backpack for 4x5" monorail - does it exist?

[medform-norm]

does anyone use a backpack for toting around a 4x5" monorail camera? We have succesfully resurrected a Graphic View II to working order, but are a little tired of lugging it around in an old Adidas Sports bag... Also, my Pecoflex needs a carrying case if I ever want to get around taking outdoor shots with it on a regular basis.
We looked at the f64 website, but their large backpacks seem only suitable for rail-less field cameras. We looked at fisherman's sitting boxes, but these seem a little clumsy and bulky.

Anyone here with hands on experience with monorail mobility/portability? My back is bad enough as it is and the other half of us has a bad hip and lousy feet, so we do care about ergonomics.

Thanks for any suggestions.
Cheers, medform-norm

 

[Ole]

All depends on the monorail, I guess...

I carry my Linhof Color in a Lowepro S&F Rover Lite!

 

[David H. Bebbington]

Monorails can be very bulky. A major advantage is have a type where the standards will swing through 90° so that they are in line with the rail - this makes a package as long as the rail, as tall as the standard but only 50 mm deep. The camera can remain fully assembled (including lens and back) except for the bellows and got ready to work very quickly.

Of course the ultimate answer to your question is the amazing TOHO camera!

Regards,

David

 

[Ole]

The camera can remain fully assembled (including lens and back) except for the bellows and got ready to work very quickly.

Mine is fully assembled, including bellows. The only thing is I usually leave the tripod block attached to the tripod. It's set up and ready to shoot in less than a minute: Plant tripod, open bag, extract camera, slide front forward a little, clamp to tripod block. Aim, focus and shoot.

 

[Digidurst]

Anyone here with hands on experience with monorail mobility/portability? My back is bad enough as it is and the other half of us has a bad hip and lousy feet, so we do care about ergonomics.

Thanks for any suggestions.
Cheers, medform-norm

Hi I used a Lowepro Photo Trekker AW II with my Horseman LE, packed as described - with the standards parallel to the rail. It worked fine but I have gotten myself a folding 4x5 because I didn't enjoy hauling the Horseman. Not a big deal; I just found it wasn't for me.

So, I don't think it's appropriate to go into the whole sales pitch for my Lowepro pack in this thread (I'll post it along with all the other stuff I need to get rid of later) but if you're interested, please feel free to PM me.

Good luck in your search

 

[medform-norm]

Hi I used a Lowepro Photo Trekker AW II with my Horseman LE, packed as described - with the standards parallel to the rail. It worked fine but I have gotten myself a folding 4x5 because I didn't enjoy hauling the Horseman. Not a big deal; I just found it wasn't for me.

So, I don't think it's appropriate to go into the whole sales pitch for my Lowepro pack in this thread (I'll post it along with all the other stuff I need to get rid of later) but if you're interested, please feel free to PM me.

Good luck in your search

I'll look into all suggestions! Have no idea what models Lowepro are discussed, so will have to check on the net first before I open my mouth a second time.

Problem with the Graphic View is that its bellows do not come loose from the standards. If that would have been possible, I might not have been on this quest. Of course, I should trade in the Graphic View (for instance for that nice Sinar Norma I just saw for only 200 euros), but this Graphic view cost us half of that, and now that we put so much work in it, it seems sad to abandon it...

I'll look into Ole's suggestion first, as he also does not disassemble the bellows.

Thanks for now,
medform-norm

 

[Adrian Twiss]

The Linhof Kardan GT will permit the front and read standard to swing through 90 degrees. It is fairly light. The only drawback for me is that the pan and tilt head is rather heavy (but made for the kardan range so essential as far as I am concerned).

 

[medform-norm]

Of course the ultimate answer to your question is the amazing TOHO camera!

Regards,

David

Amazing TOHO? Please explain!

 

[Struan Gray]

I have a Norma which I take hiking. The standard bellows will (just) stretch to 18/19", so when travelling light I take a six inch rail and a twelve inch. To pack I slide both standards and the rail clamp onto the six inch section, detach the longer rail and decouple the whole thing from the tripod. It drops into a Samsonite carry-on bag with little fuss, camera, extra rail, lens, film, darkcloth and all.

I use the Samsonite bag to wander round towns or to explore a local area away from my main pack or tent, or I can drop the whole bag into my hiking rucksack and head for the hills. Extra lenses, bellows, etc etc go into various padded cases or plastic lunchboxes.

If you are worried about your back I seriously recommend a proper hiking or mountaineering pack. I have yet to see a photography pack I really like for carrying any kind of load, whereas there are a plethora of panel-loading daypacks from outdoor firms that know how to make a harness properly. Padded inserts for your camera and accessories are easy to make or buy.

 

[medform-norm]

Struan, thanks for sharing your Norma experience. We have not bought the Norma, so we'll have to do with the Graphic View instead.

