Choosing a 4x5 Monorail?

[Jim Noel]

I have a Sinar Norma and we issue Cambo's to students at school.
No way is the Norma as light as the Cambo.
Cambo has axis tilts and the Norma has base tilts.
Each can be configured to carry in a back pack when needed.
The Cambo is usually available for far less than a Norma and there are plenty of accessories, lens boards, etc. available for both.

[maxbloom]

Alright...cambo it is! There are a few for sale locally for a few hundred. Before you know it I'll get the 8x10 itch!

[watanabe`]

I was in the same boat, was hoping to get either a F1/2 or even a P, and then I saw a few photos of the Norma and I was sold.

It arrived last week and its not 'plasticky' at all and it is a beautiful camera to look at, movements all seem solid and I am 100% pleased with my decision. Would highly recommend checking one out before looking at a more "modern" camera first.

[David A. Goldfarb]

Normas are beautifully made and very solid, but the F/F1/F2 have handy calculators to find the swing and tilt angles, as well as a DOF calculator, and the P/P2 have the DOF calculator and asymmetric tilts and swings, which make it very easy to find the optimal tilt and swing angles without iterative tilting and refocusing. Also the F and P series cameras are yaw-free, which is a handy feature mainly for still life.

[Shmoo]

I started with the F2 and won't part with it...solid, easy to use and modular...well worth the $$$

[kirkfry]

I got a nice usable Linhoff 45S for $180 with one real lens board. The boards alone sometimes sell for more than that. 18 in max rail. K