Beat this in sharpness

[Erik Kaffehr]

see with earlier post. Cheers.

I've looked at the Cambo Actus for GFX but I don't really know anything about the lenses being offered. Your description of the 110xl in conjunction with your pic got my curiosity up but the modifications are frankly worrisome. I'll have to look but I wonder if the Cambo has a lens board for these Schnieder lenses.

They do indeed make a plate with a #1 hole.

https://www.cambo.com/en/actus-series/actus-gfx-view-camera/

You want the ACB-1.

Jim

Thanks. I would have never recognized this description "copal-1 shutter or NK-1 aperture mount" as a Schneider characteristic.

I can tell you’ve never spent much time with large format cameras. Wait till you see what you do to mount the lens to the lens board.

On the other hand, this seems quite mouth-watering: https://static.cambo.com/Images/Actar_HR-Digaron_105_macro_w.jpg

And it comes mounted on a lens board.

Best regards

Erik

 

[Rick Knepper]

see with earlier post. Cheers.

I've looked at the Cambo Actus for GFX but I don't really know anything about the lenses being offered. Your description of the 110xl in conjunction with your pic got my curiosity up but the modifications are frankly worrisome. I'll have to look but I wonder if the Cambo has a lens board for these Schnieder lenses.

They do indeed make a plate with a #1 hole.

https://www.cambo.com/en/actus-series/actus-gfx-view-camera/

You want the ACB-1.

Jim

Thanks. I would have never recognized this description "copal-1 shutter or NK-1 aperture mount" as a Schneider characteristic.

I can tell you’ve never spent much time with large format cameras. Wait till you see what you do to mount the lens to the lens board.

On the other hand, this seems quite mouth-watering: https://static.cambo.com/Images/Actar_HR-Digaron_105_macro_w.jpg

And it comes mounted on a lens board.

A cool $6400 for a refurbished model at B&H.

Best regards

Erik

For rank & file GFX, X1D & 645z users, lobbying the manufacturers to develop a T/S lens seems optimal. Has any of these companies ever developed a T/S lens even for a different format?

--
Once you've done fifty, anything less is iffy.

 

[JimKasson]

see with earlier post. Cheers.

I've looked at the Cambo Actus for GFX but I don't really know anything about the lenses being offered. Your description of the 110xl in conjunction with your pic got my curiosity up but the modifications are frankly worrisome. I'll have to look but I wonder if the Cambo has a lens board for these Schnieder lenses.

They do indeed make a plate with a #1 hole.

https://www.cambo.com/en/actus-series/actus-gfx-view-camera/

You want the ACB-1.

Jim

Thanks. I would have never recognized this description "copal-1 shutter or NK-1 aperture mount" as a Schneider characteristic.

I can tell you’ve never spent much time with large format cameras. Wait till you see what you do to mount the lens to the lens board.

First off, I don't relish learning a whole new set of jargon. And, if it doesn't snap, screw or twist on easily, I'm out.

Then forget large format lenses. You'll need a lens wrench.

Loading…

www.bhphotovideo.com

Jim

 

[JimKasson]

see with earlier post. Cheers.

I've looked at the Cambo Actus for GFX but I don't really know anything about the lenses being offered. Your description of the 110xl in conjunction with your pic got my curiosity up but the modifications are frankly worrisome. I'll have to look but I wonder if the Cambo has a lens board for these Schnieder lenses.

They do indeed make a plate with a #1 hole.

https://www.cambo.com/en/actus-series/actus-gfx-view-camera/

You want the ACB-1.

Jim

Thanks. I would have never recognized this description "copal-1 shutter or NK-1 aperture mount" as a Schneider characteristic.

I can tell you’ve never spent much time with large format cameras. Wait till you see what you do to mount the lens to the lens board.

On the other hand, this seems quite mouth-watering: https://static.cambo.com/Images/Actar_HR-Digaron_105_macro_w.jpg

And it comes mounted on a lens board.

And for only $6400!

Jim

 

[JimKasson]

No focus stacking in this image, f22.

At f/22, does the lens you choose matter much wrt sharpness? Airy disk is 15.2 um for 555 nm light, and Sparrow distance is 12.4 nm, so the lens would have to have a lot of aberrations to override the diffraction. To put the 15 um number in perspective, the pixel pitch of the GFX 50x is 5.3 um.

