Sinar Norma 4x5 Twin Lens 240 Xenars

[Nokton48]

I want to run with this crazy idea because like the tripod mounted Gowlandflex, this offers through the lens viewing even DURING the exposure. For a second I can see with the big strobe pop I can see the burned image just for a microsecond. If photographing faces I can judge the expression if movement is involved. Worst case is I break it apart and make dedicated wide angle and tele cameras out of the pieces. I want to leave this rig up for a good while to start and see what develops I did buy more Norma boards and extra rail clamps and clamping stuff, another Norma shutter to dedicate to this camera, and a Norma ground glass, so both top and bottom screens are identically marked.

Also this is FUN cause I've never used anything like this

 

[Nokton48]

TLR Norma 150 Comp Top Lens by Nokton48, on Flickr

View through top lens 150mm chrome Schneider Componon Fuji HRU 9x12cm XRay film Legacy Mic-X dev

TLR Norma 150 Comp Top Lens by Nokton48, on Flickr

View through bottom (viewing) lens 150 chrome Schneider Componon Fuji HRU 9x12cm XRay film Legacy Mic-X dev
As you can see slightly lower viewpoint but very similar views

 

[Nokton48]

Tuned Up Twin Lens Norma 180 Comps by Nokton48, on Flickr

The rear standard on this Norma pair wobbled on the base rail. I loosed the allen screws and reset the friction on the metal plugs that tighten against the rail. Easy to do and now square and solid. Bought another original Norma screen and marked 6x9 and 9x12 frame marks on all my screens using chartpac tape. Then reinstalled the glass in all screen carriers, adding Norma fresnels. So now identical markings completely on top and bottom focus screens and bright and very even viewing using the two Norma Monoculars with Norma Bag Bellows. It's vital that the base tilt create identical focus planes through both cameras, it is quick and easy to do. I reset after I move anything on the camera. Everything looks sharp on the glass and I'm finishing some basic lens pairs. The Plaubel Peco Profia Camera Stand is the best way to get this beast into the proper position.

Lens Pairs for Twin Lens Norma so far by Nokton48, on Flickr

Like a car in an auto body shop, Norma Lens Boards with dozens of holes in some of them, can be plugged with JBWELD and planed and cleaned, the back side dotted with flat black Krylon aerosol paint. The front of the board gets spotted with Benjamin Moore paint I had color matched with a Norma board in the store. Looks pretty good in my opinion. Schneider Norma Twin lens camera pairs shown here. From upper left: 150mm f5.6 Componons, 210mm f5.6 Componons, 240mm f5.6 Componons. From bottom left: 240mm f4.5 Xenars, 240mm f5.6 Sinar Symmars, 300mm f5.6 Componons. This gives me a full range of lenses from 150mm to 300mm with the twin lens camera.

 

[Nokton48]

DSC02697 (2) by Nokton48, on Flickr

250mm Imagon matching pair (one barrel one in lower spot, and compound shutter top taking lens in top), mounted matched pair, barrel lens presently attached with blue painter's masking tape, needs flange attached with micro hobby modeling brass screws. Mini drill press makes lots of holes quick and precise. This will take about an hour to finish including painting. Next project is same exact deal set up, but with matching 200mm Imagon pair, for all lenses I prefer the H5.8 discs but with the petals fully closed.

I'd like to have additional supplemental aperture discs printed. I've seen this very thing done with old 4x5 plastic dark slides laser cut. A set of standards " Imagon Waterhouse Stops" cut from old plastic darkslides for each Imagon would be the final goal

The top lens is forward mounted in original Norma board so that the front and rear standards are automated Norma cables so super fast. When you insert a holder it closes the shutter, and just that fast you can pop it. And of course I see the "pop" through the taking lens for an instant. No chimping required and just like with a baby 6x6 TLR

 

[Nokton48]

Matched pair Sinar Norma Schneider 360mm f5.6 Symmars by Nokton48, on Flickr

For my twin lens Norma camera. A matched pair of 360mm Sinar Norma barrel with auto aperture mechanism and rabbit ears, Schneider barrel mount Plasmat lens set.

 

[Nokton48]

360 Symmar Norma Auto Iris Pair by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here's the Sinar Norma 360mm f5.6 chrome barrel Auto Iris Symmar Plasmat Matched Pair. This is setup at portrait distance, notice how the lenses go further apart for similar views. Awesome on the ground glass, I'm going to enjoy using this one. I use a Norma Compendium Hood with four adjustable blinders to reduce internal flare, this lens covers a humungeous amount. What a view

 

[Rockaway Studios]

You, sir, are an inspirationally sick man. The dual Imagons is just the most silly-cool thing I could hope to see this year.

I feel much better about my "Giant Camera" habit.

Next up - the case to use it as a field camera. Hopefully self-propelled.

