4x5-Field vs. Monorail

f/stopblues said:
I have a Cambo 4x5 monorail and have adopted the philosophy of, "If its more than 100 yards from the car, it's not photogenic." (someone's sig on apug) ... Snip
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ICBW, but I think it's a quote from Edward Weston.
 
"Totally jealous! That would be a great backcountry MF/LF camera. I will have to remember this. Would the front standard accept a newer lens?"

I'm afraid not Wayne, the camera is 1908-12 vintage and the options are rather limited, they do produce great pics however.

Hugh
 
Wow, I like that 3A conversion!

BTW, in looking for something else, I stumbled on this discussion about monorail vs. field for landscape/nature work. Lots of good info and opinions.
 
What was I thinking?

What was I thinking?

hughjb said:
"Totally jealous! That would be a great backcountry MF/LF camera. I will have to remember this. Would the front standard accept a newer lens?"

I'm afraid not Wayne, the camera is 1908-12 vintage and the options are rather limited, they do produce great pics however.

Hugh
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Of course. Use the original lens. I have an old folding "field" camera I bought at the semi-annual Paris flea market in 1969. The lens+shutter looks similar. It must be a plate camera of some fractional size. The "film" holders are sized & shaped to take thin glass plates. Almost, but not quite, 4x5.
 
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venchka said:
The "film" holders are sized & shaped to take thin glass plates. Almost, but not quite, 4x5.
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That is very likely european metric 9x12 cm size. It should be possible to get film in that size in the US. Or cut down 4x5". Use some thin glass as support and "glue" the film onto the plate with some honey or jam (true!). A bit of extra work, but results can be great.

EDIT: Checked, Freestyle has Efke 100 in this size.
 
If it's not 4x5 but close then you can often remove the rear assembly and modify it to take a 4x5 spring back (or graflok if you prefer). You'll either get a slightly cropped image on 4x5, or possibly the whole frame 4x5, maybe with vignetting depending on the camera and lens.

This way you have the more modern and available 4x5 film and film holders.

That was my plan but I never managed to buy a cheap 9x12.
 
Not to get sidetracked, but these all metal holders are very thin. There's a semi-circular spring on one end to push against the glass plate to hold it in. The ground glass "back" is a similar size to the holders. The back slides up & out and the plate holder slides down to take a picture. Double stick tape was my first thought ages ago. I think the whole camera is light leaky now. I'll just look at it. Use my real cameras.

Ok, looking at it now. The camera suffered major damage in the move. The screws holding the front to the body are ripped out and gone. The lens is a Wollensak made in Rochester, NY USA. The plate holders are stamped BREVETE 500G. Apertures: 1 2 3 Shutter speeds: 1/2, 1/5, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100 B T. All speeds seem to be the same, probably 1/100. It's toast.
 
Nope. Had it too long. My Decorator uses it for display purposes. It's quite small, all wood with tattered covering. We'll keep it as a reminder to take better care of ancient things.
 
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