What would be ideal (in terms of working order) - is something like the original Graphic View case but then miraculously converted into a comfi backpack. With the original case, you open the lid and first thing that come out is the camera with bellows attached, mounted on the monorail. After you have (quickly!) set that up on tripod, you can rummage around at ease for the right lens, the light meter, some film, compendium and the (6x9 = bulky) film holders. That can only be when the monorail camera is packed horizontally, i.e. the monorail itself rests on two supports with the camera tucked into the compartment. However, in terms of a backpack, this would mean to have a rather wide backpack instead of a longish one. Or maybe even wide AND long, if you take lots of other stuff.

The Lowepro bags are kinda nice, but a little overpriced for a camera that cost less than a new backpack....we are more looking at things that can be had for a price a little more in proportion to the camera...

We are pretty good in fabricating things ourselves, and the suggestion to make custom-made padding has crossed our minds before. We might have to go for that. I guess I was hoping for some kind of "Ed Romney"-like advice: costs nothing, does everything! Maybe that doesn't exist anymore?

Cheers to y'all,
medform-norm

 

[Troy Ammons]

I packed my Sinar, short rail assembled and one extra lens and a digital camera and accessories into the big Lowepro Bag. Also a few film holders.

Not sure if a full rail camera would fit though. If you want me to measure it email me.

 

[Struan Gray]

The old Norma hard system cases actually have attachment points for shoulder straps so that you can carry they like a rucksack. Inside the lid is a charming drawing of a dapper 50s gent standing on his case to gain some height, then strolling off with it on his back as if it weighed a feather. Ha bloody ha. Someone at Sinar had shares in a Swiss orthopedics clinic.

For cheapie alternatives to photographic storage boxes look at insulated cool boxes and soft-sided cool bags, fishing tackle bags and generic toolboxes from DIY stores. For hand-crafted expense, or ideas and materials to make your own, look for someone who makes cases for musical instruments.

 

[jovo]

I spent a lot of time trying to design a way to get my Omega View monorail into some sort of back pack. I even bought (and they're not easy to find!) an external frame backpack so I could detach the pack and use the frame and straps to carry whatever I might be able to make. No design I could come up with would work very well though. Ultimately, I figured out how to detach the monorail from the rest of the camera, but it still left the standards and bellows rather vulnerable I thought. However, if I had to schlepp the thing a really long way, I think that would be the way to go..i.e. detach the monorail and pack it up on the frame. For now I just carry the camera mounted to the tripod over my shoulder and live by Brett Weston's adage that anything more than 500 feet from the car isn't photogenic anyway.

 

[argus]

Jovo,

why not mount the camera on the external frame of your backpak? It could save you from carying the monorail and maybe a tripod if you could convert the frame!

G

 

[MarcoF]

Amazing TOHO? Please explain!

Here there's a review by Kerry Thalmann:

http://www.thalmann.com/largeformat/toho.htm

Ciao

Marco

 

[jovo]

why not mount the camera on the external frame of your backpak? It could save you from carying the monorail and maybe a tripod if you could convert the frame!

G

Yes, that's certainly a possibility. I just need to protect the camera although I imagine that's not a very difficult thing to do.

 

[User Removed]

The lightest and most compact 4x5 (and 8x10, which I currently use) is a BENDER camera. The 8x10 model weighs less then my 4x5 speed graphic, and I cut the rail down to very small so it can fit into my backpack as well.

Ryan McIntosh

 

[johnnywalker]

I couldn't find anything at a reasonable price for my Toyo D45M rail, or that I thought offered adequate protection, so I built one out of a light wood frame, very thin plywood, and plastic foamboard (like cardboard) in between the veneer layers. I glued foam strips to the inside. The camera hangs upside down by the rail on two vertical pieces of plywood inside. I stole the design from a picture of a commercial view camera hard case I saw somewhere. It works just fine.

My idea was to attach it to the external-framed backpack, and I may still do that. I'm also leaning to the idea of one of those kid's 3-wheeled mountain baby carriages, also not an original idea.

The problem with the case is that the whole weighs more than the sum of the parts. The whole package, camera and accessories, camera case and tripod is a significant load, about 20 kilos. Doesn't sound like much, but it's also a big and awkward pack. Besides that, 20 kilos weighs a lot more than it used to.

 

[davekarp]

I use a Kelty Redwing 2900 Internal Frame backback. It has worked just fine with a Calumet 45NX and a Cambo 45SF, along with lenses and other accessories. The cameras are not disassembled. The shoulder harness and hip support system are great. The pack has side sleeves that are intended for cross country skis, but I use one of them to hold one of the tripod legs, which makes for a nice tripod carrier.

Hope this helps.

 

[medform-norm]

I use a Kelty Redwing 2900 Internal Frame backback. It has worked just fine with a Calumet 45NX and a Cambo 45SF, along with lenses and other accessories. The cameras are not disassembled. The shoulder harness and hip support system are great. The pack has side sleeves that are intended for cross country skis, but I use one of them to hold one of the tripod legs, which makes for a nice tripod carrier.

