From: clev@lager.cisco.com (Rob Clevenger)
Newsgroups: rec.photo
Subject: Re: Sinar Questions
Date: 12 Jan 93 19:04:48
Organization: cisco Systems
NNTP-Posting-Host: lager.cisco.com
In-reply-to: mcfarlan@aurigaxerox.com's message of Tue, 12 Jan 1993 11:36:49 GMT

In article <1993Jan12.113649.19207@spectrum.xerox.com> mcfarlan@aurigaxerox.com (Doug McFarland 73624 - UI Systems) writes:

   I'm looking at a 4x5 Sinar (either the a1 or f1), as a field camera
   and have a few questions.

   1. Their catalog does not show a revolving back. Is it possible
   to shoot vertical without tilting the whole camera sideways ? If 
   so how so ?

Yes, the entire back comes off with a flick of a lever and can be
rotated and re-installed.

   2. Is the Sinar back a grafloc back ? Their literature does not say.
   I would like to use an inexpensive 6x9 rollfilm (not their $1300 one
   or the $2200 variformat).

The Sinar F1 that I have allows you to remove the ground glass easily
and install a graflok back.

   3. Any a1/f1 folks want to comment on what they like/dislike about
   these cameras.

I take my F1 everywhere and love it.  I constructed a backpack to
carry it assembled (on the monorail), with two lenses (on lensboards),
extension rail (only necessary for lenses with focal lengths longer
than 210mm or if doing close-up work), dark cloth and a few other
accessories.  I carry the film holders, focusing loupe, filters, etc.
in a fanny pack that I wear backwards so that it is more like an
apron.  I strap the tripod to the back pack.  All together this outfit
weighs about 30 lbs. (camera ~7 lbs, tripod ~12 lbs, etc.), light
enough to carry a few miles.  I can set the camera up and be focused
and ready to expose a sheet of film in about 5 minutes.  If I take the
camera on a long trip I break it down and pack it more compactly.
This increases set-up time a bit.

A wooden field camera would be a little bit lighter and more compact,
and (IMHO) take slightly longer to set-up.  I almost bought a wooden
field but I found that none of them had enough movements for all of
the types of shoots I would be doing (i.e., front rise for
architecture).  The F1 has more than enough.

The Sinar camera is a modular system that allows you to add pieces at
a later date.  You could add an 8x10 back in the future should you
decide to move up to that format.  You could decide to buy a true
studio Sinar (C or P) and interchange many of the pieces.

Also, there is a lot of used Sinar equipment on the market at
drastically reduced prices.  I bought my F1 used for around US$650
(lenses extra, of course).

The A1 has a different rail than the other Sinars, so the rail, rail
clamp, and the front and rear standards are different, and thus not
interchangeable.

One thing to consider is that the A1/F1 standards tilt at the base
instead of on the lens axis like most view cameras.  This can, in some
situations, add to the set-up time.

Feel free to email me directly if you have more questions and good
luck.  Oh, BTW, a photo shop near my workplace has a used Sinar F1 in
pretty good condition for US$695.

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