David A. Goldfarb
Moderator
I used to think I didn't need a case for my Sinar P, because I wasn't transporting it anywhere unless we were moving, but lately I've come to the realization that having a Sinar P just sitting on the floor when I'm using the big tripod for something else with lots of accessories in open boxes is incompatible with having a toddler around, so I went shopping for a system case and realized there are quite a few of them, and it can be difficult to sort out what fits what, and then when you get the case it's something of a jigsaw puzzle figuring out what goes where. I think the earliest cases had a diagram pasted inside the case, but the one I bought didn't. There doesn't seem to be good information on this subject out there on the net, so I think it merits a new thread.
If you've got a Sinar fitted case, post a few snapshots of it showing how things are laid out, tell us what it fits, and if you know what it's called or what the model number is or when it was made, that would help as well.
I think that in general, cases designed to hold a P or P2 4x5 + 8x10 and maybe also 5x7" kit are generally referred to as "Expert" cases. This gray hardshell case was described by the seller as a "rainbow" case, because of the Sinar rainbow logo, which I guess dates from the 1970s or maybe the early 1980s. It's about 29 inches long on the outside, and holds my 8x10" Sinar P with the non-metering back (it won't hold the 8x10" metering back), a 4x5" back underneath. I've got a 4x5" sliding back on the top half. There's a fitted foam cutout to hold the bellows clips that are used to turn the bellows into a lens hood and another cutout for an extra rear standard bearer, if you have both the 4x5" and heavier 8x10" standard bearer, slots for various accessories, a space for lenses on Sinar boards, and a covered section on the top half for filmholders or other accessories. There's a fitted section for three rails (I've got 6", 12" and 18" plus the 12" base rail), and even a little cubicle that seems to be made for the Sinar camera mount, which is used to mount another smaller camera on the Sinar rail base. There are six snap fittings on the bottom that look like they may be for wheels or casters, but I didn't get any wheels with mine.
If you've got a Sinar fitted case, post a few snapshots of it showing how things are laid out, tell us what it fits, and if you know what it's called or what the model number is or when it was made, that would help as well.
I think that in general, cases designed to hold a P or P2 4x5 + 8x10 and maybe also 5x7" kit are generally referred to as "Expert" cases. This gray hardshell case was described by the seller as a "rainbow" case, because of the Sinar rainbow logo, which I guess dates from the 1970s or maybe the early 1980s. It's about 29 inches long on the outside, and holds my 8x10" Sinar P with the non-metering back (it won't hold the 8x10" metering back), a 4x5" back underneath. I've got a 4x5" sliding back on the top half. There's a fitted foam cutout to hold the bellows clips that are used to turn the bellows into a lens hood and another cutout for an extra rear standard bearer, if you have both the 4x5" and heavier 8x10" standard bearer, slots for various accessories, a space for lenses on Sinar boards, and a covered section on the top half for filmholders or other accessories. There's a fitted section for three rails (I've got 6", 12" and 18" plus the 12" base rail), and even a little cubicle that seems to be made for the Sinar camera mount, which is used to mount another smaller camera on the Sinar rail base. There are six snap fittings on the bottom that look like they may be for wheels or casters, but I didn't get any wheels with mine.
Attachments
Last edited by a moderator:
