Backpack a Monorail?

[photobackpacker]

I have had so many inquiries from people who want to be able to backpack their 4X5 Monorail cameras and have tried a number of ways to handle these requests.

Recently, a customer sent me pictures of his monorail in one of my backpacks and it triggered an idea. I am in the process of refining this idea and have 3 prototypes in the field with excellent feedback.

If you are a monorail shooter, you can help me shorten the development time for bringing this product into production. Before I commit this idea to hard tooling, I need to gather some data to be certain I build in the flexibility for a broad range of equipment.

With the front and rear elements together with the bellows collapsed - what I need is:

Camera Make:
Model:
and Dimensions called for in the attached picture:
A
B
C
D

Thanks a bunch!!

Bruce

 

[Sal Santamaura]

Don't you want to know how long the rail is?

 

[Shmoo]

some of us with Sinars fold them. here's an example:

Dead Link Removed

 

[Trond]

My Sinar Norma:
A: 19 cm (at its longest)
B: 22 cm
C: 34 cm (with quick release plate)
D: 21 cm

 

[konakoa]

Horseman LE

A: 5 5/8, 14cm
B: 9 5/8, 24cm
C: 12 7/8, 30cm
D: 6 1/2, 16cm

 

[photobackpacker]

Don't you want to know how long the rail is?

No, surprisingly as long as it is no longer the 24 inches, this system will handle it.

 

[photobackpacker]

some of us with Sinars fold them. here's an example:

Dead Link Removed

Thanks, Shmoo. I have made enclosures for this configuration. My new system requres no disassembly, no folding and is a quick deploy system. It also preserves the greatest amount of space in the backpack for lenses, gear and single malt scotch.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Seriously?

This would be a real treat for me. I've been wondering how the heck to carry my Graphic View II to location and I want something to protect it, too, when traveling. Not the most expensive of cameras by any means, but it's my first large format and special because of it. I'll measure as best I can tomorrow.

 

[winger]

Mine's a Cambo/Calumet and I'm not exactly sure which model. But here are the measurements:
a - 6 1/2" (16.5cm)
b - 10" (25.4cm)
c - 15" (38.2cm)
d - 8" (20.4cm)
The knobs and posts take up more space than the standards. It's also 7 1/2" between the standards and the bottom of the knobs under the monorail.

 

[jsouther]

Cool!

Model: Toyo/Omega View 45E

A: 6-1/2"

B: 11-1/4"

C: 14-1/4" (w/level at top)

D: 7-1/2" (w/level at top)

Rail length : 18-3/4 (snug)

Thanks for considering making such a product. Its something I've been wishing for...

 

[bdial]

Make: Graflex
Model: Graphic View II
A: 150 mm
B: 200 mm
C: 340 mm
D: 230 mm

The rail clamp/tripod adaptor on this camera is pretty large, but easily removed which would shorten the C dimension by 50 mm

An easy way to carry this camera in the field would be lovely.

 

[Robert Budding]

I use a photobackpacker system for my field camera. Absolutely superb system!

 

[2F/2F]

I pack my camera like Schmoo does, and keep the lens on.

But here are my measurements anyhow. I have measured them with the camera set up as an F1 with the DB shutter, metering back, and standard rail clamp. I have also measured without the shutter, to give you numbers for cameras without DB shutters.

A: 5-1/4 in. with DB shutter and no lens, 8 in. including swing/lateral shift locking levers in locked position. Recesses need to be designed to accommodate these levers. Subtract 3/4 in. from these if no DB shutter.

B: With metering back in horizontal position, and no DB shutter, 7-1/2 in. front or rear. With shutter, *front* is 8-3/4 in. With metering back in vertical position, *rear* is 8-1/2 in.

C: Rear: 15-3/4 in. with metering back in horizontal position. 14-1/4 with back vertical. Front: 14 in. without DB shutter, 14-3/4 in. with shutter. Measurements were taken with standards set in the middle detent of the vertical shift range, and with the rail clamp tucked into the resulting gap. (If standards are lowered, rail clamp will not tuck in.)

