Sinar Users

Ralph Javins

Good morning;

Boy, the things they DO NOT tell you when you buy a large format camera. My tripods are certainly capable of holding the Sinar F1. The tripod heads are not. My quick release plates are just not big enough for the mounting base of the Sinar. My local friendly camera pusher had a used Gitzo No. 4 that is big enough. It is on the Bogen/Manfrotto 3036 now. The Davis and Sanford needs to have an adapter plate. I will make that out of 5/16 aluminum plate.

It looks like all of the equipment will be ready for the APUG gathering in Newport, Oregon, this weekend. One of the sessions is entitled; "Ultra Large Format Technigue" by Don Nelson with his 12 by 20. I hope that it will "scale down" for me. Don did recommend that I bring the F1 along.

Enjoy;

Ralph Javins

When they ask you how many megapixels you have in your camera, just tell them; "I use activated silver-bromide crystals for my image storage medium."
 

Ralph Javins

Good morning, Sinar users;

The APUG associated US Pacific Northwest Regional group gathering in Newport, Oregon, over last weekend was quite successful. Very informative, and very interesting people. Discovering the ways that many of us have things in common was delightful.

Don Nelson did indeed show his 12 by 20 view camera. An impressive tool. He also spent some time showing me a few little things that make working with the Sinar F-1 easier. I am beginning to see some of the things I am to look for while moving various parts of the F-1. Seeing some of the accessories that other people have with their cameras also indicates the desirability of getting a couple of other things that will make using the camera more enjoyable.

Enjoy;

Ralph Javins
 

BlueLemon

I use a Sinar P with 8x10 + 5x7 + 4x5 and also a Horseman 6x7 with halfcircular rotating back (don´t know the exact name - only how to operate). Lenses are mostly old Petzval and Soft focus lenses and a bunch of other tacksharp ones.

Sinar because its versatile, cheap and rugged. Also i have a Technika V and with an adapter i can mount my technika boards onto the Sinar system. Nice feature.

Lenses which I have found to be just gorgious - my first Jamin Darlot - so nice to work with, lots of movement.

But i still have to try these babies out :

10 inch Ilex Soft focus Plasticca
14,5 inch Verito Soft focus
305 mm Kodak Portrait Soft focus
360 mm Heliar
and my newest baby - Jamin Darlot Vis á portrait

Now i just have to our new studio to be ready after restoration

Claus Stensgaard
 

Ralph Javins

Good morning, Claus;

Welcome to the Sinar Users Group, and, thank you for writing something for this forum. I had begun to wonder if anyone else was even looking at this forum.

If you have read some of the previous messages, you will note that I am a new user of Sinar and of large format equipment. Any little comments that you add, such as the note about the adapter for using Technika lens boards on a Sinar, are appreciated. I am still learning.

Enjoy;

Ralph Javins
 

bill h

Hi folks, I shoot an F1 with a couple of lenses, mostly in the studio downstairs, mostly with strobes, always with black and white. How many take this beast outdoors?
Bill
 

Ralph Javins

Good morning, Bill;

My F1 goes outside fairly often. It is set on a Bogen 3026 and Gitzo Number 4 head or on an old Davis and Sanford Model B adapted. I do carry it in the larger Sinar carrying case. One thing I do need to find is an umbrella that can be mounted to the tripod. Rain does happen out here in Latte Land. So far I have loaded only black and white film. I am still learning how to use the thing.

Enjoy; Ralph Javins
 

RPippin

Hello everyone. I'm new to large format and have aquired a Sinar 4X5 that I believe to be an Alpina (be kind please). I'm looking forward to doing some shooting in my rather small darkroom/studio and would appreciate any constructive advice on using this fine camera. I shot some practice film this month of some Pomagranets with a black velvet backround. They were very overexposed even though I used a light meter and some modeling lights, not flash, and the proper focal length lens. I didn't compensate for bellows extension and this might be a contributing factor in getting the exposure wrong. Thanks for any input, sage advice and good wit.
 

Ralph Javins

Good morning, RPippin;

Welcome to the Sinar Users Group. I hope the Sinar Alpina is a Christmas gift for you. As another person who does not have years of experience with large format, I can say that you are in for a learning experience. I received my Sinar F-1 only last summer, and I am learning photoghraphy all over again. You may find a similar effect as you begin to use your Alpina. With 4 by 5, I seem to be much more contemplative and deliberate than I am with 35 mm or 2.25 Square. I now look at how I want to take the photograph, when I want to take it, and what changes in the photograph might happen as the vantage point, the sun, the weather, and other factors change. It is very different.

