Tech Cam advice please !!

[stephengilbert]

"I thought he wanted the Alpa last thing I saw."

Guy, as we know, these threads don't stop just because the original poster got enough information. They just mushroom.

 

[satybhat]

Hmm,
interesting change of conversation.
So yes, indeed, I'm having a look at Alpa. But pray enlighten, does the small size of STC ( 75x75mm ) really become an issue with vignetting coming up if tilted ?
If so, the max remains the only valid option. unless I go cambo...
here we go again !!!! just when I thought I had it sorted

 

[Don Libby]

Hmm,
interesting change of conversation.
So yes, indeed, I'm having a look at Alpa. But pray enlighten, does the small size of STC ( 75x75mm ) really become an issue with vignetting coming up if tilted ?
If so, the max remains the only valid option. unless I go cambo...
here we go again !!!! just when I thought I had it sorted

Curios, what have you been able to actually get your hands on and tired out? A lot will become clear once you try out a couple systems (sounds like a fortune cookie)

 

[GrahamWelland]

Hmm,
interesting change of conversation.
So yes, indeed, I'm having a look at Alpa. But pray enlighten, does the small size of STC ( 75x75mm ) really become an issue with vignetting coming up if tilted ?
If so, the max remains the only valid option. unless I go cambo...
here we go again !!!! just when I thought I had it sorted

In a word - no. All Alpa bodies are essentially the same. What works on the Max works on the STC, SWA, SW, TC etc. I don't quite know where the tilt vignette/clip is coming from but I have never had it on my Alpa with T/S and 150mm SK. Even with rise/fall or shift.

 

[Don Libby]

In a word - no. All Alpa bodies are essentially the same. What works on the Max works on the STC, SWA, SW, TC etc. I don't quite know where the tilt vignette/clip is coming from but I have never had it on my Alpa with T/S and 150mm SK. Even with rise/fall or shift.

This comes a guy who has more equipment than most dealers have.

 

[GrahamWelland]

Well, the no relates to the vignette issue with t/s on an Alpa STC ...

Obviously I'd never say no to gear

 

[satybhat]

Curios, what have you been able to actually get your hands on and tired out? A lot will become clear once you try out a couple systems (sounds like a fortune cookie)

Alpa STC but on a P45
will be in specular tomorrow,
will see how it fares

 

[dchew]

The Alpa mount is basically a ~75mm x 75mm x 'focal length' box - fairly narrow - a quick diagram of a lens 120mm away from the focal plane, at the end of such a box (i.e. a box 75mm x 75mm x 120mm), will show you that light rays traveling to the edge of an image circle 150mm in diameter can never get there. This doesn't change if you move the lens or the sensor, the outer part of the image circle is clipped.

To put this into perspective, you would have to shift 45mm in each direction to take advantage of a 150mm image circle. None of the cameras being discussed can do that. 40mm is about the most I think, and that would be on the larger versions of cameras from each manufacturer. Saty seems to be leaning towards the lighter, smaller end of the technical camera spectrum. I'm assuming that means large shifts are a bit less important on the priority list. Most of those smaller cameras are limited to 15-25mm. 25mm shift is still only a 111mm IC.*

Saty, Like Graham I haven't seen any issues, with the exception of placing the 34mm adapter on the lens-end which I mentioned above with the 150mm. But if you simply mount the adapter on the sensor side (which puts everything in better balance anyway), there is no vignetting with the STC.

Dave

*Based on a 53.7x40.4mm sensor shifted horizontally, i.e. a landscape orientation shifted left-right. That creates a slightly longer diagonal (more image circle) than shifting in portrait.

 

[RodK]

As Doug often points out, he works for a company that sells Arca products.

Without suggesting that one or another of the cameras is better than the others, I wonder how often repairs are necessary. I do know that when you want information from ALPA, you can get it on their website or by contacting ALPA directly.

You can always contact myself through email or phone for use questions or repair questions.
Weekends etc., I am available to answer if not immediately, the next morning at the latest.
I use the cameras and I have used all of the accessories as well, so ask away if any questions arise.
Rod

 

[stngoldberg]

You can always contact myself through email or phone for use questions or repair questions.
Weekends etc., I am available to answer if not immediately, the next morning at the latest.
I use the cameras and I have used all of the accessories as well, so ask away if any questions arise.
Rod

I can attest to what Rod states here. I have asked for advice and information countless times and have received helpful responses usually the same day by communicating through email and/or telephone.
Stanley

 

[satybhat]

ok. this came as a surprise....
my original plan: was to buy an alpa stc with 40 and 90 rodies....
I have now tried both systems: the STC at a friend's place a few days ago and a Cambo wrs 1200 today,
I went in fully expecting the STC to floor the WRS ( at least on perception alone with some prejudice that I picked up reading up on the internet ) but on the contrary, I thought the controls on the cambo were actually much easier, the knobs more accesible from the rear, and frankly, I did not find a great deal of a difference in the "finish" and "precision" that warranted an approximately 7000 K difference for a 2 lens and accessory kit for the alpa... especially with the back and lenses being the same.

