Latest addition.

[glbeas]

I just won a bid on a Cambo 45NX view camera:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2982344203&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOAB:US:6
and I'm in the process of trying to get a Rodenstock Sironar-N 210 lens for it. Anybody use one? Is it as nice as it looks to be? I like the fact that everything is scaled so I can use my Sheimpflug calculator without having to monkey with a protractor. It's replacing a Calumet Cadet 4x5. I also appreciate the fact the bellows interchange and recessed lensboards are easy to find, something the Cadet sorely lacks.

 

[fhovie]

I use that lens 210 Sironar N- If I only had 2 lenses that would be the first and then the 75mm Grandegon would be second - congratulations

 

[Donald Miller]

Congratulations Gary...I'll look forward to seeing images. Good luck

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Nice deal. The Sironar-N should be a great lens. If you're planning to do still life or macro, you'll probably want more bellows and a longer rail eventually, but it's a nice setup at an outstanding price.

 

[glbeas]

Well the Sironar got away, bigger fish were biting. I see quite a few Symmars for sale a very few Sironars. How does the Symmar S stack up against the Sironars? Should I hold out till I find a good Sironar or will a Symmar S lens perform just as well?

 

[Eric Rose]

That's essentially the same monorail I have. Love it. A bit to cumbersome for field work when backpacking, but I will take it out if I'm not straying to far from the car. Favorite lenses are in this order:

1. 150
2. 90
3. 210
4. 300
5. 65

 

[glbeas]

I managed to get a 210 Symmar-S 5.6 lined up for $285. From what I can tell from reading about the lens series it should be a great lens and the pictures of it online show it to be in used but prime condition.

EricR I'll have about the same mix of lenses you have except my 300 is an older Symmar in one of those quirky electronic shutters and it converts to a 500.

 

[Eric Rose]

Congrats! I am happy with my selection. Some are not what the purists would call the best glass out there, but they are good enough for me.

Once I got back into LF I went onto a bit of a landscape rampage, but I think now I'm going to get back to the stuff I usual shoot. But now with LF gear instead of MF and 35 gear when possible.

One exception tho I will be taking the Don Kirby - Oregon shoreline workshop in Sept. I'm really pumped about that one! You should check out his website www.donkirbyphotography.com He has some nice stuff.

I thought he and Aggie where going to come to blows during the darkroom portion of the Barnbaum workshop LOL.

 

[Aggie]

..

 

[fingel]

I have a 210 Symmar-S MC and it's a great lens. The filter thread is bigger than the Sironar N (72mm vs. 67mm) that may or may not be a drawback for you. I don't think you could go wrong with either lens.

 

[glbeas]

Thanks for all the feedback, now I know I'm not barking up the wrong tree. Not lets see if I can learn to make some pictures.

 

[glbeas]

My new camera just got here! Boy Howdy that thing is nice. Got the bag bellows with it too.
There was a moment of extreme confusion when I unpacked the standards and found what looked like two front standards with lensboards mounted in them. Figured out after examining everything that the standards are interchangeable and the gg back, bellows and lensboards have identical mounting dimensions. Now I go to play and make more "winter frustration compositions" downstairs on my little tabletop.

 

[bmac]

More tools!

 

[glbeas]

More tools!

Nah! Found a piece of junk. I set up a circuit board on the tabletop and aimed the camera down at a 45 degree angle. Then I got my Sheimpflug calculator out and tried it out for real. As you can see the focal plane landed right on the surface of the circuit board. I was amazed at how easy it was to do, even though thinking about it still is a bit confusing.

I was using a moderately open aperture of f/11 so that wasn't depth of field that got that.
Now I'm going to shoot some tools ;-)

 

[glbeas]

It looks like I'm going to have to get a new case for this thing. It's too big for the Cadet case. As it disassembles pretty fast I'm sure theres more than one option for transporting it, though for field use I'd rather not take it apart but carry it upside down like the Cadet case does.
What has experience taught you folks with these little beasties about going visiting with them?