Arca Swiss 4x5 F-Classic add support to 8x10?

blee1996 · Jun 26, 2025

Hi,

I'm considering a monorail 8x10 camera system for home/studio use. My key requirements are: secure support for bigger heavy brass lenses, bail back, geared movement will be nice too.

The only monorail LF camera I have is an Arca Swiss 4x5 system (F-Classic line I believe). I really like the compact size and precision feel of this camera. Since I bought locally from a retired photographer, it was inexpensive and costs about the same as a Sinar P 4x5.

I'm wondering if it is rationale to add 8x10 support for the system, since the costs seem to be so much higher than a comparable Sinar system. And quite hard to find Arca Swiss gear in the US.

Or I should just get a Sinar P 8x10 instead? Bonus point: my ultra lightweight Intrepid 8x10 uses Sinar lens board.

Are there any other considerations besides the price? Thanks!

abruzzi · Jun 26, 2025

I've never handled a 8x10 Sinar P or a 8x10 A-S F-clasic/metric, but generally speaking the Arca is going to be significantly lighter. The A-S M series is more comperable to the Sinar P. arca-swiss-usa.com has a used 8x10 F-metric for $5k. I don't know that I've ever seen a used 8x10 format conversion for sale used, though A-S makes them, which you can see on their german site. I've been seriously considering an A-S 8x10 myself, but the cost is just too high. I currently own an F-metric 4x5 (141) and a F-classic 6x9 with a 4x5 (171) format change kit which converts it into a F-classic field 4x5 (the field is a 4x5 with the smaller 110mm lens board.

I really like Sinar as well, but the P/P2/P3 are really studio cameras. They don't fold up or break down in any way that allows packing them in a bag. Thats probably fine for you since your looking for a studio camera, and the P2 is very well built If you don't mind dealing with the weight.

I'm really leaning toward Canham for an 8x10, but I'm mostly a field photographer.

blee1996 · Jun 26, 2025

For field work I have the Intrepid 8x10, slightly flimsy but really light. I'm still waiting for their bail back.

Arca Swiss F-Classic 4x5 is light enough to be used in the field, but more likely closer to car and camp.

Alan9940 · Jun 26, 2025

I'd check with Rod Klukas at arca-swiss-usa.com to see what your options are. He's the USA rep for AS and is very knowledgeable about this system. I'd guess that you could add 8x10 rear components to your existing 4x5, but you better be sitting down when he tells you the cost.

abruzzi · Jun 26, 2025

Does your 4x5 have 110, 141, or 171mm lens boards? I believe the 141 is the only one that can be upgraded with a new 8x10 upgrade kit that includes rear frame/gg/film holder and bellows (and you will want a spacer to raise the front.) @Rod Klukas can confirm if I'm correct, but the 171 parts haven't been made for some time, an dI don't think they ever made an 8x10 bellows that mounts to a 110 front frame. You may be able to find a used kit (I think I remember someone on here selling some Arca 8x10 parts a year ago) but used Arcas are pretty uncommon.

DREW WILEY · Jun 26, 2025

Sinar equip is obviously way more common, and there are plenty of bargains around. If you want something quite solid but lighter and more portable than the P-system, look for a Sinar Norma 8x10 instead.

blee1996 · Jun 26, 2025

abruzzi said:
Does your 4x5 have 110, 141, or 171mm lens boards? I believe the 141 is the only one that can be upgraded with a new 8x10 upgrade kit that includes rear frame/gg/film holder and bellows (and you will want a spacer to raise the front.) @Rod Klukas can confirm if I'm correct, but the 171 parts haven't been made for some time, an dI don't think they ever made an 8x10 bellows that mounts to a 110 front frame. You may be able to find a used kit (I think I remember someone on here selling some Arca 8x10 parts a year ago) but used Arcas are pretty uncommon.

My Arca Swiss 4x5 uses 171mm lens board. So I guess there is no 8x10 upgrade kit available...

abruzzi · Jun 27, 2025

blee1996 said:
My Arca Swiss 4x5 uses 171mm lens board. So I guess there is no 8x10 upgrade kit available...

well, you would need a kit that included the front frame as well. There might not be a prepackaged kit, but Rod might be able to put something together. OTOH, by the time you price out a new kit like that, the full used 8x10 he has for sale might be cheaper. He has a used 5x7 upgrade kit for 141 cameras I want, but am a bit too broke at the moment.

Rod Klukas · 2025-08-15T20:17:19-0400

blee1996 said:
My Arca Swiss 4x5 uses 171mm lens board. So I guess there is no 8x10 upgrade kit available...

Sorry I missed this earlier. I have ways to make you up a kit to do what you want.

I may have some used, as well.

Lets talk.

Rod

Ardpatrick · 2025-08-16T08:11:42-0400

DREW WILEY said:
Sinar equip is obviously way more common, and there are plenty of bargains around. If you want something quite solid but lighter and more portable than the P-system, look for a Sinar Norma 8x10 instead.

There’s are also Sinar F / F1 / F 2 8x10 cameras too. They are modular but not compact, but can be broken down into parts easily for transport. An option.

koraks · 2025-08-16T09:09:39-0400

@Rod Klukas We try to keep direct sales restricted to the Classifieds section. I think nobody would object (quite the opposite) in this particular case if you reached out to this person privately so you can see if you can help them out. Thanks for your consideration!

DREW WILEY · 2025-08-16T11:14:51-0400

The Sinar 8x10 F series could accept either a 4x5 F2 front standard, which had long enough risers, but maybe not enough mass for very heavy lenses, or special standard with thicker steel front risers, which added weight. Lots of these components were interchangeable, including with the older Norma series.

Toting around a monorail 8x10 in the field without needing to break it down is a bit more of a challenge. Some hikers have had good luck with game carrier pack frames, like used by deer and elk hunters, which can be ordered in customized fashion.

Ardpatrick · 2025-08-16T12:13:58-0400

DREW WILEY said:
The Sinar 8x10 F series could accept either a 4x5 F2 front standard, which had long enough risers, but maybe not enough mass for very heavy lenses, or special standard with thicker steel front risers, which added weight. Lots of these components were interchangeable, including with the older Norma series.

Toting around a monorail 8x10 in the field without needing to break it down is a bit more of a challenge. Some hikers have had good luck with game carrier pack frames, like used by deer and elk hunters, which can be ordered in customized fashion.

The Sinar F cameras are lighter than the Norma cameras. I had a 4x5 F1 which I often broke down: Remove bellows / Remove front and rear standards / Remove rail from Clamp. Total time > 5 minutes. All components quite flat albeit not compact.

Arca Swiss 4x5 F-Classic add support to 8x10?

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