Topic: More Large Format questions...

[This-is-damion]

So then.....  Im certain I like this LF thing,  so my plan is to sell some kit and replace it with a Field Camera.

As such my question is, to what extent are all the parts interchangeable?

I got a good deal on a nice reflex viewer, have a few Double darkslides, Pola backs etc,  Are they all a standard size? (especially considering I intend to move from a monorail down to a field camera?

If I landed a Toyo field camera, or a Tachihara, Shen Hao etc - would the darkslides, reflex viewer etc all fit?  Or do I have to factor in cost of getting all these again?

Im sure the lens will all fit (subject to new lens board)   but i am prepared to be corrected on this as well......

[Ed Wenn]

I suspect the answer to this could vary depending on which field cam you end up buying. All I can say is that all of my instant film backs (545, 550 and 405) fit my Graflex cameras and my Tachihara field cam, so I suspect that they would also fit a lot of other 5x4 field cameras.

Also, let us know which lens(es) you have.

[This-is-damion]

Nice one wenn,

Will check on lens,   i think its a 250mm....but no idea (until i check) of make.

Ive (very) roughly priced up the camera gear I want to sell and ,with a good wind behind me, could end up with about ?1000 to play with....although if i ended up dropping half of that on a camera and half of that onto my credit card debt - that would be ideal.......

[Francois]

Film backs are always universal, something I don't think can be said for the reflex viewer unless it uses the graflock springs to hold on the camera.
Lens is also universal... but the lensboard isn't. So there's always something you can keep.

But the field cameras have fewer movements than your monorail, so keep that in mind before switching.

[This-is-damion]

Thanks Francois,

Ill make sure I check it all out, will be a while yet -until I shift some gear - so plenty of time to read up on it!