I've backpacked many thousands of miles with Sinar cameras, under all kind of conditions, including mountaineering and canyoneering use - real torture test applications, as well as for studio and architectural usage. With an 18-inch rail (I like long lenses), my 4x5 system is just one pound heavier in the Norma system versus the F2 version, but it's a lot more solid. The later F cameras have smoother locks and gearing. Forget the old F+; it used an inferior intermediate standard as the front standard. P's and X's are beautiful machines, but unduly bulky for field work; and all that extra weight equates to the need for an equivalently stronger and heavier tripod support. So overall, the original Norma is my favorite Sinar series of them all. The lack of yaw-free controls is insignificant. It is a helpful feature if you are routinely doing tabletop photography in the studio, where intersecting planes are predictable, but generally of little relevance in the field. Monorails like this are extremely versatile in terms of the range of lenses they can accommodate, and quicker to set up than folding cameras. I do also use folders for sake of maximum portability, like airline travel or now for long-distance backpacking. But the Norma is way more convenient in actual use, and undoubtedly more durable too. It's also modular in terms of switching out components and potentially being multi-format. The sheer quality is also apparent; you just don't see that level of machining anymore; it would be prohibitively expensive nowadays. It's all the real deal - no CNC anodized aluminum. Everything can be user fine-tuned. Highly recommended.
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