Pros and Cons of Sinar Alpina or A1?

Dear PhotoRio Large Format Experts...

I have the opportunity to purchase a Alpina locally for a reasonable amount...
But have a few questions....

A) what differences between it and the f+/f1/f2
B) that looks like a 2 foot rail, could it be used with wide angle lenses?
C) I know it’s lightweight and folds up, how durable is this camera?
D) Stability wise, ?
E) I was thinking of mounting a 250mm and doing some portraits in 4x5, anyone used it as such.....

Sadly a p or p2 is not in my budget, but would like to hear some photorio shooters give
Their review if this camera.....as it folds down into attaché style case....looks interesting...

Many Thanks for your feedback!


Harlequin

The Alpina / A1 was Sinar's attempt to produce a lower priced camera into the hands of beginners.

Except for the rail, most things are similar to the F series. The rail is its greatest limitation. While the rail is technically 18 inches, it doesn't allow for the full length to be used. When using wide angle bellows and lenses, the rail can hit you in the neck, so you need to be extra careful. It's a Sinar, made as well as any other Sinar, Portraits with a 250mm lens would be perfectly doable.

The F/F1/F2 are far more versatile and easily upgradeable. I don't know the "reasonable" price you propose to pay for the Alpina, but I have an F listed for not much money, and my price includes shipping.

Kumar

For me, the big difference was the (in)ability to stow the Alpina in a backpack, what with the long rail. (While they're rare, 6" rails were made for the Apina series.)

The F series can have a similar problem, except that I came up with a way to convert a 6" rail to a 6" base rail. So, the F camera mounted on this 6" rail would stow very nicely in my packpack. After mounting this onto a tripod, one can then add additional 6" rails until the desired length has been achieved. To summarize, immobilizing the red knob on a standard 6" rail turns that rail into a base rail onto which can be screwed additional rails.

https://www.largeformatphotography....?137209-Backpacking-a-Sinar-Norma-8x10-Camera

It's described in this link for both 8x10 and 4x5. I was using a Sinar Norma front standard at the bottom of this link. But it could just as easily have been a Sinar F, F1, F2 front standard. As for this 4x5, I made an endpiece out of wood that slipped right inside the end opposite the 6" rail's red knob.

For the 4x5 at the bottom of the page, I made an end piece out of wood that fit right inside the rail's end that's opposite of the red knob.

Here is how the F folds for backpacking.


Neil, end caps are/were available to "close" extension rails so that they could be used as base rails.

Kumar

The Alpina is a great camera. It's not a field camera. If you want that that, go for a metal Toyo which I have one of too. I got a great deal on the Alpina and found that I could get Sinar lens boards, bellows and even an extra standard very reasonably with the demise of film. I got the 6" rail extension and I can put two bellows on by using a new intermediate standard on the rail. That's for very long focus lenses which I use sometimes.

All in all, a rugged solid camera compared to a wood camera. Not lightweight and doesn't fold up, but it's a lot more convenient than a fold-out everything field camera with plugins and add-ons and paraphernalia. I recommend it highly.

And by the way, I was told that Fred Picker near the end of his running Zone VI Studios was offering the Alpina as an alternate metal "field" camera. I never liked his rickety wood cameras. The floppy tilt axis in their front standard turned me off. Too much clearance in the wood parts. The solid lockup on Toyo metal field and Sinar Alpina is confidence inspiring.

PS I found a large gym bag into which I dropped a piece of plywood that supports the fully set up Alpina with reflex viewer incuded. This can be toted around for out of the trunk shooting, pretty easily. Way nicer than setting up and breaking down a field camera so often.
I can drive point to point in Joshua Tree National Park for instance simply dropping the whole set up rig onto tripod at each stop. Love it! Of course this can be done with any pro rail camera too. Now that they are so affordable.

B.S.Kumar said:

Here is how the F folds for backpacking.

Neil, end caps are/were available to "close" extension rails so that they could be used as base rails.

Kumar

Click to expand...

Kumar, I'd be interested in seeing one of these caps.

I 'used' a Sinar F2 when 'working in a "Research Centre" as a 'Technical/Scientfic/Biological Photographer but have used my Linhof for 'personal work ever since my 'retirement. If I were now 'in need of a 'new' 'monorail 4x5
my first choice would be the F2... the off-axis 'swings' and 'tilts' are a 'joy' to use.
I would also 'like' to be able to 'invest' in an 8x10 Sinar (... if I could 'afford' the $$$$)

Ken

I've carried Sinar F cameras in real backpacks for well over 10,000 miles in the mountains, often in difficult terrain. The F2 is better built and more durable than the previous F+ and F1, but I now use a Sinar Norma. The Alpina just seems too limited.