monorail for field work

[Chip McM]

Hello all.

I am about to purchase my first large format camera. When I started looking I went through both this forum and f32 reading many posts on the topic of cameras and beginners (I really liked the article here on a monorail in the field). I have tagged along with another lf photographer watch and trying out his camera. I have had the chance to use a few cameras and I rented one for a weekend. The experience has me ready to get into the format.

However I need help with deciding on a camera. I have seen/used -Calument NX, Linhof Technika, Tachihara, Horseman FD?, and an old Graflex monorail (the one that weighs like 20 pounds). However there are several other models that I have read about about but never seen.

The rental and time spent with another photographer did help me decide that I prefer metal to wood. It also made me realize I prefer the feel of a monorail to a field camera. I was able to work with lenses from 75-450 and that helped me learn which are best for me.

I should probably mention that I am a location/field shooter too. My subjects are all outdoors-landscape(70%), nature (20%), and architecture(10%). I work out of my truck and usually within a couple hundred yards of it. On occasion I might hike 1-2 miles, but I am close to the vehicle for 90% of what I do. My lens choices will be a 90 and a 210 or 240. I might want to add a 75 or 65 in the future. I will not need anything longer than the 240 for the subjects that I work with.

The models that look very interesting (but I have never seen) are the ;

ArcaSwiss Discovery, Badger M-1, Linhof Karden E (or M).

I considered a few others but pics or specs lowered my interest in them-Toyo CX, Calumet Cadet, Horseman LE.

The camera that looks the best is the Discovery. Seems to be very modular, expandable, solid yet lightweight. Looks fairly easy to pack for a hike. The biggest downside is price. The Discovery with the 110 sized board setup runs about $1800.

The Karden is cheaper (only $900) and looks solid. It is also much heavier and I am not sure if it is modular to the extent the Discovery is. Looks bulky.

The Badger M-1 looks interesting. I cannot find any info on it other than the brief Ken Cravillion review. It does not appear modular at all. It looks reasonably solid and the price is amazing at $675. Is it too bulky? could you carry it for any kind of a hike?

I am leaning toward the Discovery but I the $1100 savings of going with the Badger would buy a lens and a lot of film. The rub is I have never seen any of these three in person and reading about them only goes so far. I am also looking (or at least pricing them) as new since I seldom, if ever, see them on KEH, B+H, MPEX,or Adorama websites. I may look but do not have the faith to consider an auction site.

Would I be wise to keep saving my pennies and getting the Discovery? Would one of the other ones be a pleasant suprise? Should I consider something else?

Maybe I just need to fly to Chicago so I can goto Calumet and then drive upto Badger?

Help.

[Thomas Nutter]

Have you thought about the Toyo 45A or AX or AII The only differences are that the AX does not have the $500.00 rotating back--Youu have to remove the back and turn it then put it back on. The AX is good and versatile--I use it to make protraits in the field and I've never had a worry about the simpler back design. Also, the backs are interchangeable and you could opt for the rotator later if you want. The "A" is just an older version of the AII. All these toyos give good flexibility in Lens selection.

I also had an older Sinar F for a while--Not quite as fold-up protable as the Toyo, but not bad either--You can get one in excellent shape used on ebay for about $500.00 with a lens board and all. It's a great starter and much better than some old graphlex.

The toyos also appear used on ebay quite alot.

Both cameras are quick to set-up and have a multitude of accessories available--especially on the used market.

Those are my suggestions

[David Roossien]

I recently purchased a Discovery. Keep in mind you will need a bag bellows if you want to work with a 90mm lens. Also, consider getting a different rail if you plan on hiking. The standard Discovery rail, though packable, is not as convenient as a folding rail would be. I think I spent over $2100 by the time I bought a lensboard, quickload holder, loupe and bag bellows. In all I think I spent $3200 with a 90mm nikkor f4.5.

It's been 6 months and I think I made the right choice. The Discovery is very solid, sets up quickly and is easy to use. Hopefully some others will chime in on to help you with the other cameras.

