Sinar Norma questions

[jwanerman]

I have two questions about the Sinar Norma camera:

1. Are all Norma 4x5 backs spring backs, or are some graflok and some spring?

2. Normal in English = Normal in German. Does the name " Norma " refer to another
word, or is it the name of a woman?
Thanks all...

[Frank Petronio]

The Norma backs are "International" backs or effectively the same as Graflock backs, I guess it was a trademark issue? But even the folding metal focusing hood from a contemporaneous Graphic will fit a Sinar. And you can take an old Sinar Norma back and attach it to the latest P2 model perfectly.

As for the name... well, Marilyn Monroe was popular at the time...

[Steven Tribe]

If it was named after a female (which I doubt), Mr Koch in Switzerland may been looking south to Italy. Bellini's opera "Norma" was starting another 50's ikon, Maria Callas.

[philipmorg]

I've heard the camera was named after the designer's daughter.

[Steven Tribe]

The Norma is from 1947 - so too early for MM and Callas.
Daughter is a good bet- Like Mercedes with Benz/Daimler.

[Adamphotoman]

I believe it was named after his wife

[Adamphotoman]

I asked another friend and he said his daughter.
I have an email into Sinar. See if they know.

How Myths start Hey!

[Frank Petronio]

I believe the Sinar Norma was designed by the Oschwald brothers, for the Koch family, the owners of Sinar. The Oschwalds went onto to design and produce the Arca-Swiss cameras. That company was sold to the Vogt family. I could be wrong, I think Kerry Thalman wrote about this years ago.

I suspect the name is a clever acronym, as most photographic products were during that period. But it would be nicer if it were named for a woman ;-)

[Tony Lakin]

The Norma backs are "International" backs or effectively the same as Graflock backs, I guess it was a trademark issue? But even the folding metal focusing hood from a contemporaneous Graphic will fit a Sinar. And you can take an old Sinar Norma back and attach it to the latest P2 model perfectly.

As for the name... well, Marilyn Monroe was popular at the time...

"the folding metal focusing hood from a contemporaneous Graphic will fit a Sinar"


Never thought to try, just took the hood off my Speed, fits my Norma perfectly.

Thanks for the tip

[Adamphotoman]

Hey all,
Should we really demystify our folk legend? Well here goes. I went to the source and emailed the Sinar company and I got a reply. Here is the cut and paste version from my email. BTW Carl Hans Koch did invent the camera and he built them in his garage.


Quick same day response.
If you are the grandson of the Carl Hans Koch Famous for the Sinar Norma. Who was the Norma named after.
Grant

Dear Grant,

unfortunately there is no juicy secret behind this name; "Norma" was just the name of the basic kit of the view camera, as "Norm" means "standard" in German. Later people referred to any Sinar camera with green and polished parts (1948 to 1969) as "Norma".

I hope you still enjoy using this camera, even if it is just named after the word "standard".

Best regards,

Carl