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Archive 2016 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

freaklikeme
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p.3 #1 · p.3 #1 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

Audii-Dudii wrote:
Per the Zeiss fact sheet -- Contax 35mm PC Distagon -- Zeiss claims the floating element is only used to "compensate for aberrations in close-ups" and "the position of individual optical elements is automatically changed via a cam when focusing."

Based upon this, it seems likely the floating element does not come into use when focusing at longer distances, so for most purposes, the lens should be able to be focused moving the Actus' track instead of its rotating its helical.

Yeah, I've never taken the Contax apart so I have no idea. I was talking about the Samyang.

Jul 17, 2016 at 05:29 PM

mdemeyer
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p.3 #2 · p.3 #2 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

Went out today to do a few "get familiar" shots with the Actus. Still waiting for the 24mm Actar to arrive, so used the Rodenstock APO-Sironar Digital HR 60mm F4 lens (same lens as current HR Digaron-S). Lens was not really wide enough for the subjects I had the mood for today, but here's a 9-shot stitch as a sample.

Actus Test Shot - Sony A7M w/ Rodenstock HR Digaron-S

Shot at F5.6. The original stitch is about 80MP so this is reduced by 50% linear to about 20MP for upload.

Plane of focus was from the rocks in front through the roofline of the building. It was pretty windy so there are a few issues in the trees, but not bad. No CA corrections applied or needed.

Hope to make a more serious photo outing next weekend with this and the Actar 24mm, now that I'm getting a handle on the control layout.

It was really nice to get back to the view...

Michael

Jul 17, 2016 at 08:14 PM

naturephoto1
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p.3 #3 · p.3 #3 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

mdemeyer wrote:
Went out today to do a few "get familiar" shots with the Actus. Still waiting for the 24mm Actar to arrive, so used the Rodenstock APO-Sironar Digital HR 60mm F4 lens (same lens as current HR Digaron-S). Lens was not really wide enough for the subjects I had the mood for today, but here's a 9-shot stitch as a sample.

Actus Test Shot - Sony A7M w/ Rodenstock HR Digaron-S

Shot at F5.6. The original stitch is about 80MP so this is reduced by 50% linear to about 20MP for upload.

Plane of focus was from the rocks in front through the roofline...Show more →

Michael,

Looks quite good for a start with the new camera and new lens.

As it turns out, I believe my Actus with the Leica R lens adapter is expected to be delivered tomorrow (still waiting for 2 39mm Actus lens boards) by FEDEX. But, I have adapters to use my Enlarger lenses and my Schneider 120mm f5.6 Makro Symmar HM on the Leica R lens adapter. Also, I expect my Rodenstock 105mm f4 Apo Rodagon N to also be delivered by USPS.

Rich

Jul 17, 2016 at 08:24 PM

mdemeyer
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p.3 #4 · p.3 #4 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

Update on the 24mm Actar for the Cambo Actus. I did get one in but it showed very poor sharpness shifted so I returned it to Capture Integration to be checked. Steve confirmed that it was, in fact, weak compared to their demo unit and is checking another out before sending it to me.

Once I get a good copy in-hand I'll follow-up with some samples.

In the meantime, really positive about the Actus with my Rodenstock technical glass but, of course, those don't get into architectural-wide domain with the Actus.

Stay tuned...

Michael

Aug 06, 2016 at 12:15 PM

mdemeyer
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p.3 #5 · p.3 #5 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

Quick update... CI sent me their demo copy of the Actar 24 to test. It was significantly better than the first one I got, although still not very symmetrical - this one was weaker on the right side, even unshifted at F5.6. Best at F8 unshifted and usable at F11 out to +/- 10mm horizontal shift (although losing some to diffraction) which is the limit of the specified image circle of 60mm on an A7. So, an F8-F11 lens in practice depending where you are in the image circle.

Now I just need a new one that performs well, which Steve is working on...

Michael

Aug 18, 2016 at 12:00 AM

mdemeyer
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p.3 #6 · p.3 #6 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

I finally got a replacement of the Actar in and had a chance to use it for some architectural shots up in Napa this past weekend. Here's a shot (nearly full-frame, very slightly cropped on the left side for symmetry) with the Actar on a Kolari thin filter modified Sony A7. (Note that the Actar, being a DSLR-derived lens, doesn't need to Kolari mod, but that's what I use.)

Del Dotto Winery, Actar 24mm @ F8

This is at 50% of original size for convenience, but it holds up fully at 100%.