 

[Nokton48]

Norma Twin Lens Pairs 300 Comm Ektar f6.3 210mm f6.8 Angulon by Nokton48, on Flickr

Just today picked up two new lenses for making matched pairs. Got them up this morning meeting the dealer at a local camera auction

On the left, the 12" 305mm f6.3 Kodak Commercial Ektars
On the right, a Norma pair of 210mm Schneider Angulons

Images checked on ground glass and they are all keepers

 

[Nokton48]

What makes it fast???

There are Norma lenses, that integrate with the Norma Automatic Shutter by means of coiled metal cables with quick disconnects. You preset the desired aperture, using the mickey mouse automatic iris Norma lensboard setup. So you're composing and viewing at full aperture with the taking f/stop dialed in. Ready to take the shot? Simply insert the film holder (up to 8x10), and the automated cables close the shutter, and the preselected aperture is set by the auto iris mechanism. Pull the dark slide and actuate the shutter using the metal coiled shutter release. Pretty quick compared to most view cameras. With the "Rapid Adapter" it's 6x6/6x9 roll film there is an automated "shutter" in the back, also integrating with the automatic shutter, no darkslides needed. Medium format cameras normally do not have perspective control or interchangeability of optics like the "construction unit" Sinars

With the twin lens you can have the slide pulled in the holder and still view and review the image close to how it appears during the actual exposure. Subject sits down, bang away with reflex continuous viewing. Not bad for a view camera.
Yes it is faster than the old fashioned way.

Richard Avedon used the 8x10 Norma in his studio for action! commercial fashion large format. The advantages at that time must have been obvious

 

[Nokton48]

5x7 and 4x5 Sinar Norma TLR's by Nokton48, on Flickr

"Construction Unit Design" allows me to upsize the camera to 13x18/5x7. Nice to have the larger format, I am just getting going with 5x7. 240 Componon pair on the left, 250 Imagon pair on the right

 

[Nokton48]

Over the weekend I made 13x18cm test negatives on Fuji HRU XRAY, all of which I managed to scratch. The emulsion is so delicate, my fault but very frustrating. Perhaps Kodak 3 1/2 gallon deep tanks is the way to go with this stuff, using SS Rod and XRay dental clips

So I switched to 5x7 Ilford Ortho Commercial and finally got a nice clean negative. I cut this down from 8X10 sheets. Used twin 240mm Componons, shot wide open at F5.6 and exposure (250W halogen modeling light in Broncolor Pulso Softbox) was four seconds, timed with the Sinar Automatic Shutter. Processed in a tray under super deep red safelight with straight Microdol-X.

I used TTL Metering of a grey card (Sinar calls this the "Direct Method"), using the 5x7 TTL Sinarsix to calculate all exposures. And a Sinar 103mm YG glass disc

 

[Nokton48]

5x7 Sinar Norma Twin Lens HRU Ortho+Mic-X by Nokton48, on Flickr

Left is Ilford Commercial Ortho+ 5x7 Schneider 240mm f5.6 chrome Componon Sinar Norma Shutter 4 seconds. Lighting was 45 left Broncolor Pulso Softbox in close. Ambient lighting 250W modeling lamp only no flash. Silver fill panel 45 left just off camera. Shooting wide open with 5x7 Sinar Norma early version film holders

Right is 5x7 Fuji HRU XRay film 1/2 second F5.6 Schneider 240mm f5.6 Componon wide open. Sinar Norma Automatic Shutter

Good to have a choice of negatives.

 

[Nokton48]

4x5 Twin Lens Sinar Norma Binocular Reflex Magnifier by Nokton48, on Flickr

I repaired my Sinar Norma Binocular Magnifier, the interior front surface mirror shattered. I ordered an exact measured replacement on Ebay for $25, and installed it very carefully with JB Weld. Good as new now and it's preferred by me for the viewing (bottom) lens on the 4x5 Norma Twin Lens. A Norma 4x5 Bag Bellows and Norma Monocular go on the taking (top) lens. Easy to switch back and forth between top and bottom lens, and it's very comfortable as well as hands-free which is important. I added the elastic Sinar Band and it holds the Binocular Reflex Viewfinder tightly against the rear standard. I have some portrait sessions coming up and I think I will go with this setup for now. Here I am viewing my test stand-in test dummy using the 250mm Imagon pair with H5.8 disc petals closed. So a central stop minimizing the "Imagon Effect". It's a lovely lens I have not used enough in the past.

