OK, a bit embarrassed to say I know very little of what I need to look for in a rail camera if I were to attempt to build a 7x11. Would a 4x5 rail and front standard work for this - any hints on what to look for or where to gather more info (plan to study Kerry's Swiss Lotus)?
Mike,
As you may have gathered, my favorite camera for these types of projects is the ARCA-SWISS. The modular nature of the ARCA-SWISS lends itself well to such modifcations. You're really limited only by your imagination. I'm currently using an F-Line chassis as the basis for all my cameras from 4x5 - 7x17. I've combined various newer and older parts to get the exact configurations I want.
Newer style ARCA-SWISS cameras aren't very plentiful on the used market. Most people that buy them keep them. When they do show up used, they tend to fetch a pretty penny. They are definitely worth the money. They are well designed and superbly built. If you can't afford a new or used F-Line, a used Discovery is a good place to start. It's completely compatible with all the other F-Line and M-Line accessories. It is no longer available new, but when it was it was about 90% of an F-Line for about 60% of the cost. I always considered it a "best buy" in the world of new large format cameras. Used Discoverys seem to go for $800 - $1000 depending on the condition, configuration and what accessories are included.
If that's still too much, the older pre F-Line ARCA cameras are plentiful and very affordable on the used market. They share many of the functional advantages of the newer models, but aren't quite as well made or durable. Still, in good condition, they are VERY usable comeras and can be great bargains. Some parts, like the rails, are even compatible with the newer models (bellows are not, however, interchangeable between the old and new models). This was how I got started into the ARCA-SWISS system. I bought an older model ARCA-SWISS in very nice condition for $350. That camera served as the basis for the first incarnation of my 4x10 Swiss Lotus. I liked the ARCA-SWISS system so much, I sold my Linhof Technikardan TK45S (nice camera, but not modular and expandable like the ARCA) and bought a 4x5 F-Line system.
Over the years, ARCA has had a few different format frame sizes. There is the original 171mm size, the 110mm size that was originally developed for their 6x9 camera, and the much more recent 141mm size. I use a 110mm front standard for my 4x10 conversion (and my 4x5), but use a 171mm front end on my 7x17. It's bigger, studier and able to accomodate the big lenses used for shooting ULF. I also have a 171mm-110mm lensboard adapter so I can share lenses between the two standards. For 7x11, I would recommend the 171mm standard - especially if you're on a tight budget. This is the most common size available on the used market, in both older and newer models. It's the size I'll use if I build a 7x11 conversion kit.
One of the other nice things about the ARCA system is how small it collapses for transportation. I've never seen any other 7x17 camera that collapses as compactly as my Franken-ARCA. This is made possible by the telescoping rail design. I always use a short 15cm rail section to stow the front and rear standards on when collapsed. I combine this with appropriate extension brackets and rails depending on what format I'm shooting. For my 4x10 (and 4x5), that's a 30cm extension bracket and another 15cm rail section. For the 7x17, I use an older 40cm extension bracket (that came with my original $350camera) and a current style 40cm rail section. The older cameras usually came stock with a 40cm rail and a 40cm extension bracket. If you get one of these, you can cut the 40cm rail into 15cm and 25cm sections to make it more compact when collapsed - and get more longer bellows draw by extending the two halfs in opposite directions. You can see how this works in the photos of my 7x17 camera (in that case it's a 15cm section with a full 40cm section to give me the extension needed for this ULF format).
Obviously, I'm heavily invested in the ARCA-SWISS system at this point. So, that's what I know the most about. The Sinar cameras, both older (Norma) and newer (F and P models) are also well built and more plentiful and generally less expensive on the used market. They lack the telescoping rail system of the ARCA. So, they don't collapse as compactly for transport. Perhaps someone with more Sinar experience can chime in with some advice on what models and options to look for in a camera to serve as the basis for his type of conversion project.
Kerry
One very happy camper, 7x11 back, 8x10 back (made for the 7x11 camera) and a home made (it appears anyhow) 5x7 back. The thing is a beast, but not as large as the 11x14 cameras that I have seen (which fits my criteria). A very kind member here made me a good deal on some 7x11 wood holders (yeah compared to modern 8x10's they are light).