It's certainly an F8-11 lens, but performs well in that range. This image had full rear fall, as I remember it.

Michael

Oct 10, 2016 at 09:58 PM

Michael Gordon
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p.3 #7 · p.3 #7 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

Matt Grum wrote:
I've tried the OM 21mm f/3.5 and 50mm f/1.8 on a tilt shift adapter - there's practically no usable image circle beyond the standard 43mm.

The Z. 135mm that fits on the bellows or autotube does have quite a large image circle--it was initially designed for use on an Olympus T-S bellows that was designed but never produced. I use it on a Mirex T-S adapter with custom adapters. Likely the other lenses designed for that bellows have a large image circle also--image circle is larger for macro anyway but the 135 can focus at infinity if that is imp't to you.

Oct 11, 2016 at 02:10 PM

TakenWild
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p.3 #8 · p.3 #8 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

The Zeiss CY 100mm 3.5 shifts very well on the A7R2. Super sharp. It maintains quality to 8mm horizontal or 10mm vertical.

Oct 22, 2016 at 11:50 PM

mdemeyer
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p.3 #9 · p.3 #9 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

Had to make some EBay photos this weekend... doing a little house cleaning. Here are two shots with an A7 on the Actus (Kolari thin filter v3 mod, but the mod is not relevant with this lens) using a Rodenstock APO-Rodagon-N 80mm F4 enlarging lens. This are reduced in size for EBay, but the lens performed very well on these close-up (but non-Macro) shots.

APO-Rodagon-N 80mm @ F8 #1

APO-Rodagon-N 80mm @ F8 #2

The only thing to watch with this lens is to cover the place where the light comes through to illuminate the aperture scale. Handy in the darkroom, but not so nice when used as a taking lens.

With the standard bellows (150mm) I was able to get where I needed to for this kind of shot, but a much longer lens a close distances would probably require the longer bellows.

This setup is really nice for this kind of stuff...

Michael

Oct 30, 2016 at 10:20 PM

Audii-Dudii
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p.3 #10 · p.3 #10 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

Has the knowledge base about which 35 mm-format lenses work well with movements grown any since the last post on this thread?

I can add to the list that the Contax N 17-35/f2.8 zoom has some potential, as it has a significant range of movement available from 21-35 mm. (It even has a few mm of movement available at 17 mm, too!)

Unfortunately, it will require a custom lens panel and has an electronic aperture, which is a minor PITA in use. And in some situations, there can also be some noticeable softening and smearing in the corners (which the Kolari thin-filter mod significantly improves, btw, although it's not without its other issues.)

Personally, I'm curious about the Sigma ART lenses in the Nikon mount, with the 24-35/f2 being my primary interest, and the 20 mm/f2 being my secondary interest. Has anybody used either of these on an Actus yet?

Jan 19, 2017 at 05:08 PM

naturephoto1
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p.3 #11 · p.3 #11 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

Audii-Dudii wrote:
Has the knowledge base about which 35 mm-format lenses work well with movements grown any since the last post on this thread?

I can add to the list that the Contax N 17-35/f2.8 zoom has some potential, as it has a significant range of movement available from 21-35 mm. (It even has a few mm of movement available at 17 mm, too!)

Unfortunately, it will require a custom lens panel and has an electronic aperture, which is a minor PITA in use. And in some situations, there can also be some noticeable softening and smearing in the corners (which the Kolari thin-filter...Show more →

I have run some tests with my Cambo Actus with a number of Leica R lenses that can be used many of which will cover the new Mini Medium Format sensor size: 33mm X 44mm

I have to run some more tests when I get a chance. I did make some errors however regarding the image circles of some of the lenses however, which I should try to correct.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1462218/0#13817709

But, from my tests I was able to determine that the Leica R 180mm f3.4 Apo Telyt will be of interest, the Leica R 100mm f2.8 Apo-Macro-Elmarit has a huge image circle both at distance and close up, the Leica R 100mm f4 Macro Elmar Bellows lens also has a huge image circle. The Leica R 50mm f2 Summicron does not cover the new Mini MF sensor size, but offers some shift capability, The Leica R 60mm f2.8 Macro Elmarit lens and Leica R 28mm f2.8 Elmari V2 also will not cover the new Mini MF sensor size but will offer some shift capability. The Leica R 28mm f2.8 Super Angulon PC will cover the new Mini MF sensor size and can be used with around 11mm of shift on the long 35 sensor format size and about 13mm on the short axis when the lens is stopped down to f11. Cambo will need to modify the Leica R lens standard for using the Leica R 28mm f2.8 Super Angulon PC lens; they modified my adapter in the Netherlands for free and they should now know how the adapter needs to be modified.

