p.1 #1 · Will there ever be a compact digital view camera?
A.K.A. why don't they make tilt-shift lenses for mirrorless cameras
Does anyone else wish they made a compact digital view camera? I for one think it would be fantastic, and if one were ever made, I'd seriously consider replacing a DSLR system for it.
Base it on a FF 35mm sensor, the rumored 36MP one coming in the D800 serves as a good base. That gives sufficient resolution and compact size to give stellar image performance in a really compact, hiking-friendly body. With 16-bit ADCs and 36MP resolution, you'd be getting what high-end medium format digital was giving not too long ago, and in a substantially cheaper and a lighter, more compact package. Technical camera movements would allow you to manipulate the plane of focus, and let you shoot at larger apertures, meaning diffraction won't be nearly as severe an issue on such a high resolution sensor (would probably be diffraction limited at f/8 or so in a DSLR?). The movements would also probably allow easy stitching, meaning you could turn that 36MP sensor easily into 90-100MP stitches, which would perhaps rival even the results that current, unobtainably expensive, MF systems can do. Put in a large high resolution LCD instead of a ground-glass viewfinder, or even some newfangled wireless connection to a tablet.
Or, you could perhaps even just start making some high quality tilt-shift lenses for mirrorless cameras, that would give you a pretty close approximation. I think the removal of the mirror box for mirrorless cameras should facilitate easier design of T/S lenses?
This is the kind of thing that would really get me behind mirrorless cameras. What do you guys think?
p.1 #2 · Will there ever be a compact digital view camera?
Sounds good. However, the market for that is so small, I'd be shocked if it happened. Most camera companies really only seem to care about moving the meat, and really don't care what real photographers think or want. I'd love a FF mirrorless camera, but as long as the powers that be continue the quest to make mirrorless a low-end product, to protect their high-end DSLR sales, it's not happening. Of the three main players that make FF DSLR's, Sony is pushing the mirrorless market the furthest these days, but they don't have the best track record in the lens department, let alone the tilt-shift lens department.
p.1 #3 · Will there ever be a compact digital view camera?
Is using a nikon or eos tilt shift on a nex7 not a good first step? I realize it isn't 36mp in a full frame but its certainly in the ball park spec wise of recent medium format when you stitch shifted images, isn't it?
I wonder how much the tripod connection is an issue for this use? as in clearance and stability.
I also wonder if someone couldn't adapt a nex to be used on the back of some existing view cameras with just a mount adapter fitted to rear plate...I think some medium format backs have been adapted this way.
p.1 #4 · Will there ever be a compact digital view camera?
you just need an t/s adapter as the image circle of a fx/ff f/eos mount will cover the smaller formats while also having the flange distances. here some one tell mirex!
p.1 #6 · Will there ever be a compact digital view camera?
I was under the impression that Nikon PC-E lenses offer only one axis of travel, while the Canon's offer two-axis travel like a real view camera. Is this true? I have no experience with either, but I used to shoot 4x5. That being said, I agree that the market is too small. If you need to do this, you're likely going to be stuck renting a Leaf and putting it on your view cam.
p.1 #7 · Will there ever be a compact digital view camera?
I agree it's a small market, but I think that modern 35mm digital sensor technology could have some real performance benefits that would make it more attractive than it initially seems. Dispensing with the film aspect and large bulk of large format film systems, more people might give it a shake who otherwise are scared off by the size and/or film requirement of this type of photography. For the serious landscaper, I don't see how this wouldn't be an attractive option? Even if it was up in the $5000 range, it wouldn't really be uncompetitive against other cameras like a D3x/D4/etc? People drop that kind of money and more to buy D4s and 500/600mm lenses, I think "serious landscapers" might see the economy in dropping the same on a very compact high performing setup too? Especially if it gave them substantial performance gains over alternatives (i.e. Leaf back or similar results in a much smaller package, and a lot cheaper)
Basically current large format view cameras have 2 key advantages for landscape photography:
1) movements
2) large image capture area (incredibly high resolution photos)
But there are 2 primary drawbacks
1) "inconvenient" film capture
2) very large size/weight/bulk (60lb backpack just with photo gear does not make for convenient backcountry photographing)
I think something like a 36MP 35mm sensor has enough resolution to start to compete with large format film especially if you factor in scheimpflug and view camera movements which allow you to minimize diffraction artifacts that may arise as a consequence of the small pixel pitch. Combine that with significant size advantages over large format film, and design a quality interface (large, high resolution LCD for framing/focusing, or even tablet style integration), and you can really move the "view camera experience" into the modern age at a "reasonable" cost (i.e. probably still several thousand, but far from the $20-30k + that MF digital goes for, and which is still extremely heavy and bulky)
I've found myself being more interested in the advantages of view camera photography for landscapes but am hesitant to try owing to the large size/weight, and my total inexperience with film-based shooting.
Guess a guy can at least dream, can he not?
Edit: points taken about adapting DX/FF lenses to smaller formats, but part of my argument is that the smaller formats (4/3, APS, etc) don't have the resolution/performance to compete with large format, view-camera based photography, which is what I'm suggesting a system like this is meant to take on.
p.1 #8 · Will there ever be a compact digital view camera?
If you are willing to spend "several thousand" dollars, then there are currently attractive options that fill this niche fairly well. A Canon 5DII + 17/4 TS-E (or 24 TS-E II, or longer focal length tilt/shift lenses) gives you a highly competent digital camera with movements for <$5k, including live view for precise focusing. I think a lot of high end landscape/architectural photographers are already moving to systems like this. Eventually, a mirrorless design could allow smaller, cheaper systems to do the same, but with a moderate budget (much less than $20K), you don't need to dream to get a good digital view camera right now.
