Sanity check: Sinar Norma in a Nature Trekker?

Hi all,

i'm trying to get back to LF, and am pondering my options.

I'd like to keep the budget realistic, so if I could avoid having to buy a new backpack that would help.

I know 'cause I did it in the past that my Nature Trekker will fit a field camera + some lenses and holders quite easily.

But I'm afraid this may be untrue for a 4x5 Norma, could you confirm/comment?

Thanks!

Monorail cameras can be brought into the wild -- especially if "the wild" is not far from the car. A few were made to do this with either very short rails or turning standards. The other option is to take everything apart when you want to move.

Most people opt instead for a field camera -- either metal or wood -- because most field cameras have more than enough movements for field work. And they don't have to be expensive when bought used.

The important thing is figuring out -- and getting -- the features that you need.

http://subclub.org/toko/4x5table.htm

I know nothing about the backpack or the size of it, but a 4x5 norma can be made somewht portable. I could definitely give some measurements in different ways of folding. IME experience there are really two ways to compact one. First is the one in the Norma docs which is to move the standards to opposite ends of the 12 base rail, disconnect the bellows from one of the standards, then use the tilt adjustments to fold both standardstowards each other.

The other approach is to keep the bellows in place, make sure the frames are dropped as low as they go (fall), then push both staandards together. This can possible made more flexible by sliding the standards off the 12 base rail, and onto a 6 inch externsion rail. This may require removing the rail clamp from between the standards. I used the offcial approach, the it doesn't come close to the compactness (or weight) that you'll get from a folding wooden field camera like a Chamonix, Shen Hao, etc.

For a nice budget option that is light and foldable I would look at the Sinar F or F1… F1 is nicer and you can get a nice one for about $250usd. I figured out a system with mine to extend the standards out to the ends of the 12” rail then rise the standards up remove bellows from the rear standard side and folded front standard onto the rail with the bellows under it, then press down so it compresses (gently) against the rail. After that I fold the rear standard down on top of the front and I got a cat labs ground glass protector. I have a 40 liter backpack and an f stoppers large size cube with my lenses and meter + film holders fit in the bottom and the sinar sits horizontally across the top of the pack. The whole package zips up inside the pack and is actually lighter than the toyo 45a or wista 45spI used to pack around. I should mention I leave the F series tripod mount attached to my tripod and strap that to the side of the pack.

I have put my 4x5 Norma into the same Tamrac bag that holds my other 4x5, a Zone VI. it did just fit; the bag is 30 years old and has pack-away backpack straps. Its outside dimensions are roughly 14"x12"x19".
To do this, I used Abruzzi's second method posted above, and rotated the rail clamp to be as compact as possible. Sadly, the old Sinar needs maintenance now, so it's semi-retired. It lives in its own bag with a 500mm telephoto lens attached, and I don't use it far from the car.
I used an F2 on the job for many years- they are fine cameras too. To make an F-series camera more compact, find a Norma rail clamp to replace the larger F-series clamp.