View cameras
Sinar use a five digit coding system for each of the modular parts in many of their modern view cameras, broken up into two parts separated by a dot (.); the three digits preceding the dot designate the class of the component, while the two digits following the dot designate the specific model or revision of the component.
For example, the base 30 cm monorail used for Sinar P-, C-, and F-series view cameras has the code 422.11, where 422 designates the class (monorail) and 11 designates the specific model / length / finish. In this case, the entire 42x class is reserved for monorails and monorail accessories. The base monorail unit (422.11) has two ends with threaded female sockets which each accept the standard male-threaded caps (429.11) or an extension rail, designated 421.11 for the 15 cm extension; 423.11, 30 cm extension; and 424.11, 45 cm extension. Likewise, the rail caps which prevent unlocked standards from sliding off the end of the rail are designated 428.31 (female thread) and 429.11 (male thread). When the system was updated in the 1980s to the P2/ C2/ F2-series, the rails were given a black finish and redesignated 422.21 (base rail), 421.21 / 423.21 / 424.21 (extension rails), and a longer base rail was added, 425.21, double-ended with 90 cm length.
The basic classes that make up a Sinar view camera include:
From the code numbers, the main differences between the P- ("Perfection"), C- ("Combination"), and F ("Field")-series are the front and rear standards provided. As the name implies, the C-series combines the front (lens) standard from the F-series with the rear (image) standard from the P-series. A photographer who purchases an F-series camera can upgrade to the equivalent of a C- or P-series camera by changing the standards.[13] In general, Sinar maintains broad component compatibility between the different modular view camera series and generations.
In addition, the same bellows are used for a certain size across all series, so changing format within a series is also possible. For example, the bellows used for all 4×5 cameras is coded 452.11; changing any 4×5 camera to a 5×7 camera would require a new bellows (452.17) along with an appropriate rear standard, frame, and film holder.
- 411: Rail clamp
- 422: Base monorail
- 431/437: Front standard
- 433: Rear standard
- 452: Bellows
- 461/462: Back (film holder / focusing screen)
Norma (Standard)
The original view camera introduced in 1947 and manufactured until 1969 was called the Sinar Standard or, more popularly, Norma, as labeled on the default 30 cm monorail.[8] It was sold in different film sizes (4×5, 5×7, or 8×10). Like the later P-, C-, and F-series, it is a modular system, which Sinar billed as the "Construction-Unit", consisting of interchangeable basic components, including a tripod head (monorail clamp), tubular monorail, front and rear standards, and bellows connecting the standards; the only significant differences between the different film format sizes were the bellows, rear frame, and back.[14]
Carl Koch applied for patents in 1947 and received them for the film holders,[15] front and rear standards,[16] the "optical bench" monorail,[17] and the camera itself.[18]
