Tech Cam for multiple uses

[dnercesian]

Hi everyone. I have been shooting medium format for work now for about a year and have been pretty happy. In a short time I actually moved into the IQ3100, the electronic shutter being what really drove that upgrade. One thing I have discovered is that, great as it is, my XF and my Blue ring 35/80 setup simply does not get any use, so I have decided to sell them.

On the other hand, as an architectural photographer, the Cambo WRS-5000 with Rodenstock 32mm setup has proven to be the most useful tool in the world. My only question sometimes is if I should have gotten the t/s panel on the 32mm. I would hardly use it, but there was a shot the other day with a little foreground that I could have used a degree of tilt for, but instead I did some minor stacking.

Anyhow, in an odd turn of events lately, I was asked to take on a couple product lines with accompanying lifestyle shoots. I ended up using my Nikon setup for the 85mm PC-E Micro. Everything turned out great, but it got me thinking that I would love to also be able offer these types of shoots with the IQ3100 for the more discerning client.

And then one more thing changed. I started gaining interest in fine art portraits, which has now become something I would like to pursue further and only offer this service in medium format.

So now I am back to the gear drawing board wanting to add a longer focal length with macro capability and movements for product lines, and also use the longer focal length for the portraits. The first lens that comes to mind is the 90mm HR SW, however, that would only cover the portrait side on my WRS-5000. Then I considered perhaps adding the Cambo Actus DB2 as well which I am guessing would be able to adapt my 32mm and the 90mm, add macro capability, and perhaps even allow me t/s on both lenses when necessary.

So my question after this rant is if this will actually work and cover it, or if there is a solution that I am currently not aware of.

Thanks in advance for any wisdom on the matter.

 

[Jamgolf]

I am not a macro guy but I wonder, for your macro work if it would not make more sense to use XF and perhaps a Blue Ring 120mm LS f/4.0 Macro lens ... since XF has built in focus stacking too, one of its distunguishing features. With your Cambo, you could certainly buy a SK 120mm ASPH in T/S panel (or 90HRSW), but I am not sure if its a clear advantage either way. I think either approach could work for macro work.

And for portraiture, your 80mm lens or perhaps a 110mm would be far more suited to portraiture, I think. I mean 90HRSW is great but I dont know if a Cambo WRS or even Actus DB are the most convenient tools for portraits. It can certainly be done, but I don't think it would be the most natural way to shoot portraits. Also if bokeh is a consideration I doubt if 90HRSW would be anything like Hasselblad 100/2.2, a dedicated portraiture tool. I think just as you've got a great kit for your architecture work I think a similar approach of using the right tools for portraits would be prudent.

Just my 2 cents

 

[GrahamWelland]

All I can add is to remind folks that some of the best portraiture ever produced was shot on 4x5 or 8x10 using ... film!

Now I'm not saying that the solution is to go to film, just that there aren't true limitations with a technical camera setup, and arguably having movements is a huge benefit. You definitely are NOT limited by the IQ3100 digital back, that's for sure.

My $0.02. :thumbup: :watch:

 

[dnercesian]

Thanks for this input guys!

With regards to the XF and perhaps buying a 120 Macro Blue Ring, I have actually kicked the around in my head of using that lens for both the macro work as well as the portraiture. I have to admit though that part of the reason I have been leaning on the idea of using a technical camera has been simply to do something different. Not that it is an original idea, as it has been done before, especially, as mentioned, with 8x10 and 5x7.

Since my architectural work is already my established bread and butter, the product lines are becoming a bit of a bonus, but the portraiture side is more or less going to be something for me. If i make money from it, great, but I feel like it will be more of a passion project, and I feel like I am very passionate when working with a technical camera. I know it sounds silly. Feelings sometimes do that.

 

[GrahamWelland]

.... I feel like I am very passionate when working with a technical camera. I know it sounds silly. Feelings sometimes do that.

That doesn't sound silly at all. I'm sure that it's why most of we technical camera shooters use them. There's something zen like at times in just going through the process. IMHO.

