Removing Standards from a Sinar P2

[bieber]

This is maybe a dumb question, but how do you remove the standards from the standard carriers on the P2? The manual's section on changing format refers to a "Knob F" that I should be able to use to remove the back standard at least, but I can't find any such knob on the standards. There's a flat-head screw towards the base of each standard that I suspect might be what I'm looking for, but they're extremely tight on my camera so I'm not sure if it's something I should be messing with.

Also, is regularly removing and reattaching the standards going to be detrimental to the camera? I ask because with the standards sticking out in one direction and the knobs in the other, I'm pretty sure my only hope of getting this thing into a case I could ever check on an airline (or comfortably transport by car, for that matter) is to take the standards off and store them separately.

[Bob Salomon]

Did you buy this used? Are you sure that you don’t have two front standards?

[bieber]

I did buy it used, and I'm not entirely sure how to tell the difference. The two standards seem to be mirror images of each other though, so I'm assuming they're two different ones. Here's some quick photos if that helps.

[Keith Pitman]

I think Bob nailed it: it looks like you have two front standards. Either that or you have an X model that is not supposed to be able to change formats. The rear standard should have a knob on the right side that makes it easy to make a tool-less change of format. The screw in the center will release the standards so they can be removed. When you lift off the standards, don’t lose the two rollers that are loose underneath.

As far as traveling with a rail camera, this camera will hang in a regular monorail case and allow room for other accessories.

[bieber]

Interesting. They can't be the exact same standards, because if they were then their bellows rod holders would be on opposite sides as one's mounted in the opposite direction of the other. Maybe it is a different model that's not meant to be interchangeable? If that's the case, and I decide I want to get into 8x10 some day in the future, can I just buy a rear standard with the thumb screw on it?

> The screw in the center will release the standards so they can be removed. When you lift off the standards, don’t lose the two rollers that are loose underneath.

Okay, I'll give this a try. Are those two rollers going to remain loose as long as the standard is unattached? So I'll want to make sure I get a little baggie to hold onto them.

> As far as traveling with a rail camera, this camera will hang in a regular monorail case and allow room for other accessories.

Heh, I bought the Tenba 4x5 case, but this thing assembled is too tall to fit in it. So now I'm thinking I'll just get one of the Pelican air cases, disassemble the camera when I need to pack it away and travel, and that way I can check it on an airline too, if I want. It's just that the knobs sticking out on one side and the standards jutting out on the other make it hard to find a deep enough case for

[Keith Pitman]

Interesting. They can't be the exact same standards, because if they were then their bellows rod holders would be on opposite sides as one's mounted in the opposite direction of the other. Maybe it is a different model that's not meant to be interchangeable? If that's the case, and I decide I want to get into 8x10 some day in the future, can I just buy a rear standard with the thumb screw on it?

> The screw in the center will release the standards so they can be removed. When you lift off the standards, don’t lose the two rollers that are loose underneath.

Okay, I'll give this a try. Are those two rollers going to remain loose as long as the standard is unattached? So I'll want to make sure I get a little baggie to hold onto them.

> As far as traveling with a rail camera, this camera will hang in a regular monorail case and allow room for other accessories.

Heh, I bought the Tenba 4x5 case, but this thing assembled is too tall to fit in it. So now I'm thinking I'll just get one of the Pelican air cases, disassemble the camera when I need to pack it away and travel, and that way I can check it on an airline too, if I want. It's just that the knobs sticking out on one side and the standards jutting out on the other make it hard to find a deep enough case for

I suspect you have an X model. If you don’t have zero detents for the movements, it’s an X. If you paid a P2 price, you should get some money back.

With the Tenba case, try lowering the standards. It will give you more room at the bottom of the case. Innovate, adapt, overcome!

[bieber]

Huh, I do have zero detents on all my movements, except for the fine focusing. I wonder if someone just put the standard from the X model on the back of a regular P2. I did pay a little under what seemed to be the norm for this (about $850 with bellows, bag bellows, a couple lens boards and the ground glass), so I guess I shouldn't be surprised if it's not 100% typical

[Keith Pitman]

There is a picture in this listing showing the proper rear frame with the knob.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sinar-4x5-P...wAAOSwEOpZ-T0s

[Jeff Keller]

All of the X models I've seen have red horizontal shift knobs (https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/g5oAA...yy/s-l1600.jpg).

It looks to me that you have a P2 with the correct P2 parts with the exception of the rear frame. I believe the screw just above the Sinar label on your first picture is the one which would release the frame.

[archphotofisher]

I say the frames are from an x model, standards look p2 to me.