainline photo in Sydney whom I could not recommend more highly
the owners name is Scott and he knows his products inside and out. Check out the link below

http://www.mainlinephoto.com.au/

Mick Fagan · Dec 14, 2010

Well if you wish to have a crack at it, I can lend you the whole lot, then you can make up your mind with a bit of certainty.

Where are you moving to?

I will be taking a break until mid January myself, we're going camping outback, I'll be taking the Shen Hao.

Mick.

tomalophicon · Dec 14, 2010

Mick, that would be fantastic. You're kind to make that offer.

I'm moving to Armidale in Northern NSW. I'll be leaving around the 9th or 10th of January. I'll be in Canberra till then.

Outback? Like the Red Centre?

tomalophicon · Dec 14, 2010

Stephen Frizza said:
There is mainline photo in Sydney whom I could not recommend more highly
the owners name is Scott and he knows his products inside and out. Check out the link below

http://www.mainlinephoto.com.au/

Stephen, I'll check it out. There were no cameras on their website so just assumed they didn't have any.

Mick Fagan · Dec 14, 2010

Maybe not quite the centre, but we have 3½ weeks and we have enough water for 10 days, actually 15 days, but with the heat we are conservative.

Certainly outback NSW and up into QLD or over to the top of SA, possibly hanging around somewhere that suits us. We have a camper that is solar powered for everything permanently and gas for cooking. Gas lasts about 3 months.

View cameras use no power.

Do you know of anyone coming up from Melbourne that could take a kit up? We leave next week and get back for work on the 17th of January.

We will have someone in the house, but they haven't a clue about photography.

Mick.

tomalophicon · Dec 14, 2010

That sounds great Mick. What a perfect way to spend a month! I'm jealous!

No I don't know of anyone coming up. I'll have a think though and see if I can come up with something.

Thanks,

Tom.

Ross Chambers · Dec 15, 2010

Pros and cons of 45 CX

The Toyo was my first camera a few years ago (yeah I learnt to drive in a Land Rover, too).

It doesn't have geared movements but fine focus is geared. To use the common Linhof sized lensboards it is necessary to use an adaptor. The fittings for rear and front elements are not metal, but a rugged plastic which has been durable. The ground glass doesn't have fresnel, but I'd imagine that for studio use that this would not be a problem. The Toyo film holders are good.

trotkiller · Dec 15, 2010

I also have a Calumet Monorail, which I'm not using.

If Mick's is too hard to get, give me a PM and we can work something out, I got a heap of film holders and some film as well...

4x5 is just too small for my liking, saving up for 8x10 goodness

Enrico Scotece · Dec 15, 2010

Hey Toma,
The toyo that Ross showed isn't a bad starter. The locking mechanism on the rail is not that great.
The Toyo film holders are great. Probably the best available (as far as plastic film holders go). Well worth the money.
Do you have any lenses?
If you're still after a monorail then email me: enrico@pointlightworkshops.com.au

(btw, g'day Ross!)

Anthony Lewis · Jan 13, 2011

I only use monorails and don't regret it. I have a Sinar F2 which I bought off ebay and is in perfect condition. Then i bought the P2 from ebay again in great condition. I have bought lots of accessories of ebay over the last fifteen years including a 8X10 conversion kit that appears to have been never used. I now notice the prices are going up. The beauty of Sinar is that it is all perfectly modular. I can used the widest lens to the longest lens in existence - I can shoot any format if I wish.

I post two shots. There is one thing that Sinar will not do. Even the F2 is not easily put in a backpack for great landscape locations (although others claim otherwise). So i bought another monorail camera the Toho - which is perfect for backpacking. All my lenses from 80mm to 450mm are in Toho lens boards. I had Grimes in the States make me a Toho to Sinar lens conversion board. Now I can shoot anything I like. It all sounds like I have spent a lot of money, but over the years not very much - it is all second hand (except the Toho).

I post two shots. Anzac Bridge was taken with a 47mm lens and it would be impossible to get this shot with anything but the widest lens. Lavender Bay was taken with a 80mm lens and Fuji velvia 50ASA film. It shows why Velvia was the iconic film for decades.

4x5 monorail camera in Australia

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