Is a 4x5 monorail practical in the field?

I've been noticing how cheap Calumet and Toyo 4x5 monorails are--do

any of you have any experience using them in the field. Are they

practical at all to take for short hikes (less than a mile)? For the

record, I shoot almost exclusively outdoors. Or should I just not be

so cheap and buy a new Toyo field for $529? I can get a Calumet with

150mm lens for $300. I've already picked up some 4x5 film holders.

 

Thanks for any help you might have.

There are some photographers that work with monorails in the field. They can be transported but just not as easily as a field camera. I began my 4X5 photography with a Sinar F and then moved to a Crown Graphic for the reasons of portability. I got a Zone VI field camera back in the late 80's and still use it today. I would not go back to a monorail for my work today. However I realize that there are matters other then ease of use which may apply, economics being one of them. A monorail takes longer to set up, longer to tear down, is not as compact. Aside from those factors it has the benefit of having greater movements. Those are my thoughts based upon my experience. Good luck in your efforts no matter what you decide.

 

Regards,

 

Donald Miller

I'd think <i>real</i> hard before buying a new Toyo field camera for $529. The model you are think about has not gotten a lot of good reviews.

Robert,

 

I have hiked much farther than one mile with my Calumet 45NX. If you think you might want all of the movements of a monorail, and are willing to carry a camera that is somewhat cumbersome to carry in a backback, I think that a used 45NX is a great deal and a fine learner camera. It is featured as the "demonstration" camera in many introductory large format books. The camera is very durable and you probably will be able to sell it for close to what you paid for it. I reviewed the 45NX on largeformatphotography.info: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/calumet/calumet-45nx.html.

 

I have not used the older Calumet monorails, but I understand that they too are very durable, provide you with all of the movements you need, and can also be backpacked for the distances you are talking about.

Regardless of your choice of camera, in your price range you ought to look at used, not new, for the best quality alternatives.

 

Are you walking great distances? In winter? Do your outdoor subjects require the greater flexibility a mororail provides? If you're starting out in LF you may find an inexpensive field camera to be your best bet. Monorails don't have to be impractical, but the choices within your budget are more unwieldy than, say, a Toho-Shimo.

I've hauled my Calumet cc402 (22") monorail into all sorts of places. There are times I've thought about lighter and more compact cameras...but I've never been disappointed that the camera couldn't do what I asked of it. I like having all that bellows for close up photography in the field. I used to pad it with a blanket and put it on top of my Kelty pack. Lenses and holders went in plastic bags.

 

If you find it isn't the camera for you, you can probably get your money back out of it without too much trouble.

 

Good Luck

Last spring when I was considering getting a 4 x 5 camera, I asked similar questions. I had been using a medium format Horseman Technical Camera, and because of arthritis I was concerned about how much I could carry. I considered getting a Calumet Cadet. But several people suggested I look at the Toho FC-45X. See

 

www.thalmann.com/largeformat/toho.htm

 

for a detailed description of that camera. Note that it is Toho not Toyo. It can be bought from Badger Graphics for just under $1200, so it is more expensive than other choices, but I took the plunge and got one. Having used the Horseman, I felt I would not be satisfied with a field camera. I am very happy with my choice. It is actually lighter than my Horseman---I don't think there is anything lighter. It comes apart into two sections, and I can stuff it with three lenses and a spotmeter in a small backpack designed for 35 mm cameras and lenses. It is not as rigid as the Arca Swiss that Jack Dykinga carries around, but with care I don't find stability too much of a problem. It has a full range of motion and I have no problem using it with my 90 mm lens. Kerry Thalmann says it can be used with even wider angle lenses although movements would be severely limited. I recently looked at the Cadet again at Calumet, and I definitely would have been frustrated had I got it. It would have been quite limited in movements with a 90 mm lens, and it doesn't allow very precise focusing.

I use a 4x5 Linhof Color as a lightweight option when I feel the Technika III 5x7" will be too heavy to carry.

 

Camera, 6 lenses, 6 holders, dark cloth, changing bag, extra film, Spotmeter, coffee thermos all fit in a Lowepro S&F Rover Lite. And all together it weighs almost as much as the TechIII with 2 lenses...

I have but one view camera and I do both studio and location. It is an Arca Swiss F-Classic 6x9 with a 4x5 conversion back. It will fit into one of the photo backpacks out there quite nicely. May be a bit heavier than a field camera, but the slight additional weight can only make the hike a better aerobic work out :-). This camera will do everything you need now, and in the future, but it is pricy compared to what you are looking at.

Yes, many people use monorails in the field. I sold my field camera and bought a Gowland, which weighs 2(two!) pounds. The Gowland, along with the Arca-Swiss F-Line, the Linhof Technikardan, and the aforementioned Toho are specifically designed to work well in the field, being light and packing small.

 

The truly determined will take whatever the hell they want into the field, right on up to a Sinar P2, it's just a matter of how much weight and bulk you tolerate.

 

Used Gowlands appear on eBay now and again, in your price range (there's one there right now (2/7/03)). Some people find them too fussy/imprecise to operate, but nobody finds them too large, too heavy, or too expensive. The other brands will all cost several times more.

