4x5 to 8x10 question

I think I am getting frozen brain up here in the PNW it has been cold and wet. What a suprize... When you visit Seattle they give out shirts that say "Welcome to the Seattle Rain Festival running from Jan 1 to Dec 31".
Ok they really don't give out shirts but the rain and cold keeps people in for a few weeks at a time except for work as I have been. Here is my question....
I have a Omega/Toyo 4x5 monorail camera. I have been looking at 8x10 toyo's and it looks like the front standard is the same size as on their 4x5 models. Can I buy a 8x10 rear, bellows and convert my 4x5 to 8x10 when needed?

Paul :confused: :rolleyes: :confused:

I don't think that would be practical or economical. You can buy a used 810G complete for much less than you could probably buy the parts. Additionally, although the lens boards are the same size, I'm not sure about the front of the 8x10 bellows, or the amount of rise afforded by the 4x5 front standard. The 8x10 front standard appears to sit higher, so as to center the lensboard on the larger rear standard.

Also, be aware that the 8x10 G is quite heavy. Nice for the studio but not particularly suitable for field use. I went with a Tachihara 8x10 double extension, and made an adapter for my Toyo 110mm lens boards, along with an adapter frame for the back so I could use the Toyo 8x10-4x5 reducing back.

You see the converstion kits show up on ebay everyonce in a while, but for the cost and the extra work, it does not seem real economical to do this, but toyo did design them that way.

Dave

ebay has an 810G rear and bellows right now. It will work but it is a real pain to break a G down for the field. I know I did it for two years. Two months ago I switched to an 810M for the field and the G is now in the studio.

Paul I have an older 8 x 10 toyo G and use an omega front with it it works fine the 4 x 5 toy fronts work also....the rails fit and I use it with the long 1200mm bellows...I did order a heavier center mount for the 8 x 10 but for quite a while I used the center attachment from my old toyo 4 x 5...you can also reverse the front standard....giving you a shorter lens focus if you wish,

Dave in Vegas