When shooting scenics with a 4x5 or a 8x10 camera, that required hiking, best is a soft bag white nayga with holders and stuff (Zone VI Monorail Bag/discreet), and a thick pillow on my shoulder. Also DOMKE Post Office Pad from B&H. Balance the wooden tripod/camera, sling the bag, and off you go. Worked good for long day hikes. When I was to where I wanted to go, I was glad to have 4x5 Norma for experimental shots. If I really liked the scene and wanted to rework it, I would sling the 8x10 Norma. When the wind is blowing hard, the Norma cuts the mustard. And so precise to use. Most here use folders, not my preference. No torture involved, only shooting bliss.
Get or make a short rail, I've made bunches of them. Carry the whole thing around in one piece. Quite often I was not going that far.
Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
― Mark Twain
I want to thank all of you for the good advice. I'm guilty of comparing apples to oranges. I have seen only 3 monorail cameras in person at local camera shops over the last year. These were Cambo, Calumet, Omega (I do know some of these are made by the same companies). All of these were the simple, budget models where parts were simpler, and nothing was geared and, obviously, much lighter.
I knew I was getting "too much camera", I wanted to slowly learn it and hopefully grow into it. Just didn't count on the weight.
Another question. The four "posts" on the standards have a plastic plug. I removed one and noticed the posts are threaded. I'm thinking this is for an accessory, maybe adding post to increase the rise and fall range? I saw a video where a woman had a Cambo SC2 and these posts were long enough that she could easily set the camera on a table upside down resting on the 4 posts. Seems like a great way to handle/store it while not on a tripod. Would it be possible to pick up 4 short bolts from the hardware store to use? Can't hurt anything, right?
I bought a standard rail (in rough condition missing parts), and cut it down. I use my Lil' Machine Shop Electric Bandsaw, to cut down all kinds of things. Anybody with a shop could do this for you. Not sure how yours works but should be doable.
Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
― Mark Twain
That's a good idea, thank you.
I apologize to Mr. Kumar, it seems I did not buy this camera from him. oops
It's basically the Japanese cousin to the classic Sinar Norma model, which easily fits, fully set up with an 24 inch rail, in the top compartment of my vintage (US made) Kelty Tioga external frame backpack. Way more load capacity, better gear protection, and more comfortable to carry than any "camera pack". Over the decades, I've backpacked over 15,000 miles of difficult terrain in this manner using the Sinar system. Now in my mid-70's, I now use Sinar only for day hikes. For long treks I now substitute a lightweight Ebony 4X5 folder instead.
If you like the perspective of long lenses, like I do, monorails are wonderful. But they can be rapidly converted to short lens usage too. They're more versatile and quicker to set up than folders. It's a myth they're suitable only for studio use.
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