Plaubel questions

iulian · Apr 9, 2015

Hi everyone!

I guess this is a question addressed mainly to the European members of the forum since Plaubel is not so well known elsewhere but here goes:

I want (can't really say need) an 8x10 camera that would have lots of movements and that would be very sturdy while remaining affordable. My best options would seem to be european monorails since I live in the EU. That means either Sinar or Plaubel, as far as I know. Sinar P's are rather rare and I also run the risk of a partial conversion from a 4x5 (I think there is one on the auction site that fits this case) and they are also expensive.

Plaubels on the other hand seem cheaper. I need to know which ones take standard 8x10 film holders and if the marking "18x24" on the rear standard impedes using 8x10 film in any way. I now holders have the same outside dimensions but I felt the need to double-check (maybe the frame is smaller than 8x10 and it would cover part of the film or something).

I have seen that all are called Plaubel Peco something, with that something being Junior, Universal, profia, etc. Which one should I look for and how much do you think one would be worth (without lenses or accesories).

Thanks!

John Koehrer · Apr 9, 2015

Cambo cameras are from the Netherlands, that will widen the options for you.
I don't know about 18x24=8x10, but the 8x10 holders are universal unless you get some really old ones.

Oren Grad · Apr 9, 2015

iulian said:
My best options would seem to be european monorails since I live in the EU. That means either Sinar or Plaubel, as far as I know.

Or Cambo, Linhof, ARCA-SWISS, Fatif...

Huub · Apr 9, 2015

How about a nice Linhof Kardan or an Arca Swiss? Or a Cambo? There is so much more available then Sinar and Plaubel. Not that these are not good camera's, but it doesn't make much sense to me to limit your search to just these two supliers. You might even run into a Toyo or less well known maker that made excelent camera's never the less.

When it comes to interchangability of film holders: i can't help you there, but it seems to me that all these makers built camera's that accept both seizes without any issues.

And when it comes to prices: the condition of the camera and the accesores that come with it will determine the price to a large extend. And of course you might run into a nice bargain. There is an excelent wiki page on Plaubel that will goive you plenty of info on what to look for: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaubel

TheMissingLink · Apr 10, 2015

Plaubel Peco oder Provia are not so bad, rather stable but/and looking a bit old fashioned. They look a bit shaky but they aren't. You'd get much camera for less money.

9x12, 13x18 and 18x24 "cm" are the European equivalent for 4x5, 5x7 and 8x10. The European measurements have slightly smaller space but I don't like the propoertion as much as the inch sized ones.
The cm-filmholders are much cheaper than the inch-ed ones.

You are able to use both sizes on these cameras, inch and cm as I do. It's simply your choice. I had a 18x24/8x10 it worked with 8x10 holders and 18x24.
Just collecting "some" as a solid alternative for workshops.

The mentioned above is also valid for the older (and newer) Cambo. I have one in 5x7/13x18 I use for wet plate.

hth

Horst

iulian · Apr 10, 2015

Thanks for the replies guys.
Cambo sounds OK. Linhof and Arca Swiss in 8x10 would be way too expensive for me. Sinar is expensie as well unless I go for a F or C. Plaubel looks like it would fit the bill regarding price/performance and the old-fashioned look wouldn't bother me (actually it would be a plus). Also, if I decide to give it a different custom finish I don't risk loosing thousands of euros in market value

I know the holders are the same size for most modern cameras. My question was which Plaubels use modern holders and if a back made for 18x24 would cover the "film-gate" of an 8x10 holder and give me shadows on the edge of the film or something like that.

Also, availaility of accesories is a plus, which wouldn't really be true for exotics. It's no help if I find an exotic 8x10 for the same price and then I buy lensboards from Japan or the US at 200$ a pop, is it?

TheMissingLink · Apr 10, 2015

Sorry, not to have expressed it exactly:

You can use 8x10 holders and film without any loss of quality or image circle.

horst

iulian · Apr 13, 2015

Thanks!
I'll wait for a Universal III I guess. Or a Profia if it comes cheap.

iulian · Apr 15, 2015

Sorry to bug you guys again but I have another question. Are the rails modular like on Sinar where it's easy to couple as many as you want end to end?
My "new" lens just arrived and I realized I'll need around 70cm for 1:1. It's a Docter Tessar 360/6.7 by the way

TheMissingLink · Apr 15, 2015

Sure there are extensions out. Still new at plaubel and also used. afair there are different sizes between 15cm and 70cm, made in steps of 5 or 10cm.

Assuming you're somewhere in Europe watch about the rpices of these parts, either be patient or look for private offers. The professional dealers of used gear take the public pricelist of plaubel as a guideline. And plaubel itself is simply too pricey.

horst

iulian · Apr 15, 2015

TheMissingLink said:
Sure there are extensions out. Still new at plaubel and also used. afair there are different sizes between 15cm and 70cm, made in steps of 5 or 10cm.

Assuming you're somewhere in Europe watch about the rpices of these parts, either be patient or look for private offers. The professional dealers of used gear take the public pricelist of plaubel as a guideline. And plaubel itself is simply too pricey.

horst

I'm in Romania so I guess that counts as being in Europe. At least in the no VAT and no customs charges it does...
I am buying most of my stuff from the german branch of the auction site whose name will not be mentioned.
So are the extensions a different item from the standard camera rails or could I couple for instance the rail of an 8x10 with the rail of a 4x5 or two 8x10 rails together or something like that?

gordrob · Apr 15, 2015

I have the Plaubel Peco Profia from the mid 70s. The round guide tubes are interchangeable for the 4x5, 5x7 and 8x10 cameras. They came in a 300mm one piece length, a 550mm one piece length, and a 550mm two piece length. Maximum bellows extension for all cameras was 560mm and 1000mm with an extension guide rail. Going past the normal bellows extension of 560mm you would need the extension guide rail, an extension bellows and the auxiliary stand to couple and support the bellows. The short 300mm guide rail facilitates the use of bag bellows and wide angle lenses.

Gord

Fritzenpapa · Apr 17, 2015

Hi Julian,
I am using two Plaubel Peco Universal, the version II (in production between 1954 and 1959) and III (1959-1969). They are really great and they are doing everythinbg for me a monorail camera is supposed to do. It´s possible to interchange the rear part for 4x5 " / 9x12cm; 5 x 7" / 13 x 18 cm; 8x10" / 18 x 24 cm. I want to sell one of them - I want to keep the older Universal II (because of it´s nicer retro look) and want to sell the Universal III. It´s for the 13x18cm / 5x7"-size, but the rear might be replaced. Please let me know if you are interested. I prefer selling it to an APUG member rather than offering it on the famous auction site. Please let me know if you are interested.

subirbhaduri · Oct 2, 2015

im interested

Hello! im interested in the Peco Universal III. Do you still have it?

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