Iain McLellan
18-Mar-2007, 14:43
Hi folks,
New here and glad to be in such erudite company. I was hoping somebody could sort out a couple of basic queries for me. Just made the move up to large format. Used it years ago as a studio assistant when i was learning my trade. Since then have been making my living with small format cameras as a press photographer. The longer i have been using digital the more i hate it. Ok there are some advantages but a lot of the craft has gone from the job, hence moving to large format for my personal work. Bought an old De Vere metal monorail from a well known auction site for a good price. Can find virtually no trace of these cameras via google other than people getting them cheap as entry level LF. So to the questions..
1) The lens panel measures 140mm x 140mm. Is this the standard Sinar size if i need to get one for a planned wide angle lens purchase?
2) I'm interested in getting a 6x9 or 6x12 roll film back. Not so much cost cutting rather it seems like a interesting format to use. The back on the camera does not rotate, you have to take it off and re-attach it to change from upright to landscape. On the left-handside of the rear standard there is a flange that positions the ground glass and a swing lever that hold the whole thing in place. Is this what is classed as an international fitting? I'm pretty sure it's not the Graflok standard.
If anybody can help i will be grateful. Took a while to put all my kit together and it's a total pig to transport but when i saw the first Velvia 50 sheet on the light box i knew it was all worth while. Breathtaking. I thought my Leica lenses were sharp! Until then...
I suspect a field camera might not be far off!
Thanks for your time, Iain.
New here and glad to be in such erudite company. I was hoping somebody could sort out a couple of basic queries for me. Just made the move up to large format. Used it years ago as a studio assistant when i was learning my trade. Since then have been making my living with small format cameras as a press photographer. The longer i have been using digital the more i hate it. Ok there are some advantages but a lot of the craft has gone from the job, hence moving to large format for my personal work. Bought an old De Vere metal monorail from a well known auction site for a good price. Can find virtually no trace of these cameras via google other than people getting them cheap as entry level LF. So to the questions..
1) The lens panel measures 140mm x 140mm. Is this the standard Sinar size if i need to get one for a planned wide angle lens purchase?
2) I'm interested in getting a 6x9 or 6x12 roll film back. Not so much cost cutting rather it seems like a interesting format to use. The back on the camera does not rotate, you have to take it off and re-attach it to change from upright to landscape. On the left-handside of the rear standard there is a flange that positions the ground glass and a swing lever that hold the whole thing in place. Is this what is classed as an international fitting? I'm pretty sure it's not the Graflok standard.
If anybody can help i will be grateful. Took a while to put all my kit together and it's a total pig to transport but when i saw the first Velvia 50 sheet on the light box i knew it was all worth while. Breathtaking. I thought my Leica lenses were sharp! Until then...
I suspect a field camera might not be far off!
Thanks for your time, Iain.