8x10 short rail view camera

[David Lobato]

I found an ad for an old short rail 8x10 camera is good working condition. The max bed extension is 210mm. A 210mm lens would barely fit, and work only at infinity. So I'm thinking a 120mm SW Nikkor with 312mm image circle (at infinity) could be useful, especially with close in subjects increasing the image circle. In this application the camera would be a super wide specialist, and there are advantages to that setup. The ground glass looks okay, and the only other necessity is a lens board. There is also the possibility of finding an extension rail, but the lack of most movements on the camera limits this idea.

Anyone have experience putting a short rail camera to use taking pictures?

[Walter Calahan]

only on 4x5, my 8x10 is a field camera, so I work with two different bellows

the Nikkor 120 is sweet, and have used it with success

go for it

[David Lobato]

Walter, thanks for the encouragement. I should have described it better. The camera is an old wooden type with a folding flat bed, much like the Kodak 2D's, Deardorffs, Burke and James, etc. It's likely a display camera, which is probably why it's in very good condition.

[ic-racer]

Walter, thanks for the encouragement. I should have described it better. The camera is an old wooden type with a folding flat bed, much like the Kodak 2D's, Deardorffs, Burke and James, etc. It's likely a display camera, which is probably why it's in very good condition.

You may want to think twice about mounting a 610g lens on that camera. How about a Wollensak Extreme Wide Angle 6 1/2" ?