Konnichiwa From Japan

[I Am Luna]

....well, not on mainland Japan, but rather a sub-tropical island far south, Okinawa. We were totally spared from any effect from the double disaster the struck awhile ago.

Anyway, a little bit about myself. Came here via military and got married and decided to stay. One of the good things about living here is that fact that I can hop easily to any country in SE Asia. I have since traveled to Thailand, S.Korea, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines and Burma (Myanmar). And plan to do a lot more as time permits.

I shoot digital 35mm, film 35mm (SLR & Rangefinder), 6x9cm via Fuji's 6x9 rangefinders, and so I decided it was time to move up a format. I got a 4x5 Sinar F with a Fujinar-W 15cm f/6.3 SC awhile ago but didn't have the time to put it together and go out and shoot it.

Once I finally did I hastily bought some Neopan Acros. I shot two frames and took it to my local lab. Unfortunately they didn't do 4x5 B&W anymore, just E-6 4x5 (yes, strange, I know) so I got some chemicals and read up on how to develop some 4x5 at home. I realized that once I mixed the chemicals, I could develop more then 2 sheets so I set out to shoot about 10 frames before I started to develop to ensure I didn't waste my chemicals. Just as I was setting up my camera on my tripod, I went to get my light meter. My son tipped my Sinar over and the front standard part that grips the rail broke which I guess is common. So now here I am attempting to find a replacement for it.

And of course enjoy all the good info on techniques (because I still have little clue as how to use them) of movements and developing. :)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5143/5563071258_6bd559754f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fybix/5563071258/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5562493703_d56724b93c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fybix/5562493703/)

Edit:
I also found this so I might be making a trip to the local metal shop...

http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/kiler/ebay07529.JPG

[Sevo]

That sinar f front (and otherwise intermediate/auxiliary) standard rail clamp is a known POS - I have broken some five or six over the past thirty years even though I only use them as a compendium holder or whenever I have to reduce weight to the absolute minimum.

[Math]

I have a Sinar rear standard like this, but the grip part looks identical to the front standard. Not as cheap as the metal shop, but if you're interested let me know. :)

[I Am Luna]

...I have broken some five or six...
That is a downer. I should probably look into strengthening both ends then.


I have a Sinar rear standard like this, but the grip part looks identical to the front standard. Not as cheap as the metal shop, but if you're interested let me know. :)
Will the rear also be able to be used as a front? If so, please PM me. I might be interested. Thanks!

[Steven Tribe]

You may have difficulty in getting a succesful repair here. There is not much thickness and one of the sides is hard to get at.

[Math]

That is a downer. I should probably look into strengthening both ends then.


Will the rear also be able to be used as a front? If so, please PM me. I might be interested. Thanks!

It looks 1:1 identical, it holds the rear the same way as it does the front. However, I've never tried it, as I don't own a Sinar. I just happen to have a piece. :) I can't figure out how to seperate the rear standard from the rail holder, though. I'll send you a PM.

[Sevo]

The f rear standard (with rack-and-pinion focus) has to be pulled from the rail after screwing off the end cap. Other than that the DOF calculator isn't meaningful it can be used as a front standard.

[Andrew O'Neill]

Youkoso! I lived in Fukuoka-ken (Kurume-city), Kyushu for many years. That's where I got into photography, coming from a drawing/printmaking background. Like many, starting with the small formats and working up to large format. My 14x17 is almost completed. Talk about a labour of love!

[Allen in Montreal]

Luna,
welcome to LFPF.

I went through this a few years ago too, my advice, don't bother trying to repair, start searching Ebay for an F2 front standard. I paid under 200 for a mint unit and the cost to do a decent repair was 100. Not worth it. The F2 standard is a much better unit all around, so you will be ahead of the game in the long run.

[Vick Vickery]

Welcome to group therapy! :) Glad you missed most of the big "shake and soak" over there!