[Emmanuel BIGLER]

Hello, Chip.
Hard choice between a monorail or a flatbed/technical or wooden (=not technical ? ;-). A highly controversial issue. So let's be absolutely not neutral but totally biased toward your preferred choice of a monorail;-);-)
It depends whether you intend to backpack with your camera or not.... But : I know some people who backpack with a Sinar. A Swiss friend of mine uses a 4"x5" Arca Swiss Discovery plus the 8"x10" extension, everything fits within a snowboarder's rucksack, with some tricks and with the tripod outside.
Used Arca Swiss Discovery cameras can be found in Western Europe for about about 1000 euros, 1250 US$ by nowadays exchange rate. Used 4"x5" Sinar Norma cameras go for 700 euros here.

[Alan Davenport]

I started in LF with a Calumet 540; similar to current Cambos exc. no geared movements, no indexes. It does have center detents on most of the axes so you can always start in the right place. It takes all the Cambo accessories (bellows, etc.) It's for sale.

http://home.comcast.net/~w7apd/temp/cal540net.htm (http://home.comcast.net/~w7apd/temp/cal540net.htm)

I also have a 12" rail and a couple of recessed lensboards.

[Ralph Barker]

Obviously, there's a wide choice of monorails, Chip. Some of your comparisons, however, are at different points in the spectrum. The Toyo CX and Calumet Cadet are beginner, entry-level cameras, so comparing them to Arca-Swiss (even the Discovery model) or Linhof is somewhat like comparing a Chevy Cavalier to a Cadillac. Other models in the Toyo line (45C, 45G, 45GX or VX125), for example, would make a more apt comparison.

Depending on the type of architectural work you plan to do, you may not need the additional range of movements afforded by a monorail. Personally, I found it cumbersome to use a conventional monorail (Toyo 45C) in the field, but that choice is really yours. Some models of the Arca-Swiss, for example, offer more modular rails, solving the problem of the relatively long rails of conventional monorails. But, all of that flexibility comes at a price - both for the camera and for accessories.

Also, when thinking of a monorail for use within a couple of hundred yards of your vehicle, you might want to think about whether multiple trips to and fro will be necessary due to bulk, and whether you'll feel comfortable leaving gear unattended at one end or the other.

Personally, I use a Toyo 45AX and a Tachihara 8x10 double-extension in the field. I have a 4x5 reducing back for the Tachihara, which lets me use a 450mm lens with the 4x5 when I need to. For most 4x5 work, however, the 45AX provides sufficient movements and is small, light, and convenient. For the few architectural shoots I do that require more movements, I drag out the Toyo 45C and a couple of different sized rails. But, most of the time, the only thing I miss with the 45AX is the ability to use a bag bellows with super-wide lenses.

[Gem Singer]

Hi Chip,

If you are planning on staying close to your truck, as you mention, then a monorail will do the job just fine. The Arca-Swiss Discovery is a good choice. However, consider getting a 150mm. lens to begin with. You can purchase a new Discovery kit, packaged with a 150, for well under the $1800 amount you mentioned (see: www.mpex.com). You can always add a shorter wide angle and a longer lens later. Plan for the additional expense of additional lensboards, film holders, focusing cloth, loupe, meter, filters, carrying case, etc. You will also need a sturdy tripod. Avoid the lower priced, entry level, cameras such as the Calumet Cadet, the Badger Graphic monorail, etc. However, a good choice for a new lower priced monorail would be the Toyo C, or CX model.

If you are planning on backpack hiking, get a metal folding flatbed field camera and avoid the aggrevation of luging a monorail around (unless you can afford an Arca F-line, with a collapsable rail and a good backpack).

[David Karp]

Chip,

Make sure to call Badger before you head up there. I recall reading somewhere on this site that they are not set up with a traditional showroom. You will want to make sure that ther are ready for you.

The Discovery is a very nice camera. I looked at one at B&H when I was considering my move to large format. The Kardan M is also very nice. Both are very well made, sturdy, and durable. I was considering them and leaning toward the Discovery when I came across a used Calumet 45NX at a good price and bought it instead. I think that I ended up with a 45NX, bag bellows, wide angle monorail, two flat lensboards, two recessed lensboards, and a new 210mm f/6.8 Caltar II-E lens (purchased on sale) for approximately the price of a new Discovery. I learned a lot about what I like and dislike about various camera features with that camera. Later, when a great deal on a used Cambo 45SF came along, I decided to stay in the system, rather than move to an Arca or other brand.

