gogopix wrote:
Now THIS is very interesting. The tru wide suggests it takes a Contax 645 mount, and they have a Leica R mount for lens.
Victor
I believe the Contax 645 mount they are talking about is the mount for the digital back, not the lens.
Further, I think this camera wasdesigned at a time when digital backs for medium format cameras were 35mm (24mmx36mm) in size or the square Kodak sensor (which is still smaller than current MF sensors). So, this camera was a way to use your 35mm lenses with these backs. There is no presmption that the 35mm lenses cover anything greater than typical 35mm coverage.
I would suggest that this camera is pretty much obsolete. The usefulness of its application has long since diminshed as digital has progressed.
Live Preview is done with firewire, so A) You'd need a mac since the Leaf software only works on mac and B) The fw port on the aptus is beneath the battery seat.
Yes I understand contax 645 for back. That is exactly what I was thinking. I could use P25 with this and Leica r
Now, if image circle only 35mm then P25 becomes square of 36x36, Maybe a bit bigger, say 40mm So you lose about 20% and P25 16MP square.
Still pretty good. Esp if you can use full frame for long leica lenses (I hear long 35mm lens have pretty big image circles)
glowrider wrote:
Live Preview is done with firewire, so A) You'd need a mac since the Leaf software only works on mac and B) The fw port on the aptus is beneath the battery seat.
Ahhh! OK so you'd have to have an external power supply for the Mac like a Dynalite battery... hmmm...
gogopix wrote:
Yes I understand contax 645 for back. That is exactly what I was thinking. I could use P25 with this and Leica r
Now, if image circle only 35mm then P25 becomes square of 36x36, Maybe a bit bigger, say 40mm So you lose about 20% and P25 16MP square.
Still pretty good. Esp if you can use full frame for long leica lenses (I hear long 35mm lens have pretty big image circles)
I can see a shot-out coming between your P25 and the DM-R using all Leica glass !
I've done tethered location shooting with the P25 and it can be great if your location is relatively quiet, but if you're in a public location it can be a major hassle...usually I switch to swapping CF cards and checking on laptop when I can. Not as predictable as shooting tethered, but then again you don't have people tripping over cords or peering over your shoulder.
Electrovaya batteries for the mac. 500 bucks, but they'll run all day.
Again, it's not just powering the powerbook all day, but the digi back as well in the Aptus' case since the fw bus of the computer is providing its power.
OK - so it sounds like if you want to do more than a couple of quick shots we're stuck using a Dynalite XP1100 battery for live preview. Or Maybe a cheap AB vagabond battery would do the job. So you're not taking your AS or Cambo 6x9 on a jog anyway But that's a drag if you want to travel with a compact setup like a Cambo Wide DS or Alpa - power will be a problem.
ND filter - No problem carrying one of those. Maybe just some over-exposed film or gel to tape over the front element while you focus.
The ease of use of a medium format DSLR is looking better and better in comparison
Just got off the phone with Leaf again and Willem you're right. You can't use the live preview outdoors at all even with a ND filter. They suggest the sliding back route. Darn!
Well, a cambo wide or an alpa, you can get a rangefinder, but if you get the lens to be set to stop at infinity, you can really just hyperfocal. With experience, it comes easy. I know a photog who only uses hyperfocal with his cambo wide and rarely checks the LCD, if ever, on his phase back. Takes experience, but it'll come.
glowrider wrote:
Well, a cambo wide or an alpa, you can get a rangefinder, but if you get the lens to be set to stop at infinity, you can really just hyperfocal. With experience, it comes easy. I know a photog who only uses hyperfocal with his cambo wide and rarely checks the LCD, if ever, on his phase back. Takes experience, but it'll come.
The Cambo Wide DS and Alpa look really nice I have to concede I think I'm infatuated more for one of those than a larger view camera right now. But the H1 will still get a lot more use than either.
wil_ret wrote:
Are you sure that an ND filter won't work with the Aptus?
And why not?
Willem,
That was the opinion of one of their reps. He seemed to think it was just too sensative to light to be of any use outdoors in the sun. He said closer to sunset or indoors it would be OK.
I don't know. I'd certainly like to try it and see if it would work with the proper filtering material. Just because these guys make the stuff doesn't mean they know everything about using it I do know other photogs that are using live preview on other backs for focusing and love it.
netexpress wrote:
The Cambo Wide DS and Alpa look really nice I have to concede I think I'm infatuated more for one of those than a larger view camera right now. But the H1 will still get a lot more use than either.
In the Cambo Wide/Alpa vein, the Silvestri cameras also look quite interesting. See: http://www.silvestricamera.it/eng/prodotti_eng/prodotti_eng.htm
I've been thinking along those lines myself. Choosing between an Alpa, a Cambo or a Silvestri is going to be tough (where can you even find them all side by side to compare adequately?) Alpa is probably the sexiest of the three (Andre would appreciate me saying that), and the Silvestri has neatest capability (a external viewfinder that is linked to lens shift).
!