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Accessory, Cambo Actus, News

AC-380/AC-381 – Cambo Actus Fine Gear Drive Upgrade

Shipping now, the AC-380 and AC-381 fine gear drives add yet another option for customers looking to get the most out of their existing Actus camera. 

The new dual knob design allows for both standard and reduced gearing.
Cambo Actus DB-II with AC-380 and AC-381 installed.

This double gear knob kit for focus and tilt will be interchangeable with the current axle/knob/gear. The large knob controls as it does with the existing knob set, however this will add a smaller knob that reduces the movement to 1:5 gearing for more precise control and self locking. 

The AC-380 is identified by the white dot.

Because of the slight differences in tilt mechanism design, two versions of this upgrade will be offered. The AC-380 is for focus on all Actus cameras and for the tilt movements of the Actus-Mini. The AC-381 exits for those customers wishing to upgrade the tilt movements on their Actus-G or Actus-DB II. Both kits will be identically priced, and will be sold individually for users that only wish to upgrade one knob at a time.

The AC-381 has a red indicator dot to distinguish itself from its counterpart.

The install process is fairly simple and straight forward, and both kits include all of the instructions and tools needed to perform the swap yourself without the need to ship anything back to Cambo.

Both the AC-380 and AC-381 are available now from any of or US Dealers.

June 5, 2019by CamboUSA
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Cambo Actus, Cambo DSLR, Guest Post, Product Review

Perspective Control – John Gregor

The following blog post first appeared on the Cold Snap Photography blog and is re-posted here with permission from the author John Gregor.


Perspective Control In Camera

Cambo Perspective Control Camera
Cambo Actus-Mini Perspective Control Camera

What is perspective control? How can you achieve perspective control in your images? 
In this article I will discuss the concept of perspective control and what it means in our photographs.

To achieve In-camera Perspective Control you must have either a view camera or a tilt shift lens. For the examples here I am using the Cambo Actus Mini B. More information about the Cambo cameras can be found at the end of this article.

Perspective control is the process of composing or editing of images to ensure that vertical parallel (or near parallel) lines remain parallel or near parallel.

Perspective Distortion

If the Camera is kept level then no distortion occurs.
If the Camera is kept level then no distortion occurs.

Perspective distortion doesn’t occur if the camera is kept level as shown in the camera position above. Typically however this might not result in the image we want. As shown in the image below:

These vertical trees are straight and roughly parallel but notice that we have much more foreground than we probably desire.
These vertical trees are straight and roughly parallel but notice that we have much more foreground than we probably desire.
Camera pointed upwards to show more of the tree tops and sky.

Perspective distortion occurs when the sensor plane is not parallel to lines that are required to be parallel in the photo. Most commonly this happens when the camera is tilted or pointed upwards–typically to include the top of a building or more sky or as in this case more of the tree-tops. The resulting photograph is shown below:

Notice that we have included more of the tree tops. While perhaps a better composition the trees have the feeling like they are receding or falling away from the camera.
Notice that we have included more of the tree tops. While perhaps a better composition the trees have the feeling like they are receding or falling away from the camera.

Perspective Control

Notice that both the camera base and lens are level, however, the lens has been shifted upwards.
Notice that both the camera base and lens are level, however, the lens has been shifted upwards.

The camera and lens above are level but the lens is shifted upwards. This results in the the perspective of the trees to be maintained (vertical lines are parallel). Here is the resulting image below:

The roughly parallel lines of the trees have been maintained and the trees no longer feel like they are falling away from the camera.
The roughly parallel lines of the trees have been maintained and the trees no longer feel like they are falling away from the camera.

The most frequent use of perspective control lenses and cameras are for architectural photographs. Using the same concepts as the tree photographs above the images below demonstrate the use of perspective control:

Keeping the camera level means clipping the top of the house.
Keeping the camera level means clipping the top of the house.
Tilting the camera upwards includes the top of the house but the house looks like it is falling away from us.
Tilting the camera upwards includes the top of the house but the house looks like it is falling away from us.
Using the lens shift results in the top of the house being included in the image without the feeling that the house is falling over!
Using the lens shift results in the top of the house being included in the image without the feeling that the house is falling over!

