The optical part probably looks familiar enough. Cambo has taken the highly acclaimed Nikkor PC 4.0/19 and made it available for use on Cambo WRS and Phase One XT cameras. The lens has been rehoused and fitted with a controller for the electronic aperture. The image circle is large enough to cover the sensor of an IQ3/IQ4 digital back and still permit about 4mm of shift. The edge-to-edge sharpness is excellent and would make this wide angle lens the perfect addition to your workflow.
Cambo ACTAR-20
The ACTAR-20 is the latest addition to the extensive line of Cambo lenses available for use on the Actus view cameras. The distortion of this new lens is very low and the optical quality meets the requirements of the latest generation of Mirrorless Cameras. The ability to use filters was greatly missed on both the ACTAR-15 and ACTAR-19, but the new ACTAR-20 features an 82mm filter thread which allows for their use with this wide angle lens.
Stitched Image – ACTUS-G with Leica SL2 & ACTAR-24
With 14 book publications behind his name and over three decades of experience as a chef, we may well consider Heinz von Holzen an authority on Indonesian food. During his entire professional career Heinz managed to combine his passion for authentic food with a passion for photography.
It probably all started with a strong desire to keep moving and discovering new things. As a youngster Swiss born Heinz von Holzen aspired a career as an engineer. He soon got bored sitting behind a desk and found a position as an apprentice cook. Working as a chef at various first class hotels in Europe, Australia and Asia gave him the opportunity to see the world and along the way his camera has been his travel companion. Heinz developed the good practice of visually documenting the recipes he created. Especially after he had started working in Singapore. “It was then in Singapore that I became hooked on photography, which allowed me to visually document many great dishes that we prepared.” And he didn’t settle for mediocre results, not in cooking nor in his photography.
Working as a chef in Singapore, Heinz was asked to become the executive chef of the new Grand Hyatt at the Isle of Bali. Shortly after his arrival, now 32 years ago, Heinz by chance met a publisher. He was impressed by Heinz’ food shots and encouraged him to publish his first book on Balinese cuisine. It became a success and many would follow.
After 4 ½ years at the Grand Hyatt Bali Heinz decided to resign. Together with his wife Puji, he set up a company specializing in commercial photography, advertising and food consulting. The photographing chef now had become a professional photographer. However, he wasn't happy, as he enjoyed photography a lot less now it had become his bread and butter. So he went back to his first passion, food. This resulted in the opening of Bumbu Bali, a restaurant and cooking school, which was soon followed by a second restaurant and a small hotel.
A good chef remains inquisitive throughout his career and Heinz’ photography has probably benefited greatly from his investigative nature. “During the past 32 years I was utmost fortunate to be able to travel extensively across Indonesia. Whenever I got stuck with answers about food in a specific part of Indonesia, I searched for a reliable contact in that region. Next I purchased a ticket, flew to this region and spent some time with the experts, home cooks, at markets, ceremonies, kitchens, road side food stalls and cooked, wrote recipes and took lots and lots of photos.
All this would not have been possible without the full hearted support of my family and the teams in our restaurants.”
To photograph the beautiful landscapes he travels and the venues he visits, Heinz acquired a Cambo WRS system with a Phase One digital back. His favorite tool to document the dishes he creates is the Cambo Actus-G paired with a Leica SL2 and ACTAR-90 lens. Complemented with Cambo’s adapter to enable the use of Mamiya RB/RZ lenses. “What I love most about the Actus and shooting food is the tilt and shift capabilities and with it the great DOF. Simply amazing. No need for photoshop. Yes the system is slow, but offers photography pure. Then again, when combined – as in my case – with a Leica SL2 body, it gives you total control over your picture.”
Heinz was introduced to the Cambo brand by Warren Kiong, owner of Primaimaging. A valued Cambo partner who has decades of experience in representing professional brands from his beautiful Jakarta based studio. As Heinz expresses his appreciation: “We are incredibly fortunate here in Indonesia to not only have a distributer of all Cambo products, but also an owner gentleman behind prima-imaging which does an amazing amount of extra work for the photographiccommunity. Absolutely nothing is too much, and their fast expertise and know-how in high-end camera gear is extremely useful when questions or challenges arise.”
It seems appropriate to end with one of Heinz von Holzen’s recipes here. Thank you for sharing this with us Heinz.
The WRE-2138 and WRA-2138 Float Lens panels are lenses dedicated to the use with Digital Backs. Both feature a Rodenstock 6,5/138 HR-Float Digaron lens with Rodenstock eShutter-250 (or Rodenstock Aperture Only Mount in the case of the WRA-2138).
This very special lens design is mounted in a helical focussing mount, which drives a floating element for optimal sharpness at any focussed distance.
The WRE-2138 and WRA-2138 fit to all Cambo Wide RS camera systems.
WRE-138 shown with Rodenstock E-250 Shutter System on a Cambo WRS-1600 and Cambo PCH
The Rodenstock HR Digaron-SW float 138 mm f/6.5 is an exceptionally sharp, long focal length, lens for adjustable technical cameras.
