M-Monolith Film Formats
- Our flagship, fully-featured view camera available in 4x5, 5x7 or 8x10 formats
- Telescopic optical bench - (1) extension bracket with (2) monorail units, format specific, available in symmetrical or asymmetrical configurations
- Synthetic pleated conical bellows
- Use with 141 mm lens boards or the 141-110 reducing lens board adapter with compact 110 mm lens boards
- Gear-driven, self-locking micro-metric control of rise/fall, lateral shift and swing provided on both front and rear function carriers
- Front and rear gear-driven, self-locking base tilt
- Micro-Orbix® geared tilt
- Tri-axial yaw-free movements
- Zero detents for rise/fall, swing, lateral shift, base tilt, and Micro-Orbix® tilt
- Angle Indication reference scales
- High quality ground glass with integrated fresnel
- Bail lever on ground glass back provided on 5x7 and 8x10 format cameras
- Modular and expandable with optional system accessories and quick-changing format sets
Specifications are listed below for M-Monolith 8x10, 5x7 and 4x5 formats
M-Monolith 8x10
SKU: 014181
M-Monolith D 8x10
SKU: 014381
Weight: 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg
Dimensions: H = 19.3 in / 49 cm, W = 13 in / 33 cm, L = 5.9 in / 15 cm
(dimensions when collapsed for packing, on one monorail section, including bellows and optional Micro-Orbix® tilt)
Shift: +/-50 mm Micrometric geared (front and rear)
Rise/Fall: +70 mm Micrometric geared (front and rear)
Swing: +/-45° Micrometric geared (front and rear)
Base Tilt: +/-45° Micrometric geared (front and rear)
Micro-Orbix® Tilt: +/- 15° Micrometric geared
Bellows: Normal, 50 cm, biconical, synthetic
Lens Board: 141x141 mm
Optical Bench: 50 cm connecting bracket, with (2) 25 cm monorail units, telescoping to 75 cm
Optical Bench D: 50 cm connecting bracket, with (1) 15 cm monorail, (1) 40 cm monorail, telescoping to 80 cm
Ground Glass back: With bail handle to assist film holder loading
Integrated Fresnel: Yes
Levels: Tubular levels on front and rear function carriers
Angle Indicators: Angle indication scales on front and rear function carriers
Series: 141 Series
M-Monolith 5x7
SKU: 014157
M-Monolith D 5x7
SKU: 014357
Weight: 12 lbs / 5.5 kg
Dimensions: H = 16in / 41 cm, W = 9.8 in / 25 cm, L = 5.9 in / 15 cm
(dimensions when collapsed for packing, on one monorail section, including bellows and optional Micro-Orbix® tilt)
Shift: +/-50 mm Micrometric geared (front and rear)
Rise/Fall: +70 mm Micrometric geared (front and rear)
Swing: +/-45° Micrometric geared (front and rear)
Base Tilt: +/-45° Micrometric geared (front and rear)
Micro-Orbix® Tilt: +/- 15° Micrometric geared
Bellows: Normal, 50 cm, biconical, synthetic
Lens Board: 141x141 mm
Optical Bench: 50 cm connecting bracket, with (2) 25 cm monorail units, telescoping to 75 cm
Optical Bench D: 50 cm connecting bracket, with (1) 15 cm monorail, (1) 40 cm monorail, telescoping to 80 cm
Ground Glass back: With bail handle to assist film holder loading
Integrated Fresnel: Yes
Levels: Tubular levels on front and rear function carriers
Angle Indicators: Angle indication scales on front and rear function carriers
Series: 141 Series
M-Monolith 4x5
SKU: 014145
Weight: 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg
H = 13.8 in / 35 cm, W = 7.5 in / 19 cm, L = 7.9 in / 20 cm
(dimensions when collapsed for packing, on one monorail section, including bellows and optional Micro-Orbix® tilt)
Shift: +/-50 mm Micrometric geared (front and rear)
Rise/Fall: +70 mm Micrometric geared (front and rear)
Swing: +/-45° Micrometric geared (front and rear)
Base Tilt: +/-45° Micrometric geared (front and rear)
Micro-Orbix® Tilt: +/- 15° Micrometric geared
Bellows: Normal, 38 cm, synthetic
Lens Board: 141x141 mm
Optical Bench: 40 cm connecting bracket, with (2) 20 cm monorail units, telescoping to 60 cm
Ground Glass back: Graflok
Integrated Fresnel: Yes
Levels: Tubular levels on front and rear function carriers
Angle Indicators: Angle indication scales on front and rear function carriers
Series: 141 Series
ARCA-SWISS M-MONOLITH
ARCA-SWISS M-Monolith cameras are precise, fully integrated camera systems. Build quality, functional ergonomics, modular design and precision movements define our unrivaled Monolith camera system.
