Using modern DSLR DSLM (Nikon-)Cameras as digiback on sinar System

[Frank Fremerey]

user Andy asks:

I noticed on a post that you shared way back in 2018 that you were using a Sinar P LF camera with a Schneider Kreuznach Macro Varon 4.5/85 CAS Lens. Would you be willing to tell me what adapters that you found that allowed for mounting that lens to the front lens board and what adapter you found for connecting a Nikon D850 to the back? Are you still using that set-up? P2's are pretty affordable for such a robust camera albeit vintage at this point.
Thanks so much!
Cheers

Andy

I  got two sinar cameras and yes, the sinar p is my favourite.

I replaced the back standart with a leather bellows from China that has an F-Mount directly attached to it.

I also own a metal F to Sinar back plate (from an expensive German manufacturer) and divers adapters that replace the ground glass. I did not like the latter because they were to wobbely / imprecise to use.

Of all the adapters I used the precision metal holder a lot


I am not familiar with the "4.5/85 CAS Varon" ... I do confess I only own two lenses mounted to standard Sinar-boards

1)   a Nikkor AMED 120 f/5.6 and

2)   a Schneider Kreuznach no48 120mm f/5.6


I used these to shoot food commercially and flowers recreationally


Pictures and reviews of the adapters follow ... feel free to add you experience if you have experience

[Frank Fremerey]

My verdict today: If you go single shot and do not use a lot of movements on the back standart, you are fine with the F-Mount cameras.


For my next hit on the topic I will sure use a Z-Mount-camera to be able to scan a 4' x 5' image area without significant shadows on the outer parts caused by the mirror box. The 16.5mm register distance of the Z-Mount is a great advantage in that respect. The 35mm digital cameras used as a digiback on a large format platform are always a compromise. The real digibacks (0 mm register distance ;-) are extremely expensive, useful in the studio but not so much in the field because they need some infrastructure to operate. Plus the Z-mount and F-mounts cameras do also double as a standard camera with Z-mount and F-mount lenses.

[Frank Fremerey]

For Nikon Z-Mount I only found this ground glass replacement adapter: https://fotodioxpro.com/products/4x5-nkz-p?srsltid=AfmBOoqSr8qMHyRNPMhbs6w_z0_izav2Sk-o_38BVSQnl7TrHP0iGj1B

[sweetlight64]

Brilliant! Thanks so much for all of the valuable information! I'm so appreciative!
Cheers
Andy

[Frank Fremerey]

Brilliant! Thanks so much for all of the valuable information! I'm so appreciative!
Cheers
Andy

One addition / correction: I use a
sinar p2

[fish_shooter]

I have a similar Nikon F Sinar board as you show above. As well I have their board with a Hasselblad V mount which I have piggybacked to a Z mount. Mainly used it to test new to me view camera lenses with a digital back as well as a "bellows on steroids" ! I have both P (older model than yours) and Norma (still older) rear standards in the three formats 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10 (can do the metric sizes too). With the 5x7 to 4x5 reducing adapter I can use the 5x7 back with the above SLR adapters (convenient as I do 5x7 more than 4x5. I have been wondering about using a Graflok back adapter for getting "stitchable" images so am keen on your results.
Tom

[Frank Fremerey]

I have a similar Nikon F Sinar board as you show above. As well I have their board with a Hasselblad V mount which I have piggybacked to a Z mount. Mainly used it to test new to me view camera lenses with a digital back as well as a "bellows on steroids" ! I have both P (older model than yours) and Norma (still older) rear standards in the three formats 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10 (can do the metric sizes too). With the 5x7 to 4x5 reducing adapter I can use the 5x7 back with the above SLR adapters (convenient as I do 5x7 more than 4x5. I have been wondering about using a Graflok back adapter for getting "stitchable" images so am keen on your results.
Tom

The starting image of famous "organ thread" (pipe organs, not hearts & livers) is done with a Nikon D600 as a digiback and a 4-way-flat stitch ... Link to full size here: https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=70.msg273#msg273

[Bob Foster]

Quote from Andy-

"...Would you be willing to tell me what adapters that you found that allowed for mounting that lens to the front lens board..."

Most (if not all) of the posts on this board regarding this lens are by Michael Erlewine.

The Macro Varon series was renamed "Pyrite" by Schneider Kreuznach some time ago. I believe that the specific lens Michael used at that time was the 0.5 to 2X version. This is a manually adjusted "float" (variable β) lens.

Michael posted an image of his setup here: https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=7291.msg117687#msg117687

The mount of the lens is V38. Schneider sells various adapters. See https://schneiderkreuznach.com/en/industrial-optics/lenses/large-format-lenses/pyrite/f4-5-85mm-0-5x-2-0x-v38

*****

For my own work I use a 6X9 Cambo Ultima II that I've converted to be similar to a Cambo Actus XL. I use the Actus type front standard most of the time but I have retained the original front standard due to the availability of recessed lens boards. This enabled the use of several wide angle lenses on F mount cameras that would otherwise have been useless in this setup due to the flange focal distance being too short.

Bob

[Frank Fremerey]

I found the bag "Z-mount to sinar p2" on Ebay


https://www.ebay.com/itm/282646657253

I will keep you posted with results when it arrives