Choosing a 4x5 Monorail?

[maxbloom]

Hi guys,

So I've been doing my 4x5 shooting with an old metal-body orbit. It takes pictures and that's about it. Movements and focusing are do-able but slow, clunky, and don't hold their position well. I'm looking to move up.

But all the monorail systems look the same. Definitely a buyer's market right now. I want something smooth, not too too heavy, and with a good market for accessories and used lens boards. I'm not on a huge budget here (i'd like to keep it to $500 or less used, if possible).

Can anyone help me decipher some basic differences between Cambo, Toyo, Sinar, Horseman, and possibly Arca? Backs available for digital LF somewhere down the road would be nice, but not absolutely necessary.

Thanks.

 

[Ian Grant]

That's a very wide choice and there are so many models from each manufacturer.

Your best choice within that $500 limit will almost certainly be Cambo's, and they are very plentiful on Ebay, and sometimes the classifieds here. Try looking on the Large Format website there's some good guidlines in their articles section.

Ian

 

[raucousimages]

Toyo 45D if you dont need to change to bag bellows. I have seen them under $200
Toyo 45G is good and you can change bellows.

 

[loman]

The Best buy for the least money, which will also be light (for a monorail) and be among the best build monorail cameras ever, is the Sinar Norma. Only thing it doesn't do is Axis tilt, but base tilt will get you there as well. You should be able to find one for 500 dollars if you look around a bit (maybe 700 dollars is more realistic).

Cheers
Mads

 

[Pinholemaster]

All these cameras will do you fine.

I use an Arca-Swiss, but I doubt you'll find one for $500.

Ultimately its not the camera that makes the picture, so you need to find the correct gear that matches your creative vision.

 

[edtbjon]

My recommendation is a Sinar F/F1/F2. Later ones cost a bit more, but will of course be newer and less abused. A very extensible system with gadgets and scales which help you to set DoF as well as tilts and swings. There are many around so you don't have to search for long to find one.

//Björn

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I agree with Björn. Best choice right now under $500 is a Sinar F/F1. I don't think you'll find an F2 at that price. Sinar parts are widely available used, and most of the Sinar system has remained interchangeable and backward compatible, so you can expand the system as much as you like. The F-system has a built-in DOF calculator and tilt/swing calculator and scales, which you may use, but don't have to. Many cameras use Sinar-compatible lensboards, and it is easy to rent lenses on Sinar boards in major cities, if you occasionally need an unusual lens.

 

[Ian Grant]

This is where I'd disagree & say watch what's available, I've used Sinar F1's back in the 70's, and some of the much newer Cambo's and Horseman's are vastly superior and sell for similar prices.

LF camera prices are at an all time low on Ebay & here, or the LFPF etc at the moment. A nice but cheap old Cambo's sold here on APUG for for less than the price you'd pay to take your wife for a really good meal in a restaurant. $80 -$90.

Ian

 

[maxbloom]

I'm leaning towards Cambo or Sinar right now. They all just seem like the same damned camera. Does it really matter which one I choose?

 

[edtbjon]

Yes! It matters to us. First, see to that you get a good deal and that the camera is in good order. I still recommend Sinar, but the main thing is that you get yourself a decent camera. It's an experience in itself, regardless of camera brands etc.
An answer along the same route, for a possible next question: No, the brand of the lens doesn't matter at all. Any of Nikon, Schneider, Rodenstock or Fuji is equally good, unless you like splitting hairs.

//Björn

 

[Jim Noel]

I have a Sinar Norma and we issue Cambo's to students at school.
No way is the Norma as light as the Cambo.
Cambo has axis tilts and the Norma has base tilts.
Each can be configured to carry in a back pack when needed.
The Cambo is usually available for far less than a Norma and there are plenty of accessories, lens boards, etc. available for both.

 

[maxbloom]

Alright...cambo it is! There are a few for sale locally for a few hundred. Before you know it I'll get the 8x10 itch!

 

[watanabe`]

I was in the same boat, was hoping to get either a F1/2 or even a P, and then I saw a few photos of the Norma and I was sold.

It arrived last week and its not 'plasticky' at all and it is a beautiful camera to look at, movements all seem solid and I am 100% pleased with my decision. Would highly recommend checking one out before looking at a more "modern" camera first.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Normas are beautifully made and very solid, but the F/F1/F2 have handy calculators to find the swing and tilt angles, as well as a DOF calculator, and the P/P2 have the DOF calculator and asymmetric tilts and swings, which make it very easy to find the optimal tilt and swing angles without iterative tilting and refocusing. Also the F and P series cameras are yaw-free, which is a handy feature mainly for still life.

 

[Shmoo]

I started with the F2 and won't part with it...solid, easy to use and modular...well worth the $$$

 

[kirkfry]

I got a nice usable Linhoff 45S for $180 with one real lens board. The boards alone sometimes sell for more than that. 18 in max rail. K