Re: which camera for architecture ?

Quoth Stefan Patric <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>:
...
| I've used a Cambo SC II, on which all today's Calumet LF rail cameras
| are based, for the past 20 years or so for ALL my large format work. 
| Even with the 12" short rail, it is NOT a lightweight camera and is NOT
| all that portable.  Broken down, it fits along with 4 lenses on boards
| with accessories into an 18 x 22 x 8 inch metal transport case and
| weighs in without tripod or film holders at 30 pounds or so.  I suggest
| you go with a lightweight, folding, bed type, field camera and
| backpack.  It'll save you from dislocating your spine.

Architecture can be pretty demanding on features, though, so it
depends on how serious he is about that.  Maybe the smart way
to approach it is to do as you propose and get a wood field,
and keep it simple and cheap.  Then if it's really not enough,
get the 45nx or whatever for the hard core architecture stuff.

The alternative is a super field, like the Gandolfi Variant,
or a light monorail (Toho?  Arca-Swiss FC?  Technikardan?),
but they're expensive compromises between extremes that can
be done better and cheaper.  Picture accidentally dropping
a Technikardan on the rocks, or in a creek or something.

I think my 200m Nikkor M is better for 4x5 than the f5.6 symmar
type lenses, which are in my opinion better for the 150mm-180mm
range.  I'd want a lens in the 135-150 range, too - 210mm & 65mm
doesn't sound like a very versatile pair.

        Donn