combo x2-pro or other tilt-shift solution for p65+ phase one 645df ?

[sasha g]

Fellow photographers. Long time reading first time posting. Greetings!

As of today I own a phase one 645 \df with p65+ back and 80mm lens
I hope some of you can offer an advise on how I can make it do what I need it to do.

I mainly photogrpah food, drink and product in studio ranging from room sets to extreme macro.

Until today, I was shooting with: Canon 5dmk3
65% of all work I did with  90mm tse lens ,  20 % of work with 45 tse, 5 % with 24tse, and 5% with 17mm, and occasional rentals for 180 mm macro and 135 macro 65mm MP-E macro

Lately I felt being limited by what 35mm set up has to offer and when I was offered a good deal on this phase one kit, I took it. So here I am:

I have looked at some options:
1. Leading option is Cambo x2 pro - seems like it can accommodate my macro needs and mid - long range.  and does the frontal movements...
Can someone please explain to me if I use 4x5 lenses on x2-pro with phase one and p65+ how do I calculate focal lenght equivalent to 35mm format. CI website states that widest lens you can use is 90mm Schneider or Rodenstock  - so what is the 35mm equivalent of 90mm Rodenstock in this set up ?
also cambo website states that the widest you can use is 72mm macro with x2-pro (confusing... which one is right )

Does any one has good / bad experience with x2-pro (there is very little user feedback online) and I could not find a dealer in NYC who has it to try / rent (calumet closed and digital transitions do not have it in stock at all)

Another thing I do not understand about x2-pro is that it states in description that it only works with p45+ and p65+ backs. So what if I upgrade in a few years to newer iq back the x2-pro not going to work?, i don't get it? 

2. Actus DB sounds like a perfect camera to handle my imagination with rear standard swinging and all,  but I don't see how I can work it on fast paced shoot, when I change angles rapidly (not be able to see through viewfinder or swapping back to a ground glass- too slow of a workflow for me... So i guess it's a no... )

3. I was looking also at TECHNOPLAN-T3 from wise fototechnik (http://wiese-fototechnik.de/Website/English/Products.html) as someone on this forum pointed to it, totally not sure what exactly it does but sounds very interesting. Is it a lens or an attachment to mount a lens? what lenses?
any one had any experience with those?

Can someone please enlighten me? Am I on right track? Are there other options?

Thank you

Sasha

[Doug Peterson]

I'd go for an Actus or Univeralis over an X2. The X2 is just not terribly stable or precise, which is why we (Digital Transitions) don't keep one in stock. The Univeralis and Actus on the other hand are rock solid and we can make an appointment with you to play with either.

For more rapid shooting you have a few options:
- Live View: CCD live view from your P65+ definitely isn't like a Canon or an IQ250 but if you learn to use it correctly it can be quite practical for still life / tabletop.
- Ground glass: The Arca sliding ground glass, for instance, could be used on the Univeralis which would allow rapidly switching from the digital back to the ground glass

Alternatively you could try the Schneider 120 TS lens (we also have this in our rental/demo stock).

As to the focal length question, you DONT convert focal lengths in this type of question. The field of view is dependent on the focal length and the sensor size only, not the size/type of body in between. So a 120mm is the same mid-long lens with your digital back whether you are using a 120mm on a DF+, or a 120mm on the Univeralis, or a 120mm with an X-2.

For a calculator comparing focal lengths using different sensor sizes (e.g. a full frame canon vs a full frame digital back) see our focal length visualizer.

[ben730]

Sasha
I had a X2-Pro many years ago. I used it with Nikons, HBV, Nikkor enlarging Lenses + Schneider digitars. It was too wobbly to work precise.
I don't think you will be happy with this camera. I changed to the Ultima 35 then, which is a very solid but also a large + heavy system.
If you have the right adapter, every back should work with the X2-Pro, but you need a shutter in the lens.

Ben

[Paul2660]

You could also use the Arca M2, which is pretty much the standard of the industry for this type of work.  All kinds of options, extensions etc for close up work.  The M2 will have by far the most amount of movement, and it's extremely stable. 

You can look at some pictures of the M2 configured for DSLR work here:

http://photosofarkansas.com/2014/11/07/the-arca-swiss-dslr-2-a-perfect-companion-to-the-sony-a7r-part-1-camera-review/

The DSLR2 will work with your Canon DSLR, but you are limited to 90mm or higher due to the mirror box.  The A7r will take the 35mm XL Schneider or wider
You can just change out the mount on the back to take your P65+. 

Paul

[geesbert]

I am using the Actus with the sony A7r and the Canon 5dmk3 and I am extremly happy with it.

I used a x2 with the Canon for a bit and hated it. It's wobbly and you have to turn those knob a thousand times to get any movement. The way the bellow and the lensplate attaches to the camera is also rather unsafe.

There is no backswing on the Actus, though.

For lenses I use a few Digitars and rodagons, which are superb.

[sasha g]

As to the focal length question, you DONT convert focal lengths in this type of question. The field of view is dependent on the focal length and the sensor size only, not the size/type of body in between. So a 120mm is the same mid-long lens with your digital back whether you are using a 120mm on a DF+, or a 120mm on the Univeralis, or a 120mm with an X-2.

For a calculator comparing focal lengths using different sensor sizes (e.g. a full frame canon vs a full frame digital back) see our focal length visualizer.

My question was more about 4x5 lenses on a view camera using p65+
So 4x5 lens of 90mm is it about 28mm equivalent to 35format ?  as in chart here; http://www.toyoview.com/LensSelection/lensselect.html ?

Also thanks for tip on Univeralis. I will come check it out (DT is a short walk from me)

[sasha g]

You could also use the Arca M2, which is pretty much the standard of the industry for this type of work.  All kinds of options, extensions etc for close up work.  The M2 will have by far the most amount of movement, and it's extremely stable. ]

looks good thanks for the link.
Is Univeralis a newer version of M2 (whats the difference? )

[sasha g]

There is no backswing on the Actus, though.

It seems there is backswing on new Actus DB as the back attached straight to the bellows.

Thank you all for your input.
So x2-pro is out.

this leaves: Actus DB, vs. Arca Universalis vs. M2  ?

[geesbert]

It seems there is backswing on new Actus DB

Where did you get that from?

[sasha g]

Where did you get that from?

Apologies, You are 100% right, my mistake- it said lateral shift on the rear standard,. I assumed it would swing too. But apparently not.  Would have made sense though if it did ...

[Doug Peterson]

It seems there is backswing on new Actus DB as the back attached straight to the bellows.

Thank you all for your input.
So x2-pro is out.

this leaves: Actus DB, vs. Arca Universalis vs. M2  ?

On the Arca Univeralis you can swap the lens and back so that you have tilt/swing on the back rather than front.