Sinar Norma Overview and Operation

[@raymondyanger2024]

I Added 2 4x5 Sinar Norma's to my collection this year. Your set-up looks like a 4x5 Front standard to a 5x7 rear. Many accessories were available earlier in the year ( 2024 ) so I purchased as many of them as I could . Most were in Exc. condition. Now the pickings are getting slim. I am very happy with the precision build and the versatility of the Sinar System. I also purchased a Calumet C400 as a simpler 4x5 camera to learn the basics.. I love working with the Large Format 4x5 and Film. Enjoy your Camera ! Thanks for your Video. KEEP FILM ALIVE !!!!!!!

[@andreasjohnstudio]

That sounds great! Enjoy!

[@justlikeswimming5988]

Thank you so, so much for this explanation of the Norma! I first bought a Norma 4x5, but was intimidated, so then purchased a toyo field. I'm enjoying the field camera (love 4x5) and now am ready to tackle the Norma. Your demonstration and explanations undoubtedly saved me from causing damage and has built my confidence. Looking forward to more videos, thanks again!

[@andreasjohnstudio]

I'm glad it was helpful! I think you'll really enjoy the Norma. -Andreas

[@andyvan5692]

good work, I am an amateur, and started with the 120 MF roll film and cameras, I have a F2, which was in a kit, the whole kaboodle, with a second standard{Auxiliary}, pleated bellow and a bag bellow, three rail extensions, (two small and one large, as he shows in the video), Fujinon 90 SWD f5.6 lens {linhof board and adaptor board} and a sinar zoom back; these may look intimidating, but go simple to start out, NO movements, but zero them ALL first, so no focus surprises!, use a 120 roll back to keep shot cost down, hint, 120 you can scan in a Epson v850 easy, it goes up to 48 bit colour, and 600DPI no probs! [this was with Kodak Gold 200] so easy to start out, and a similar workflow to MF, if not for camera assembly; but one hint, Don't go for a long day, I have Autism, and can manage 2-4 shots in 3 to 4 hours (it takes ~1hr for a shot, assembly, meter, set lens, focus, film holder stuff, then back in bag again); so do 1-2 shots in a 'session', have a coffee, then do it again another day, you will soon get this into muscle memory, and use a hand held meter, a cheap one like sekonic L28-c2 or the like, Gossen, and others, USE them with digital first, on M mode, to get to TRUST it, as you NEED to!, I have, and after two 120 rolls, trust it, like my Z6's 3D matrix metering system!, it works, you just need some 'nouse' to get what is flare, how hot the light is, compared to asa in the holders, so you don't wash out the film, and all's good, you WILL be proud of your efforts, it just takes time to find your style, and genre.

[@iainpaterson3808]

Thank you for this video. I hope you keep them up. I'm moving ahead with the Norma, and will doubtless rely on owners like you to solve problems. Thanks!

[@andreasjohnstudio]

Awesome enjoy! It's such a pleasure to use a tool from an era where great pride was still taken in crafting tools that last generations.

[@iainpaterson3808]

@@andreasjohnstudio It's a pleasure to use something that doesn't use plastic as its principal constituent part!

[@ChrisAtwood-bi3he]

Super helpful! I am a medium format shooter who was gifted a Norma. There is not much info out there on this system and I appreciate the info. I will do mu best not to strip out the threads

[@andreasjohnstudio]

What an incredible gift!!

[@iainpaterson3808]

I think I saw a post by you on the LF Photography forum offering your Norma for sale. Say it ain't so! I hope you're not moving out of using the Norma. I was looking forward to more informative videos on this excellent camera from you.

[@andreasjohnstudio]

Yes it's true! I have a Sinar P2 that I use now in the studio or out of the car and am testing the waters with an Intrepid 8x10mK3 for backcountry use so the Norma was redundant. However, it's by far the most elegant and bulletproof. It's hard to part with it but the others get more use and I can't afford to keep them all....I've been too busy to post but this winter am hoping to get some more videos up on scanning setups, and calibrating the ground glass.

[@iainpaterson3808]

@@andreasjohnstudio Glad you're not moving out of the LF world. I have found that the precision, the intuitive controls (once you've figured out that swing is below shift, which is a hard one for me...), the finish and the all-around build of the Norma to be why I seem to have moved on from other cameras. I have a Chamonix 4x5 which almost never sees the light of day now that I have the Norma 5x7 with 4x5 reducing back. Most of my work is in studio, so I appreciate that once the settings are locked, they are really locked. The Norma is a mile ahead of the Chamonix (which, don't get me wrong, is a beautiful camera) in that regard. You will probably find the same drawback with locking the camera with the Intrepid. Anyway, please keep posting.

[@andyvan5692]

one tip, for safety there is two 'finial' caps that screw to the knobs, once on, the standards CANT fall off the rail, so if you loosen the clamps and lose control, it won't fall.

[@inthehandsofbeauty]

Yes, great tip, I didn't have those on for the video.....Thank you for including that!

[@iainpaterson3808]

Thank you. Very helpful. I’m considering an 8x10 Norma as well as looking at the F2. My question is, how is the film holder inserted between the GG and the bellows. Is there a version of a bail back, or it the loading method more like a graflok pressure spring? Thanks for your video.

[@andreasjohnstudio]

The back opens to accept the film holder and is held tightly in place by a large spring on each side of the long edge. This is similar through all the Sinar models. The Norma is fantastic, especially as a somewhat portable field camera. It is the most compact of any of the Sinar's and is not as top heavy. All metal, beautiful machining. The one downside is no rear rise or fall on the Norma, so if you do complex architecture or tabletop where extreme movements are required that may be a problem for you. Also the tilt is base tilt, not yaw free like the F and P series.