Perspective control in camera is the most precise method of achieving perspective control. These methods can be replicated using the tools found in most post process programs, however, post processed perspective control can result in distortion in other areas of the image. I prefer to get it right in camera.

The camera featured for these images is the Cambo Actus Mini B. It is designed as a digital view camera, giving all the features of the traditional view camera (shift, swing, and tilt). This camera has the capability to interchange digital backs (DSLR’s or Mirrorless) and offers a wide variety of lenses that are compatible.
The camera featured for these images is the Cambo Actus-Mini. It is designed as a digital view camera, giving all the features of the traditional view camera (shift, swing, and tilt). This camera has the capability to interchange digital backs (DSLR’s or Mirrorless) and offers a wide variety of lenses that are compatible.

For more information about the Cambo Actus Mini or other Cambo perspective control cameras go to: https://www.cambo.com/en/actus-series/


ColdSnap Photography is the work of professional photographer John Gregor. In addition to fine art and commercial photography ColdSnap Photography is the Upper Mid West’s leading photography workshop provider. Hosting workshops on the shores of Lake Superior and beyond. Committed to guiding photographers to awe-inspiring places, where they can create masterful photos. For more information on his upcoming workshops you can visit
https://coldsnapphotography.com/workshops/

March 18, 2019by CamboUSA
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Actar, Cambo Actus, Cambo Studio, Cambo Wide RS, Cambo X2-Pro, Dealer, MBX Studio Stand, News, WRS

Cambo Products Now Available at Fotocare.

We are happy to announce that Cambo products are available for order and purchase at Fotocare in New York City!

Please reach out to your sales contact for more information, or to be paired with a salesperson please contact Cambo USA at info@Cambousa.com

 

41 W 22nd St,
New York, NY 10010
(212) 741-2991
www.fotocare.com

September 12, 2017by CamboUSA
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Actar, Cambo Actus, Cambo DSLR, Cambo Studio, Cambo Wide RS, Dealer, MBX Studio Stand, News, Uncategorized, Video Products

Cambo Products Now Available at Samy’s Camera & Samy’s Cinema Works.

We are very excited to announce that Cambo products are now available for purchase at Samy’s Camera and Samy’s Cinema Works locations.

A big welcome from all of us at Cambo USA to everyone who is a part of the Samy’s team!

For more information or to place your order contact your Samy’s salesperson or Cambo USA.

Burbank

148 S Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
(818)-562-1960
www.samyscinemaworks.com

(Video Products)

(Video Products)

Culver City

Los Angeles

4411 Sepulveda Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90230
310-450-4551
www.samys.com
431 S. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323-938-2420
www.samys.com

Pasadena

San Francisco

1759 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91106
626-796-3300
www.samys.com
1090 Bryant Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-621-8400
www.samys.com

Santa Ana

Santa Barbara

3309b S. Bristol St.
Santa Ana, CA 92704
714-557-9400
www.samys.com
530 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805)963-7269
www.samys.com

June 15, 2017by CamboUSA
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Actar, Cambo Actus, Guest Post

Guest Post: Bryan Minear – A Week With The Actus Mini.

Recently we reached out to Bryan Minear, Fuji X-Photographer, to offer a test of the Cambo Actus-Mini for the Fuji-X platform. Here are his thoughts. 

Photos and text by Bryan Minear. Shared here with his permission.

I don’t write as often as I’d like to. So when Cambo USA reached out to tell me about the Actus Mini with Fujifilm X compatibility, I instantly knew that if I could get it in my hands, I would want to write about it. This isn’t really going to be a “review” because I really hate writing a typical review. This will be more or less my thoughts on a really cool photography tool that I feel more people should know about.

After some back and forth with Cambo, we nailed down a week that I could try out the system. I planned a cool weekend trip to take it on that unfortunately ended up getting cancelled due to weather, but more on that later.

For those that aren’t familiar with a traditional “view” camera. Think old school 8×10 photographer under the sheet with a huge camera that looks like an accordion. The bellows are light sealed and allow the lens to move back and forth from the film plane which acts as your focus wheel. The lens can also move side to side and up and down as well allowing for “tilt” and “shift” to correct for perspective or to give that artsy blur effect.