Rich

Jan 19, 2017 at 05:28 PM

Audii-Dudii
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p.3 #12 · p.3 #12 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

As it happens, I can now answer my own question about the size of the image circle for the Sigma Art 24-35/f2, because I have one on a 15-day evaluation loan and have been using it for the past week.

At 24 mm and ~f8 (with the adapter I'm using, it's difficult to identify the aperture exactly), there is approx. 3-4 mm of vertical movement available. At 35 mm and ~f8, this increases to 10-12 mm. At focal lengths in between, it appears to be pretty much proportional; i.e., at 28mm, there's approx 5-6 mm of movement available.

So far, for the type of photography I do, these ranges of movement have been enough. I'm absolutely blown away by how sharp this lens is; in fact, it might even be too sharp for many purposes, although for my photography (lone-exposure, nighttime, essentialy architectural photography), it's not usually an issue.

Given that these Nikon G-mount lenses are easy to use with my FrankenKamera (unlike my Contax N lenses, changing the aperture can be done with the lens in situ) and Sigma has priced them quite reasonably, I will likely keep this lens and now turn my attention to their ART p;rimes ... stay tuned!

Feb 04, 2017 at 11:01 AM

TakenWild
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p.3 #13 · p.3 #13 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

Thanks for that! It's very interesting. I've heard the Tamron SP45mm 1.8 has a large image circle and can shift 10-12mm.

Audii-Dudii wrote:
As it happens, I can now answer my own question about the size of the image circle for the Sigma Art 24-35/f2, because I have one on a 15-day evaluation loan and have been using it for the past week.

At 24 mm and ~f8 (with the adapter I'm using, it's difficult to identify the aperture exactly), there is approx. 3-4 mm of vertical movement available. At 35 mm and ~f8, this increases to 10-12 mm. At focal lengths in between, it appears to be pretty much proportional; i.e., at 28mm, there's approx 5-6 mm of movement available.

So far, for the...Show more →

Feb 05, 2017 at 10:56 AM

Audii-Dudii
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p.3 #14 · p.3 #14 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

As additional data points, I can now add that the Sigma Art 24/f1.4 and 35mm/f1.4 also have image circles large enough to provide small amounts of movements with the A7R. Not enough to stitch panos, but more than enough for modest perspective corrections and composition tweaks (well, at least for my purposes ... YMMV!)

Unfortunately, the built-in lens hood for the Sigma Art 20/f1.4 lens severely restricts the size of the image circle and next to no movements area available accordingly.

Because the lens I tried was on loan, I didn't attempt to remove the lens hood and determine how much, if any, additional image circle is projected, but I may try working with it again someday and if I do, I will absolutely do so then.

In case anybody is curious, here's a photo of my Actus outfit in its present form, complete with an external HDMI monitor and spare lens holder:

I am in the process of adding a cooler assembly to it (I'm not yet certain whether it will be passive or active) because the A7R sensor gets quite noisy and full of hot pixels at higher ambient temps, which I frequently encounter when photographing here in central Arizona during the summer months. FYI, the Sigma 24/f1.4 is mounted on the camera and the 35mm/f1.4 is on the holder.

Jul 02, 2017 at 10:56 AM

rdeloe
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p.3 #15 · p.3 #15 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

I've tested quite a few Olympus OM lenses for shift use on an APS-C sensor (Fuji X). Some are excellent, some are not, and neither cost nor reputation were good predictors. For example, the humble OM 28/3.5 and OM 50/1.8 are excellent shift lenses, while the OM 85/2, which has a great reputation, was very poor.

Results here: http://www.robdeloephotography.com/Pages/Tiltshift-on-APSC

cdavis324 wrote:
Anyone try any older Nikkor or Olympus OM lenses? Any other older lenses that have large image circles(other than the shift lenses)?

I'm wondering if the old Olympus lenses have at least 4-5mm of movement...

Jul 02, 2017 at 11:58 AM

SoundHound
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p.3 #16 · p.3 #16 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

"Flag" is a Cine term and can be either a noun or a verb ("Flag that lens").

