My Sinar F 4x5 + Canon 20d digital back

[Henry Larson]

I misspelled the title. It should be Sinar F, not sinara
I recently tired of shooting fixed lens. I am unable to afford a Sinar digital back but am addicted to the freedom of expression that the monorail view camera gives.
Therefore I fabricated an adapter so that I am able to use the digital camera as a digital back for my Sinar.
The quality of images that I am able to generate this way is amazing.
I am using a Rodenstock 180/550 convertable lens on a Copal 1 shutter.
For those who like large format but have financial restrictions this may be a solution
The first picture is the adapter. The second is an image created using this setup
By the way the image size is 6" x 9"
'

[Ken Lee]

I fixed the thread title.

How did you make the back please ?

[SergeiR]

Aye. I am curious how you solved focusing with movements?

[Henry Larson]

Example==
After I tilt I focus with the fine focusing tool on the Sinar.
I leave the lens open at the correct aperature and the exposure time is controlled by the 20d.

[Brian C. Miller]

How did you make the back please ?

1. Materials needed: Hacksaw, macro adapter, wood, paint, glue.
2. Using the hacksaw, cut off the part of the macro adapter that doesn't connect to the SLR body.
3. Cut the wood to the dimensions of a 4x5 holder, and take some off the sides so the Graflok slides will hold the wood.
4. Cut a hole in the wood for the macro adapter.
5. Glue the macro adapter into the wood.
6. Paint the wood black.
7. Attach the SLR and go forth and photograph.

Added: these have been made "commercially" for the Pentax 6x7 and a number of other SLRs. If your SLR has an "overhang" above the lens mount then you'll need to get a longer macro adapter.

[Henry Larson]

I took the connecter ring off an old lens. I cut a board from thin plywood. I cut a hole in the plywood. I mounted the ring on the plywood. I sealed the ring with thick water based enamel. I sanded a groove to allow the 20d to mount. I then mounted it on the Sinar where you would normally mount the ground glass.
Due to the difference in focal lengths there are some restrictions but I am able to use the 20d effectivily as a digital back.
I hope this answers your questions.
By the first of June I will try to post detailled instructions on my blog.
Goto hiddenhousestudio.com and select "check out my blog"
I am new to this forum so I apologize for any mistakes.
Today is thurs 05-17-12.
I will check back on Saturday and try to answer any other questions you may have.
Remember KEEP SHOOTING

[Henry Larson]

Here is the Sinar And the 20d
I would have put this up sooner but I have been quite busy.
Since I only have 1 digital camera I had to make an image of it and PS it to the sinar.
This is exactly how it looks.
The picture capture size is actually 6"x9"x350dpi.
I use this setup everyday and it works for me.

[David A. Goldfarb]

I have a commercial one from Fotodiox with a sliding mechanism and Canon EF mount.

[buggz]

There are cheap Chinese ones that slide to take 6 photos on eBay.
I have yet to play w/mine...

[David A. Goldfarb]

How many photos you can actually take depends on the focal length and subject distance, since you'll get some vignetting from the barrel of the adapter and the mirror box. If you use a short lens and slide with the back and use rise/fall movements, you can take at least a square of four or six overlapping frames with a full-frame DSLR (maybe 48 mm square, minimum), I've found, and more with longer lenses.

To shoot this way, I find it's best to compose and focus on the groundglass using only the available image area (so you may mark off the usable frame area on the glass or make a mental note of the borders, if you have grid marks), but then move the rear standard closer and refocus using the DSLR. Tilt/shift movements shouldn't change. You also need a consistent light source, or if you want to shoot with available light, you've got to work quickly to avoid slight shifts in exposure.