You will find a collection of people here with a volume of knowledge they are willing to share. One fellow even spent some time with me showing me some of the ways that a view camera moves and what to watch for when you do move it.

There are also some references to useful books that help when making the transition from roll film to sheet film and a view camera. Again, welcome to the group.

Enjoy; Ralph Javins
 

CGross

Hi Bill,
I take my F Series outdoors all the time. A pic of my bag is posted on the right. I worked with Photobackpacker.com to have custom case made that secures my Sinar complete without a lens.
I have only made a handfull of exposures inside!

RPippin - welcome to Large Format. Enjoy the Sinar!
 

Bertil

I have a 4x5 Sinar F1/F2; 5x7 and 8x10 P1. Nikkor SW 65/4, Fujinon SW 90/8, Symmar 150/5.6, Symmar-S 240/5.6, Rodenstock Rotelar 270/5.6; APO-Nikkor process lenses 360/9, 480/9 and 760/11. Several lenses mounted on Graphic lens boards; with an adapter I can use them on my Graphics and also my Graphic lenses on the Sinar. (DeVere504 Dichromat and Durst 138 S). What I really lack is more knowledge and experience of these LF equipments; worked almost exclusively with Hasselblad 500 C the last 25 years, mostly landscape. But LF is a new world, and for landscape quite heavy! I sometimes take my Graphic!
 

Bertil

I have a 4x5 Sinar F1/F2; 5x7 and 8x10 P1. Nikkor SW 65/4, Fujinon SW 90/8, Symmar 150/5.6, Symmar-S 240/5.6, Rodenstock Rotelar 270/5.6; APO-Nikkor process lenses 360/9, 480/9 and 760/11. Several lenses mounted on Graphic lens boards; with an adapter I can use them on my Graphics and my Graphic lenses on the Sinar. (DeVere504 Dichromat and Durst 138 S). What I really lack is more knowledge and experience of these LF equipments; worked almost exclusively with a Hasselblad 500 C the last 25 years, mostly landscape. But LF is a new world, but for landscape quite heavy! I sometimes take my Graphic!
 

Ralph Javins

Good morning, Bertil;

Nice equipment. You have certainly been willing to invest in the equipment for doing LF.

Regarding your last comment, you might look at the "signature line" for Vaughn. He can be found often over on the Pacific Northwest Regional Group (the name is actually much longer, but you will find it). He also has an observation on Large Format and Landscape Photography.

Enjoy; Ralph Javins
 

Bertil

Good morning/evening, Ralph,
thank you for your hint about Vaughn, just looked at some of his very nice pictures in his gallery: Yes he has a good point in his signature line: "At least with LF landscape, a bad day of photography can be a good day of exercise." BTW, I said I used to work with my Hasselblad, and some people have talked about having a "Hasselblad neck" (quite heavy hanging around your neck) - perhaps one should start trying to identify "LF bodies"!
Best wishes/Bertil
 

Shadowtracker

Well, the last entry here is from 2009; but I have a Sinar -it's a mix of items; so I'm not certain of the model type; most likely an F1. Though I don't take it out on trips much, I do love using it. And I have learned quite a bit from reading these posts. I really didn't get that I can find 5x7 and 8x10 backs for this rig - if anyone here has either of those for sale/trade, send me a pm, I'm interested. I do have a hard pack basket that I am looking at using for hauling this around. I have used this pack basket for other things in my forest cruising, so I know what a load of 100 pounds or more in it, on my back is like. I may be able to configure the inside of it somehow to hold the sinar with needed items. The pack basked it hard plastic, and has a lid, so it's waterproof to begin with. I have a 90mm, 150mm and 210mm lens for it, though still need a couple more lensboards for it. I don't mind getting a honking big piece of glass for it too, if I can find one I can afford.

Anyway, hope to see some other things on here; I've not hit all the links in this group, but hope it is active.

Tim
 

Ralph Javins

Good morning, Tim;

Well, the SINAR Forum is not continuously active. Like so many of them, it seems to run in "burst mode" at infrequent intervals.

