How old is my Sinar Norma and other books questions ?

[GeorgesGiralt]

Hi !
I own a Norma.
I was told the manufacture date was under the front standard.
But the only thing I've found is this :
Front standard : M60
Rear Standard : 46M69
How can I devise manufacture date from these figures ?
Next, I've got the manual from http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/norma/norma.html
but it is not so good. So I lurked for the books of Mr Koch.
I found these :
a) The SINAR System Handbook from the seventies
b) The Large Format Handbook of the Sinar System of same vintage,
c) Large Format Photography in Terms of the Sinar System.
d) Basics and Applications (Creative Large Format Photography) which is from the eighties.
Which one should I buy to get the best of this view camera ?
TIA !

 

[Rolleiflexible]

Georges, I shoot a Norma. I don't know
that any of the books will help you to "get
the best" of her. The camera is a model
of simplicity -- one reason it was accessioned
into the design collection of the Museum of
Modern Art. If you understand view camera
movements in general, there is little specific
about the Norma that you need to know, that
isn't obvious from using the camera.

The Norma is a delicious camera. If you need
new bellows, http://www.camerabellows.com/
has patterns on hand for the Norma -- I had
them make me a new 5x7 bellows, and their
work was fast and first-class.

Another site to visit is at

Dead Link Removed

The fellow who runs it also trades in Norma
cameras and Norma parts. If you need a part
for yours, he's worth a try.

Have fun with it.

Sanders McNew

 

[Nokton48]

Georges,

I have multiple Normas, and have been with the system for twenty-five years. If you are new to large format and the world of Sinar, I would recommend PHOTO KNOW-HOW by Carl Koch and Jost J. Marchesi. The book is a series of basic lessons, with projects and self assignments. You mount your results for each lesson into the book, so you have the results for future reference. It's a good practical way to learn the basics (although you will not be able to work on the assignment relating to YAW, the Norma, she has that).

I already knew most everything in the book, but still found it to be beneficial.

-Dan

 

[David Lindquist]

Hi !
I own a Norma.
I was told the manufacture date was under the front standard.
But the only thing I've found is this :
Front standard : M60
Rear Standard : 46M69
How can I devise manufacture date from these figures ?
Next, I've got the manual from http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/norma/norma.html
but it is not so good. So I lurked for the books of Mr Koch.
I found these :
a) The SINAR System Handbook from the seventies
b) The Large Format Handbook of the Sinar System of same vintage,
c) Large Format Photography in Terms of the Sinar System.
d) Basics and Applications (Creative Large Format Photography) which is from the eighties.
Which one should I buy to get the best of this view camera ?
TIA !

I have a 4X5 Sinar Norma that I purchased new in 1966. It has the serial number 3317964. The serial number is on the rail clamp (also called "bench holder with sleeve"). In Googling "Sinar serial numbers" just now I came across an assertion from 2003 that the number on the base clamp is not the serial number of the camera but only of the base clamp. This was given as second hand information from someone who had worked for Sinar Bron. Given the number of years here, this source's institutional memory may not be anywhere nearly as old as my Sinar and may apply only to more recent practice. In any case I have some warranty documents for this camera giving 3317964 as the serial number. The base clamp does seem like a singularly unsuitable place for the serial number-it's printed on a thin metal band that goes around the circumference of the base of the rail clamp and is attached by two screws. On a camera as modular as the Sinar Norma, I can see it would be difficult to decide which component to put the s/n on. But the rail clamp it seems to me would be one part that would be more apt to stray from the camera. For example one might get a second rail clamp to have two points of support when using an extra long rail for extra long extensions and then leave the "new" clamp on when shortening up the set up with the "original" clamp ending up in a drawer. It seems to me the front standard would have been the best choice, arguably it would be the component least likely to be changed out

David

 

[GeorgesGiralt]

David,
My rail clamp has provision for a serial number, but, as you may guess, the number was not stamped where it should go ... The aluminium band is painted balck and no markings.
I've asked a French professional photographer who own a lot of Norma's, he told me he has rail clamp with and without numbers.
Go figure !