Sinar Norma/Wista 45 SP or VX: Which would you buy?....

[Darryl Roberts]

Hi,

This week, I have an opportunity to purchase either a Sinar Norma or Wista 45 SP or VX. The former is about 1 pound heavier.

My goal is urban architecture with 4x5 film.

Which would you buy and why?

 

[abruzzi]

I much prefer monorails to technical or field cameras that fold up into a box. So the Norma would be my preference of the ones you listed. I’d also consider the Linhof Technikardan 45 or 45S, and the Arca-Swiss F-Classic or F-Metric.

 

[Chuck1]

Igor camera has/had a listing (on ebay)for a 4x5 shen hao that took 140mm sinat boards, it's a wide angle non folding field camera, I never new it existed, it looks great.

 

[koraks]

Which would you buy and why?

Either of the Wistas. A Norma is great if you work in a studio, where it's a delight to use - but it's awkward and mightily annoying to carry one around.

 

[Trond]

I have both. A Sinar Norma and a Wista VX. The Norma is cumbersome to walk around with and takes a lot of space in a backpack. Very nice in a studio and when you can transport it with a car. Wista VX is very compact. Perfect for field use, which of course is what it was made for. The Norma is easier to use with wide angle lenses.

I chose a VX over the SP because of weight and cost. I also doubt I would ever use the geared swing functionality of the SP.

 

[Nokton48]

I use my Sinar Normas for Architectural Photography, I have Norma lenses from 47mm to 1000mm. Lots were produced and not too hard to find pieces. I also have a 4x5 Norma Handy with 65mm for handheld use. I'll always be a fan of the Norma; I carried it around for over a decade without issues including hiking with it. When I got to where I wanted to be, I was always glad to have a Norma. YMMV

Latest Creation: 500mm 5x7/13x18 Yes it's heavy but still doable for short hops

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

Got a Wista SP and I would say it provides the required movements for arquitecture and landscape or at least it does for me. Quite compact and rugged so excellent for in the road photography. If I ever need more extreme movements I switch to my Calumet but thats is mostly for close up and studio stuff.

 

[Robert Ley]

The Wista VX is a great 4x5 field camera. I had one and it was my last 4x5 camera and the one I used the most. I had a bag bellows for the camera and could use a 75mm lens on a flat board and I used a 65mm on a recessed board and could focus to infinity with a 150mm lens and the bag bellows. The bellows are interchangeable and it is easily done in the field. I also was able to shoot 6x9 with a really neat sliding back that would allow viewing and taking the picture by simply sliding the film holder to take the picture. The only movements that it doesn't have are back rise and shift which may be important in architecture photography.

 

[MTGseattle]

I feel like such a goof. It took the above post for me to fully grasp the intent regarding those sliding backs.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Unquestionably the Norma if architecture is involved. It will prove far more versatile. And you can interchange many components from the whole Sinar system, including a variety of bellows. Plus you can extend or retract the rail length to cover an exceptional wide variety of focal length lenses.

If you do go with a Norma, learn how to tune up the camera yourself, given that these are an older design (but my favorite of the whole Sinar series).

I'm 75 and still carrying my Norma in the field. Quite doable. I've backpacked many thousands of miles in steep terrain with various Sinar monorail 4X5's, although admittedly at my present age, I'm glad I own a lightweight Ebony folder too.

 

[MarkS]

As Mr. Wiley says, the Norma is the superior camera for shooting architecture. It does fold down into a reasonable size; I am able to carry mine in the same Tamrac backpack case that holds my Zone VI 4x5.
I used the Z-VI to shoot many commercial assignments- it did the job and the architects were amused by my wooden camera. That camera did not like my 75mm lens, although I made it work. I suspect that most general-purpose wooden field cameras would have the same issues with very wide lenses... compressed bellows limiting movements, standards jammed together, the lack of critical focus alignment... the Sinar has no such problems.
I assume that this camera is for personal projects- what client would pay for LF film photography in 2025?- but shooting architecture for clients involves enough gear that the size of the camera is not really important.

 

[Darryl Roberts]

As Mr. Wiley says, the Norma is the superior camera for shooting architecture. It does fold down into a reasonable size; I am able to carry mine in the same Tamrac backpack case that holds my Zone VI 4x5.
I used the Z-VI to shoot many commercial assignments- it did the job and the architects were amused by my wooden camera. That camera did not like my 75mm lens, although I made it work. I suspect that most general-purpose wooden field cameras would have the same issues with very wide lenses... compressed bellows limiting movements, standards jammed together, the lack of critical focus alignment... the Sinar has no such problems.
I assume that this camera is for personal projects- what client would pay for LF film photography in 2025?- but shooting architecture for clients involves enough gear that the size of the camera is not really important.

 

[Darryl Roberts]

I heard the Norma can fold down pretty much flat which is a plus. I've never seen this done. I've seen a diagram of this.

 

[abruzzi]

There is a photo here that shows the two standards folded down against the rail. Its not on the 12in base rail so but imagine the picture with standards rail clamps pretty much at each end of the rail:

Sinar F 4x5 as a Viable Field Camera

Many years ago, I considered using Sinar 4x5 F cameras. Being interested in landscape, fine art, and architectural photography, I’ve always carried my equipment in a backpack. But looking at Sinar’s recommendation for backpacking Sinar F cameras (2nd photo), I quickly discarded the idea. Not...

www.photrio.com

EDIT: I should add that another option is to slide both standards onto a 6in extension, and rather than folding them, just push them together as closely as possible. You have to use that approach with the 8x10 since the folding approach doesn't work for the 8x10 rear standard.

 

[Darryl Roberts]

I just ordered the Norma from Kamerastore. Thank you for all of your insight and feedback.

I decided that for challenging locations I’ll shoot my Fuji Super Fujica 6.

 

[Jan-Peter]

Yes! Darryl;
with your choice on a Sinar monorail camera you defintely are more versatile!! - Here I own a Linhof Technika V, a field camera, however a very solid one, - and I use it easily with a 75mm EBC Fujinon wide angle as well as a 400mm EBC Fujinon tele lens. - As I have a Durst L 138 enlarger I also got me a Sinar F-II monorail camera with 125mm EBC wide angle, 210 EBC and a 600 mm EBC Fujinon tele lens - and two additional monorails to get very close to objects, as buds of flowers, or to also use my 600mm EBC lens without stress at close distances. - Here a good tripod is the bigger problem - not the length of lens - or monorail-additions. - The Durst Laborator enables me to enlarge 20x28" / 51x72cm sized pictures with pleasure from the large Ilford MG Baryta warmtone paper, 56"x100ft. roll which I cut for them 28x20" sizes.
Have fun with your choice and many fine pictures!!
Jan-Peter

 

[Darryl Roberts]

Is this broken? It was jiggling in the box from Kamerastore.com.

 

[Nokton48]

Yep. It's broken. But try it as it may still work for you. Replacements are available on Ebay or around. The modern solid ring will also it the Norma Clamp. Try pulling the rail off the clamp and see what happens, if it stays together it's usuable.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Looks OK to me. Snap the black plastic bits around the rail and then fasten the clamp around them.

 

[Darryl Roberts]

Kamerastore.com made things right. A partial refund, equal to the cost of the replacement part.