 

CXC

Gosh, Ole, you've sure got a stronger back than I have. I made one trip with a Linhof Color, 2 lenses, etc., then started looking for a wooden field camera. I just didn't find it fun to tote such a load, then be enthused by a scene - too tired. Robert, I'd strongly suggest you borrow one from somebody first. Remember, even though you might only make "short" trips, there are ups and downs in this world. That was my experience.

I used a Tachihara for 9 months, but decades back, I had a Calumet, and always missed having all view camera movements and real soldity. I just traded up to an Arca-Swiss Discovery and love it. The extra weight is worth every extra measure of exercise it gives me while carrying it. Being an entirely modular system, it can easily be extended, and being made of metal, it poses less of a worry over breakage. Being a monorail, it takes no time to set up: you can leave a lens on it, and just put it on the tripod when you want to shoot.

 

Meanwhile, the Tachihara is in excellent shape, and is probably still available from Badger Graphics at a great price.

Ken (Lee, above) - is the Discovery a pain to fit into a backpack? It's priced awfully nice for an A/S camera, but I wonder how good it would be as a field camera.

Robert,

 

I use a Toyo 45D in the field with the short rail. I'm basically trunk shooter, but when I have ventured out a little, I carry my lenses, meter, and a few holders in the large Domke shoulder bag I use for the Nikon 35mm stuff. I tote the Toyo by hand holding it upside down by the rail. My lovely assistant (the Mrs.) carries the tripod. I wouldn't tackle the Alps this way, but for a short trek into the woods it works. I'd love a more portable set up, but haven't felt enough pain yet to spend the money.

 

Jerry

Brian,

 

I helped talk Ken into the Discovery. It fits quite well into my REI "Half Dome" toploader backpack. I put in my camera, reflex viewer, 10 4x5 holders, lenses, filters, etc. with room to spare. This backpack is small enough to carry on a plane, so it can get pretty compact. For walking around I'm one of those that leaves it on the tripod, but if you don't want to, undo the quick release and just hold it by the rail b/n the standards. I did just comment in another thread that I wouldn't take it on a 10-mile hike, and I still stand by that statement. But, it packs well, travels well, and can easily go on short hikes (or longer ones if you choose, but I'm more of the mindset that anything photogenic is within 100 feet of the car).

 

For flying it will either fit in the backpack on the rail as I have described above, or I put it in one of those roll-on bags, popping out the bellows and flipping the standards flat -- that way it takes up next to no room in the bag.

 

-Jen

Just to add briefly to Jennifer's excellent comments: (She helped me quite a lot !)

 

I have been using the case that comes as part of the Discovery "kit". It holds the camera, 3 lenses, a light meter, 6 holders, and a collection of glasses, gloves, filters, etc. I put my focusing cloth, folded, on my shoulder, under the strap.

 

I also carry the Arca Swiss extension rail that I purchased - and this can be an important issue if you are considering the Discovery, depending on the lenses that you use. The Discovery rail allows one to focus a 240mm lens (or 400 tele) at infinity - but not much closer. To really use those lenses for close work, or to use a 150 for true detail work, you will need to purchase an extension rail. It just pops into the end of the existing rail. It's very well machined, and when removed, the camera is rather small again.

 

It adds a few hundred dollars to the price of the camera, but it is well worth it, if you intend to use longer lenses or do close-up work. I like to do both studio and field work, and find it ideal for either. (I took the attached photo using the rail: having unlimited extension really made me appreciate having a rail rather than a folding field camera)

 

In case wasn't obvious from other postings, being a modular system, it can be knocked down to something not much bigger than a loose-leaf binder for travelling. However, you wouldn't want to assemble it every time you take a photo.<div></div>

I do full-day hikes with a Gowland 8x10" monorail, so a 4x5" should be a piece of cake.

 

Kerry Thalmann's site, referenced above has some good reviews of some of the lightweight field cameras including the Toho Shimo monorail. Also be sure to check the reviews at largeformatphotography.info.

 

It's really a matter of what you feel comfortable with. I'm finding that in the city, I like to have a 4x5" field camera that I can set up and put away quickly and can use with a folding hood rather than a darkcloth. For landscapes where I don't have to worry so much about getting in people's way and being aware of what is going on in my immediate vicinity and such, the 8x10" monorail is just fine.

Hello Robert!

 

First of all I second the first answer You got: according to people having hand-on experience with the inexpensive & plastic Toyo field introduced recently (which I assume is what You get for $$ 500), It is a camera to avoid. Search this forum for the model name, and You will find a number of discussions on the subject. By the way, for $$ 500 You can buy an indestructable (except bellows) Linhof Tech III w/decent Xenar 150mm lens and be up & going. That being said, I would personally go for a monorail if You keep Your "no further than 1 mile from the car" promise. Having used various combinations of the Sinar system (which can be bought for less money now as the studio-guys throw them out to go digital with GX 680 or whatever), I in fact prefer to bring my P/P2 combo when operating not to far from the car. The "unlimited" movements, separate & COMFORTABLY PLACED, ARRANGED & SELF-LOCKING adjustment for every movement, stability, changable bellows for WA & adaptability to do everything is reasons enough. Bringing a 4"x5" Sinar in the field is easy sliding the camera into the 6" rail and letting the tripod-block sit permanently on tripod. Ordinary backpack is roomy enough for the camera to be put (I use a fleeche for cushioning around camera) upside down into the backpack. Since the Sinar F/C/P's are without U-standard (as the older Calumet/cambo/400 all have), it steals no big space sitting on the 6" rail. Setup means attaching the camera, adding the standard rail, and You are in business in less than 60 sec. I would personally avoid the old but inexpensive Calumet C400 (identical to Kodak Master View which I had once) as the standards can not be swung enough to permit compact packing, and the rail is permanently attached (You can remove the end-buttons and run the three parts separately off, but rather cumbersome and add-on short rails do not exist, only a short-rail WA version). Thus, backpacking means having to deal with a 16' stainless steel rod (the monorail) prmanently attached to the camera. If You go for the Sinar - You can extend the system nearly indefinitely, but You might chose another brand as You have reason to avoid the less stable Sinar F and have the F2 but preferably C as starting camera. bringing second-hand camera-purchase to the "beyond $$ 700" mark.

 

Anyway - good luck & enjoy LF!

There are monorails and then there are monorails. A true studio monorail such as the Calumet (I don't know about the Toyo, I've never seen it) are a royal pain to carry around, set up, and use in the field. I know, I've tried it. I used to teach a photography course at a local university. We had a segment on large format photography. The only large format cameras the school had available were two monorails, a Calumet and a Linhof Kardan. Even by bringing in my own field cameras to class and showing how much easier they were to carry around and use than a monorail, I was never able to convince any student to continue with large format photography after using these two monorails in the field.

 

But then there are "monorails" that are designed to be more readily used in the field such as the Linhof Technikardan and the Toho whatever. I think the Arca Discovery may be in that category too though I've never seen that camera. The Technikardan and similar "monorails" are designed so that the monorail folds up or telescopes, making the camera more portable than the typical studio monoarail though still not, IMHO after owning the Technikardan for a while, as convenient as a true field camera.

 

In the old days field cameras were noted for having short bellows and minimal movements. This is no longer true of many field cameras. Wisners, Canhams, and others all have very long bellows and extensive movements. Even inexpensive field cameras like the Tachihara and Shen Hao have plenty of movements for everything except perhaps product and interior architectural work.

 

My opinion is that if you're working in the field get a camera designed for working in the field, don't try to adapt a studio monorail to a use for which it was never intended.

I used to take the Calumet monorail into the 'field' but never more than a few yards from my car. Way to heavy and bulky. Get yourself a Speed Graphic or (my choice) Crown Graphic to get yourself started in the world of shlepping a big camera. The added bonus of the Graphic is the ability to hand-hold when desired. If you have the dough, any one of the wooden field cameras (I own a Wista) is a nice thing to use.

 

A Crown Graphic with a 135mm lens and top rangefinder is a very, very nice way to get started.

In my experience, a monorail camera is very practical in the field. What's not practical is getting it there and back. That's why I switched to a field camera. You give up some things, you gain some things.

 

Spend a hundred bucks more and get a Shen Hao HZX-45IIA for $625. You'll get more movements than you would with the $529 Toy Field camera (no, that's not a typo, it's an insult). If I had the money to blow, I'd buy an Ebony or a Linhof, they are much nicer cameras and have precise movements and are a real pleasure to behold. I could afford to buy one, but it probably wouldn't take very good pictures because I wouldn't be able to buy a lens for it.

 

That $300 Calumet may sound like a good idea, but you're probably not going to like hiking with it.

Robert, based on your uploaded photos, I don't think you need the movements granted by the heavier monorails in your price range. (Par for the course, most monorail recommendations ignored your budget and noted cameras that cost at least twice what you said you wanted to spend.)

 

As some here have already suggested, I'd also recommend that you first look at an inexpensive, light, portable Crown Graphic. If you need more movements and can swing $600 or so, look seriously at a Tachihara or Shen Hao.

 

In the mean time check out

 

http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/budgetlf.html

While it's all nice for us to state what we feel comfortable hauling the fact is it's a personal thing. I'd have no real problem with my Calumet C401 and all the other goodies you need to take with you. Don't forget them. But then others will have different tolerance levels. The terrain you're hiking is going to make a big difference. Is that 1mile over flat city or 1mile straight up a hill? The problem with my Calumet isn't so much the weight but the long rail. If it slid off the rail then the total package would be fairly compact.

 

Which Calumet can you get for $300 and which lens? If it's a modern lens then you might want to get it for just that. It all depends on the condition.

Thanks for all of the useful posts. I've decided against buying a monorail--I was probably just going that way because it was so cheap. I'm also shying away from the inexpensive Toyo field. That leaves me with several choices--a relatively inexpensive wooden field camera or and older metal field camera. I hope to buy something in the next few weeks.

 

Thanks again.

Thanks again for all of the responses. I ended up buying a used Tachihara with a Fujinon 135 lens in a Copal 0 shutter. Good condition, decent price. It should do the job for me.