You have an advantage by having used and rented some cameras. However, for your first camera, I would still recommend getting something inexpensive that you will be able to re-sell. That way you will not spend too much for a camera up front, leaving money for lenses. In addition, you will probably decide that you want something else, based on my experience and those of many others who post here. This approach let's you get your feet wet, gain some experience, and will likely lead to a more informed decision when you do upgrade. I learned that I prefer a monorail for many reasons, but would like a field camera for those times when I must travel lighter, or when I am hiking long distances. For now, I use the 45SF and an old Crown Graphic, and hope to replace the Graphic some day with a more adjustable field camera.

The Calumet 45NX or similar Cambo cameras are easily available on the used market at very low prices. There seems to be a ready market for them used, so you would be able to send it on to a new owner when you are ready to move up. Or you could keep it as a backup camera. Either way, it is an option as a good camera availabe at low prices that affords an excellent entry into the large format world.

Best of luck.

[CXC]

Consider a Gowland monorail, they easily accommodate shorter lenses. Available new at www.petergowland.com, and used at ePay. Downside is they are fussy, and hard to square up (best approach is to abandon squaring up!). Upside is they are absolutely rigid and weigh solutely nothing.

[Chip McM]

The Toyo flatbeds are not as much interest to me as I find folding cameras fussy to work with, especially with wide angle lenses.

The Sinar looks nice but too pricey as do the Techinkardian and the Toyo VX. The Calumets seem really bulky. On the other end the Toho and Badger M2 seem too light and I do not want to have to change the bellows to change orientation. That leads me back to the Discovery or one of the others.

You can spend more on other models in the Arca line, but the Discovery seems to have good cost-benefit ratio. Even with a setup like David has that is still several hundred cheaper than the F-line and is functionally very close to it.

What I liked about the Discovery, Kardan, and Badger was they all seemed sturdy and solid but that you ought to be able to carry them a reasonable distance if needed. The Discovery seems the best of this lot but can the others do it close enough to save the money?

I appreciate the comments. I want to buy "right" not the first thing that comes along, not a trial camera, but buy right and just once.

[Frank Petronio]

I use an Arca-Swiss Discovery, with several additions and accessories such as one F-metric standard, the bag bellows, a different rail system, and a compendium lenshade. It is the best view camera I have used yet, and I have owned over twenty different models and used many others.

But for starting out I don't think I would spend top dollar on a view camera. There are so many wonderful cameras out there - in the $500 to $1000 price range - that I would experiment with several before deciding on your ultimate. For example, the Linhof M is really very well made, locks down and is very solid, and is not at all that heavy for a monorail. I used to use an earlier version called the Linhof Karden Color GT that I got for only $175 (maybe $300 tops) that was truly excellent. Likewise, the old metal Calumets, Cambos, and Toyos are a bargain, as are most of the other older monorails. Heck, you can get a beautiful Sinar Norma on eBay for about $600 - and they are arguably the "best" cameras ever made. For that matter, you can get an older design of the Arca-Swiss for a few hundred bucks as well - and it will do everything the Discovery will do - albeit not quite as elegantly - but for your first camera!? - spend your extra money on film!!! Or hire me to teach you - send me a plane ticket to New Mexico and let's go shooting!

I like base tilts - Sinar or Arca - most of the Linhofs and Horsemans have center tilts - but it is really a minor point and you'll get used to usinj either.

[Leonard Evens]

Chip,

You might want to give serious consideration to the Toho FC-45X or its Badger clone, the M2. It is a monorail, but it is extremely light, and it comes apart for easy transport. See the review by Kerry Thalmann at www.thalmann.com/largeformat/toho.htm. I've been using one for a couple of years now, and I find it meets my needs very well. I use it with lenses of focal length 75 mm, 90 mm, 150 mm, and 300 mm. Movements are a bit limited with wide angle lenses because of bellows stiffness, but the Toho elliptic lensboard is a good solution to that problem. I use it for purposes much like what you describe except that I am likely to go further afield.

[Sharon S.]

Chip -

Don't rule out the Sinars. I have an F2 that I bought for a good price at Midwest Photo (mpex.com) and I love it. I shoot about the same proportion of outdoor/landscape, etc. that you do and I have taken the camera with 2 lenses and a number of film holders in a backpack for hikes from 2-4 miles. They're heavy but they are good in a stiff wind, solid. And you still have all the movements. An older F1 is also a good choice and cheaper. They just don't have the geared front standard which isn't a major problem. Oh yeah, and you can actually fold up a Sinar to be more compact, rather than disassembling it...

