Newbie 4x6 and Sinar Questions

[Paul Sop]

Hi,

I've been wanting to build a 4x5 system for a while (some of you may have received emails from me if you've posted in the Classifieds). Well, today I got lucky and for free now have:

Sinar P1 (has a lens shade bellows bit too) with the following lenses:

Schneider - Symmar-S 240/5.6
Nikkor - SW - 90mm/4.5
Nikor - W - 150/5.6
(a few more lenses are comming)

And a crazy tripod made from aircraft aluminum.

The camera was in my friends basement, and it was covered in dust. I cleaned the dust, and it looks near new. All movements are smooth, however some screws have some rust. Also, some bellows have tiny holes from use.

So I have some questions, and they are newbie, so be warned:

1) Anyone point me to a good book to start with this camera?
2) What's a good way to meter on this? I hear Sinar metering backs. Are they useful? What's an inexpensive way?
3) What accessories do I need:
3a) What are popular types of film?
3b) Where would be good to get this film (perhaps a few types to start)
3c) I imagine the film needs to be loaded in some type of container. What types are there, and where would I get them?
4) If I shoot color, is the film I get back positive or negative? (just curious - Is it going to be like slide film?)
5) The bellows need a little repair. What's a classy way to repair them? (small holes in the corners).
6) What's a good lubricant to use on the movements in case some dust got in?
7) Anything I should watch out for from a maintenance perspective?
8) Some of the lenses have dust on them. Any special chemical, or can I use my 35mm canon liquid to clean them?
9) The ground glass seems a little worn. I'd like some new ground glass. Do I just call Sinar, or are there options, or ones on the used market?
10) What's a good, new, scanner you'd recommend?
11) Is there a lens that I don't have that would be a good lens for portraits?

My goal for this winter and the spring is to:
a) Fix the camera up so it's in perfect working order.
b) Clean the lenses
c) Get a bunch of film, of different types -- enough to experiment with
d) Get good metering and focusing with the camera.
e) Take a lot of photos to build some technique
f) Scan them (I am thinking of a particular canon scanner)
g) Do some BW enlargements (that I can do) and have the lab do some Color enlargements.

I'll collect all your answers and advice on my website www.paulsop.com (I'll start an new section) for my new journy -- finally, into 4x5 photography.

Cheers and thanks!

Paul Sop

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I'll say you got lucky!

Start by reading the articles at lfphoto.info and get Steve Simmons' book _Using the View Camera_, and you'll find most of the beginner's questions answered.

One specific issue--you can get a bellows patch kit from Bostick and Sullivan, or just buy another bellows for around $125 on eBay, and use the bellows you have as a compendium lens shade with the Sinar bellows clips and rod designed for the purpose, since pinholes won't matter in that application.

There are quite a few APUG types in Canada, a few in Toronto, so there's probably someone who might be able to get you started. Come to the APUG conference in Toronto in May, and take some workshops!

 

[forksphoto]

Ground Glass - get a new one from APUG Member Satin Snow! http://www.satinsnowglass.com/
I have not ordered mine yet, but they are inexpensive and plenty bright. You may want to put your order in soon because I hear it takes a little time to get the order filled.

Best of luck
Joe

 

[dphphoto]

Hi: congratulations on your acquisition. What a find!
On your questions:
2.) I used a sinar metering back on an 8X10 P2 at a company I worked for. Expensive, and as far as I'm concerned worthless. A good hand held meter is much less expensive and much more useful.
3.) Decent darkcloths are cheap. Film holders aren't (3c), especially as you need several, but you have to get them. I prefer the modern Liscos. JandC photography has a great selection of b&w film at reasonable prices.
4.) Color film can be either positive or negative. Check out Calumet and B&Hphoto web sites: calumetphoto.com and bhphotovideo.com.
5.) A simple way to repair bellows is to tape them on the inside with photography tape. Or, better yet, find used bellows on eBay.
8.) Clean lenses carefully, but whatever you used on your 35mm lenses should work on your large format ones. Kinetronics lens cleaner and Kodak lens tissues are a good combination.
10.) Epson makes decent cheap scanners. Look for used ones on eBay.
11.) Your 240mm will make a very nice portrait lens.
Wish you'd describe that tripod better. On eBay, Amvona (I think that's how they spell it) sells good pods cheap.

Welcome to large format. Dean

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

On a Sinar, you'll want a glass with the Sinar markings, which make it easier to use the asymmetric tilts and swings. You could get a Satinsnow glass, but be sure to transfer the dotted lines to the new glass.

 

[Paul Sop]

I found out it's a Gitzo. It's big, but light, and has a floating head.

I cleaned one of the Nikkor lenses last night and it cleaned up like new, so that also makes me happy.

Now looking for film holders, and a light meter.

Cheers

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Gitzo tripods are among the best.

 

[Dan's45]

hiya paul,
congrats on an excellent find!! i own a F1 and find it very fun to use. if you haven't already, my best advice to you would be get some filters (uv at least)
to protect your lenses!!! another thing, make sure you have lens caps as well-they are pretty easy to find..if all else fails get em from sk grimes, they make some nice ones i hear. a ground glass protector(and an extra gound glass wouldn't hurt), cable release, a bag would be nice-either hardshell or soft, (optional...bag for your lenses, like to keep mine separate-so they wont be harmed by the camera and wont harm the camera in return). if you can find this, it might help you, sinar used to publish a book for the sinar system-book is by carl koch, who was the president and maker of these fine cameras. film is film, depends on what your prefernce is. go to bh photo or calumet, or even freestyle for film selections. as far as lenses are concern, what you have now is fine, don't get too caguht in the "i need this or i need that" syndrome, just get what you need as you need it. the idea is to have fun and try going you and just shoot something with your new 'toy'. hope this helps! happy shooting you lucky bugger!!!

 

[NikoSperi]

Hey and welcome to the old Sinar Recovery Club.
I haven't read through that looooong list of questions too carefully, but don't need to to recommend, nay, heartily advise, you to get Leslie Strobel's View Camera Technique.

I also saw you mention "several films"... ah, may I suggest using just one? Ilford's are cheap and easy to get good results with, and have the benefit of coming from the ONE company that is by nature, supporting our film-based passion.

 

[dphphoto]

I've had a Gitzo for almost 25 years now. It's a bit nicked up, but works like it did the day I bought it. Dean

 

[Paul Sop]

I do have a cable release, and lens caps. I think the ground glass is in good shape. I hear about these z_something focusing somethings. I want to make sure I can focus well, and I've read that sometimes the cameras can be misaligned, and this "z_something focusing something" (I don't remember what it is called exactly) helps you align accurately. What's that thing called?

I'm definately not in the 'need this lens' vs 'need that lens'. I'm actually more boggled by trying to understand how to do proper exposure. I've always used the in-camera meter of a 35mm Eos. I'm going to get my friend to help me out. Lord knows what else is in his basement

 

[Paul Sop]

Ilford. Check.