MASTER EFFICIENCY WITH THE HIGHEST PRECISION
The ergonomic layout of the Monolith’s gear-driven controls simplifies composition and focusing. All camera controls are grouped on the function carriers and positioned on either end of the optical bench. Individual adjustments are made with self-locking micro-metric geared drives, ensuring precise settings. Swing and tilt controls are on the left, focus and rise/fall/shift controls are on the right. All movements are fluid and smooth, using self-locking micro-metric fine adjustment knobs.
MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY FOR FILM OR DIGITAL
The M-Monolith is designed with high precision for small format digital capture, yet robust and rigid enough for large film formats — 8x10, 5x7, and 4x5. Modular conversion kits are available for 8x10, 5x7, 4x5, 6x9, and dslr or mirrorless digital capture.
The camera’s shortest achievable extension allows the use of very short lenses, a prerequisite for digital photography. The telescopic optical bench allows for quick adjustments, variations in bellows extension, and variable focusing distances for a variety of optics, 23 mm — 600 mm. Longer extensions are possible with optional intermediate standards, monorails, and long bellows.
ARCA-SWISS MICRO-ORBIX®
With the proprietary ARCA-SWISS Orbix® tilt system, yaw-free swing and tilt movements are made around the nodal center of the lens (effectively in a sphere) so the position of the lens board plane is maintained in the correct position with no adverse effects on image composition.
Micro-Orbix movements are perpendicular to the optical axis rather than the monorail. Therefore, focus adjustments occur in the selected plane and are fast and easy to make. When using rear shift, the rotation point will still be on the same axis.
Micro-Orbix is installed into the lower front frame, using a gear driven knob to adjust tilt in micro increments with detents every 2.5 degrees. The precision of the geared movement provides an indispensable feature that can set very small tilt angles required for wide-angle lenses, or digital backs and DSLR cameras with small sensors. Unlocking or locking of the mechanism is not required, as the Micro-Orbix control is self-locking and requires only your left hand to operate.
Micro-Orbix will vastly simplify focusing without the back and forth focus and tilt repetition, required by traditional base or axis tilt designs. Micro-Orbix is adjusted using the same method as base tilt -- focus for the far subject and tilt for the near subject. This can be done quickly with the right hand focusing and the left hand controlling Micro-Orbix tilt.
If the camera you wish to purchase is currently out of stock, additional units may be on the way or a special order may be necessary. To inquire about inventory and availability, please reach out to us directly. Typically, cameras stocked at ARCA-SWISS USA are shipped from the factory and restocked every 2-4 weeks.
Please note that certain cameras, due to their modular configuration and various format possibilities, may only be accessible through a special order that we can place for you.
To proceed with a special order, simply contact us directly. During this consultation stage, we can offer to schedule an online demonstration and work closely with you to determine your specific requirements and preferences to ensure you are ordering the right camera and accessories.
The production and delivery timeline for special order cameras is typically 4-12 weeks. Please note that special orders cannot be canceled or returned once the order is placed. A non-refundable advance deposit is required to place the order.
For more information, delivery timeframe, or to place a special order, please contact us directly.