If you don't want to have the additional burden (cost or otherwise) of carrying a bag bellows for a 90 mm lens, you might go with a 110 mm Super Symmar instead. Beautiful lens, pricey, but wish I had one...

:)

[Dave Schneider]

I too would ask you to take another look at a Sinar. You should be able to get a Sinar F for $500 or less. The advantage of the Sinar is the compatibility of components for many years. This means an abundant supply of used extension rails, lens boards, bag bellows and any other items you will want. The Arca-Swiss doesn't have the long history of use and as a result a small used inventory. You can also rent a Sinar in just about any big city. It's kind of fun to rent an 8x10 back for a weekend once in a while.

[Frank Petronio]

Kerry would be the one to answer this, but the difference in stability and ease of use between an Arca (or Sinar) and a lightweight Toho (Badger M1) is like night and day. The lightweights don't have nice big knobs, easy smooth movements, etc. compared to the heavier but more luxurious Arcas, Linhofs, and Sinars...

Also, add a very expensive leather bag bellows and fairly expensive lens boards to the Arca equation - even starting with a Discovery, it works out to be a big investment. The Karden is just as modular as the Arca and Sinar, and the M is nicely priced, but accessories are as expensive as Arca and usually need to be bought new. Only the Sinar has readily available used parts in the USA or on eBay, which makes it the best bang for the buck, unless you want to pay more for the sheer elegance and subtl details of the Arca...

[Ken Lee]

One advantange of your shooting style is that you are not really doing serious hiking/camping, the way that one might on a mountain trek. For you, every ounce is not critical, and you don't need a specialized backpack, etc. You don't want to spend all day assembling and knocking down the camera, I suspect.

I shoot the same way as you do, and enjoy the carrying case of the Discovery, which allows you to store the camera fully assembled and ready to shoot, along with lenses, holders, etc. It seems to have been designed for just the way you shoot (as was the camera, I suspect). Don't overlook the value of the case, and its convenience.

With a 240mm lens, you will be able to focus to infinity, and a touch closer, but not a whole lot closer. While the bellows is plenty long enough, and the rail is 300mm, you need to account for the fact that both standards sit around an inch towards the center. This gives greater stability and strength, but when you subtract 2 inches (~50mm) from 300mm, you are left with little more than required for a 240.

If you give a hint about your location, perhaps one of the distinguished list members will contact you offline and offer to show you some of the cameras you are considering.

[Isaac Crawford]

I went with a horseman LE and I love it. It folds flat so that it's easy to carry around. I have since added a 5x7 rear standard and a Sinar shutter. The shutter allows me to use barrel lenses and I'll eventyally have from 4x5 to 8x10 in one system. It's nice having access to two brands of accesories, used Sinar stuff is everywhere, and the Horseman stuff is first rate (I actually prefer the horseman lensboards).

Isaac

[tim atherton]

The Arca's are lovely - but very pricey both to start off with and for acceroies. The Sinars - I've heard several things about recent lack of support for the Sinar system (as well trying to sell off old inventory at Photokina, and their rep talking about trying to get rid of the warehouseful of Sinar F parts and accesories they have....)

A really very nice option is the Toyo VX125 system. Still somewhat picey to get into, but accesories and extras tend to be quite a bit cheaper than Arca and Linhof. I've only used one in the studio (wasn't mine), but I think there are a few users on here.


http://www.largeformatphotography.info/vx125.html (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/vx125.html)

[Juergen Sattler]

I started out in LF 2 years ago and my first camera was a Sinar F1 Mono Rail. Like you I do mostly outdoor shoots - landscape - as a hobby. I loved the movements on the Sinar and all the built-in dials that helped me to get a better feel for the amount of movements needed. I don't know about other beginners, but I always wanted to use way to many movements - that's where the built-in support of the Sinar came handy. But very soon I got tired of hauling the Sinar out into the field - so I bought a Technical Field Camera - a Linhof Technika. It turned out that I was spoiled by the movements of the Sinar and never really got into the Technika - movements with a wide angle lens are very painful.

