Guy Mancuso
Administrator, Instructor
I was using reverse psychology.
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Get a cheap netbook with a FW400 port, tether to it, take a frame, review the image, adjust as needed, take another frame to check, adjust if necessary, wait for your light and take the keeper, keep it and toss the test shots in the trash. And then remind yourself we never had it that good with large format and film.That said I do enjoy the process of using the Cambo setup. The fact that there's no way of seeing what I'm going to get accurately, or of focussing other than by distance estimation, hasn't ruined that pleasure for me.
That was kind of my point Pete: Large format workflow has *NEVER* been easier than using smaller formats; we've always had to make concessions on convenience to get the best image quality, so we're right where we always have been. Maybe I am being harsh, but IMO if you want simplicity and convenience, shoot with an auto-everything DSLR; if you want the best IQ you can get, you need to learn to live and work with the tools that will deliver it.Jack's comment re - we never had it so good with LF film is spot on. yes MFD is 'better' than LF film - but is the workflow 'better' than say 35mm?
Yup, all good suggestions Jack and I do indeed have a 5DII for certain kinds of work - as I believe do you? Though I very rarely use it with 'auto-everything'. In general I prefer it with manually focussed R glass.Get a cheap netbook with a FW400 port, tether to it, take a frame, review the image, adjust as needed, take another frame to check, adjust if necessary, wait for your light and take the keeper, keep it and toss the test shots in the trash. And then remind yourself we never had it that good with large format and film.
OTOH, if you cannot focus your camera well untethered and/or if live-view is so important to you, then maybe you'd be happier with an autoeverything DSLR with live-view?
Mine is a 1Ds3, but absolutely -- the MF DB is *NOT* ideal for all situations I photograph, so I have a DSLR...Yup, all good suggestions Jack and I do indeed have a 5DII for certain kinds of work - as I believe do you?
Good sliding backs leave the sensor covered when composing on the GG so you can toss this little complaint aside...It's not really about not being able to focus the camera untethered on the Phamiya - usually in I'm quite good at that, so I only need to shoot tethered when trying to focus on the stamen rather than the petal, for example. It's more to do with wanting closer control over focus in the field with the Cambo. Of course I could put a ground glass accessory on but that means exposing the sensor to dust for every new composition.
Fine, but you aint ever going to get usable un-tethered live-view from a CCD sensor regardless of who builds it, so no use complaining it doesn't exist on current backs. You'll have to wait for the first CMOS MF back before that becomes a reality feature.Nope. I hold by my original contention. Whether I use my current generation Unibody Macbook Pro or my RAM'd up Mac Pro desktop machine, tethered shooting is a cludge. And in any event I was only using tethered shooting as an example of the disconnect between the marketing blurb and the reality of using the system.
Then by all means get it! But that will leave you up shyte creek when you want to use a tech camera, no?As you wisely observe, to get the extra distance (quality) one has to go the extra mile (effort). But the preference for doing so without leg irons is what is making me consider the S2.
Hi Tim - I have the WDS-619 groundglass and WDS616 focusing hood.@ Don out of interest which GG do you use? From memory it's the interchangeable: I don't think Cambo make a slider, which is what I'd love for the reason Jack highlights. I tried the Silvestri FlexCam a while back but after sliding, it seemed to me that the back didn't register perfectly and so the focus was always off. A good sliding back would be a treat. If I'm right in my memory of your setup, do you get any problems wiht dust on the sensor? BTW I have been using the P45+/Cambo as a point and shoot for the last few days: when it's sunny, I use F16 and 1/125th at ISO 100 or thereabouts and focus at 5 metres, use the bubbles on the Cambo and bang away. It's really, really fun!
T
On disagreement, I think at the very least we have differing levels of expectation from our gear :toocool:@ Jack, I don't think we disagree really, just a difference of emphasis. And you're right about the tech camera shyte creek, which is why I'm thinking twice and was recently asking about possible dates for a new Phamiya body.
In which case you are a lucky man as well as a wise one my friend!On disagreement, I think at the very least we have differing levels of expectation from our gear :toocool:
Let me clarify a few things. I do not hate my Mamiya body as you infer you do, so I think we disagree on that. No it isn't perfect, but I can get the job done with it and pretty darn easily. And to date, I've not seen or used any other MF digital platform I like better overall. Next, I am not disappointed that my Phase back does not have live view -- yes live view would be a welcome feature, but I happen to know it is a limitation of un-tethered CCD sensors and I also know that I do not like the look CMOS sensors deliver when compared to CCD. So peaking for myself, I am grateful for what I have and what it can do rather than upset about its shortcomings and the things it cannot do.
Cheers,
You're right about the rewards!I share the same feelings as Jack however I don't really care that my P45+ doesn't have live view. I for one don't want to give up the IQ I get with my current sensor; if I wanted to use live view I'd move back(wards) to the 1Ds III.
Shooting medium format isn't easy especially when you add the effort of a technical camera - but look at the rewards.
Don
:ROTFL: Actually, I think it's just some pragmatism that comes with age!In which case you are a lucky man as well as a wise one my friend!
:thumbs: