New and need help

[Rich C]

I apologize in advance for a repetitive question. This is my first venture into the large format field. I currently shoot a full frame Nikon DSLR and dabble quite hard into film cameras including medium format Bronicas and 35mm Leicas. In the past, I have shot a baby Speed Graphic. I am interested in doing landscape photography with the LF camera. Weight is a minor concern since I am 61 and have had major back surgery. I say minor because toting my DSLR and lenses racks up quite a bit of weight.
Currently I am considering a few monorail cameras, most notably Linhof kardan super color, Omega 45G, Sinar Alpina, and a couple of old Cambo units. I am also considering a late Linhof technika
III. All of these come with a lens and a couple of film holders which are important to me since I know little about lenses, lens boards etc.
I am leaning toward a monorail since it has greater movements and not much more weight. Carrying the monorail is a bit more problematic, but I have seen others do it.
My budget is around a grand so that I can keep SWMBO(she who must be obeyed) happy.

I am open to all suggestions, tips and help.

PS. Having shot with a baby Speed Graphic back in the 80s, I pretty much ruled out the 4x5 version because it is very limiting.
Thank you in advance.

[LabRat]

For a monorail, the best bet is keeping it in one of the maker's cases, as it's easy to store, get into car, hold other needed supplies as a kit, carry short distances etc... Once on site, you can transfer case to a rolling travel dolly to tug around...

Usually easy to organize/find stuff in a case too...

Steve K

[Alan9940]

Monorails are great, but they can be problematic to carry into the field. Since you're interested in doing landscapes, movement capability isn't as important as some other subjects. Have you thought about a folding wooden camera? If budget is a concern, have you looked at the Intrepid?

[Bernice Loui]

Lugged a Sinar monorail outer doors for decades. Unless you're hiking and must have lowest weight with compact size, outer doors with a monorail is no where near as bad as some believes. Take the time to read this recent discussion, it's relevant.
https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?164634-Sinar-F2-Vs-Sinar-Norma-(4x5)

The selection priorities should be print and image goals first on top, lenses and process needed to achieve these goals with the camera and remainder playing a support role, not the starring role which belongs to the print-image goals.


Bernice

[Vaughn]

Landscape work does not require the full flexibility of a rail camera, but that does not mean it is not nice to have. Field cameras are lighter weight, often exchanging some movements for reducing weight while maintaining or gaining stability. Really can not go wrong with a rail camera, giving it a try for awhile, and replacing it with more of a field camera if ease-of-transport becomes more important.

But a sweet little wood field, like the Chamonix 45H-1, would be something I would look at. I like the non-folding style. Seems to have full movements front and back, except back fall. Probably rare used and beyond our budgets new.

[Oslolens]

If only one lens is enough, a 90 or 105mm on 4x5 and if tilting is not required and you can do cropping after shooting, consider a Will Travel. Available on ebay.

Sent fra min SM-G975F via Tapatalk

[Alan9940]

Lugged a Sinar monorail outer doors for decades. Unless you're hiking and must have lowest weight with compact size, outer doors with a monorail is no where near as bad as some believes.

True. At near 70 years young, I still backpack my Arca-Swiss F-Line and a complement of lenses over pretty fair distances. Add my BetterLight scanning system and the weight gets more "fun." Not saying lugging this equipment anywhere outdoors is difficult, rather saying if I'm going to trek great distances with 4x5 I'll grab the Toho FC-45X every time. Different strokes, of course...

[Jim Jones]

Start with any inexpensive view camera, and use it to determine what YOU should have as a final purchase.

[John Kasaian]

Start with any inexpensive view camera, and use it to determine what YOU should have as a final purchase.

Lots of wisdom here.

[brucetaylor]

Just a note, if you decide on a monorail the Linhof Kardan series has been stupid cheap on eBay. It’s a great system but for some reason it isn’t on people’s radar like the Technikas. I have the Super Color, it folds flat after unclipping the bellows, very portable. Mint, I think it was $200.

[Jeff Keller]

You could get a Sinar F2 or perhaps a Sinar Norma in pretty nice condition for about $500, leaving roughly enough for a couple lenses. It would probably have all the movements you would want. Using a short extension rail to hold the standards when you are packing it up should get the size down to where it would be easy enough to carry.

If it is the process of taking the picture with LF that attracts you, either of these cameras would be a good choice.

I use a Canham which packs up smaller, but once I get to where I'm starting to take pictures, I take it out of my backpack and carry it in my hand or on my tripod.

[j.e.simmons]

I shot some of my best photos with an Omega (Toyo) 45E rail camera. It’s possible to use one, but I beat the camera up.

[Jody_S]

The only issue I (and many others) have with monorails is that they don't fit in a backpack. We accept a lot of limitations on our folding field cameras to get them compact enough to fit.

[Bernice Loui]

5x7 Sinar Norma on a shorten Sinar rail, not a lot thicker than a field folder. Carry as many 6" extension rails as needed. Sinar fits into it's case complete, lift the Sinar complete with lens and shutter, place on the rail clamp, add rail extension as needed then extend the camera to focus position as needed. This entire dance takes less than a minute once the tripod is set up.

Limitations of monorail camera (Sinar) can be perceived. This is possible due to the modularity of Sinar.
218056


Bernice

[lab black]

There are many good suggestions here. Also, if possible, consider renting or borrowing both types of cameras to determine which one that best suits your individual needs.

[Keith Fleming]

The OP's post mentioned he has serious issues with his back. Given that, I believe his choosing a large format camera should be his second decision, not the first. It would be prudent if he experimented with going out in his car to find suitable photogenic subjects that could be photographed from next to his vehicle. If so, he would be ready to begin his large format journey--and should be cautious about buying a large format camera before then.

This also is advice I need to take. My own back and shoulders have deteriorated, and at 80 I am having to decide what equipment I can and cannot use. In my case, it is likely my 8X10 will have to be used only inside my house, and the 4X5 is a "maybe" outside. These are hard decisions.

Keith

[Rich C]

I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone of you who replied. While I don't have serious back issues now, I do occasionally have issues. I love the idea of renting equipment, but since I purchased my retirement home, I live quite a distance from an area that would have that service. I can't say I miss DC. LOL. I am looking at more entry level price equipment on evilbay. I found quite a few monorails that would do me well, but on the hand, field cameras command a premium. I keep looking and learning. Thanks again and happy journeys.

[Sean Mac]

At home I shoot a Linhof 45s monorail on a 5 series Gitzo.

It's rock solid.

It's very heavy.

I use a 3kg Technika and a 3kg Linhof alloy tripod for "away from the house" images.

It works fine with a little patience and care.

It's tough enough to survive.

Lens/Camera/Tripod all need to work in harmony.

Good Luck and Good Light......

:)

[djdister]

Canham 5x7 MQC with 75mm lens and 617 rollfilm back. Foldable, portable and versatile.

218064

[j.e.simmons]

There’s a Graphic View I for sale on this forum. That’s an entry level 4x5. It’s rather lightweight and all metal, which is a plus for toughness.
https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?164567-FS-Graflex-Graphic-View-4x5-rail-camera-with-203mm-Optar-f-7-5-lens

[neil poulsen]

5x7 Sinar Norma on a shorten Sinar rail, not a lot thicker than a field folder. Carry as many 6" extension rails as needed. Sinar fits into it's case complete, lift the Sinar complete with lens and shutter, place on the rail clamp, add rail extension as needed then extend the camera to focus position as needed. This entire dance takes less than a minute once the tripod is set up.

Limitations of monorail camera (Sinar) can be perceived. This is possible due to the modularity of Sinar.
218056

Bernice

And, Bernice isn't necessarily suggesting that you need a 5x7. You can do the same with a 4x5 F series camera. The following link shows how this can be done.

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/sinar-f-4x5-as-a-viable-field-camera.172997/

In this configuration, Sinar cameras can be stowed conveniently in a backpack.