 

[Iktinos]

Technical cameras are the benchmark of photography. They simply maximize the photographic potential. I believe that with the coming of the Fuji GFX 50S which provides LV and shutter, the modern technical camera market will boost. Lets not forget how much the technical camera market did benefit after the Sony a7 series was introduced. I believe that the GFX will boost it to a much higher level.

 

[cly]

If product photography is important I would look at a used Sinar P3 (last year Sinar had an comparatively attractive upgrade program from the P2 to the P3DF, including new 100mm carrier frames - perhaps this is still available) or perhaps a used Cambo Ultima. With the cambo you might even be able to mount your WRS lens(es). Having full movements (geared!) on both standards is extremely liberating. (By the way: as expensive as it is, so is an electronic shutter in the lens. Unfortunatey, the ES of the IQ3100 is of no help if you use flash.)

I briefly tried an Actus but I wasn't convinced for my purpose but I still think it's a great camera in relation to its weight.

Chris

 

[Iktinos]

If product photography is important I would look at a used Sinar P3 (last year Sinar had an comparatively attractive upgrade program from the P2 to the P3DF, including new 100mm carrier frames - perhaps this is still available) or perhaps a used Cambo Ultima. With the cambo you might even be able to mount your WRS lens(es). Having full movements (geared!) on both standards is extremely liberating. (By the way: as expensive as it is, so is an electronic shutter in the lens. Unfortunatey, the ES of the IQ3100 is of no help if you use flash.)

I briefly tried an Actus but I wasn't convinced for my purpose but I still think it's a great camera in relation to its weight.

Chris

It is most certain that Cambo will have rear frames for the Fuji GFX 50S for both the Actus and the Actus XL, I believe the Actus XL is an Ultima with Actus frames for lenses and image area and then, one will be able to use the Fuji GFX 50s for image area with standard MF lenses aimed for DSLRs, but with some wide image circle lenses for FF DSLRs too, as well as some enlarger lenses.

Cost savings will be huge. I think the (massive) cost reduction will be the main reason as to why the technical camera market will boost.

 

[GrahamWelland]

I briefly tried an Actus but I wasn't convinced for my purpose but I still think it's a great camera in relation to its weight.

Chris

I agree - I miss rear standard tilts but it's a trade off for size & weight overall. A camera system that is very popular given electronic shutter and decent live view capabilities.

 

[Iktinos]

I agree - I miss rear standard tilts but it's a trade off for size & weight overall. A camera system that is very popular given electronic shutter and decent live view capabilities.

Personally, I avoid to use tilts & swings on the rear standard, I do mind a lot if a camera is missing shifts from the front standard so that one can use all movements on the lens plane as to compose. Then, I only want hor & ver shifts on the rear standard so that I can stitch within the projected image circle from the lens.

It helps for keeping correct geometry too this way, as one would have to ensure that the image area is positioned on the rear frame on the plane that the swing axis is a line of the same plane (which is usually the center of the standard's rear surface), otherwise distortions are induced in the image if tilts and swings are used on the rear plane, since there would be yaw errors induced.

 

[kdphotography]

Although there certainly are arguably easier ways to accomplish what you want to do, there is also no reason that you can't accomplish what you want to do with a technical camera---albeit more challenging at times. You're certainly off to a great start here in Dante's Inferno!

The Phase XF and a technical camera really make a good complement to each other. Round out your lenses, simple swap the MFDB. Essentially the same workflow in C1 Pro. Done.

I use both a Cambo WRS 1600 and XF, though for "work" the XF does most of the heavy lifting---it's simply easier. But I'm also starting to incorporate the Cambo more into my studio portraiture, particularly for B&W portrait sessions. It's not difficult to add a wireless transmitter so all studio lights work well. The IQ3 100 makes it easy to focus. It is a bit slower and certainly a different experience for your clients.

For macro you might find it easier to take advantage of some of the features with the XF such as focus stacking.