So I bought a Canham DCX45 all metal camera - and couldn't be happier. I sold both my Sinar and my Linhof. The Canham weighs a mere 4.4 pounds, folds up and has the feel and the movements of a mono rail. It is sturdy and the movements are totally intuitive - at least to me. I think I found my "perfect" camera - if such a thing exists. I can use small lenses as well as very long lenses with the same bellows - and on top of everything else the camera looks really cool! It is not cheap, but it eliminated my frustrations and it is really fun shooting LF now.

Juergen

[Jim Rhoades]

Buy right, buy once is very hard. Borrowing and renting a camera for a weekend is way different than living with it. A couple of hunderd yards is one thing and a mile or two a whole 'nother story. A mile in, is a mile out, which mile is up hill? Sometimes it's a mile up hill both ways. Out West it's a mile up hill at 8,000 feet.

Your subject of choice would lend itself to the field camera. Why not haunt E-bay and get a cheap monorail and a field camera. Buy good lenses that you can always have. You will know for sure in a year or two just what you want. Then sell the style of camera you want for a high end version, if needed. Keep the other camera for when that type is best suited for the work you are doing. You will also want to carry it as a spare for when that accident happens.

If you do this, don't be suprised if you find out you don't need that $2,000 camera. That old Calumet or Graphic View will do everything you need it to and more. All for a hundred bucks.
Same thing for a Woody for a few hundred more.

[Michael Kadillak]

I sure am fond of my Linhof Bi Karden in 4x5 and 5x7. You can still find them for a song compared to what they cost and I cannot imagine a photographic requirement for a monorail camera that it could not meet easily. You do not find that degree of precision machining in today's market because it would be cost prohibitive.

Good Luck

[Gem Singer]

Chip,

To answer your question directly, "can the others do it close enough to save the money?" The answer is no, they can't. Close, but no cigar! Look for a previously owned Discovery in excellent condition. You won't be sorry.

[Brian Ellis]

90% of your work is in the field, only 10% at most (depending on what kind of portraits you do) is in a studio, and the field work you do isn't the kind that usually requires a monorail. I've been participating here for quite a while. I've seen many messages from people doing field work who started out with a monorail and who wanted to switch to a field camera. I don't recall ever seeing a message from someone doing non-architectural field work who wanted to switch from a field camera to a monorail. So my suggestion would be to look closely at resale values and pick whatever monorail seems to hold it's value best.

[ronald lamarsh]

Besides all the other fine advice here consider the cost and availability of accessories i.e. lens boards, bag bellows and all the other finery. As an aside I aquired a monrail to do field work close the my vehicle as opposed to my Linhof techinka because it was so much easier to use with a variety of lenses. A 90mm SA you just can't get the movement out of on a field camera like you can with a monorail with bag bellows. My monorail is a cambo, its heavy but not so heavy i can't carry it with tripod etc 200yds also lens boards et al are everywhere and cheap.

[Kerry L. Thalmann]

I don't recall ever seeing a message from someone doing non-architectural field work who wanted to switch from a field camera to a monorail.

I must be the exception to the rule. I don't now, nor have I ever shot architecture. For many years I used a variety of wooden field cameras. They were all decent, but there was something about each one that I either found lacking or annoying. About five years ago, I switched over to monorails for all of my field use. I use a Toho FC-45X for backpacking and an ARCA-SWISS for everything else. The Toho is one of the lightest 4x5 cameras ever made, and the best backpacking large format camera I've ever used. Before the ARCA, I used a Linhof Technikardan TK45-S for about 3 1/2 years. Both the Technikardan and the ARCA-SWISS are about a pound heavier than the Wisner Technical I used to own. They are also a little bulkier, but not much. In terms of easy of use - especially with wide angle lenses - there is no comparison. I liked the Technikardan TK45-S, but prefer the modular nature of the ARCA-SWISS.

My personal preference is the ARCA-SWISS, but it's not the least expensive choice. The cameras are a good value (especially the Discovery), but many of the accessories are expensive, and seldom seen on the used market. I've customized my F-Line to suit my needs and think it will probably be the last 4x5 I ever buy (until someone comes out with something of comparable quality and capability that weighs half as much).