The point of a 5 by 7 or an 8 by 10 back for a SINAR F or F1 may be a challenge. I am not sure that they are out there. While I have not yet found even an owner's manual for either of mine, I have not heard of anyone fitting a larger back standard to one. The models just a little higher up, the Norma and others, seem to have that capability, I think.

The idea of your "basket" for carrying your F1 when "forest crusing" is interesting. And, on ski patrol, I am always being told that my pack is too heavy; I am carrying too much. But when something happens, I seem to be the first one others turn to with such questions as; "Hey, Ralph. Do you have your little camp stove with you?" or "Hey, Ralph. Do you have that "Z" pulley system in your pack?" When you are out in a nordic skiing area without quick convenient down-the-hill access to the ski patrol building, you learn to carry a few more things with you to keep someone warm and comfortable until transportation can get to you, or you can make a towable toboggan from the guy's own skis and things. My normal patrol pack is about 30 pounds. My epedition pack for a week or two weighed 64 pounds when I last checked it. Now I do not feel so encumbered when hearing of your 100 pounds.

Enjoy;

Ralph
Latte Land, Washington
 

cdholden

Hi. I'm Chris and I'm a Sinar addict. (Hello, Chris).
Recently converted to enjoy the perks of building on a "system". I've been able to make a few cameras out of the bunch, and enjoy a few 5x7 landscape shots when I'm traveling for work. I'm preparing to put the 8x10 back into use and start doing portraits. Almost all of my lenses are finally on Sinar boards, or will be used in a universal iris clamp.
I'm new to the system, but love it already. I can only go forward from here.
 

Bertil

Hello Tim, I agree with Ralph about 5x7 and 8x10 in relation to a 4x5 Sinar F1 (or F2) rear standard. Format changing sets, 4x5, 5x7, 8x10 seems to belong to the P cameras (P1 and P2). The F cameras, at least the F2, seem to come in separate rear standards. I have myself a F2 5x7 rear standard and it is something VERY different from my 4x5 F2 rear standard, not just different frames as for the P types (though there is a special P1 and P2 rear bearer for the 8x10 frame, and a special, longer, front bearer to fit the 8x10 rear back; but you can use the standard bearer to 8x10 and 5x7 rear frames and bellows but not with the same movements as with these for 8x10 special bearers). My F2 5x7 rear standard is a very nice solid but quite heavy piece (built like a tank as someone said), not to compare to my nice light F2 4x5 rear standard. On eBay at least I have seen some F2 8x10 cameras, and I suppose the rear standard of these cameras are very big things, not just a big frame (bigger bearer than my F2 5x7 bearer, I don't know). For outdoor works these bigger F cameras are perhaps more stable than the P types, since the F types don't rely on the self locking system of the P types, but this is just a guess based on my quite old P1 special rear bearer.
Bertil
 

JMichaelMeyers

Hello,

I am a new user of a Sinar P 4"x5" (9x12cm) with 4 lenses from 90 to 230 mm. I am looking for a 65 mm lens and maybe a 47 mm one in future. Also would like recommendations for 4"x5" developing tanks. I have plenty of Kodak 4x5 holders and others for the tank.
 

Ralph Javins

Good morning, Michael;

OK. First film holders; now developing tanks. Well, for my 4 by 5, I am using the big Nikor 4 by 5 stainless steel tank that holds up to 12 sheets of film and takes just about a quart of developer. There is also a Yankee black hard rubber rectangular box with a cover that probably is best suited for a dedicated dark room, and my bathroom is not really set up permanently for that purpose. Others really would complain about that. Your Kodak film holders should go right into a rectangular tank like that. So, at this time, my main method is to put the film holders and the Nikor tank into the big framed changing bag, and I make the film swap inside the changing bag. Once the cap is on the tank, I can bring it out into the light and prepare to put in the solutions. So far I have been able to keep the dust down to a minimum with my equipment, and I have been happy with the results so far. In full disclosure, I should also say that I do not have an enlarger for 4 by 5 yet, so I am just making contact prints with the 4 by 5 negatives at this time. Perhaps in the future.

My gear is for an occasional small run. Others can probably advise you much better than I on what to do with a studio setup where a much greater volume of film may be involved.

Enjoy; Ralph, Latte Land, Washington
 
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