[LargeFormat] Graphic II Monorail Cameras

[Les Newcomer]

On Monday, January 13, 2003, at 06:47 AM, Clive Warren wrote:

> At 08:13 13/01/2003 -0500, Joseph O'Neil wrote:
> huge snip
>> Finally, do not overlook the Graphic mono-rail camera either, if you 
>> need a monorail.  They are superb, assuming you find one in good shape.  
>> Mine is in near mint shape, and in terms of build, construction, every 
>> way you can think of them, it is, IMO, a match for almost any new 4x5 
>> monorail out there today.
>
> The Graphic View II is the one to go for.  They are surprisingly light - 
> although mine is most definitely in used condition, it is very stable and 
> has all the movements that I will ever need from it. It packs down small 
> enough to make backpacking possible although some people would not 
> consider a monorail for landscape work it does mean that you have a very 
> flexible camera that could be used for many different types of 
> photography. Jim Hemenway (on this list) is selling one at the moment.
>
> Cheers,
>             Clive
>
>

This may sound like blasphemy coming from me, but I've never warmed up to 
the Graphic View. I didn't see a whole lot of benefits of the GV over the 
Kodak Masterview/Grey Calumet/black Calumet 400.  Both lack the ability to 
use a bag bellows and therefore have limited use with wide angle lenses.  
Once you get in the 160-203mm range they are fine, but for a basic view 
camera I prefer the modular style of the bottom of the line '80s Calumet 
or the Omega (cheap Toyo) E or F series that allows for a bag bellows.  I 
traded my non bag Omega for a Calumet for the first few jobs...just until 
I could afford the Signiture Series Sinar with Unobtanium plated hardware.
  Ten years later I still have the Calumet and now the ultimate view camera 
looks like it will be a 2x3 with Unobtanium plated firewire cables and a 
Dilithium plated CMOS or CCD back.

The price on the GV has moved ahead of the Masterview.  For a while they 
were priced about the same, but from looking at the latest on ebay, Jim 
Hemenway is losing about $100 by selling it through here.  I was tempted 
to snap it up for some research I'm doing, but decided it was better to 
borrow another owner's since  he has the compendium shade and a case.  The 
shade is worth almost the price of the camera!

Les