Sinar F2 4x5 Camera Review

Sinar F2 4×5 Camera Review – Large Format Photography

Sinar F2 4×5 camera review and sample photos + Sinar F2 vs Speedgraphic comparison

Sinar F2 4×5 vs Speed Graphic 4×5!

Sinar F2 4×5 – After my purchase of my first large format camera, a 1947 Pacemaker Speed Graphic, I now have a better understanding of perspective control and parallel lines. The Speed Graphic lets me adjust the vertical tilt and rise on the front standard to a small degree. I want to be able to control horizontal tilt or “swing” on the front standard as well but also be able to tilt, raise and swing the rear standard. Welcome the Sinar F2 large format camera!

The Speed Graphic movements perhaps give me 10-20% control vs none when using a fixed camera lens such as a Leica rangefinder camera. My Intrepid 4×5 camera gives me more movement than the Speed Graphic and is lightweight for use in the field. I used to use a Lensbaby Edge 80 lens on my digital Nikon D800 and Nikon FM film camera to create tilt shift effects. My Rolleiflex SL66E also has a tilt option but for all of the cameras mentioned so far the amount of control I have is limited. This is what made me look at other large format cameras on the market.

Sinar F2 4×5 Monorail Camera

The Sinar F2 is a Swiss made 4×5 large format camera. SINAR stands for “Still, Industrial, Nature, Architectural, Reproduction photography and the cameras were popular for advertising, architecture and product photography due to their high resolution and high degree of perspective control. The Sinar F2 is an ‘improved’ version of the Sinar F1. Originally I was going to buy a cheaper Sinar F but my reading suggested I should pay a bit more and get an F2 so I did.

Advertisements

Sinar F2 4×5 Camera

My Schneider Symmar-S 180mm f4.5 lens is already on a Sinar F lens board so I bought a camera without a lens. To get the maximum benefit from perspective control I also bought a 90mm f4.5 Rodenstock Grandagon lens with a Copal 1 shutter for a wide angle lens option.

Sinar F2 #4x5 #largeformatphotography #largeformat #sinarf2 #sinar #fomapan100 #model #studio #coventry #film #filmcamera #vintagecamera #lovefilm #filmisnotdead #believeinfilm

Advertisements

Sinar F2 Camera Lenses

Rodenstock Grandagon 90mm f4.5 Lens

*The Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 lens has been modified to fit the Pacemaker Speed Graphic so I will keep that as one setup then use the Symmar-S 180mm lens and Rodenstock 90mm lens on the Sinar F2. Exciting times ahead!