Scaled Down System?

I have a Cambo low end 4x5, monorail, with two rails (22" and 11"), a wide angle bag bellows, three lenses (210 Caltar/Grandigon, 135 SW Nikkor, and 90 Caltar/Superangulon) all on Cambo boards. I would like to have a more compact outfit as I get older (yeah, I have to admit, schlepping the stuff around is wearing on me.)
I haven't given in yet, but I went shooting last year with a guy who had a folding 4x5 Linhof (he's an APUGer - hi Al) and I was envious of the convenience. I realize I will give up some movement range, but I could also keep the existing stuff for when I need it.
What kind of field camera, or other kind of more compact camera system would require the least amount of conversion expense, in terms of lenses, etc? If anyone else has done this, what did you regret afterwards?

What kind of lensboard does the Cambo have? At worst you might need new boards. At best no changes at all. Or you could do what many and have all your lenses on Linhoff type boards with adapters to fit the camera.

George,

There are lots of field cameras out there that would be more than adequate for landscape shooting. Yes, a monorail does tend to have more movement but, for what you're doing, you don't need as much as you might think. All those ads that show a pretzel-shaped camera are just for show!

[Caveat, you do need lots of movement for table-top shooting, close-ups, etc... but your monorail already has this capability.]

As Nick suggested, (and this is what I've done with my Sinar and Dorff gear)... I have had all my lenses mounted on the much smaller Linhof Technika boards. These fit all my cameras via adapter boards... one for the 8x10 Dorff and one for the Sinar. The adapter boards are a bit of an investment initially but they sure are nice to have... and lessens the pita of carrying around the much bigger boards!

So, find yourself a field camera that takes the Technika boards. Then, have an adapter built for the Cambo. S.K. Grimes can do this for you or you can even do it yourself if you're into that sort of thing.

Good luck.

Cheers

I have a slightly wider lens range (90-240mm) for my very small, very light Tachihara and I have no need for a bag bellows, recessed board or closer focussing. I have never ran out of movements for the landscape photography I do.....worth considering.

The Shen Hao 4X5 is $600, and takes the Linhof boards.
Or, check eBay. A used Wista could also be a good choice.
Dean

Maybe work with what you have. Take 1 lens each time you go out instead of all of them. Use only your longer rail, and leave the other at home. get a 12-can bag from Wally World for film holders, and put the camera in the car assembled and ready to go.

It may be you can lighten your life without lightening your wallet.

Besides for just buying a new field camera, there is some other things you can do as well.

Limit everything you use as much as possible. For example, get filter adapter rings for all your lenses, so you only have to carry 2-3 filters in the field, rather than many to fit all the lenses.

Instead of carrying around several 6x6 lensboards, get a 6x6-4x4 adapter board and mount all your lenses on the smaller, lighter boards. They take up less space.

I might suggest trading in the monorail for a smaller field camera. I was using that exact camera, but in the 8x10 model for many years. I just recently purchase a new Phillips that is about 1/2 the weight and 1/4 the bulk.

Have a backpack for your camera, gear, lenses, darkcloth. Then get a smaller sholderbag to carry a few holders.

Check out www.Kjsphotography.com and look at the Saitta Bags. Kevin can make nearly whatever bag you can dream of, all custom made!

All the best,

Ryan McIntosh
www.RyanMcIntosh.net

My lightweight lens kit for 4x5" consists of a 90/6.8 Angulon, 120/6.8 Angulon, 150/9 germinar-W, and a 240/5.6 / 420/11 Symmar convertible. Or if I don't theink I'll need 420mm, I'll swap the 240 for a 210/6.1 Xenar.

The 90/8 Super Angulon is the first lens to be left at home (maybe with the exception of the 300/5.6 Symmar Convertible)...

Some good ideas, guys, thanks.

I find that I now just take less stuff. As Bruce suggests, take only one or two lenses. If I find a shot that requires a lens I don't have, I just move on to another shot that will work with the lenses I have. There's plenty of stuff out there - seeing is the only limitation.
juan