MONORAIL LARGE FORMAT CAMERAS

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MONORAIL This was an all-metal monorail first displayed at the Photo-Cine Fair 1965, and reviewed in a modified form in B.J.P.1968. When developed, it had about the most extensive movements then available.

MONORAIL CAMERAS

5 x 4 MONORAIL - Early Type

An Early 5 x 4 Monorail Camera

This was an all-metal monorail first displayed at the Photo-Cine Fair 1965, and reviewed in a modified form in B.J.P.1968. When developed, it had about the most extensive movements then available, and came with a choice of rail length, 3 backs (5x4,5x7,8x10in) and square bellows, extender for double length bellows, and bag-bellows for wide angle use. A valuable accessory was a extending lens hood, which mounted on the front standard using two hollows on the top face to grip it. Front standard heights vary with the type of rear intended to be used; ie.5x7 was taller. These were individually made items and some variations occur.

Early cameras eg at M104x use all metal knobs to lock the standards. There were no stops at the ends of the rails.(Brochure and Price List Aug.1965)

7 x 5 MONORAIL - Later Type

Late 7 x 5 Monorail Camera

Later cameras had bigger black plastic knobs in place of the metal ones.

This change had occurred by 1967 and may have been at S.No.1200. Note that exchange of parts between early and later cameras is limited. The assemblies such as the standards and tripod mounts are fully interchangable but the individual parts do differ in detail. The late type have a taller larger tripod mount (61 rather than 37mm).

5 x 4 MONORAIL WITH FOCAL PLANE SHUTTER AND NON STANDARD BACK

5 x 4 Monorail with Non Standard Back and Focal Plane Shutter

The launch prices in the B.J.P. article were;

  • Camera with 18in rail £110 (nett Professional),

  • Bag bellows £8.00,

  • Adaptor lens £2.50,

  • Bellows lens hood £10.00.

  • These were then unchanged from 10/1966.

Spirit levels were added about 08/1968 when the B.J.P.review was completed, though there is some evidence that some earlier units had one on the front standard. These are a high precision camera of excellent appearance, but above average weight, ie.they may be best kept for studio use.

Many monorails were used in the M.o.D.(RAF) and have backs for cutfilm only, with a nice lifting bar fitted to make insertion easier. Civilian 5 x 4 monorail cameras take all the usual backs similar to MicroTechnical cameras Mk VIII. All standard register (see MicroTechnical page for details).

7 x 5 and 10 x 8 Monorails take cut film holders only and normally have a lifting bar as the MoD version.

PRICES AT 03/1974

  • Camera, 5x4 with 18in rail £175.00 (1974)

  • Camera, 5x7 with 18in rail £210.00 (1974)

  • Camera,10x8in with 18in rail £300.00 (1974)

  • Lens Panels £1.50 (1965)

  • Bellows 5x4 Bag type £8.00 (1965)

  • Bellows 5x4 Standard £7.00 (1965)

  • Bellows 5x7 Bag type £12.00 (1965)

  • Bellows 5x7 Standard £9.00 (1965)

  • Bellows 10x8in Bag type £15.00 (1965)

  • Bellows 10x8 in Standard £12.00 (1965)

  • Rail 9in £3.00 (1965)

  • Rail 18in £4.00 (1965)

  • Rail 30in £6.50 (1965)

  • Adaptor 5x4 to 5x7 £16.50 (1965)

  • Rail clamp £5.00 (1965)

  • Ground Glass Screens 5x4 £2.1 (1965)

  • Ditto 5x7 £2.5 (1965)

  • Ditto 10x8 £3.50 (1965)

  • Extending Bellows Hood

  • Adaptor Panels for MkV11 and MkV111 panels.

  • Auxiliary frame £16.50 (1965)

  • Also 9x12 adaptor £3.00, Rollfilm holder £13.50, Plate and Cut film Holders, £3.00 each, Cut film adaptors, £0.18, plate adaptors, £0.50.

Replacement Bellows are available from Camera Bellows Ltd., of Birmingham, England. See Links Page.

Technical Information Links ..... Lens Boards - Register - Ground Glass Screens