Often the call on the set will go out for a "Courtesy Flag" comprised of a Flag (wire frame of various sizes covered with black cloth and a protruding spud to clamp into the) Grip Stand (adjustable, fold up leg stand with an articulated arm and clamps) and often a Sand Bag (various sizes/weights placed on the grip stand legs so no inadvertent movement is possible).

A Grip (set worker in charge of mechanicals) sets the Stand and Flag while observing the surface of the lens' objective or filter. The Flags's position is adjusted so that there is no possibility for set lights or the Sun to "See" the lens

There is also typically a "Matte Box" attached to the lens that allows filters to be mounted as well as an integral, adjustable, Flag set by the 1st assistant cameraman.

If the camera moves in relation to the lights (dollies) then there can often be a Flying Flag (moved to keep the lens shaded at all times). Occasionally, the lens will be "Unflaggable" or allowed to flare.

One name for such a flare is an "Easy Rider" (from the low budget movie of the same name with copious multiple flares). Easy Rider was a low budget film, shot in 16mm film (mostly with a multi element zoom lens), without the personnel to Flag the lens. Such zoom lenses, in the day, were infamous for intense multiple flares.

Jul 03, 2017 at 07:36 AM

Valentin
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p.3 #17 · p.3 #17 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

Which external HDMI monitor is this and what bracket are you using?

Jan 26, 2018 at 06:53 AM

Audii-Dudii
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p.3 #18 · p.3 #18 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

I just happened upon this thread again while I was searching for something I posted, so thought I'd answer this question even though the original photo I posted is no longer available.

The original monitor I used was the Aputure VS-1 FineHD, which has a 7" diagonal screen and 1920 x 1280 native resolution. It worked very well, especially for the price, and I happily used it for approx. 18 months, when the bug to upgrade to a larger monitor bit me.

(All of the mounting brackets I've used were made by me and I've gone through many, many versions since I started with this project, so don't recall exactly which one was pictured in the now-unavailable photo.)

After experimenting with a lot of different monitors, ranging from $110 eBay specials intended for gaming usage to $1000 portable broadcast monitors, I finally settled on the Lilliput A12, which has a 12.5" diagonal screen and "4k" native resolution (in reality, 3840 x 2160). For my purposes, it works great and the larger screen has proven to be much easier for me to compose and focus my photos, as well as judge how much tilt and/or swing is being applied / needed.

Because the A7R's HDMI output resolution is a max of 1920 x 1280, I'm not taking full advantage of this monitor's capability, but the A7RIII (as well as the other latest and greatest mirrorless cameras, such as the Nikon Z7) have an HDMI output resolution of 3840 x 2160, so I'm covered if/when I ever decide to upgrade from my A7R.

Here's a photo of my current setup:

Unfortunately, the rotating mount I built using various parts from derelict Toyo view cameras isn't visible, but I can take / post another photo if there's enough interest in seeing it.

As is also apparent, I've successfully created a temporary lens panel that will accept a Contax N 17-35/f2.8 zoom, which projects a large enough image circle across its focal length range to provide a modest to decent amount of rise/fall/shift movements (at the moment, tilt and swing availability is very limited, as I'll need to recess the lens mount slightly in order to make room for the front panel to rotate before it hits the rear standard) and I hope to finish incorporating the guts of Kipon's Sony to Contax N smart adapter into the camera within another week, maybe two. (I have it working temporarily, but need to add an 11-wire connector so I'm able to quickly and easily disconnect the wiring so I can also quickly and easily swap lens panels.)

I know it makes no sense whatsoever for me to have gone to all this trouble to use this lens, but I already own it, love how it renders, and frankly, I have a lot of time on my hands these days, so tackling projects like this one keeps me from hanging out in bars and strip clubs ... lol

Feb 16, 2019 at 06:44 PM

andyptak
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p.3 #19 · p.3 #19 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

How do you access the camera controls and menu? Thanks.

Feb 17, 2019 at 09:09 AM

Audii-Dudii
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p.3 #20 · p.3 #20 · "Cambo Actus" Tilt Shift equipment ??

andyptak wrote:
How do you access the camera controls and menu? Thanks.

The external monitor shows exactly the same image as would have appeared on the OEM monitor (it turns off -- well, some of the time, but not all the time -- whenever the external monitor is turned on), so there's no difference there.

As for accessing the controls, that's simply a matter of how far back from the camera the external monitor is positioned, which is determined by the design / measurements of the bracket.

For me and my fingers, I've found that a gap of approx. 3.5" between the monitor and camera body works well:

Feb 17, 2019 at 12:09 PM

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