Large Format Digital Photography

maxotics wrote:

I was thinking of a Horseman 985 or VH as it has front and back movements but in a 6x9 field camera format. I'd be using a Sony A7s. I feel very much like I'm jumping in the deep end so I'd appreciate any catches you foresee with that setup.

I believe that camera has a Graflok back so you might be able to use a Rhinocam, or something similar if you only one to take one, or a few images.

The problem with tilt/shift on all DSLRs in my experience is the flare you get as you move the image. If you tilt up, you're essentially projecting most of the image to the side of whatever is between the lens and sensor. If you have a shiny tube connecting to the camera, even if black, it can reflect that light onto the sensor. For example, I used a Canon TS on my Sony A7 and if I changed the movement too much I'd get flare. So I'd say that's the biggest issue you'll come up against.

This is why it would really make more sense to build a custom-designed unit rather than sticking a camera on a hacked large-format back. In general, I've noticed that although resolution isn't really related to lens coverage, contrast is -- the bigger the coverage, the more stray light is able to bounce around behind the lens. You really want baffles that restrict the coverage to the relevant area; the classic method is a narrow bellows, but rigid baffling can also be made.

BTW, you should check out Black 2.0 -- it's pretty amazing stuff at around 2.5% reflectivity with a very matte finish. The new Black 3.0 is supposed to be about half that reflectance! It's not Vanta black, but this stuff is about as optically dead as you can apply to most surfaces.  I've painted insides of adapters, etc., with Black 2.0 very successfully.