Devere Monorails

[and36y]

Does anyone use a Devere 8x10 Monorail, does such a beast exist? if so what are you experiences/problems with it?

regards

Andy

 

[David H. Bebbington]

They definitely exist, I last used one in the period 1970 - 1972 when I was working for the V&A Museum in London. I now have a De Vere 4x5" Universal Camera, hexagonal rail and all. I believe the 8x10" was made chiefly as the later "Devon" model with a square rail (apart from some early copy cameras which were thinly disguised enlargers). They are good solid cameras, on the heavy side, lens panels almost impossible to obtain but not too bad to make (2 mm thick, 140 x 140 mm, totally flat with no light-trapping). Probably worth buying in the present market only if in excellent order and cheap!

 

[Taurabon]

It looks like the conversation here is over, but I'll leave this image here for future explorers who will search for "De Vere Devon" like I am right now.
Its features are "heavy," "stiff bellows," and "difficulty in purchasing special parts."
The rails can be used with CAMBO SC.

 

[Kino]

... lens panels almost impossible to obtain but not too bad to make (2 mm thick, 140 x 140 mm, totally flat with no light-trapping).

Sounds like a Sinar/Horseman lens board would fit right into this lens standard.

Just an observation...

 

[Taurabon]

I have tried it, but the SINAR board was about 1/32" thicker than the standard and I couldn't use it. I think it will be fine if I use a trimmer to thin out the locking parts on the left and right sides of the board surface, but I haven't done that yet.