4x5 View Camera Case

jeroldharter · Nov 15, 2005

I recently purchased a Cambo 4x5 SCX camera on Ebay. I am trying to find a case for it.

By my measurements, the camera is slightly larger than any of the cases made by Calumet, Tenba,etc.

I have a Toyo field camera but I have never really used a view camera. From the photos, it looks like people put the front and rear standards together in a neutral position and everything fits in a standard case.

Am I missing something? Any advice on a proper case for this camera?

SchwinnParamount · Nov 16, 2005

jeroldharter said:
I recently purchased a Cambo 4x5 SCX camera on Ebay. I am trying to find a case for it.

By my measurements, the camera is slightly larger than any of the cases made by Calumet, Tenba,etc.

I have a Toyo field camera but I have never really used a view camera. From the photos, it looks like people put the front and rear standards together in a neutral position and everything fits in a standard case.

Am I missing something? Any advice on a proper case for this camera?

It depends upon your budget. If you can locate a competent woodworker in your area, he will undoubtedly be able to make a beautiful case for you to your dimensions. At any rate, your hypothetical case will need to hold the Cambo, film holders and accessories. the monorail portion of the camera will define the minimum width of the case while the height of the camera mounted on said monorail will define the depth of the case. You will likely want to store everything associated with the photo making experience in this box so it will need to be somewhat larger than the minimum size I previously specified. Wheels would be nice or at a minimum, a solid and ergonomically comfortable set of handles on the sides must be specified.

As it happens, I am making such a beast for myself. At some point, I will prolly make this case for others as well. I am only a moderately skillfull woodworker and there are undoubtably hundreds of folk like me in your area. Perhaps you might contact a local woodworkers guild and ask if someone wants a fun project?

rbarker · Nov 16, 2005

The "traditional" monorail cases are made such that the standards are moved to the center of the rail, as you described, and then the camera hangs upside down in the case, supported by the rail. Toyo makes a nice, but rather expensive, aluminum case, and Calumet used to sell a lightweight fiberboard case. Check the dimensions on commercially-available cases, particularly the width (rail length) to be sure your camera will fit. Cases made of wood tend to get heavy rather quickly, depending on the design and materials used.

Dave Parker · Nov 16, 2005

rbarker said:
Cases made of wood tend to get heavy rather quickly, depending on the design and materials used.

I can second that!!!, I have a Toyo Case I use for my 45E and I tell you what, carry that puppy about 100 yards and you wonder why you ever got into LF!!

Dave

medform-norm · Nov 16, 2005

jeroldharter said:
I recently purchased a Cambo 4x5 SCX camera on Ebay. I am trying to find a case for it.

By my measurements, the camera is slightly larger than any of the cases made by Calumet, Tenba,etc.

I have a Toyo field camera but I have never really used a view camera. From the photos, it looks like people put the front and rear standards together in a neutral position and everything fits in a standard case.

Am I missing something? Any advice on a proper case for this camera?

We have a Graphic View II, also a biggish thing, and carry it around in a tool bag with a wide mouth. Fits in upside down like in traditional cases. With lenses, boards, lightmeter, etc. etc. We have a contraption to strap in on the back as well, when going on the bike in the city. Cost us only 40 euros. Bonus points: people think you're a repairman, not some bothersome idiot with a geek magnet. --I've posted some pics of this earlier, it's somewhere in the APUG dungeons.

Cheers, Norm

Dave Parker · Nov 16, 2005

medform-norm said:
We have a Graphic View II, also a biggish thing, and carry it around in a tool bag with a wide mouth. Fits in upside down like in traditional cases. With lenses, boards, lightmeter, etc. etc. We have a contraption to strap in on the back as well, when going on the bike in the city. Cost us only 40 euros. Bonus points: people think you're a repairman, not some bothersome idiot with a geek magnet. --I've posted some pics of this earlier, it's somewhere in the APUG dungeons.

Cheers, Norm

Boy Norm,

I consider my View II to be one of the best of the more compact mono-rails, after carring my Toyo around the View II feels like a sports car, compared to a tank!

Dave

carsten · Nov 16, 2005

medform-norm said:
We have a Graphic View II, also a biggish thing, and carry it around in a tool bag with a wide mouth. Fits in upside down like in traditional cases. With lenses, boards, lightmeter, etc. etc. We have a contraption to strap in on the back as well, when going on the bike in the city. Cost us only 40 euros. Bonus points: people think you're a repairman, not some bothersome idiot with a geek magnet. --I've posted some pics of this earlier, it's somewhere in the APUG dungeons.

Cheers, Norm

Dear Norm, I just tried to search your posts, but not succesfully.
Would you mind to give me a search clue, I am curious to see your tool bag, I need a case for my Linhof Kardan E.
Thank you
C

medform-norm · Nov 16, 2005

carsten said:
Dear Norm, I just tried to search your posts, but not succesfully.
Would you mind to give me a search clue, I am curious to see your tool bag, I need a case for my Linhof Kardan E.
Thank you
C

Sorry you had wade through the piles of rubbish that has been collecting dust under my sorry name...
I'll just post the images again. I don't even know in which post I put them myself.

PS I forgot to say that these tool bags come in different lengths. I don't know if this size would be long enough for the Kardan rail. I think the GVII's rail is something like 46 cm? We still want to add some padding, but for now it works. What you don't want to do, is backpack with this and fall on your back without sufficient padding - you might hurt your back in a nasty way.

Dave, I said 'biggish', not huge! - but I can see the sports car metaphor - the monorail has such lovely sporty striping, don't you think? Like they used to have on cars in the 70's.

JHannon · Nov 16, 2005

Hi Norm! Any information on the manufacturer? I tried searches using "ToolPack" and all I get is computer software.

