Arca F Line Configuration

[jeroldharter]

I am thinking of buying an Arca-Swiss if my daughter sells for a good price. But I don't have any more children so I want to buy the right configuration.

I would get the 4x5 F-Line.

From what I can tell, most people prefer the telescoping monorail to the collapsing (folding) monorail.

Beyond that, I use lenses from 75mm to 300 mm. Is there a single bellows that will accommodate that range?

I assume that the 30 cm rail is just long enough to cover the 300mm lens at infinity. Is an extension bracket usually necessary for the 300 mm lens?

If I bought the standard bellows (instead of the tapered leather one), what is the widest lens that will handle?

I have 5 lenses and even Arca lens boards cost a small fortune. Does anyone make cheaper Arca lens boards?

I like the idea of geared rise but have never used it. Any drawbacks apart from the slightly higher weight and cost of the "Metric" version?

Thanks.

[resummerfield]

…….From what I can tell, most people prefer the telescoping monorail to the collapsing (folding) monorail……..

I have a new-style 4x5 Metric F with the 141mm standards, and it has the telescoping monorail. I keep a 15cm monorail rail on the camera, so it is a very compact unit to carry, and keep another 40cm monorail on the standard 30cm extension bracket. This gives me 15 + 40 cm when the monorails are touching, and another 10cm or so when I side them apart. It is a very compact way to carry the camera.

…….Beyond that, I use lenses from 75mm to 300 mm. Is there a single bellows that will accommodate that range? ……..

I have the standard bellows. I can use a 65mm lens with limited movements—the small lens image circle precludes excessive movements. I have used a 450mm lens at infinity, but it stretches the bellows to their limits. So 75mm to 300mm lenses would be very comfortable.

…….I assume that the 30 cm rail is just long enough to cover the 300mm lens at infinity. Is an extension bracket usually necessary for the 300 mm lens? ……..

Purchase the standard “optical bench telescope” which has two 15cm rails and a 30cm extension bracket. Also purchase a single 40cm (or 30cm) rail, and you are set for around 65cm. The standard 15 + 15 cm rails, extended in the bracket, will give around 40cm, which is enough for a 300mm lens.

…….If I bought the standard bellows (instead of the tapered leather one), what is the widest lens that will handle? ……..

I can focus a 65mm lens with the standard bellows. There is not much room for movements, but the 65mm Rodenstock lens has a pretty small image circle.

If you go with the tapered bellows, you have the smaller 110mm front standard, and the much smaller lensboards. I tend to use bigger lenses, and I find a small 110mm lensboard too tight. The 141mm lensboard is big enough to use even the older, barrel lenses--I have a 42cm Voigtlander Heliar that I can use on My Arca.

…….I have 5 lenses and even Arca lens boards cost a small fortune. Does anyone make cheaper Arca lens boards? ……..

No. At least no one that I’ve found.

…….I like the idea of geared rise but have never used it. Any drawbacks apart from the slightly higher weight and cost of the "Metric" version? ……..

I really like my Metric version. When I’m focusing, I can use one hand to raise or shift the standard. That alone is worth the extra price.
Also consider the Orbix option, that allows axis tilt. I have it, and would buy it again.

I find my Arca is every bit a compact as a conventional flat bed camera, and much more rigid. I'll never sell it.

[jeroldharter]

Thank you for the great information. That was very clear.

However, film is dead. You are on a path to nowhere. You really should re-think what you are doing. And about selling your gear... Just kidding of course. Were you satisfied with the seller? I have read some complaints about the buying process (lack of documentation, difficulty assembling the camera from the box, etc.) Seem to hear universally good things about Badger Graphics which is close to home for me.

[dlin]

Jerold,

I have the 4x5 F-Metric compact version of the camera, which has the folding 30cm rail. It's a wonderful machine with very intuitive controls and fine mechanical qualities.

Regarding your specific questions:

The standard bellows for the 141mm frame version of the camera is very versatile, easily handling the my range of lenses; 65mm to 300mm.

I have a 25cm extension rail, which is very useful for the longer lenses and/or for close focusing. The folding standard rail and extension are rigid enough for my purposes and lightweight. I've made a yoke that fits inside my backpack, which holds the camera inverted on the standard rail. This makes it very quick to set up- all I have to do is slide the camera into the rail holder, which stays mounted on my tripod head. With this setup, I can leave any lens mounted on the camera during transport in the backpack.

I find the geared rise and shift movements of the metric version very convenient and intuitive. No need to lock down after each movement. The added weight of the metric relative to the classic version is nominal and worth the tradeoff of convenience.

The geared orbix front axis tilt is similarly very convenient and makes tilt adjustments much easier. You can easily adjust tilt with one hand while viewing the effects through a loupe on the GG.

Arca-Swiss lens boards are very expensive, so I have made an adapter to take Technika-style boards, which has the added benefit of reducing bulk.

The obvious downside is cost, which is breathtaking. I bought mine used.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Kind regards,
Daniel

[noumin]

Hi

I agree with what resummerfield has already said. The telescoping rail is much more versatile.
With a 30cm collapsible rail you will probably reach 270-280mm extension as the function carriers
of the camera take up some space. With the 300mm telescoping rail I can reach an extension
up to about 400mm.
After use, slide both standards onto one rail unit, pull it out of the bracket and you have a compact
package for transport.