Another option you might consider is a Canham DLC. It's not as rigid, nor as silky smooth as the ARCA-SWISS, but it's a very capable camera (long bellows draw, very generous movements) that is quite compact and light weight. New, it's a bit out of your price range (~$2300), but it can use a very wide range of lenses without additional accessories. I used mine with lenses from 75mm (on a recessed Toyo board) to 450mm non-telephoto with the stock bellows and no other additional accessories. Also, since you don't need to carry around a lot of extra stuff (bag bellows, extension rails, etc.) the total system weight and bulk are kept to a minmum. While my current two camera system (Toho + ARCA-SWISS) is more versatile, if I could only own one camera for all my needs (as a landscape photographer), it would be a Canham DLC. The few accessories you might need (lens boards, etc.) are very reasonably priced - so the over all system cost is less than some competing brands. Occasionally, a used Canham DLC shows up on the market. They usually sell in the $1500 - $1700 range. I sold mine on eBay a couple years ago for about $1500. Keith Canham also does a great job of personally supporting the products he sells. While there is no one-size-fits-all best camera for all users or uses, the DLC sounds like it might be a good match for your needs. It's certainly worth adding to your list.

Kerry

[Bernard Languillier]

Hi there,

It is not a monorail camera, but have you considered the Ebony 45SU?

The camera is able to handle from 58 to 400 Telelens (like the Fuji T400 f8) without special lensboards, is reasonnably light at 2.6 kg, very rigid thanks to its Ebony/Titanium build.

It is a woden field camera, but is non foldable. Thanks to this, the time to shoot is extremely short.

It also features all movements, including rear assymetric tilt for fast focussing.

I have bought one one month ago, have only shot less than 100 frames with it so far, but as a newcomer to LF, I have already been able to produce many techincally nice images with it in the field.

Best regards,
Bernard

[Ole Tjugen]

I use a Linhof Color for backpacking - my "Technical" is a Technika III 5x7" which never gets far from the car. If I want to go walking I'll put the Color in the backpack instead.

[Brian Ellis]

O.K. Kerry, now I've heard of one. So in the future I'll say "In all my years of participating here I've seen many people ask about switching from a monorail to a field camera for field use, I've heard of only one person switching from a field camera to a monorail for non-architectural field use. : - )

[Frank Petronio]

Brian, count me too. I started out twenty years ago with a wooden Wista, then a 5x7 Ritereck, then a Wista SP - all of which were excellent cameras. Except for a spell with a Technika, the main cameras I've had recently have been a Norma and an Arca - both monorails. I really think that I use more movements, more freely with the monorails, especially with wide angle lenses and bag bellows. The larger range of movements - and ease of making those larger movements - changes the way I approach a subject and encourages me think of different situations. With a folding box camera, I all-to-often framed a eyelevel shot with a slight front tilt and called it a day. While you can contort an Ebony or whatever, the ease of using a monorail's movements makes it easier and faster for you to try more "what the hell" shots pointing down, up, or sideways...

Frankly, the idea of phaving to probe the recesses of an Ebony or Technikawith my pudgy fingers puts me off. I like cameras that have their controls spread out and obvious!

[Kerry L. Thalmann]

Brian,

I just used myself as an example, but I know of many other landscape photographers who use monorails for "non-architectural field use". In fact, most people landscape photographers I know who use a Linhof Technikardan, ARCA-SWISS, or even a Toho started with a folding "field" camera before switching to a monorail.

Different photographers have different likes and dislikes. For me personally, I like a camera that I can operate from under the dark cloth with gloves on. Like Frank, I appreciate a camera with large controls that are easily accessible. The ARCA-SWISS definitely meets my needs in this area. The Toho is a bit of a compromise. To keep the weight down, some of the knobs are small in diameter, but still very easy to get at even with gloves on.

I don't consider the terms "monorail" and "field camera" mutually exclusive. After all, cameras like the Toho and Gowland are clearing designed to be used in the field. Sure, you can use a Toho in the studio, but it's clearly not the best or most affordable tool for that application. It is a monorail that also happens to be a field camera.

Kerry

[Bob Salomon]

"having to probe the recesses of an Ebony or Technika with my pudgy fingers puts me off. I like cameras that have their controls spread out and obvious!"

Linhof has made a slight change for pudgy fingers.

There will in the future be two identical recessed lensboards. A 001015 and a 001016. But the 001015 will have a front mounted aperture controller on the face of the board complete with an aperture scale. The 001016 will be the same board without the scale and selector. However, since these new versions are identical - except for the selector and the scale the scale and selector will be an add-on item 022512 that the user will be able to install on his board to convert it into the 001016. These are the new boards only with the flexible quick release cable release coupling mechanism - not the old style with the wire connector.

