Help Me Decide - 1st Monorail 4x5 - 3 options

[AuditorOne]

Ok. I just weighed my Cambo 45 on the bathroom scale. Camera in backpack, two lenses with backboards, shutter release cable. It weighed exactly 10 pounds. Film holders and film will obviously add a bit of extra weight. Four 4x5 film holders, grabbed at random, weighed 1 1/2 pounds, minus an ounce or two. That does not seem terribly bad to me. I have shlepped a lot more weight than that around the mountains before.

[Bill Koechling]

Thanks all...

can anyone comment on:

3) Can anyone tell me the importance of 'on-axis' tilt versus base tilt? It seems both the Sinar F and the Sinar Norma are lacking the on-axis tilt (which seems like a nice feature for portraits as you can compose first, and tilt later... is that right?)

As one who has always framed the shot - including rough focus - then tilted as needed, it was always annoying to have to then re-focus. Base tilts mostly eliminate that need to re-focus - or sometimes re-compose the shot after everything shifted and then re-focus. You can live without base tilts but it was real easy to get used to having it.

[RussHerm]

Thanks, everyone, for all the information.
...
...
As I was looking - the $$$ kept creeping up up and up... then it dawned on me - I've never even seen a monorail in person - let alone held one and tried it out. So in the end - budget concerns prevailed and I found a KEH 'bargain' Cambo SCII for $125. Added a couple lensboards and I'll get to a solid intro for ~$200.

I do feel a bit of buyers remorse... kinda like I took the 'blue pill' - and now I'm trying to get my ignorance back <--(I'm refering to The Matrix... not to those other blue 'enhancement' pills

... I just hope it gets here before my upcoming road trip to Cali!

Thanks all!

[Alan Gales]

Use it for a while and you will learn what you like and dislike about it. You may find it perfect for what you need. For the price you paid you will have no trouble getting your money back if you do decide you want something different later.

As for the Matrix reference, I don't agree. You can talk cameras to people all day but there is no experience like user's experience!

[DKirk]

I'm using the Toyo G, a great system, and bought it quite cheaply. However, if I were to invest in a system again, I'd plump for the Sinar, common as dirt s/hand and straightforward to buy parts and accessories for.

[Jeff Dexheimer]

If I were to buy a monorail today, I would look for a sinar f2. You can usually find them for under $500. They are as modular as a camera can get, meaning you can add accessories to your hearts content. They are relatively light and they pack up small for what you get.

hmm... I think I just convinced myself to buy a Sinar f2 as my next camera.

[RussHerm]

Oh geez... Now I'm in trouble!

I haven't even received the Cambo in the mail yet - and I found a nice sinar F1 with case, & extension rail... added a few lens boards and film holders - now I have 2 monorails on the way!!

I guess I'll get to set up both and see which one "fits" me better.

Then I'll have to start selling some gear!

[Rod Klukas]

The Arca-Swiss 4x5 C has a universal bellows so 55-300mm lenses in long focus types are accomodated on flat boards. In telephoto a 500mm Nikon is no problem.
All this with one bellows. a longer bellows is an option as well.
The basic camera weighs under 5 lbs and has one of the best focus screens ever made.
Rod

[BrianShaw]

You'r a glutton for punishement, Russ. Now is the time to face your addiction. You really NEED two cameras.

[mcherry]

If you're still looking at Cambo, try to find a Master PC or a Legend PC. I shot the legend for quite a while and really liked it, and just upgraded to a Master PC. I could not be happier.