I was born and raised in Northeast Ohio where my outdoor experiences defined my life from an early age. From living in Western Geauga County next to what became one of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s oldest and largest holdings, to spending ...
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Camera Movements Early in the first article, I mentioned camera movements: A primary benefit of using a technical camera is to apply movements and utilize the larger image circle associated with most of the dedicated lenses from Rodenstock and Schneider. There are...
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The LEAN Technical Camera Process Enough of the equipment introductions. How can these tools be used effectively and efficiently in the field? Photographing with a technical camera can either be an exercise in frustration or a joyful experience that frees you to...
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Field Techniques for Technical Cameras – Lenses and Accessories Navigating Lens Choices A primary benefit of using a technical camera is to apply movements and utilize the larger image circle associated with most of the dedicated lenses from Rodenstock and Schneider. There...
Read moreLovely pictures and an interesting article. Thank you.
Just one small and, I’m sorry, pedantic point. Lenses do not change perspective, only where we take the photograph from changes our perspective. Different focal length lenses allow us to select what part of that perspective we want in our picture or image.
Channeling my inner Ansel Adams…
“Different focal length lenses allow us to select what part of that perspective we want in our picture or image.” I struggle trying to explain this; I like the way you worded that; very clear.
Dave
How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains! - John Muir
https://www.davechewphotography.com
Find legacy Schneider-Kreuznach Apo-Digitar lens data here: https://www.davechewphotography.com/skdata/
Hi Michael,
First, I apologize for missing your post for so long. I thought I subscribed to all the relevant threads but I missed doing that for this one. I was not planning on more detail associates with camera choice, but perhaps I should. I think there are a few areas that could use more discussion:
Since you brought up tilt, I will add a bit here and start with the three primary helical systems. None of the helical-based systems do true axis tilt. I will orient “x” along the length of the lens and “y” vertically. All three systems (Arca/Alpa/Cambo) tilt at the “y” centerline vertically. Because the adjustment knob is at the top, a lot of people think Alpa tilts from a hinge at the bottom of their tilt adapters but they actually don’t; they tilt on the center line “y” axis just like Arca and Cambo. There is a hinge point in the center of Alpa’s T/S adapters about which the adapter tilts and/or swings. All Cambo’s lens mounts tilt in a similar way. Arca’s tilt that is built into the body is also hinged around the lens axis. So from the standpoint of this “y” axis, all the systems are “axis tilt” not “base tilt.”
I believe all the bellows-type systems discussed (Arca-Swiss, Cambo Actus, Linhof Techno) can be Axis tilt in that the tilt is designed around the lens board centerline. The tilt mechanism is down below near the base rail, but they are designed to rotate about a radius origin in the middle of the lens board. I think Arca’s default is base tilt, but you can get the optional Orbix for axis tilt.
None of the helical-based systems tilt along the “x” axis lens centerline; they are all behind the lens to some degree. Each of the “big three” tilt around different points on their helical systems. Cambo is closest to what would be the “x” axis “lens board” centerline since the tilt mechanism is relatively close to the lens elements. Alpa depends on the lens; shorter lenses are about the same as Cambo, while the longer lenses can be pretty far from the lens elements. Arca-Swiss, being in the camera body, is the furthest away. If axis tilt is important factor, then I would suggest a bellows system since none of the helical based systems have true axis tilt. This has never bothered me too much. Again, the closest helical system to axis tilt would be Cambo. There are two good pages that delve into the details of axis vs base tilt here:
https://www.largeformatphotography.info/how-to-focus.html
https://lensnotes.com/articles/principles-of-view-camera-focus/
For me, the biggest differences in tilt between the helical systems are:
You asked about my specific choice: I don’t shoot wide that often so this Schneider limitation was outweighed by some of the other features Alpa has that were more important to me.
Dave
Edit: Cleaned this up a lot from the original post; it was late last night!
How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains! - John Muir
https://www.davechewphotography.com
Find legacy Schneider-Kreuznach Apo-Digitar lens data here: https://www.davechewphotography.com/skdata/
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