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Author Topic: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look  (Read 25816 times)

Steve Hendrix

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Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« on: July 02, 2014, 06:48:32 pm »

We've had a Cambo Actus prototype in our hands for a week or so and recorded our observations in the below blog post:

https://captureintegration.com/first-look-cambo-actus/




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« Last Edit: July 02, 2014, 07:41:59 pm by Steve Hendrix »
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HarperPhotos

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Re: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« Reply #1 on: July 02, 2014, 08:22:33 pm »

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the review.

Is the rear Horizontal rear shift of 20mm/20mm geared or after loosening the Shift Control Lock does it just slide freely?

Just what to confirm that a Nikon D800 body without the Nikon MB-D12 Multi Power Battery Pack will fit on the Cambo Actus.

Lastly what is the shortest focal length you can use with a Nikon D800 attached?

Cheers

Simon Harper
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Steve Hendrix

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Re: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« Reply #2 on: July 02, 2014, 09:33:07 pm »

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the review.

Is the rear Horizontal rear shift of 20mm/20mm geared or after loosening the Shift Control Lock does it just slide freely?

Just what to confirm that a Nikon D800 body without the Nikon MB-D12 Multi Power Battery Pack will fit on the Cambo Actus.

Lastly what is the shortest focal length you can use with a Nikon D800 attached?

Cheers

Simon Harper



Hi Simon -

Horisontal shift is not geared. While I love gearing, I did not find it to be liability. It was fast and easy to slide to the desired position. The D800 stand alone body will fit (as will a Canon 5D-MKIII, for example). Shortest focal length with a D800 will likely be in the 70mm/80mm range for full range focusing (due to the increased depth of the mirror module and assembly). This is the reason the mirrorless cameras can take advantage of wider focal lengths (as wide as 32mm, with some limitations).


Steve Hendrix
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« Last Edit: July 03, 2014, 02:06:50 pm by Steve Hendrix »
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adam_k

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Re: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2014, 09:03:13 am »

Nice review. So the only lenses that were tested at 50mm and wider were Rodenstock. Will other brands 50mm and wider lenses work with this? I am hoping to put on a 40mm or so lens on this via the mamiya or nikon mounting options.

Also, is there any way to use a leaf shutter lens with this system to sync faster then the a7R shutter sync? I am thinking shooting in bulb on camera and triggering lens separately..

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BernardLanguillier

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Re: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2014, 05:23:00 pm »

Thanks, very interesting. I see great potential here as a platform for spherical stitching of tilted landscape with longer LF digital lenses.

The availability of swing on the front standard is the key capability to enable this.

Can swing and lateral shift be performed on the front standard at the same time?

Thanks.

Cheers,
Bernard

Paul2660

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Re: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« Reply #5 on: July 03, 2014, 05:48:44 pm »

Nice review, thanks.

I would feel that the 32 rodenstock will be a bit front heavy, as may the 40mm Rod. 

Just a  questions. 

1.  Did you use C1 to correct the LCC's, if so, I assume the process would be just like with a tech camera lens and back?
2.  How durable is the bellows, as it appears rather large compared to the camera and lenses, and is it practical to carry the rig all setup in a pack or
     would it make more sense to carry it apart and assemble on site.
3.  If you are a current Cambo user, do the lenses just move over to the A7r? or does it take a different helical mount on the lens, if it's the former, that's
     quite a kudo to Cambo as it just make the value of their entire line up a lot more versatile. 
4.  Did you see much color fall off/detail smearing as with a CCD/back when shifted to the max?

Thanks
Paul 
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BernardLanguillier

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Re: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2014, 10:50:03 pm »

Also, do we know when it will become available?

Thank you.

Regards,
Bernard

JerryReed

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Re: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« Reply #7 on: July 04, 2014, 08:53:17 am »

Steve,

Maybe it is associated with either my planned move this month to Austin, or perhaps that I do the JUMBLE, but I am unable to read ACTUS, without immediately thinking cactus.

Thank you for your usual outstanding review.

Best regards,

Jerry Reed

http://jerryreed.net
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Paul2660

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Re: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« Reply #8 on: July 04, 2014, 03:52:36 pm »

Steve:

A few more questions. 

Is this device aimed at only tech camera type lenses, i.e. the Schneiders or Rodenstocks? 

Will it allow the use of the Canon TS-E's?   

As you get wider, say 43XL or 35XL or 40 Rod, do you start to see more pixel cross talk creating loss of saturation on shifts past say 15mm? or even at 15mm.  Similar to what is being seen with the IQ250 when shifted with wides @ 40mm or less.  I assume this would the case as the A7r sensor does have micro lenses, but I am interested in your feedback or Cambo's.

I would love to be able to use the 35XL Schneider, but I am wondering if the focal flange distance will be too close for the Sony?

Thanks
Paul
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ErikKaffehr

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Re: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« Reply #9 on: July 05, 2014, 11:57:43 pm »

Hi,

Interesting stuff, thanks for sharing!