 

[Nokton48]

Balloon Head Impact 41 4x5 Norma TLR 250 Imagon by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here I have switched out the Pulso Hazylight for the Broncolor Impact 41 with "Balloon Head". Totally -shadowless- utterly soft lighting. Notice the new Viewing System on the 4x5 TLR. Norma Monocular Bellows on top, Reflex Binocular Sinar on the bottom. This camera is now a true in every way TWIN LENS -REFLEX- 4x5. Viewing the image right side up through the bottom lens, and being able to move the mirror around to scrutinize every mm of the viewing screen, is a great luxury. This works GOOD very direct super user friendly studio portrait camera. I made two more exposures Impact 41 set at 1/4 power, f5.6 on FM2 incident flash meter. Yellow green filter added, so exposures on Fuji HR-U of, 2 pops, and bracketed also for four pops at H5.8 on the 250 Imagon taking lens. I know you are supposed to use sharp pincer-type lighting with Imagons, but I am breaking some rules here. Looks cool on the ground glass, can't wait to develop it hopefully later today.

 

[lobitar]

Very interesting read! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Nokton48]

Very interesting read! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Lobitar. Good that you are enjoying the thread. This is really quite a hoot for me I can tell you.

PARAGON Loupe by Pitman Co 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Easy to see all the edges and corners at 10X with the PARAGON by Pitman Co. I used to use one of these when I worked in a Color Separation House. Great for viewing film or groundglass. Bought well used on Ebay for $25. Available brand new around $55.

PARAGON Loupe by Pitman Co 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here fine focusing the top (taking lens) of my 4x5 TLR Sinar Norma.

 

[Nokton48]

Sinar 5x7 & 4x5 TLR 200mm Imagon Pair 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here is another matched pair of lenses for the 5x7/4x5 TLR Sinar Norma. The bottom viewing lens is a barrel 200mm Imagon, the top taking lens is a 200mm Imagon forward mounted in Compound shutter. This covers 5x7 for this application and is a lovely addition to the lens bank.

Sinar 5x7 & 4x5 TLR 200mm Imagon Pair 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

I have decided to leave one TLR Norma set up as a 5x7, then use 4x5 Norma Reducing Backs to shoot 4x5 and 9x12. Here the top camera is 5x7 and the bottom is 4x5. I am waiting for another 4x5 Reducing Back to arrive from overseas.

Studio Renovation Phase 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

I've been working on fully equipping my studio. I have eight Norma cameras now!

 

[Nokton48]

120 Angulon Lens Pair TLR 5x7 Norma 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Two more lenses that were both in the Sinar Norma catalog. A matched pair of Schneider 120mm f6.8 Angulons. Bottom viewing lens is in barrel, top taking lens is in compound shutter. This works great configured for 5x7 or shooting reduced down to 4x5. The 5x7 version works as well as the 4x5 version. It is quick and intuitive to use once you get used to how differently it operates.

120 Angulon Lens Pair TLR 5x7 Norma 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

The second 5x7/4x5 original Sinar Norma Reducing Back just arrived from Germany. I have another Norma era Reflex Viewfinder coming from the UK and will be here shortly. Glenn Evans had a nice Norma Monocular still with the original eyecup so that is all coming together nicely. I see this camera as a studio only portrait/speed camera. So now I understand why Sinar promoted it as such. Certainly it must have had merit back then and I am slowly rediscovering that this s true. This is fun

 

[gorbas]

Dan, you are having just too much fun with all those toys!

 

[Nokton48]

Hi Goran

Yes too much fun going on over here

 

[ic-racer]

This twin lens setup would be good for animal photography. My daughter wanted a nice picture of her dog (that won't hold still) and it was very painful trying to do it with my 4x5 view camera.

 

[Nokton48]

I think it would be perfect for photographing animals. And squirmy kids When you only get one shot............... Terror and Holy Terror by Nokton48, on Flickr

"The Boys" visited my studio back then.

I got this -one- shot. They behaved for one minute, and would do what I say. After the first "pop" they were all over the place, and then you have to chase them down. This is a 20x24 canvas print that has been hanging for nearly thirty years. Mamiya C33 105mm Sekor Chimera Softboxes Broncolor Impact strobes.

This is the type of photography that this camera was designed to do. Shot above could have just as well as been done in 5x7 versus 6x6. One shot!

 

[Nokton48]

More Norma TLR Matched Lens Pairs by Nokton48, on Flickr

I've been slowly working towards building up my lens bank of matched Norma TLR pairs. I have 4x5 and 5x7 TLR Norma cameras at this point.

Top Box From Top Left: Norma 150mm F9 Rodenstock Apo-Ronar Aperture Controlled pair, 240mm F9 Apo Ronar Aperture controlled pair, 300mm F9 Apo Ronar barrel pair, 360mm F9 Sinar Apo Ronar Aperture controlled pair.

Bottom Box from Top Left: 520mm F9 Rodenstock Apo Ronar barrel pair, 90mm F6.8 Angulon shutter and barrel pair, 120mm F6.8 Shutter and Barrel Pair, 200mm H5.8 Rodenstock Imagon barrel and shutter pair.

I am repurposing what I have and adding to it

Having a lot of fun with this TLR project.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Impressive!

 

[AgX]

-) How did you connect the extension rods to the original rods? By a threaded bolt?

-) What kind of rods are the extension ones? They look like being intended for building stands or such.