So while we're spending your money:ROTFL:, send in your 32HR and remount on a t/s panel (just because you want it anyway), keep the XF, add 40-80 for flexibility alongside Cambo; add new 120 macro; add 150mm LS---last two do double time for portraiture. Not hard to add 120 macro for Cambo later, but I bet you'll like the XF macro package better.

ken

 

[GrahamWelland]

Personally, I avoid to use tilts & swings on the rear standard, I do mind a lot if a camera is missing shifts from the front standard so that one can use all movements on the lens plane as to compose. Then, I only want hor & ver shifts on the rear standard so that I can stitch within the projected image circle from the lens.

It helps for keeping correct geometry too this way, as one would have to ensure that the image area is positioned on the rear frame on the plane that the swing axis is a line of the same plane (which is usually the center of the standard's rear surface), otherwise distortions are induced in the image if tilts and swings are used on the rear plane, since there would be yaw errors induced.

For correct geometry you would be correct. For creative landscape rear tilt has an advantage for 'looming' - i.e. Deliberately distorting the size of the foreground to achieve the 'Meunch' effect.

 

[MGrayson]

You can always fake a rear tilt by tilting the camera and then shifting and tilting the lens plane, but it's annoying. Mathematically correct, but annoying.

That's all I can do with the Super Graphic, anyway.

--Matt

 

[Iktinos]

You can always fake a rear tilt by tilting the camera and then shifting and tilting the lens plane, but it's annoying. Mathematically correct, but annoying.

That's all I can do with the Super Graphic, anyway.

--Matt

I wouldn't agree that it is "mathematically correct"... one would have to tilt the whole standard first and then the lens, but even then, the lens entrance pupil and image area center should additionally be positioned for yaw free (and distortionless) operation.

 

[GrahamWelland]

I agree with Matt that rear tilt for looming is possible but it does require a combination of tilt, rise etc etc. actually on my Alpa etc you could put the tilt adapter on the back to do this and for long lenses with one on the front too.

however, rear tilt on a 4x5 is SO much easier to dial in.

 

[dnercesian]

I wonder how the IQ3100 would behave on something like a Fuji GX680. Has anyone here tried something like this?

 

[beano_z]

I can't believe there's not been a single camera-porn picture posted yet in this thread :cussing:

Seriously though, my personal though would be that, except for using movements, there's absolutely no advantage in using a tech-cam for portraits and unless you're going to be always shooting from a tripod. And even then, you'll have to constantly switch between live view and shooting mode (opening and closing the shutter, changing shutter speed, then cocking it, etc.), bear in mind that the rolling electronic shutter is useless when it comes to moving subjects, it takes about 1 second to finish the exposure and I'm sure any model would have slightly moved during that one second.

I would still urge you to go back to the XF if possible, and maybe try some different lenses? I've recently just set up this portrait lens kit of old Hasselblad Zeiss lenses and I think I've spent much less on these 4 lenses than you would spend on 2 new blue ring lenses. I know that pixel for pixel, I'm nowhere near the sharpness of those new lenses, so if that's not your priority, at least the OoF area's have plenty of character!

Just giving another idea to play around with......

 

[kdphotography]

Did you put your own "Sony" stickers on your Phase XF?

I'm gonna put "Canon" on mine and see if we can mess with the internet... :ROTFL:

Seriously, though---I haven't had any difficulties using the Cambo with IQ3 100 for portraits in a limited setting in studio. And yes, it is locked down on a camera stand. It is more limited. The XF is better choice where you need to move around or need more flexibility for portraiture---and why I use the XF most of the time.

ken

 

[Transposure]

Did you put your own "Sony" stickers on your Phase XF?

I'm gonna put "Canon" on mine and see if we can mess with the internet... :ROTFL:

Seriously, though---I haven't had any difficulties using the Cambo with IQ3 100 for portraits in a limited setting in studio. And yes, it is locked down on a camera stand. It is more limited. The XF is better choice where you need to move around or need more flexibility for portraiture---and why I use the XF most of the time.

ken

That's funny Ken! Like you, the first thing I saw was the Sony logo and then I read the post! LOL

 

[beano_z]

It allows me to get away from curious bystanders much easier, I usually see them walk away with confusion dripping form their faces, thinking they know the camera market pretty well, then finding out Sony makes such a monstrosity....:OT: