Non-Folding View Camera: Backpack recommendation Please...

[Luckless]

All cameras are a compromise of design choices. For some the reduced portability over reduced options of movements is the better compromise.

With the right packaging the compromise isn't even all that bad really.

 

[Luis-F-S]

What amazes me is you made this comment.

Really, why? A non-folder IMHO may be fine for studio use, but NOT for field use. How many non-folders did Deardorff, or Wisner, or any of the classic American field camera manufacturers make? I wonder why.

 

[mark]

You were bagging on his camera choice. It was rude. Are you aware of the SH 6x17 measurements? 200 x 260 x 140mm. That's t thinner than my 5x7 2d closed and only a little wider than my prinzdorff 4x5 closed up. That's plenty portable and ready to shoot right out of the case. No setting up. Ebony did well with their non folding field cameras. Beautiful machines that, if I could have ever afforded one I would have been proud to own.

 

[Luis-F-S]

Are you aware of the SH 6x17 measurements? 200 x 260 x 140mm. That's t thinner than my 5x7 2d closed and only a little wider than my prinzdorff 4x5 closed up. .....Ebony did well with their non folding field cameras.

Wonderful! So you are suggesting that I have to agree with someone's camera of choice to keep from being rude? You can if you want to, I choose not to! So other than Ebony and Shen-Hao, and maybe one or two others, who else makes non-folding field cameras? Wonder why?

 

[locutus]

Thank you for the reply!!!

If possible, I'd be very interested if you could post how you arranged the internal padding, etc...to accommodate your camera and lenses....?

Of course!

https://imgur.com/a/5JFgf

 

[DREW WILEY]

Ever hear of Sinar F? I backpacked with one of those for decades. Field monorails were available from several other manufacturers too, and highly prized by outdoor users. They're more precise and faster to set up than folders. But I own a couple of folders too, for when minimum packed size is a priority. Many outdoor photographers used technical cameras like the Linhof Technika, which folds up, but is just as heavy as most monorails, but with less extension. There are all kinds of flavor of ice cream.

 

[cayenne]

Of course!

https://imgur.com/a/5JFgf

Thank you!!

I ended up going with the Lowepro LP37177 ProTactic BP 450 AW II....and I packed it up in similar fashion to what you have in your picture.
I only have the one 90mm lens at this time, and hope to add a 150mm Nikkor soon.

All fits well in now...but, I did just get a dark cloth in and will have to squeeze that in there too.....I shot a roll. (4x shots) this past weekend over at City Park in NOLA.....and found that I really DO need a cover, as that difficult to see the ground glass properly.
I"d forgotten to bring a tshirt to try too...hahaha.
And with my bad eyes....I'll definitely need to use that loupe I bought at B&H too.

Anyway, I dropped the film off to get developed Monday and plan to maybe go pick it up today.

The camera is a bit smaller than I had thought from pictures and video....and even though it does't fold....it actually does retract back to a pretty compact form, and the measurements on the backpack I got seem to line up quite well with the dimensions of the camera, so at this point should be good to go.

Thank you EVERYONE for the help and advice....what a great forum!!

cayenne

 

[Roger Thoms]

I would not use a non-folding camera for field use. That’s why they make folders. Just my 2 cents worth.

Here’s a review of a non-folder, might shed some light on why someone might choose one.

https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?135458-Chamonix-Hs-1-Review

Roger

 

[Luis-F-S]

Don't really care; I would not use one. People do things I wouldn't do all the time. I have 6 folding Deardorffs; don't need another camera and certainly not a non-folder. L

 

[reddesert]

Luis, fully a quarter of the posts in this thread are from you. You've made your point, and now it's time to drop it and not distract from a relatively new poster's request.

 

[Roger Thoms]

Don't really care; I would not use one. People do things I wouldn't do all the time. I have 6 folding Deardorffs; don't need another camera and certainly not a non-folder. L

Luis I was never suggesting that you should use a non folder. Just thought that was a good write up and explained pretty clearly why he chose a non folder.

Roger

 

[Luis-F-S]

Sorry if I mis-understood you. I respect Austin Granger's opinion and can see why he chose what he did. But, since reddesert wants me to STF up, I think I will.

 

[Roger Thoms]

Sorry if I mis-understood you. I respect Austin Granger's opinion and can see why he chose what he did. But, since reddesert wants me to STF up, I think I will.

No Worries, it’s all good.

Roger