Hi Everyone. I live in the UK and am trying to put together an Arca-Swiss F-Line Field 4x5 camera from its component parts - it is not possible to buy the camera ready assembled over here. Does anyone out there have a list of the part numbers necessary..I could guess from the catalogue, but I might be wrong. Yes, I could import the camera from the USA, but I think prices over here might be chea

-- Phil Nugent (philip.nugent@ic.ac.uk), April 06, 2002

Answers

The Field version of the Arca-Swiss Field camera is built around the 4x5 FC camera with the substitution of the front format frame from the 69FC camera and the bellow that tapers from the smaller frame to 4x5

The front frame is: 061000

the tapered bellows is 071031 or 071030.

My information came from http://www.thefstop.com

If your goal is solely to use smaller lens boards have you considered this cheaper solution? Arca-Swiss makes a Linhof Technika to Arca- Swiss adapter board. Even new, this will save you hundreds of dollars or pounds.

-- Ellis Vener Photography (ellis@ellisvener.com), April 06, 2002.

The conversion kit (6x9 to 4x5) is cat# 11211 (wide angle version) or # 112112. Cost is $1845 and $1650, respectively.

The price for the individual partsare as follows:

#61000 Format frame 6x9 (front) $716

#71030 Bellows 6x9 > 4x5 (for lenses from 47>150mm) $459

#71031 Bellows 6x9 > 4x5 (for lenses from 150-240mm) $339

Compare this to the Linhof Technika to Arca-Swiss lensboard adapter part # 200005, $312.00

-- Ellis Vener Photography (ellis@ellisvener.com), April 06, 2002.

Phil, Just curious as to who you've tried to buy from without success? Have you tried Robert White? His web site lists quite a few AS cameras. Just a thought.

-- paul owen (paulowen_2000@yahoo.com), April 06, 2002.

I'll second the Robert White suggestion. Last summer I wanted a 4x5 viewer, but without the eye cup, since I already had one for a 6x9 viewer. Robert White sold me just what I needed at a considerable savings over what I would have paid in the U.S., even with a few dollars in customs thrown in. Most accomodating folks there.

-- Steve Singleton (singleton1@bigfoot.com), April 06, 2002.

You might try purchasing the camera in the USA. Badger Graphics-- http://www.badgergraphic.com/-- is listed on the web. Their service is excellent. You may find that USA price plus shipping plus duty would be competitive. If you must have the field camera that is a way to go. If you are not backpacking the camera a lot--do not have to have a small package--then the classic 4x5 or even the 4x5 metric might be a easy to find alternative. Bob

-- Bob moulton (bobmargaretm@insightbb.com), April 06, 2002.

Paul and Steve, The A-S Field is available only in the U.S., so I've been told.

-- Mark Windom (mwphoto@nwlink.com), April 06, 2002.

Just out of curiosity...why is Arca-Swiss refusing to sell one of its cameras in the UK? Does anyone know?

-- paul owen (paulowen_2000@yahoo.com), April 07, 2002.

As told to me by Arca Swiss in an email, the Field parts are:

1 monorail: 30cm collapsible, incl. extension bracket 8.5cm (044130) 2 function carriers F -classic, front and rear (052000 and 052001) 1 format frame F-classic 6x9 front (061000) 1 format frame F-classic 4x5" rear (062001) 1 conical wide angle bellows, leather, 6x9/4x5" (071030) 1 film and ground glass holder incl. Fresnel (080007)

That matches my camera. I have other info on the F-line Field on my web site at http://www.twestbrook.com/Photography/Large_Format/Arca- Swiss/arca-swiss.html, if you're interested. I agree that it would probably be cheaper to buy it from the US than assembling it from parts from Rbt White.

-- Tom Westbrook (tom@twestbrook.com), April 07, 2002.