Woody Campbell
Workshop Member
Tom_W -
Sorry for being slow getting back to this thread - I've been busy. In answer to your questions (in random order):
The Horseman + h39 back + lens and finder weigh 2.4 kg (5 lbs 4 0z). The combination is reasonably compact - I carry the assembled horseman, an extra lens, meter, imagebank and odds and end comfortably in a large messenger bag. I'm using this combination for landscape - there is no problem actually getting out into the landscape with it.
I don't use a groundglass. I carry a tape measure as a focusing aid. I use a Leica "Frankenfinder" to compose. I have the 35mm and 45mm lenses. The Leica framelines for 28mm and 18mm work quite well. I do shifts by estimate and guess - I check and refine using test exposures and the back's lcd. I've gotten to be relatively quick at this.
You can easily change the orientation of the back. This involves detatching the back adapter from the Horseman, rotating it and reattaching it. The cams that hold the adapter in place are small and nudgy - I wouldn't want to do this drenched in sweat or in a high wind. I don't actually do this because my Leica finder doesn't rotate - when I want to change orientation I flop the camera over on its side on the ball head, and use a pocket level. (I've tried an L-bracket but it interferes with the shifts.) This requires a robust head and tripod - I use a RRS ballhead and Gitzo series 3 tripod. I shoot at ISO 50 and f8 or 11 so a sturdy tripod is a must in any event. The rationale for this is that these lenses and the back are capable of remarkable image quality. You might as well optimize for shadow detail and camera movement and give yourself a slight break on focusing accuracy to get the full benefit out of the setup.
On the question of how robust is the combination in field use, the limiting factor is likely to be the back. The Horseman body is very robust. The lenses and shutters are typical - if you've used LF lenses before you'll be familiar with their strengths and weakness from an environmental sealing and ergonomic standpoint.
More to come
Sorry for being slow getting back to this thread - I've been busy. In answer to your questions (in random order):
The Horseman + h39 back + lens and finder weigh 2.4 kg (5 lbs 4 0z). The combination is reasonably compact - I carry the assembled horseman, an extra lens, meter, imagebank and odds and end comfortably in a large messenger bag. I'm using this combination for landscape - there is no problem actually getting out into the landscape with it.
I don't use a groundglass. I carry a tape measure as a focusing aid. I use a Leica "Frankenfinder" to compose. I have the 35mm and 45mm lenses. The Leica framelines for 28mm and 18mm work quite well. I do shifts by estimate and guess - I check and refine using test exposures and the back's lcd. I've gotten to be relatively quick at this.
You can easily change the orientation of the back. This involves detatching the back adapter from the Horseman, rotating it and reattaching it. The cams that hold the adapter in place are small and nudgy - I wouldn't want to do this drenched in sweat or in a high wind. I don't actually do this because my Leica finder doesn't rotate - when I want to change orientation I flop the camera over on its side on the ball head, and use a pocket level. (I've tried an L-bracket but it interferes with the shifts.) This requires a robust head and tripod - I use a RRS ballhead and Gitzo series 3 tripod. I shoot at ISO 50 and f8 or 11 so a sturdy tripod is a must in any event. The rationale for this is that these lenses and the back are capable of remarkable image quality. You might as well optimize for shadow detail and camera movement and give yourself a slight break on focusing accuracy to get the full benefit out of the setup.
On the question of how robust is the combination in field use, the limiting factor is likely to be the back. The Horseman body is very robust. The lenses and shutters are typical - if you've used LF lenses before you'll be familiar with their strengths and weakness from an environmental sealing and ergonomic standpoint.
More to come
Bottom line is by shift-stitching, as opposed to pan-stitching, you are moving the sensor across the image circle of the lens. So whether you use 1.8 x P30 frames or 1.4 x P45 frames frames doesn't matter.