My Calumet CC401 will need a 66cm wide bag. Hopefully one exists..may have to build one.

BTW, here is your old post on the subject (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Dave Parker · Nov 16, 2005

JHannon said:
Hi Norm! Any information on the manufacturer? I tried searches using "ToolPack" and all I get is computer software.

My Calumet CC401 will need a 66cm wide bag. Hopefully one exists..may have to build one.

BTW, here is your old post on the subject (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

John,

They sell very simular tool cases like this at Lowes, at least locally they do, you might try one of the big box home improvement stores.

Dave

dtomasula · Nov 16, 2005

I have a Cambo SC and I keep it in a ski boot bag I bought from Land's End. It fits the camera, a bunch of lenses and lens boards. It's not such great protection, but it's useful for getting it to the car and back.

laz · Nov 16, 2005

Satinsnow said:
John,

They sell very simular tool cases like this at Lowes, at least locally they do, you might try one of the big box home improvement stores.

Dave

Ditto on that. I've seen them at both Lowes and Home Depot. They come is several sizes. Being a bit of a bag junkie I've been trying to find a reason for "Needing" one.
-Bob

JHannon · Nov 16, 2005

laz said:
Ditto on that. I've seen them at both Lowes and Home Depot. They come is several sizes. Being a bit of a bag junkie I've been trying to find a reason for "Needing" one.
-Bob

Thanks Laz and Dave.

Lee L · Nov 16, 2005

laz said:
Ditto on that. I've seen them at both Lowes and Home Depot. They come is several sizes. Being a bit of a bag junkie I've been trying to find a reason for "Needing" one.
-Bob

You need one because the blue and black AWP models from Lowe's are great to use with the short (and relatively inexpensive) padded compartments from Domke. That's what I use to arrange the interior. I also made a harder divider from Lexan for when I need that kind of support, and I made a padded divider from 1/4 inch closed cell camping pad foam that is a circular loop and fits around my Wista 45DX. The big version will hold my Wista, a Fuji 690, film holders, extra film, meters, and a couple of 120 folders or 35mm RFs. That's a lot to carry, but it's great to work out of from the van. The 12 inch long version is great for a lighter load, and the Domke divided compartments swap whole sections of related equipment quickly between the two bags. The tool bags have decent shoulder straps and hardware, and a stiff metal frame sewn in that holds the zippered top wide open.

Lee

Tanya · Nov 16, 2005

Jerold,
I have been looking for a case for my Calumet for 2 years- I haven't found a single one- if by some chancce you find more than one plz let me know.
Thanks,
Tanya

John Kasaian · Nov 17, 2005

If it'll fit, give an Igloo Playmate cooler a try. Thermo protection can't hurt and if you drag it (without the cmaera inside of course) from your car bumper for a few blocks and slap some duct tape on it along with a few decals and a bumper sticker no one will suspect a view camera lurks inside. My 2-cents

carsten · Nov 17, 2005

medform-norm said:
Sorry you had wade through the piles of rubbish that has been collecting dust under my sorry name...
I'll just post the images again. I don't even know in which post I put them myself.

PS I forgot to say that these tool bags come in different lengths. I don't know if this size would be long enough for the Kardan rail. I think the GVII's rail is something like 46 cm? We still want to add some padding, but for now it works. What you don't want to do, is backpack with this and fall on your back without sufficient padding - you might hurt your back in a nasty way.

Dave, I said 'biggish', not huge! - but I can see the sports car metaphor - the monorail has such lovely sporty striping, don't you think? Like they used to have on cars in the 70's.

dank u veel Norm,
My Kardan rail it is about 47 cm.
And it is much more dangerous because it has a square section!

medform-norm · Nov 17, 2005

JHannon said:
Hi Norm! Any information on the manufacturer? I tried searches using "ToolPack" and all I get is computer software.

My Calumet CC401 will need a 66cm wide bag. Hopefully one exists..may have to build one.

BTW, here is your old post on the subject (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Hi,
I don't think ToolPack is sold under that name in the States. If you look in the old thread, you may find the brand name of a similar bag sold widely in the States. Gator mouth? Can that be it? I ended up with ToolPack as that was the only one we could get here in Europe - found in the local downhill DYI store. There was another one sitting on the shelf just like that, a bit cheaper still, since the mice had nibbled on the mesh pocket.
66cm wide? Hmm, it might be possible, though it would be enourmous! Let us know if you find one.

Norm

medform-norm · Nov 17, 2005

carsten said:
dank u veel Norm,
My Kardan rail it is about 47 cm.
And it is much more dangerous because it has a square section!

Graag gedaan, Carsten. I think your Kardan will fit. The GVII is not sitting very tight inside the bag. With some Domke soft dividers/padded compartments it could make a very handsome gearbag. Go for it!
Norm

carsten · Nov 18, 2005

Yes Norm, I will do. I actually need a case for it just to protect the camera, but this bag can be the solution. Thank you

Lee L · Nov 18, 2005

John Kasaian said:
If it'll fit, give an Igloo Playmate cooler a try. Thermo protection can't hurt and if you drag it (without the camera inside of course) from your car bumper for a few blocks and slap some duct tape on it along with a few decals and a bumper sticker no one will suspect a view camera lurks inside. My 2-cents

I use a cooler (eski) for my camera gear in the car as well. I have one that will take the packed camera bags I normally use. I also often use a separate one for spare film. A friend who shoots a lot of nature, leaving his vehicle parked in remote spots, paints on the name of the local university and "biology department" with a biological hazard symbol and "biohazard" written on it.

Lee

Jim Noel · Nov 18, 2005

Unless you have the Cambo with longer monorail, you can use the soft sided case sold by Calumet. It will hold the camera, holders, meter, etc.

4x5 View Camera Case

Attachments

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency