Large format cameras on "rails"

[Mahler_one]

Great information, and a sincere thanks for taking the time to respond in depth David.

Ed

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

Thanks Chris. I thought the same thing. Back in the early 90's when I assisted in commercial studios, LF Polaroids and LF chrome film flowed like water. I stopped shooting commercially years ago, but my Sinar F still serves me well for occasional personal work. I can't shoot LF chromes anymore because there's no labs that process in the Sacramento area anymore

There are no pro E-6 labs in all of Indiana, that I know of! I send my film to New Mexico for developing.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I started sending film to A&I in LA a few years back. They stopped E6 processing too.

 

[Imagemaker]

I have used my CC-400 series in the field too, albeit not to far from the car, mostly inside a 1-mile. I just bought a Toyo 45A (that should arrive next week, yea). I don't know if my range from the car will change much but the new camera will fit in the wife's Miata, the old one won't.

Mono-rail cameras do have certain advantages with regard to movements, setup, and rigidity. even their cases are handy. In my Eurovan the CC-400 case provides a nice catch all for all the "necessary" bits we all seem to drag around; filters, film holders, dark bag, ...

Typically as I get out of the car the camera gets locked onto the tripod head ready to use and carried from there as a unit so weight isn't really a difference. In this mode physical size isn't much different either.

Hey Mark, it's John, you will be able to go far with the 45A. I haven't been on here in a while. Thought i would cruise through the forum and spotted your response and mention of your 45A. Talk to you soon.

 

[PHinSD]

Other candidates

You may wish to consider a Linhof Technikardan 45 or 23 or the Color Kardan. The 23 is particularly interesting if you're thinking of going digital. Both the Technikardan and the Color K compress to very compact packages. They are relatively inexpensive on the used market compared to Sinars and a lot more rugged. Happy shooting and don't forget a tripod with a geared head siting atop a Bogen leveling head.

 

[PHinSD]

E-6 processing is easy and you don't even need a darkroom, a large changing bag and a daylight tank will do. The second half of the process is done in room light. Buy the E-6 kit and try it, you might like it.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I used to process E6 in a university photo lab 25 years ago. If I remember correctly, the Kodak kit at over 6 chemicals to mix and bottle. I think I would process my own only if I had the volume of E6 film
. I also remember loading those old Wing Lynch machines too. Ah the good old days!