Best regards
Erik

We've had a Cambo Actus prototype in our hands for a week or so and recorded our observations in the below blog post:

https://captureintegration.com/first-look-cambo-actus/




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Mike Sellers

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Re: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« Reply #10 on: July 06, 2014, 10:29:30 am »

Steve,
Do the Leica lenses really have enough coverage with movements?
Mike
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AndreasSchmidt

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Re: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« Reply #11 on: July 06, 2014, 04:03:32 pm »

Hello,
will there be some sort of rail extension? I have a Schneider 5,6/120mm Makro in Copal 0, and at 1:1 it needs some 235mm (or so :-) ) to the sensor. If I understood right, max. extension with A7 is around 125mm, that's just around infinity...
Thanks and take care,
Andreas
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Steve Hendrix

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Re: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« Reply #12 on: July 07, 2014, 09:44:01 am »

Hello,
will there be some sort of rail extension? I have a Schneider 5,6/120mm Makro in Copal 0, and at 1:1 it needs some 235mm (or so :-) ) to the sensor. If I understood right, max. extension with A7 is around 125mm, that's just around infinity...
Thanks and take care,
Andreas


Sorry everyone, had a holiday weekend with barely any internet access at all. It was....unsettling....but only for a moment!  ;)

Some answers to all the questions:

Bernard - final units expected to ship before end of July, pre-orders being accepted.

Jerry - Good luck on your move to Austin, and watch out for those prickly things.

Paul - The 35 XL may actually be able to achieve focus, but our sense is that the results, even without shifts, may be questionable.

Mike - Leica R lenses do have coverage, the movements are restricted (not yet determined by how much).

Andreas - There is a macro rail extension available, same as there was with the X2 Pro.


Thanks everyone for the questions and interest.


Steve Hendrix
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Paul2660

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Re: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« Reply #13 on: July 07, 2014, 09:51:59 am »

Thanks Steve,

Still curious on how you are processing the LCC's, in C1?  Does it work on non Phase Leaf backs just the same?  If so that is cool and I could be using it on a 24 TS-E, for light fall off corrections.

Thanks
Paul
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Steve Hendrix

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Re: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« Reply #14 on: July 07, 2014, 10:33:37 am »

Thanks Steve,

Still curious on how you are processing the LCC's, in C1?  Does it work on non Phase Leaf backs just the same?  If so that is cool and I could be using it on a 24 TS-E, for light fall off corrections.

Thanks
Paul


Paul - thank you for bringing this up. Yes! We've been advocating the use of LCC's for all supported cameras for years. If for no other reason than to help with sensor dust. And I have seen very, very subtle discoloration from wide lenses even on 35mm DSLR cameras that an LCC removes. So, yes the LCC's were performed on files from the Sony A7R in Capture One 7.2.2 (7.2.3 just released today).


Steve Hendrix
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adam_k

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Re: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« Reply #15 on: July 07, 2014, 11:02:01 am »

Welcome back Steve.
Any updates if we'd be able to focus to infinity with lenses wider the 50mm besides Rodenstock?
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Steve Hendrix

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Re: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« Reply #16 on: July 07, 2014, 11:08:13 am »

Welcome back Steve.
Any updates if we'd be able to focus to infinity with lenses wider the 50mm besides Rodenstock?


We did take some shots with the SK 47mm and this lens will be usable. Also, the SK 43mm will be usable - uncertain how much shift, perhaps 5mm - 8mm, would be my guess. The 35mm is going to be the problem child, possibly usable, but severely limited. Keep in mind the Rodenstock 35mm HR will also be an option, (it is about half the price of the 32mm HR).


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Paul2660

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Re: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« Reply #17 on: July 07, 2014, 12:10:18 pm »

How does the 40mm rod work especially on shifts?  Can you get 15 to 18mm of shift?

Thanks Paul
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Steve Hendrix

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Re: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« Reply #18 on: July 07, 2014, 12:48:36 pm »

How does the 40mm rod work especially on shifts?  Can you get 15 to 18mm of shift?

Thanks Paul



I feel that is going to be too generous Paul. 10mm - 14mm might be my limit from shooting with the 50HR, so the 40mm is likely going to be more in the 8mm - 12mm range.


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Paul2660

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Re: Cambo Actus prototype - first hands-on look
« Reply #19 on: July 08, 2014, 09:40:06 am »

Steve:

From reading your great writeup on the CI blog, what is the best solution for existing Cambo lenses?  Example all Cambo WRS lenses with existing helical or helical T/S mount?  I noticed that they have a lot of different lens boards available in your specs.  Will the Cambo mounted lenses with a helical push the lens past infinity, at least the wider lenses like the 40mm Rod?  or 43SK? 

All the Leica and Nikon mounts are for lenses with manual aperture rings, as Mamiya. 

I saw the lens board with opening 0, which I recall is for any of the Tech lenses, with no specific mounts, Arca, Cambo Alpa etc.

Thanks
Paul
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