Hello all,
I am seriously contemplating the purchase of a monorail 4x5 for architectural wo rk. I need a quality tool with the minimun of essential accessories for a start er set. A Sinar Norma has been suggested to me by a pro in the field, and I wou ld love feedback on this or other Sinar models. I would also love to hear though t on which 1 oe 2 lenses would be best to start with. Thanks.
Gene Johnson
A Sinar Norma will be just fine. You'll need a bag bellows. Among newer cameras, a Sinar-F (any variation)will also be excellent. A 90mm lens is the "normal" for architecture. Brand and f/stop to your taste. The faster lenses from the major makers have bigger image circles. I use a 90/8 Nikkor-W and have not yet run out of coverage.
A sinar Norma is a very well made camera.
A Sinar P or P2 is much easier to work with because of assymmetric swings and tilts. This camera more than any other viewcamera I have ever owned allows you to concentrate on the creative part - of visualizing and analyzing the image. Swings and tilts, depth of fild, and focus become childs play. At the moment I use a bastardized Sinar 5X7 with a Norma back and Sinar F2 front. I am trying to get my hands on a P2 rear standard, but no luck yet. In the past I have owned Sinar P's both 4X5 and 8X10...(plus a slew of other view cameras: 8X10 Deardorff, 4X5 Linhof Kardan B, Wisner Expedition 5X7, Speed Graphic 4X5, Cambo Legend etc...)
For ease of operation, precision and fast set up I have not found a better camera than the Sinar P system. - weighs a bit, BUT if you add up all the other stuff needed, the weight of the actual camera becomes a smaller percentage of the total...
Gene,
I suggest that you also consider an Arca Swiss Discovery when you are looking at cameras. There are many threads in this forum that discuss this camera. It was my first choice, but I found a good deal on a used 45 Calumet 45NX, and I could not pass it up. If you want to save money on the camera, and put it into lenses, you might consider a used 45NX. You can find them in good shape now for $400 and even less! You give up some conveniences, but it is a good, solid camera.
For a first lens, I suggest a 90mm. This is the most frequently suggested first lens for architecture. Not to wide, not too long. It is like a 28mm lens for a 35mm kit. Not all 90mm lenses are created equally. Manufacturers usually offer 2 versions. One with a large max lens opening (much bigger front element requiring a bigger filter), and one with a smaller max lens opening (less expensive, smaller and lighter). Typically the large lens openings are f/4.5 (Rodenstock, Caltar, Nikon) or f/5.6 (Schneider, Fujinon), and the smaller openings are either f/6.8 (Rodenstock, Caltar) or f/8 (Nikon, Schneider). By the way, Caltar II Wide lenses are identical to the Rodenstock Grandagon-N offerings. They are manufactured for Calumet by Rodenstock. They are usually less expensive than Rodenstock lenses.
Typically, the more expensive larger lenses offer a larger image circle, which is important for architecture. The Nikon 90mm f/8 is the exception. It's image circle is equal to the more expensive version. The Schneider XL series lens offers the largest image circle (and a really big price tag). The lenses with larger max apertures are often considered critical for architectural work, because they make it easier to focus the camera.
I have a Rodenstock Grandagon-N 90mm f/4.5, which I bought used. I think it is an excellent lens, and have been very happy with it. I really appreciate the larger max lens opening for focusing. I have never felt the need for the extreme movements of the Schneider 90mm Super Angulon XL. The fact of the matter is that all of the manufacturers make excellent lenses. If you choose to go with one of the smaller lenses, the Nikon lens may jump to the front of the line, because of its large image circle.
For a second lens, it depends on what you photograph. I went with a used 75mm f/4.5 Rodenstock Grandagon-N. This lens is akin to a 24mm in the 35mm world. Again, I am very happy with it. Another alternative is to go a bit longer. Lenses are available in the 110mm to 125mm range from all of these manufacturers. There is more variability in this group. Essentially, these are in the same classification as a 35mm lens for a 35mm camera. These lenses can be very big, like the 115mm f/6.8 Grandagon-N. The Schneider 110mm XL is very highly regarded. It is also expensive. My lens in this range is a used Fujinon W 125mm f/5.6. This lens is very small and light. It has been replaced in the Fujinon lineup by a 125mm CM-W f/5.6, which has a larger image circle than my version. Even so, it offers less movements than the larger lenses like the Fujinon 125mm f/8, the 115mm Grandagon, or the Super Angulon 120mm (I think) f/8. Other photographers jump past this group of lenses to a standard 135mm or 150mm lens.
Well, that was pretty long-winded. I hope you find it useful. It is just some information I would like to have had when making my first decisions on lenses.
The Sinar Norma, Sinar C, P or X cameras are all terrific. So are the Arca-Swiss F-line & Discovery and Linhof TK45s cameras. The Sinar F series of cameras are not precise or stable enough for me and because of their compromised design are clumsy to handle and transport.
My advice would be to start with a fast 90mm (f/4.5 or f/5.6) lens and a 150mm or 180mm lens.
The Sinar Norma, Sinar C, P or X cameras are all terrific. So are the Arca-Swiss F-line & Discovery and Linhof TK45s cameras. The Sinar F series of cameras are not precise or stable enough for me and because of their compromised design are clumsy to handle and transport.
My advice would be to start with a fast 90mm (f/4.5 or f/5.6) lens and a 150mm or 180mm lens.
I suggest you start with a copy of Photographing Buildings Inside and Out, 2nd editionby Norman McGrath.
Gene,
Ellis made a great suggestion. The McGrath book is fantastic. Two other good books by Michael Harris: Professional Architectural Photography and Professional Interior Photography. There is some overlap, but overall both are useful. There is another book by Gerry Kopolow, but I do not recall the title. I think that one was written more for the architect who wanted to photograph his or her own projects. All are available at Amazon.com.
A reasonably priced alternative is the Linhof Kardan Bi. Built like a Sherman tank with all the bells and whistles. Save your money for the center filters that you will need for those high end wide angle lenses. Good Luck.
Hi,
I'm using Horseman LE for architecture. I think it's better than sinar becauce it can be easily transported (after dismounting bellows you can turn each standard by 90? and your camera is perfectly flat. It takes not as much place for transport as sinar does). Horseman system is also very flexible. LE is very precise camera with smooth movements. When I'm going to shoot architecture, I pack lenses, holders, bellows into small lowepro bacpack, and Horseman LE into a flat case. It is very convenient to carry in a city. Lenses. I'm using Schneider Super Angulon 58mm XL for ultrawide work, Schneider Apo-Symmar 120mm, and Rodenstock Siranor-N 210mm.
I used to carry a Sinar C in a small Zero-Halliburton case. The ArcaSwiss Can also be flattened and packed in the same manner as is described for the Horseman.
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