Hope this helps.

Does the Calumet go in with the rail vertically or horizontally? And how fast can you unload them?

In the meantime I've found this > see image < a modern day version of the old German alpine carrying device called kraxe. I still hesitate to spend that kind of money, but the thing seems practical. Perhaps I can find something like this in an army surplus store? Anyone seen this before?
This model is a little too high for our purpose, but the idea is allright. We could attach a normal carrying case to it, I guess.

 

[Graeme Hird]

I've got a little demonstration on my web site about the back pack I converted for carrying my camera. Go to :

http://www.scenebyhird.com/BackPack/index.html

Cheers,

 

[Frank Petronio]

I dunno why you'd want to bother. Why not just swing the beast (and a Graphic View is a beast) and tripod over your shoulder and throw the meter and film holders into a small day pack? It's as good a way as any for an afternoon of photography. Use an insulated Foam/Plastic beer cooler to store your camera back in car.

If you are so hardcore and dedicated that you want to hike for miles and miles - do yourself a favor - get a lighter, smaller, easier to carry camera. An old Crown Graphic would do just fine.

 

[f64'ed-up]

In the meantime I've found this > see image < a modern day version of the old German alpine carrying device called kraxe. I still hesitate to spend that kind of money, but the thing seems practical. Perhaps I can find something like this in an army surplus store? Anyone seen this before?
This model is a little too high for our purpose, but the idea is allright. We could attach a normal carrying case to it, I guess.

I use to see them many years ago - they're made for carrying any bulky items that wouldn't normally fit into a packsack - like loads of wood or injured climbers. I suppose you could carry a pretty big and expensive pelican case containing your camera with it. Check hunting outlets like Cabelas. I too considered the Kelty Redwing to carry my 22 lbs. of 5X7 camera setup recently. Very organized and lots of room but its major flaw (for me) is that it is made by Kelty (cheap). I ended up with an Osprey Eclipse for my setup after suffering a year with a LowePro Dryzone 200. Another advantage of the Redwing is that it is on sale through the 15th at REI (rei.com) for $70.

 

[brent8927]

I definetely agree with Frank, either swinging the camera and tripod over your shoulder or getting a more hiker/backpack-friendly camera seems to be the best choice (the only affordable ones being field cameras but the Ebony non-folders and Arca Swiss F-Line are fantastic if you can afford them).

However, I'm guessing you want to keep and use the camera you have now since you asked about finding a backpack for one. I'm not a super experienced LF photographer so I don't know too much other than what I researched when looking for my own LF camera. I, like many others, use Lowepro (and only Lowepro; I'm very loyal!) and I tried both the Photo Trekker AW II and the Rover AW Plus for my monorail. I found the Rover worked better but I don't think it can accomodate a large monorail (my monorail cuts in half).

I do think you'll probably have to resort to making something on your own unless you want to pay a lot.

However, one other option is to watch ebay auctions for an Arca-Swiss Discovery camera, since they usually come with the rucksack (which accomodates a full-sized monorail camera just like those typical hard cases) and I am pretty sure the rucksack has straps and can be carried like a backpack. I'm not sure how comfortable it is, especially since the center of gravity is quite a ways away from your back, but I think it might work. My assumption is if you won the auction and then sold the camera you might only lose about $50 or so by holding onto the case. Of course you could buy the case new from B&H but it would cost you about $200.

 

[PCGraflex]

does anyone use a backpack for toting around a 4x5" monorail camera? We have succesfully resurrected a Graphic View II to working order, but are a little tired of lugging it around in an old Adidas Sports bag... Also, my Pecoflex needs a carrying case if I ever want to get around taking outdoor shots with it on a regular basis.
We looked at the f64 website, but their large backpacks seem only suitable for rail-less field cameras. We looked at fisherman's sitting boxes, but these seem a little clumsy and bulky.

Anyone here with hands on experience with monorail mobility/portability? My back is bad enough as it is and the other half of us has a bad hip and lousy feet, so we do care about ergonomics.

Thanks for any suggestions.
Cheers, medform-norm

Norm,

I have a GV-II and have the same problem. I went ahead and got a LowPro Photo Trekker AW and the camera lays on one side in the bag. I have used it a couple of times and it seems to be ok. I don't generally go out for long jaunts, more or less day hikes, but I am able to carry a couple of lenses, assorted filters, and ample amounts of holders. Tripod is bungied to the pack but it is kinda wobbly. I think that is going to be carried in hand or I find another way of attaching it. The reason I went with the Lowpro is that it has amble room for my medium format stuff with room to spare. (Ok, and I got it for a good price off of WePay!) Pack feels good on the shoulders too. And, it think it satisfies carry on restrictions for the airlines.

If you go with something different I would like to hear what you decided on.