Nor do you necessarily need an F2 camera, as someone suggested. A Sinar F is an inexpensive camera that could serve as a good starter system. If you liked the F series, then you might consider an F2 later.

[Corran]

Intrepid 4x5 mk4 and lenses for your $1k is a better investment than a heavy monorail or fancy Linhof.

[Jim Jones]

Wow! What a bargain! Such bargains shouldn't go to those who merely want to make resale profits. A few notes on the Graphic view cameras: this is the first model (1941-1948) with base tilts, traditional graphic back, and 12.5 inch bellows length. The Graphic View II (1949-1957) came with the Graflok back, more practical for roll film adapters. It also had three inches more bellows length and optical center tilts (preferred by many photographers. The backs are interchangeable between the two models. The camera for sale has the desirable lens board adapter, permitting lenses from later Graphic press cameras to be used. Note that many lenses from press cameras do not have large enough image diameter to permit using front camera movements. That Optar does. I used both Graphic view models for many years, and never had a problem with either. Of course there are newer and better cameras, but they would almost never have taken a photo that a Graphic View wouldn't capture.

[Rich C]

Thank you for the link; however, it did not work saying I don't have sufficient privileges to view it.

[j.e.simmons]

Send a PM to member osyteroid- that’s the seller.

[Bernice Loui]

Initial entry cost or price of camera alone is not the ideal way to make a decision or choice of view camera as there are a LOT more factors and cost involved far beyond the camera and that item.

At this moment in time film cost per sheet of 4x5 film runs about $2 per sheet of B&W to $5 per sheet of color. Add processing cost to this. B&W film can be appear to be lower processing cost than color. While this assessment can be made when considering only the chemistry cost, there are the means required to process film like tanks, chemistry and all related to that..

Will the film be scanned or projection or contact printed to get a print?

Beyond the camera, lens, tripod, light meter, film holders, case, and all.. comes the most valuable and not replaceable resource, one's time. Ask yourself how much frustration is tolerable during the how to view camera learning process? For some this entire view camera thing is an adventure into something different.
That is excellent and great, question becomes how much adventure becomes total and utter frustration during the learning process? At some point of this view camera journey, one should and needs to consider deeply if this is what they wanna do relative to the rewards of all this view camera stuff.

Point to all this verbiage is much about learning on a view camera, lens, tripod, light meter and all involved that promotes and is well conducive to the "how to view camera" process. with the least amount of hurdles along the journey.

Seems what is missing today is some easy means to real world how to view camera experience. For some it would be better in many ways for an individual curious and wanting to experience this view camera stuff by sharing with a mentor or similar to aid much in this learning, deciding if this view camera stuff is for them. A real world experience like this like doing a rental can go an awful long ways to addressing the needs and questions of those curious and wanting to view camera.



Bernice

[Rich C]

I have and continually process my own film, from color to black and white. I already have the substantial tripod (Linhof), light meter (Luna Pro F) and multiple Paterson tanks. Although the tanks are not 4x5 ready, I can and will purchase what is necessary. I understand the costs of film and chemicals. I have tackled many numerous processes in the past to gain skill. I look forward to the view camera experience and welcome the ups and downs on that journey.

[Drew Bedo]

This board and its forums are a resource that is deep and wide in experience nd knowledge.

My landscape kit is based on a 1980s vintage Wista-made Zone VI that is light weight and folds up into a compact package . . . .and it is 4x5 format. That means that everything is also smaller and lighter in weight than the gear that would support a larger cameras.

Field cameras come in all sizes up to the various ULF formats. It all depends on where you want to go and how you want to shoot. There are plenty of threads on this board that discuss optimal back packs for 8x10 cameras . . .so I suppose that plenty of shooters carry everything they need for 8x10 landscape photography well into the field and up the trail. Look up those threads and contact some of the responders directly via PM and see what they have to say about just how they get it all done.

Some of them do pack up a monorail outfit.