The optical design with eleven lens elements in ten groups is very complex for a prime lens. It has the highest possible resolving power extremely close to the diffraction limit. This is not only achieved across the entire field of the largest digital sensors – but also to the edge of it’s constant 110mm image circle.
For professional technical camera users, even with the largest sensor formats, this gives ample clearance for parallel shifts for perspective corrections without excessive stopping down of the aperture according to the Scheimpflug rule.
The rotation of the focusing ring automatically controls the floating elements group and all aberrations are therefore minimized throughout the whole focusing range. Even with extreme camera movements this lens remains tack sharp.
WRE-138 mounted in Rodenstock E-250 Shutter
In the studio the electronic Rodenstock eShuttercan be controlled easily via USB from the computer or with an app from an iPhone, iPod, iPad or a similar Android mobile device. It can also be operated with the remote controller Sinar eControl with a rechargeable Li-Ion battery offering independent use on location.
Rodenstock Aperture Only Mount Rendering
When mounted as the WRA-2138, the Rodenstock Aperture Only mount is a great option when working with the latest Digital backs with built-in sensor-activated Electronic Shutter. The aperture is manually set at the lens, and in this configuration, there are no need for any sync cables between lens and back.
The Cambo WRA-2138 in Rodenstock Aperture Only Mount
Please note that limitations apply based on the individual model of digital back you are using. We refer to the manufacturer of the applicable digital backs for support and use of electronic shutter functions.
Shortest focal distance to object: approx. 1.0 mtr
Image circle of lens at any f/stop: 110 mm
Optical Movements: CCD size 37x37mm: 33/33 mm CCD size 33x44mm: 34/30 mm CCD size 36x48mm: 30/26 mm CCD size 37x49mm: 31/27 mm CCD size 40x54mm: 28/24 mm CCD size 36x56mm: 29/24 mm
Please note that the optical movements are larger than achievable due to mechanical limitation.
This lens is currently being released in small increments, with plans on a full production model being made available later this summer. Preorders are available now from any Cambo USA dealer.
In 2013 the announcement was made that no more Copal shutters were going to be produced, which was a shock to large format photographers worldwide.
Over the last six years the stock of existing shutters has been at a high enough level that Photographers were still able to get their hands on these essential lens accessories.
Late last year we were made aware that Rodenstock’s stock of these shutters had finally been used up, and that no other lenses would be mounted in a Copal-0 mechanical shutter. And sadly today I must report that new Rodenstock lenses are no longer able to be purchased with mechanical shutter options.
The Future of Shutters:
We are left now with two options for our Actus and WRS camera system customers:
The E-125 and E-250 shutter system: Built and designed by Sinar, this shutter system relies on an exterior powered control box to set shutter speed and actually trigger the shutter itself. Depending on the shutter model these units are capable of a max shutter speed of 1/125th or 1/250th of a second and allow for synchronization of flash units
Due to the form factor of these shutters, new Rodenstock optics are able to be delivered for use with both the Actus (unmounted) or mounted in the Cambo WRS mount.
Sinar E-Shutter mounted for WRS. The shutter is connected to the controller box by the thick cable attached to the shutter.
More information can be found by reading Sinar’s the E-Control PDF
Please note that the E-Controller itself is not directly available through Cambo USA, and instead should be ordered through your Cambo dealer of choice, many of whom are also Sinar-Leica dealers
Rodenstock Aperture-Only Mount:
A Computer rendering of what the new Aperture-Only mounting solution will look like on an unmounted lens.
Technical Data:
Aperture size #0
Aperture control manual
Aperture range 6 f/stops.
9-Blade Design
No Flash synchronisation
Rodenstock 23HR mounted for Cambo WRS shown in Aperture Only mount.
Coming later this quarter Rodenstock will be releasing a newly designed Aperture-Only mount for their current HR optics line-up.
This newly designed mount will share the Copal-0 sizing standard, which allows it to be used with all existing Copal-0 boards available today. And like the E-125/E-250 shutters, this new option will be available in both an un-mounted version or in a WRS lenspanel for use across the entire lineup of Cambo camera options.
This is a great option when working with the latest Digital backs that have a built-in sensor-activated Electronic Shutter (Such as the Phase One IQ3-100 and new IQ4 series digital backs). In this case, there is no need for a synchronisation between lens and back, as there are no moving and vibrating shutter parts. The desired aperture is set on the mount itself, and then the back can be fired either by touching the rear screen, or remotely via cable.
Unfortunately due to the current capabilities of the modern digital back sensor assembly, flash synchronization is limited and cannot be used in all shooting situations.
(We recommend reviewing information from your manufacturer specific to your digital back of choice for more information on this type of capture situation).
Better news for Actus camera users, as this allows for high quality optics to be used much easier than in the past with modern Mirrorless or DSLR cameras. Since ISO and Shutter speed are controlled on the rear-mounted camera, the aperture can quickly be adjusted and in many cases live view can accurately show a preview of the final image before capture.