Jim

So, Airy disk is 15.2 um in diameter, that is (15.2/2)^2 * Pi -> 181 um^2 according to my HP 32S. A pixel has 5.3x5.3 -> 29 um^2

So, we can fit 181 / 29 -> 6.2 pixels within the Airy disk. So, we have a 51 / 6 -> 8.5 MP camera. Is that right?

That's one way of looking at it, but it's not my choice. You've got a program that can calculate MTFs from blur circles and pixel apertures. That's the way I'd go.

Jim

 

[JimKasson]

On the other hand, this seems quite mouth-watering: https://static.cambo.com/Images/Actar_HR-Digaron_105_macro_w.jpg

People who believe in the 3-4 stops from wide open rule, see this note from Rodenstock about that lens (bolding mine):

• Manual aperture ring affords control from f/5.6 to f/16, with the recommended working aperture range from f/5.6 to f/8.

Jim

--
Posted as a regular forum member.
https://blog.kasson.com

 

[M Kitzman]

Just to add a little to the discussion. The cambo actus is a marvel in engineering and fairly compact to boot. It seems like the ideal set up for marrying medium format digital to large format. However, one the thing to bear in mind is the rail system is fairly short compared to the Linhof Master Technica. For landscape photography this would not be an issue, but for macro photography the Cambo Actus would most likely not have sufficient reach. Below is an image I posted earlier with the gfx mounted to the Linhof 4x5 and the Schneider 110xl. The bellows on the Linhof were extended out to their maximum length of ten inches. Keep in mind the African violet flower was only one inch in diameter. There is also another two inches of bellows that can be had by loosening the rear of the camera that holds the gfx and pulling it out further. This is two to three times more bellows than the Actus. No focus stacking here.



View attachment 161ae9f423674a52907379246da10068.jpg
African Violet one inch in diameter.

 

[Erik Kaffehr]

Not unexpected...

 

[JimKasson]

Just to add a little to the discussion. The cambo actus is a marvel in engineering and fairly compact to boot. It seems like the ideal set up for marrying medium format digital to large format. However, one the thing to bear in mind is the rail system is fairly short compared to the Linhof Master Technica.

300 mm and 450 mm rails are available for the Actus.

For landscape photography this would not be an issue, but for macro photography the Cambo Actus would most likely not have sufficient reach.

Unless you purchase a longer rail.

Below is an image I posted earlier with the gfx mounted to the Linhof 4x5 and the Schneider 110xl. The bellows on the Linhof were extended out to their maximum length of ten inches. Keep in mind the African violet flower was only one inch in diameter. There is also another two inches of bellows that can be had by loosening the rear of the camera that holds the gfx and pulling it out further. This is two to three times more bellows than the Actus.

Actus bellows are available for the 300mm and the 450 mm rails.
I have a Master Technika, which I use with a BL Super 6K 72x96mm back. I would not use it in preference to the Actus with the GFX, especially since it does not have geared back focusing.

Jim

 

[M Kitzman]

I

View attachment 5f13f02e55f94426809cd00da8a10063.jpg
f22 with swing applied to original image

I was able to get the glass to the left of the decanter and the decanter in focus with swing. Also, earlier test shots seem to indicate that the Schneider 110xl is equal in sharpness to the gfx 32-64 when zoomed out to 64. The 110xl is amazing glass.

 

[Erik Kaffehr]

see with earlier post. Cheers.

I've looked at the Cambo Actus for GFX but I don't really know anything about the lenses being offered. Your description of the 110xl in conjunction with your pic got my curiosity up but the modifications are frankly worrisome. I'll have to look but I wonder if the Cambo has a lens board for these Schnieder lenses.

They do indeed make a plate with a #1 hole.

https://www.cambo.com/en/actus-series/actus-gfx-view-camera/

You want the ACB-1.

Jim

Thanks. I would have never recognized this description "copal-1 shutter or NK-1 aperture mount" as a Schneider characteristic.

I can tell you’ve never spent much time with large format cameras. Wait till you see what you do to mount the lens to the lens board.

On the other hand, this seems quite mouth-watering: https://static.cambo.com/Images/Actar_HR-Digaron_105_macro_w.jpg

And it comes mounted on a lens board.

