Sinar Users

Good morning, Bill;

My F1 goes outside fairly often. It is set on a Bogen 3026 and Gitzo Number 4 head or on an old Davis and Sanford Model B adapted. I do carry it in the larger Sinar carrying case. One thing I do need to find is an umbrella that can be mounted to the tripod. Rain does happen out here in Latte Land. So far I have loaded only black and white film. I am still learning how to use the thing.

Enjoy; Ralph Javins

Hi folks, I shoot an F1 with a couple of lenses, mostly in the studio downstairs, mostly with strobes, always with black and white. How many take this beast outdoors?
Bill

Good morning, Claus;

Welcome to the Sinar Users Group, and, thank you for writing something for this forum. I had begun to wonder if anyone else was even looking at this forum.

If you have read some of the previous messages, you will note that I am a new user of Sinar and of large format equipment. Any little comments that you add, such as the note about the adapter for using Technika lens boards on a Sinar, are appreciated. I am still learning.

Enjoy;

Ralph Javins

I use a Sinar P with 8x10 + 5x7 + 4x5 and also a Horseman 6x7 with halfcircular rotating back (don´t know the exact name - only how to operate). Lenses are mostly old Petzval and Soft focus lenses and a bunch of other tacksharp ones.

Sinar because its versatile, cheap and rugged. Also i have a Technika V and with an adapter i can mount my technika boards onto the Sinar system. Nice feature.

Lenses which I have found to be just gorgious - my first Jamin Darlot - so nice to work with, lots of movement.

But i still have to try these babies out :

10 inch Ilex Soft focus Plasticca
14,5 inch Verito Soft focus
305 mm Kodak Portrait Soft focus
360 mm Heliar
and my newest baby - Jamin Darlot Vis á portrait

Now i just have to our new studio to be ready after restoration

Claus Stensgaard

Good morning, Sinar users;

The APUG associated US Pacific Northwest Regional group gathering in Newport, Oregon, over last weekend was quite successful. Very informative, and very interesting people. Discovering the ways that many of us have things in common was delightful.

Don Nelson did indeed show his 12 by 20 view camera. An impressive tool. He also spent some time showing me a few little things that make working with the Sinar F-1 easier. I am beginning to see some of the things I am to look for while moving various parts of the F-1. Seeing some of the accessories that other people have with their cameras also indicates the desirability of getting a couple of other things that will make using the camera more enjoyable.

Enjoy;

Ralph Javins

Good morning;

Boy, the things they DO NOT tell you when you buy a large format camera. My tripods are certainly capable of holding the Sinar F1. The tripod heads are not. My quick release plates are just not big enough for the mounting base of the Sinar. My local friendly camera pusher had a used Gitzo No. 4 that is big enough. It is on the Bogen/Manfrotto 3036 now. The Davis and Sanford needs to have an adapter plate. I will make that out of 5/16 aluminum plate.

It looks like all of the equipment will be ready for the APUG gathering in Newport, Oregon, this weekend. One of the sessions is entitled; "Ultra Large Format Technigue" by Don Nelson with his 12 by 20. I hope that it will "scale down" for me. Don did recommend that I bring the F1 along.

Enjoy;

Ralph Javins

When they ask you how many megapixels you have in your camera, just tell them; "I use activated silver-bromide crystals for my image storage medium."

Congratulations Ralph. I got my manual from www.glennview.com . I later found out that I possibly could have gotten one mailed to me (photocopy) from Sinar. I would contact them. Here is an email I correspond with them at occasionally. TECH@sinarcameras.com

As far as the 2 rods you mention. You may have to post a picture. They quite possibly may be the compendium bellows rods.

Good morning, Sinar Users;

A measure of success: This time I did get a Sinar F1 with a Caltar 210 mm f 5.6 lens and a Copal Number 1 leaf shutter. There is also a case, some film holders, and a Polaroid back along with a beam extension. While I do have a book entitled VIEW CAMERA TECHNIQUE, there are other questions already.

There are two (2) small rods 5 mm in diameter and 46 mm long that are used when storing or carrying the F1. They seem to go on the lower part of the rear standard. How do you put them in?

Can anyone recommend a source for an owner's manual for the F1?

While I do have the book mentioned above, VIEW CAMERA TECHNIQUE, published in the early 1950's, are there any other texts that are recommended?

As is obvious, I am one 4 by 5 user who is just starting out. Any suggestions, recommendations, and guidance whould really be appreciated.

Enjoy;

Ralph Javins

When they ask you how many megapixels you have in your camera, just tell them; "I use activated silver-bromide crystals for my image storage medium."

Ralph, You might be able to find a nice Sinar system in Europa that might be cheaper even with shipping to the US. Sinar Normas are dirt cheap here in Denmark and probably in the rest of europe. I have just passed on a 4x5 Norma with tripod and lenses for 200 USD.

Good morning, Sinar Users;

Unfortunately, I cannot yet claim to be a Sinar User. I tried, but when I came back with money to the shop where the F2 had been, he had put it onto e-Bay. I had offered him $ 500, and he got $ 400 for it on e-bay after all of the fees and brokerage charges. Time for me to be patient again.

I have 35 mm gear, and a 2 & 1/4 Square. It is interesting to note the difference in taking a photograph with 35 mm in comparison with even 2 & 1/4 Square. The larger formats do seem to promote a more deliberate and considered process.

Enjoy;

Ralph Javins