anyone using a monorail type 8x10 for backpacking? I saw a video of Rodney Lough jr. and it looked like he was packing an Arcia swiss. Just curious.
Printable View
anyone using a monorail type 8x10 for backpacking? I saw a video of Rodney Lough jr. and it looked like he was packing an Arcia swiss. Just curious.
It would have to be pretty light, and have the capability of folding down to almost nothing for backpacking or any kind of foot-travel.
I think you'd be looking at a minimum of 40lbs, with lenses and film holders.
My Toyo 810, in its flight case, is portable, but only from the house to the car :)
Kardan Standard 810
Plaubel Peco Profia 8x10. . . and it's almost broken my back a few times!
Arca-Swiss
Toho
Gowland
etc.
Are all pretty compact monorails. The Toho and Gowland are amongst the very lightest (lighter than wooden field cameras). The Arca is expensive but really nice because it is solid yet still fairly light and compact. The total weight of shooting 8x10 is the real back-breaker, the holders get very heavy.
I hiked with an 8x10" sinar p for years but know better now! If I were to own a 8x10 for hiking it would be a Chamonix or ebony non-folder
Canham 8x10
I've used an 8x10 Arca F-Line, and it, IMO, is the best monorail for field use, Period.
If I were to sell my 8x10 Calumet C-1(which is HEAVY, but super sturdy, and cheap $$$-wise), then I'd seriously consider the Arca, even w/ the extra cost. However, on the 2nd hand market, they're still not cheap, but oh so light!
Arca F-Line(w/ longer bellows for my 24" lens, normal-length bellows IIRC is like 50cm MAX) for backpacking, that'd be my choice.
-Dan
"I've used an 8x10 Arca F-Line, and it, IMO, is the best monorail for field use, Period."
But that doesn't mean that you have seen or handled all the others, does it?