What’s Next for Lens Shutters?
As digital back sensor technology continues to get better and better, and with the eventual packaging of a global electronic shutter into digital backs, the Rodenstock Aperture-Only mount will continue to be a light-weight and easy to use option for Photographers of all types.
As for now, we wait patiently what the future will hold, and hope to have something that is as long lasting as the legacy that Copal is leaving behind.
For more information, or to purchase lenses in E-250 & Rodenstock Aperture-Only mount, please contact your Cambo USA dealer of choice by visiting our Dealer page.
Cambo USA is happy to be a part of the Digital Transitions East Coast Tour of the new Phase One IQ4 digital back.
We will be bringing a complete Actus-DB II and WRS-1600 setup with lenses and accessories for display and demonstration purposes. So please come by and see them for yourself , while testing out the latest in digital back technology.
From DT:
“Experience Infinite Possibilities with the Phase One XF IQ4 Digital Transitions invites you to join us as we bring infinite possibilities across the East Coast. We will review the newest features in Phase One’s IQ4 150 megapixel digital back. Feel free to stop by any time during the event to try it for yourself!
This event is for photographers in every field – the IQ4 150MP has unique features that make it ideal for photographers in any specialty. DT representatives will be available to discuss Commercial, Fine Art, and Cultural Heritage specialties.”
Secure your free ticket today by visiting the links below:
Coming later this month, the WRS-HV lens plate allows you to mount lenses from the Hasselblad-500 series, in combination with the WRS series camera.
This combination will work with those digital backs that have an electronic shutter option, which works as a shutterless digital back, such as the PhaseOne IQ3-100 and the new IQ-4 series.
The aperture of the lenses can be set manually. The WRS-HV does not cock or fire the lens’ leaf shutter.
The practical use of lenses may be limited to those that have enough image circle coverage for the used digital back when using shifts.
The availability of Hasselblad lenses of the 500 series goes back a long time and this also gives you the opportunity to use particular old style legacy lenses, as well as very long focal lengths without the extreme physical extension of symmetric LF lenses.
Will you be attending Photokina or Photo Plus Expo this year?
We invite you to stop by and see the latest product releases and get your hands on some of the best designed and manufactured camera equipment in the world! Cambo will be showing the full range of Tech cameras, Wide RS and the updated ACTUS series, updated Studio Stands and more!
Hall 2.1, Booth A-017
An international flight not exactly something in your budget? How about something a little more local?
Booth 458
Looking to attend Photo Plus Expo but don’t yet have a badge? Use our link to get your free Expo badge, or save 15% on a Conference badge today!
Since the introduction of the WRS-1600 all of the Cambo camera systems now either have a standard ARCA compatible rail or foot (or have access to the correct foot accessories). So we felt it was time to update our popular WRS camera base to accept a wider range of camera options. The WRS-334 is a multifunctional Camera Base for the Cambo Wide RS Camera body.
Features:
Fine-tuned leveling over 3 knobs within 5 degrees in any direction
360 degrees panning of the camera with zero-position click
Full 360 degree scale for indication of panoramic settings
Adjustable stops for 2, 12 or 16 clicks per rotation
Arca compatible mount makes it a fitting product for every camera on an ARCA compatible plate.
Includes a camera plate with 1/4″ mount
This Base is compatible with the ARCA dovetail base-mount of the Wide RS camera body and has a 3/8″ tripod mount.
Today in 2018, Cambo celebrates not only 72 years of accumulated expertise and dedicated craftsmanship of in-house design and manufacturing, but also 50 years of CAMBO Wide series of technical cameras.
The WRS-72|50 kit is built around an ergonomically optimised camera body. Based on the WRS-1600 introduced in 2016, the WRS-72|50 adds many exclusive design changes, including rounded corners, protected spirit levels, angled placement of a hand belt support and more. The special shaped handgrip is made of fine Rosewood. While keeping the unique body rotation between landscape and portrait position without removing digital back or lens, that help will protect your equipment against dust and damage.
The optics in this kit are Rodenstock’s finest 32HR-W and 90HR-SW, both in a tilt/swing lens panel for the best image quality and control. Additionally, Cambo has designed a new precision tilting function to the 90HR’s rear spacer, which adds an additional six degrees of tilt -or swing- on top of its lens panel movements. This offers you even more flexibility and image optimisation.
Each kit is individually numbered out of a limited series of only 50 units. It includes a Certificate of Authenticity with matching serial numbers.
This exquisite kit is delivered in a luxury Rimowa case with dedicated cavities for your equipment, including space for a digital back and extra lens or accessories.
The kit is completed with Cambo’s PCH precision controlled ball and geared head, with exclusive anniversary trim.
Full contents of the kit consist of:
WRS-72|50 body in Anniversary trim
Dedicated aluminium body cap
WTS-32 HR-W Digaron in T/S mount in Anniversary trim
WTS-90 HR-SW Digaron in T/S short barrel mount in Anniversary trim
