I picked up my Contax shift adapter for the FPS recently at Alpa CH and did a few test shots last weekend.
The FPS recognizes the mounted lens with min./max. aperture values, the aperture is adjusted via the cam, the focus can be controlled either manually at the lens or - really weird/cool - via the camera wheel.
Two mechanical details changed (positively) compared to the prototype:
1.
The fixed mounting columns for horizontal and vertical tripod mounting at the adapter are gone, this make the adapter much more compact and mounting the whole setup (back + FPS + shift mount + lens) at the camera makes a change from Contax mount + lens to Canon mount + lens much quicker and safer.
2.
The shift mechanisms (still +/-12mm vertically and simultaneously +/- 12mm horizontally) is moved with e quick-lock release, no longer via an long screw. This allows very quick and smooth movements, just one has to know and get used to, that by opening the vertical release the whole weight of the lens is in the users hand and must be hold well, otherwise gravity lets the lens "fall" down to the end position. For me no problem, but some may argue that this is a bit too loose w/o any friction in the shift mechanism to slow the movement.
Working with the whole system is flawless, even if my IQ180 does not provide proper life view like the recent CMOS backs, but I don't miss that feature too much. I normally guess the framing, focussing and exposure and simply do a few shots with little adjustments in between until the picture is basically like I want it. Of course such work requires a tripod.
I also use the new rather tiny and light but nicely made and very solid ArcaSwiss compatible mounts (one each mounted to the bottom side and to one side of the FPS for quick change between vertical and horizontal position).
The Contax 35f3.5 allows 5-7 mm shift along the long side of the sensor at f11 with excellent result and no color cast. Enclosed a sample shot.
Link to the slightly cropped 8742 x 6728 pixel file.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/18437364/Alpa-FPS%2BContax-Shift-Adapter/CF004079-C35%40f11%2B12mm.jpgThe Contax 45f2.8 even allows 10-12mm shift with good corner sharpness. I will post a file later.
In that focal range I mostly use the (Zeiss) Hasselblad 50f4 FLE via a Hasselblad - Contax adapter.
Enclosed a sample shot at f11 with full 12mm shift.
And the link for the full resolution 10345 x 7762 pixel file.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/18437364/Alpa-FPS%2BContax-Shift-Adapter/CF004089-CF50%40f11%2B12mm.jpg(Both pictures geometrically adjusted by Alpa lens corrector plug-in in PS.)
The price of the Contax adapter is quite steep, but on the other hand all suitable lenses like
Contax 645 35f3.5
Contax 645 45f2.8
Contax 645 55f3.5
Contax 645 80f2
Contax 645 120f4 Apo-Makro
Contax 645 140f2.8
and via a Hasselblad - Contax adapter
Hasselblad CF 40f4 FLE
Hasselblad CF 50f4 FLE
Hasselblad CF 80f2.8
Hasselblad CF 100f3.5
Hasselblad FE 150f2.8
Hasselblad CF 180f4
- provide sufficient image circle with good corner sharpness and no color cast at f11 for shift movement 5-12mm (dep. on lens)
- set you back only about EUR/USD 500 ... 1500 per 2nd hand lens
For the price of the Alpa FPS Contax shift adapter you would get just one Rodenstock lens, so the total cost of a multi-lens set-up is IMO still reasonable. In my case case I had the Contax lenses and the back anyhow already for my Contax 645 camera, so this investment was a no-brainer.
Christoph