And for only $6400!

Jim

Hi Jim,

I have noticed the price...

But if you want to want have the best...

On the other hand:

• There are sample variations.
• Getting optimal focus is critical.

I am not so sure about the advantage of Hand Made in Germay vs. Well made in Japan.

Best regards

Erik

 

[JimKasson]

I

View attachment 5f13f02e55f94426809cd00da8a10063.jpg
f22 with swing applied to original image

I was able to get the glass to the left of the decanter and the decanter in focus with swing. Also, earlier test shots seem to indicate that the Schneider 110xl is equal in sharpness to the gfx 32-64 when zoomed out to 64. The 110xl is amazing glass.

At f/22, all half-decent lenses are going to be about as sharp as each other on-axis on the GFX.

--
Posted as a regular forum member.
https://blog.kasson.com

 

[JimKasson]

Hi Jim,

I have noticed the price...
But if you want to want have the best...
On the other hand:

• There are sample variations.

Ugh.

• Getting optimal focus is critical.

You've got to use it at f/5.6 or f/8, you you've wasted your money. That to me means you need to stack. Changing focus by hand can move the camera. So that means use a rail. But moving the whole camera doesn't work well at 1:4, and I don't know of a way to move the back standard of an Actus electrically, so now we've got a lens that's only useful from 1:2 to 4:1.

Jim

 

[Erik Kaffehr]

Hi Jim,

I have noticed the price...
But if you want to want have the best...
On the other hand:

• There are sample variations.

Ugh.

• Getting optimal focus is critical.

You've got to use it at f/5.6 or f/8, you you've wasted your money. That to me means you need to stack. Changing focus by hand can move the camera. So that means use a rail. But moving the whole camera doesn't work well at 1:4, and I don't know of a way to move the back standard of an Actus electrically, so now we've got a lens that's only useful from 1:2 to 4:1.

Jim

Hi Jim,

I don't see the problem. A good photographer chooses subjects that is appropriate for the gear. Or, was it the other way around? :-O

Best regards

Erik

--
Erik Kaffehr
Website: http://echophoto.dnsalias.net
Magic uses to disappear in controlled experiments…
Gallery: http://echophoto.smugmug.com
Articles: http://echophoto.dnsalias.net/ekr/index.php/photoarticles

 

[JimKasson]

Hi Jim,

I have noticed the price...
But if you want to want have the best...
On the other hand:

• There are sample variations.

Ugh.

• Getting optimal focus is critical.

You've got to use it at f/5.6 or f/8, you you've wasted your money. That to me means you need to stack. Changing focus by hand can move the camera. So that means use a rail. But moving the whole camera doesn't work well at 1:4, and I don't know of a way to move the back standard of an Actus electrically, so now we've got a lens that's only useful from 1:2 to 4:1.

Jim

Hi Jim,

I don't see the problem. A good photographer chooses subjects that is appropriate for the gear. Or, was it the other way around? :-O

The issue is spending that much money for such a small use envelope. It's not out of the question, but is it the best use of the cash?

Jim

 

[M Kitzman]

Hi Jim,

Below is the decanter/glass image shot with the gfx and the 32-64mm lens at 64mm and f22. I believe this is a decent glass and the left glass is a bit softer than the large format version. Even at f22 the 110xl does not bring the glass on the left in focus, you need the swing to achieve that. No question the 32-64mm is capable of beautifully rendering the above image, but only focus stacking will bring everything into focus at the level achieved by the 4x5. Cheers.



View attachment 4754f584afe847db922eae586bd06cc5.jpg

 

[JimKasson]

Hi Jim,

Below is the decanter/glass image shot with the gfx and the 32-64mm lens at 64mm and f22. I believe this is a decent glass and the left glass is a bit softer than the large format version. Even at f22 the 110xl does not bring the glass on the left in focus, you need the swing to achieve that. No question the 32-64mm is capable of beautifully rendering the above image, but only focus stacking will bring everything into focus at the level achieved by the 4x5. Cheers.

View attachment 4754f584afe847db922eae586bd06cc5.jpg

Agree about the swing.

--
Posted as a regular forum member.

the last word the last word - Photography meets digital computer technology. Photography wins -- most of the time.

Photography meets digital computer technology. Photography wins -- most of the time.

blog.kasson.com