Another 4x5 field camera question

I'm aware that similar question have been asked several times, including

yesterday's question from Jim Wilson. I have searched for answer, but

haven't find the <i>real</i> one.<br>

So I will narrow his and mine search for ideal Sinar companion... As 1st, I'm

looking for 4x5" or 9x12cm camera. I have Sinar F1 with plenty of backs and

several lenses, however, I will carry on field just two of them (135mm Symmar

and 210mm G-Claron), the others are just too heavy.<br>

Main question in my case is what kind of holders can be put in some old

folding cameras (like graflex or linhof). Do they take standard "international"

double film holders? I plan to shoot mostly 9x12 cm B&W (efke ortho ;)) so it

doesn't matter if the camera isn't designed for "whole 4x5". What about old

wooden cameras? I have seen in my life just one "big" wooden 18x24cm so

can't imagine the 4x5" version. On auction sites I can see that people are

offering wooden holders with some of them so it seams that those cameras

won't take my holders.<br>

Second "problem" or question is about lens boards. Is there any camera

which can take sinar's board? I know that 8x10 tachihara is designed to use

them, but in 4x5"? Or maybe someone knows good way to adapt cameras

holder to use sinar's board (like "slide-in" something... sorry on my clumsy

english)? I know that I can move lens from one board tho another, but if I

don't have to, I prefer not to.<br>

And finally: kind of movements I need... not all of them, just front basic

movements (fall, rise, swing, tilt...) and rotating back (or just "displacing"

horizontal/vertical).<br><br>

Well, that's it. Tnx for any suggestion, tip and help in making our final

decisions.<br><br>

Janko

Have you looked at this camera: <A href =http://www.icon.co.za/~panfield/> The

Panfield ( http://www.icon.co.za/~panfield/)</a>? it is built around Sinar front and

rear standards.

I have a Sinar Norma that I use in the field. To cut down on bulk I

have my 'field' lenses (121 S.A, 150 and 210 Symmars) in

Technika-style boards, and use an adapter board on the front

standard. The Norma-era adapter boards crop up quite often on

eBay.de, and Robert White sell Technika-style boards at

reasonable prices, so it won't be a big hassle or expense to

switch.

I don't know of a 4x5 'field' that uses Sinar 5.25" boards, but lots

of them use the Technika-style ones.

All the same, you might want to consider taking your monorail

out in the field. When I want to travel light I use a short rail and

an auxiliary standard instead of the front standard. That cuts the

weight and bulk quite significantly, and doesn't restrict my

movements. A friend does something similar with his more

modern Sinar, using one of the F-series auxiliary standards.

Janko the Graphics and Tech's take standard 4X5 double cut film holders.

The old style was wood till plastic ones came around. Some of the wooden

holders had grooves cut along the edges to be used with slide locks, but were

still useable with spring or graflok backs by slipping them under the

groundglass. Your standard holders will work with an older Graphic. Of

course if you need simple rear movements, and who wouldn't ( I shoot an

older Pacemaker and frequently need them), I'd go for a something else.

Your simple cheaper cameras in new 4x5 fields are the Tachihara/Osaka/

Calumet line, and the Shen Hao. More than likely if you wanted to use your

lenses on both your F1 and a new camera you'd have to have a adapter

made that accepted the new cameras boards on your F1 and not the other

way around. A machine shop can take care of it for you. The only Sinar

lensboard adapter I see available to take other manufactuers boards is one

for the Linhof . You could buy a used Tech which will give you the

movements, but I think the Tachi style lineup is lighter for hiking; They just

won't have the reach of the Linhof with the Tachi's bellows about 12". Over

that you'd have to buy a tele lens.

Tnx for answers... basically the same thoughts I have.<br>

Ellis, that link is dead right now, at least from my location, do you have any

other? Fast search on google didn't help me.<br>

Struan and Wayne, yes, I was afraid that answers will sound like those you

gave me: to place my lenses on tehnica board and to buy/make adapter for

sinar.<br>

I'm not afraid of "short" rail extension - I will put basic stuff in my backpack

(some smaller LF camera, 10 to 20 holders, 2 lenses, tripod, lightmeter,

Rolleicord and some other small thinks) and the rest (sinar, long extensions,

sinar bellows, SA 90, TX 360) will be in camera case in my car. I'm planing to

walk for hour or two (in one direction) and my backpack with complete sinar is

about 16 kilo... and that is much. Plus Rollei and some food and drink... In

case I need/want to do some macro or tele, I will do that closer to the car

;-))<br>

And my "modern" Sinar (F1) is just what Struan suggested - rear standard f1

and multipurpose standard as front one. Otherwise it will be too heavy for my

basic assignments (my main work is on locations outside my town, so I

choose the smallest sinar I could find).<br>

And one more "and"... I don't want to spend more than 250-300 euros/usd

on that "hobby" camera, so I think I will go for one older graflex or linhof, and

now, another question - what to look for when buying such "oldies"? Are

there any hidden traps? (like old lightmeter in 35mm SLR's or wrong speeds in

unused shutters?).<br><br>

Tnx. Janko