Thus pudgy fingers will no longer have to do as much probing on the new 001015 board. The boards will fit and work on any camera that accepts a current Technika board.

[Oren Grad]

The new Technika lensboard that Bob mentions has the added advantage of a fabulous name: Technika Komfort-Objektivplatte.


http://www.linhof.de/download/photokina_technikakomfortpdf.pdf (http://www.linhof.de/download/photokina_technikakomfortpdf.pdf)

Seriously, it's nice to see a bit of innovation devoted expressly to making a product easier/more comfortable to use. Maybe we can have an entire family of Komfort-Produkte...

[Bernard Languillier]

Frank Petronio wrote:
"Frankly, the idea of phaving to probe the recesses of an Ebony or Technikawith my pudgy fingers puts me off. I like cameras that have their controls spread out and obvious"

Well, you wouldn't have to if you go for an Ebony 45SU like I did.

Normal boards can be used down at least to the 58 mm Schneider if I am correct (the 47 mm should probably be OK too), which is arguably as wide as you can get imagecircle wise anyway.

You will probably have to change the standard below though, but that is something you would have to do also with a rail camera.

I have been using a 75 mm Nikkor with the standard below without problem, but I didn't use too much movement.

Best regards,
Bernard

[Brian Ellis]

Kerry - I hope you understand that I was kidding with my last message. That's why the smiley was there. Even my original message was a little facetious, I realize that there are photographers who began with "field" cameras and switched to a monorail/semi-monorail (e.g. Technikardan) for field work. But for someone who has used neither type of camera before, and whose work is 90% field work like the OP, to me it makes more sense to begin with a camera designed to be used for the purpose he has in mind, i.e. a "field" camera. But reasonable people obviously can and do differ.

[Kerry L. Thalmann]

Brian,

No problem. Camera choice is a very personal thing. One photographer's dream camera may be someone else's worst nightmare. As much as I appreciate a really fine camera, I rarely recommend a top of the line model to someone new to large format. It's a big investment and there are just too many variables and unknowns.

Which leads me to a point I meant to include in my previous post. I think one reason many people "upgrade" from a monorail to a field camera is the availability of a vast quantity of perfectly serviceable used monorails in the less than $200 price range. It seems like there are tons of old Graphic Views, Calumets and Toyo/Omegas out there. For a bit more, you can even get a nice older ARCA-SWISS, Linhof or Sinar. In addition to affordablility, these cameras are rigid, have full movements and are easy to use. The only real limitation is portability (and perhaps a lack of available accessories for some models). They tend to be on the heavy side and weren't designed to be carried far afield inside a backpack. Due to the low cost of entry, many people start out with one of these older monorails, but they eventually long for something more portable.

On the other hand, there is no ready supply of comparable quality field camera in the sub-$200 (or even sub-$400) price range. So, fewer people upgrade from an entry level field camera to a full featured, expensive monorail.

For me personally, I started with a Speed Graphic, went to a Zone VI, then a Wisner, a Canham DLC, Linhof Technikardan TK45S to my present ARCA-SWISS F-Line. The Speed Graphic was the most limiting (by far), but it got me started and to this day a couple of my favorite images were made with that camera. All the other cameras were perfectly usable. So, the upgrade teadmill was based more on features and convenience than lack of capability. The ARCA-SWISS I am currently using is not the lightest or most compact (of the cameras listed, the Canham DLC wins on both counts), but I find it the easiest to use and the fastest to set-up and operate. Put simply, it suits my style and doesn't get in my way when I'm trying to take pictures.

Those are just my main camera I've used over the last 15+ years. I've also had the good fortune to use many more makes and models for testing and review purposes. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. Some people will like one brand or another, one feature or another. Other people's opinions can provide guidance, but until someone uses a camera for themselves, they really won't know if they like it or not.

Kerry

[Barclay]

I have used wood cameras from B&J,Kodak,Ansco,Agfa ,4X5 to 8X10. I wouldn't trade my Linhof Karden-E w/210mm lens 4X5 for any wooden camera(rail) made. Very resonable in cost and this camera can be used in the field or whaterver your need. Will accept a good compliment of lens. Soild in wind and and easy to pack. Good luck