D: Rear: 8-1/4 in. with metering back in horizontal position. 7-1/4 in. with metering back in vertical position. Front: 8 in. with DB shutter, 7-1/4 in. without

All of this being said, there are more times when I want to backpack my monorail camera for location shooting than there are when I want to pack it for hiking and camping. On these occasions, the camera would be set up as a model C or model P, which are a bit larger and quite heavier. I can backpack my F1 as it is in a standard backpack that is available now, but I cannot do so with my C or P in any currently available pack, as these models cannot fold down like an F. Therefore, I would be interested in this product if you made a "location shooting" pack for Sinar P, but probably would not buy one for my F, as I am fine with what I have now. For hiking, however, I am sure some folks would want the F pack.

 

[Adrian Twiss]

Backpack a monorail

Bruce

If you can design an enclosure that means I don't have to remove the standards it would make my life a lot easier. As requested here is the infomration you requested

Make: Linhof
Model: Kardan GT

Dimensions: -

A 15.5cm
B 24.7cm
C 31.5cm
D 21.3cm

These measurements have been taken without any lenses attached.

I look forward to hearing more about this product when it becomes available.

Adrian Twiss

 

[Soeren]

My Sinar Norma:
A: 19 cm (at its longest)
B: 22 cm
C: 34 cm (with quick release plate)
D: 21 cm

Is that a 4X5"?
Kind regards

 

[Early Riser]

Another way is to make your camera smaller. I had SK Grimes chop down my Sinar F2. They shortened the vertical rails, shortened the 6" rail and I had Camera Bellows in the UK make me a bellows that would work with a 65mm to a 480mm ( or 720 tele nikkor) and could stay on the camera while packed. The camera now can lay flat in almost any backpack or case. All I need do is pop it on the tripod head, on which I always keep the rail clamp, which acts like a quick release, and then add a rail extension.

 

[jeroldharter]

Another way is to make your camera smaller. I had SK Grimes chop down my Sinar F2. They shortened the vertical rails, shortened the 6" rail and I had Camera Bellows in the UK make me a bellows that would work with a 65mm to a 480mm ( or 720 tele nikkor) and could stay on the camera while packed. The camera now can lay flat in almost any backpack or case. All I need do is pop it on the tripod head, on which I always keep the rail clamp, which acts like a quick release, and then add a rail extension.

That looks great. By chop down, do you mean that they segmented the monorail into shorter, interconnecting pieces? If so, how does it work and about how much did it cost? How heavy is all that? Thanks.

 

[CGross]

Attached is a picture of my Sinar F in one of Bruce's prototype cases. The camera and case are in a new Kelty P2 pack and I have 3 lenses on sinar boards in the lens case a long with tons of other stuff.

First I must say that this is simply amazing. It carries the camera fully assembled, minus the lens. In seconds I can set the camera on a tripod and in seconds it can be packed up. For the last 3 years, I have fiddled with carrying this camera in the field. I tried Sinar's recommendation about folding the camera up. I didn't like this idea very well. I made up padded bags to carry the standards, rail, etc, but that meant I had to assemble/dissassemble the camera every time I used it, and there were several other iterations of things I tried.

To help further reduce space I finally found a low profile rail clamp and attached to it is a quick release adapter. The original rail clamp is large and somewhat cumbersome for me. and is an extra thing I had to stow. Now, the camera can come out of the bag and go onto a tripod with no assembly.(except adding a lens!!!)

I can't say enough about the concept. It flat works, and works well. The camera is very well protected and secured while on my back.

 

[Trond]

Is that a 4X5"?
Kind regards

Yes.

 

[photobackpacker]

I am glad I asked the question but somewhat disappointed. I had no idea that the range of sizes was sooooo large from one camera to another. This shouldn't have surprised me - the monorail was designed with studio use in mind - not backpacking.

I am working on a way to communicate the limits wherein my approach will work.

File this and my initial enthusiasm under the category: "The devil is in the details!"

Thanks for your help, APUG!


Bruce