For the bellows, I have an older camera with the 171x171 lensboards and I don't know about the newer,
smaller ones. At an etxension of 400mm the bellows is pretty streched but still plenty of movement and
tilt/swing possible, at 90mm (that's my wideangle) I can focus and have about 10mm of movement together
with a wee bit of tilt/swing left, but for a 75mm lens I would suggest a wide angle bellows.

Don't know of any other makes for the lensboard.

Don't know about metric as I'm frugal and I never even considered it - I haven't missed it so far.
Orbix ? I'm frugal and I never even considered it - I miss it occasionaly.

Don't know about assembling it as I picked mine up assembled from a dealer, nothing in terms of instructions but it's
really self explaining, there isn't much you can do wrong. I assemble and disassemble mine all the time for transport,
the camera still works, and if I can do it, everybody can.

Just my two cents ... or five cents ? Don't know.

[eclarke]

I am thinking of buying an Arca-Swiss if my daughter sells for a good price. But I don't have any more children so I want to buy the right configuration.

I would get the 4x5 F-Line.

From what I can tell, most people prefer the telescoping monorail to the collapsing (folding) monorail.

Beyond that, I use lenses from 75mm to 300 mm. Is there a single bellows that will accommodate that range?

I assume that the 30 cm rail is just long enough to cover the 300mm lens at infinity. Is an extension bracket usually necessary for the 300 mm lens?

If I bought the standard bellows (instead of the tapered leather one), what is the widest lens that will handle?

I have 5 lenses and even Arca lens boards cost a small fortune. Does anyone make cheaper Arca lens boards?

I like the idea of geared rise but have never used it. Any drawbacks apart from the slightly higher weight and cost of the "Metric" version?

Thanks.

Hi Jerold,
I am a Wiscononite and have 5 Arcas, if you'd like to meetup I would be happy to show you the ropes with Arcas...Evan Clarke

[jeroldharter]

Hi Jerold,
I am a Wiscononite and have 5 Arcas, if you'd like to meetup I would be happy to show you the ropes with Arcas...Evan Clarke

Evan,

That is very kind of you. Unfortunately I am in Stevens Point which is a bit of a drive. I would love to try check one out in person so I will touch base with you if I am in your neck of the woods. I am trying to process ~170 sheets of film from a recent trip and it's taking me forever. 5 Arcas? Does your wife know about that?

[resummerfield]

.....I have read some complaints about the buying process (lack of documentation, difficulty assembling the camera from the box, etc.) Seem to hear universally good things about Badger Graphics which is close to home for me.

While I've purchased from Badger and been very pleased, I purchased my Arca equipment from Rod Klukas at Photomark (800-777-6627). Rod is very familiar with the Arca system, and has given me some very good tips. I suggest you call both dealers by phone and discuss the Arca system, then order from the dealer you feel most comfortable with.

Arca ships their camera unassembled, but there are only a few components (standards and rails), so it is very easy to assemble (and requires no tools). Rod Klukas offered to assemble my Arca and ship it complete, but I wanted to assembly it myself.

Arca does not have any documentation. I've even called their rep in Chicago and still can't even get a current catalog--I don't think Arca has one! But Rod Klukas and Jeff at Badger know the Arca system well, so discuss any questions with them.

[Capocheny]

Jerold,

I think the A/S system is a one of the better systems available on the market today. It's well-built, (relatively) light weight for what it is, and terrific to use in the field.

That said, be prepared to wait a very, very long time for some of their component parts. For example, don't hold your breath should you ever want to buy a 5x7 conversion kit. They are quite expensive and exceedingly difficult to buy on either the new or used market! This is the MAJOR downside to buying into this system.

I would highly recommend that you go to (http://www.precisioncameraworks.com/...arca_core.html) and download the catalog and price list. (If I'm not mistaken, they are the official service depot for Arca Swiss in the U.S.) Go through it and be absolutely sure to decide on the exact gear you want. For example, if you decide Orbix is something you might want then buy a camera only if it has it. Otherwise, you might have to send the camera back to France in order to have the Orbix feature added. [I don't think Bob can add this feature.]

As to the lens board... I've had my boards modified to accept Technika boards. IMHO, this is the ONLY way to go for folks using the 171 sized boards. The Technika boards are smaller (reduces bulk), more available, (OEM boards are usually available through Badger, MidWest, and the bay) and, generally, lower priced.

As Resummerfield said... both Rod and Jeff are great to deal with. Also, keep an eye open for a sale either on this forum or on the Large Format Photography forum (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/).

Good luck!

Cheers

[eclarke]

Evan,

That is very kind of you. Unfortunately I am in Stevens Point which is a bit of a drive. I would love to try check one out in person so I will touch base with you if I am in your neck of the woods. I am trying to process ~170 sheets of film from a recent trip and it's taking me forever. 5 Arcas? Does your wife know about that?

She doesn't know much detail!!..EC