Not sure if shimming (an alpa exclusivity ) makes a difference for infinity focus..
and yes, the 32 HR is pure gold.

 

[MGrayson]

Infinity focus is perfectly adjustable on any of the three systems. With the Cambo, it's done on a per lens basis via set screws. With Arca, no physical adjustment is necessary (it may be possible, I don't know). Since all distances translate to helical focus settings, you just remember which number corresponds to infinity, and add that offset to any other focus calculation. E.g., if infinity is 3.4, and focusing at 10 feet with your lens translates to 25.7, then set the focus at 29.1

--Matt

 

[miska]

About the infinity calibration on the Arca. If you use the e-module, you get a read-out directly on the device's screen about the position of the helical (in meters). Presumably this already takes into account the infinity calibration. Is the programming of the infinity focus on each lens done at the factory, or can you do it yourself (if you decide that infinity is at 3.2 and not 3.4 for example, using the example above) ?
I guess that would pre-suppose the e-module is delivered with some software to allow reprogramming.

 

[Guy Mancuso]

ok. this came as a surprise....
my original plan: was to buy an alpa stc with 40 and 90 rodies....
I have now tried both systems: the STC at a friend's place a few days ago and a Cambo wrs 1200 today,
I went in fully expecting the STC to floor the WRS ( at least on perception alone with some prejudice that I picked up reading up on the internet ) but on the contrary, I thought the controls on the cambo were actually much easier, the knobs more accesible from the rear, and frankly, I did not find a great deal of a difference in the "finish" and "precision" that warranted an approximately 7000 K difference for a 2 lens and accessory kit for the alpa... especially with the back and lenses being the same.

Not sure if shimming (an alpa exclusivity ) makes a difference for infinity focus..
and yes, the 32 HR is pure gold.

Remember the WRS 1200 is the base model. You can get the WRS5000 which has some nice improvements. Believe me I'm not surprised here by your reaction to the Cambo.

 

[Guy Mancuso]

Just remember with T/S mounts it's about a 1200 dollar increase per lens. Which still may wind up the same basic price as the Alpa per lens. I'm not sure of pricing so much and would have to compare that . But still you have to buy the tilt adapter for the Alpa. In general Alpa always seemed more expensive. But again that's just a general comment you have to sit down and do the math in real terms. Personally I would compare on a per system basis with accessories for each. Since really end of day that's what's coming out of your bank account. Something maybe cheaper per item on one but more expensive on another so getting kit pricing is best.

 

[Guy Mancuso]

Given your criteria from your comments it seems to me Cambo or Alpa might be your best route and that's nothing against the Arca but going by some of your comments. Alpa and Cambo in the models your after are the smaller in size units.

I know we all comment on each systems strengths and weaknesses which is great for making decisions on needs but reality is these systems are very close in regards to quality functions and abilities. The trick is figuring out what marked limitations would truly hold you back from shooting. I have shot all three and they are great systems and I truly never hit a wall with any of them. Just knowing workarounds and more important being able to work comfortable with them so your not out there scratching your head and missing great shots. After 19 workshops I have seen plenty of that you want something that gets you away from being a gear head when your shooting and getting art instead.

 

[dougpeterson]

Infinity focus is perfectly adjustable on any of the three systems. With the Cambo, it's done on a per lens basis via set screws. With Arca, no physical adjustment is necessary (it may be possible, I don't know). Since all distances translate to helical focus settings, you just remember which number corresponds to infinity, and add that offset to any other focus calculation. E.g., if infinity is 3.4, and focusing at 10 feet with your lens translates to 25.7, then set the focus at 29.1

--Matt

+1

Adjustment/calibration is not an alpa exclusive in any way.

All three systems can (and should be) be adjusted to perfectly match your back by you or your dealer.

As a bonus for Arca if you have more than one digital back you can switch calibrations without any physical changes. First-world problem there .

 

[Guy Mancuso]

I actually calibrated my Cambo lenses it was fairly easy and 1 out of 3 was off but it was a old 35xl . After I got that calibrated it was perfect. It was 3 screws on the lens barrel and just making adjustments shooting tethered to a laptop on your infinity setting. Pretty easy stuff.

 

[Pemihan]

Cambo SK 35mm lens adjustment - The GetDPI Photography Forums

I actually calibrated my Cambo lenses it was fairly easy and 1 out of 3 was off but it was a old 35xl . After I got that calibrated it was perfect. It was 3 screws on the lens barrel and just making adjustments shooting tethered to a laptop on your infinity setting. Pretty easy stuff.

Peter

 

[Guy Mancuso]

Thanks Peter for finding that.