Well the Actus Mini basically functions in the same way. The back of the Actus has a mount for your camera system body and the front has a lens mount. They offer a few different camera mounts but Fujifilm is the only one that I care about for the sake of this writing.

Cambo themselves make a few lenses, but they also have adaptors for other lens manufacturers which is really cool. An APSC system like Fujifilm X allows for the use of Nikon, Leica, Mamiya 645 and RZ/RB, Pentax 645, and Hasselblad lenses. And large format lenses 55mm and longer. For my testing they sent me the Actar 24mm f/3.5 which ended up being the perfect all around focal length, especially with how much i was shooting panoramas. All sample images below were shot with an X-Pro2 attached to the Actus Mini. If the shot is a panorama, I made a note of it, otherwise its just a single exposure.

Because the lenses are designed to resolve at such a larger size, it allows you to shift the sensor around within the frame. Not only can you tilt and shift the lens on the front, but the rear camera mount moves side to side and up and down independently as well. This allows you to capture panoramas with NO distortion whatsoever. You are essentially moving the sensor around the lens area shot by shot so you can combine them into perfectly stitched panoramas in post. I know that photoshop has come a long was with perspective correction tools, but there is no software that allows you to create panoramas like this. I have to say that ending up with super high resolution panoramas is perfect for printing.

5 image panorama

One of the coolest things about the Actus Mini is the size. I’m a huge fan of shooting on tripods. I love to slow down and add filters and do things very methodically. The bottom of the Actus is totally Arca-Swiss compatible so it is ready to be mounted without any sort of added plate. But it’s size also allows you to hand hold the entire system. It gets a little tough if you are wanting to do a lot of tilt and shift movements, but it’s totally possible. The build quality of this thing is incredible. It just feels very solid and well engineered. The whole system breaks down very quickly. The bellows are attached the the front and back by a genius magnetic connection that locks you into place, and it folds down completely flat for storage.

I was in constant communication with Cambo the week that I was testing. They wanted to make sure to answer any questions that I had. I asked them what kinds of fields they saw this being most useful in. Knowing that in my world of landscape and architecture the perspective adjustments and panorama capabilities are a huge deal. But they also informed me that this system would be great for product and portrait photographers because it allows for such intricate depth of field plane control.


My week looked like this: I hit a few of my local hotspots after work just totally in “play” mode to get a feel for the controls and how it would fit into “my style” of work. Knowing that I had a trip planned for the weekend where I was REALLY going to put it through its paces in the field I really just wanted to get better acquainted with the functions so i knew what to do when i had a real subject to shoot. As is my luck, the weather for the weekend soured last minute and we ended up canceling our trip. Just know that I HATE reading online reviews and seeing mediocre sample images that do nothing to show off the product being reviewed. I shot what I could in the time I had, but Michigan had other plans and the entire weekend was a bust. I just have to beg you, the reader, for forgiveness because my final images aren’t as good as the could be. C’est la vie. Hopefully you get an idea of what the system can really do. I hope to get my hands back on one of these for a New York or Chicago trip to really put it to work in the architectural realm.

     

If you have any specific questions about the system, please feel free to comment below or shoot me a message on twitter or instagram

Or reach out to them directly at Cambousa.com | info@cambousa.com or by phone 404-859-5809.

And hopefully I can talk my wife into letting me buy one. ?

Until next time!

5-Shot Panorama

Go to top

Bryan Minear is an Official Fujifilm X-Photographer & Vanguard Professional based in the Midwest.
Follow his photographic journey on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

June 5, 2017by CamboUSA
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News

Cambo USA at the Society for Photographic Education’s 2017 National Confrence.

Cambo invites you to visit us at the Society for Photographic Education 2017 SPE National Conference March 9th-12th, 2017 in Orlando Florida.
spe

Cambo will show MBX series of stands released last year, the new lineup of Actar lenses, as well as, the entire range of Actus cameras, including the new specially designed for the needs of educators, Actus EDU.

mbx-1_w
MBX Stand.
The new classed Mid-range studio stand will suit many photographers shooting with medium format camera systems. It is placed between the entry level Monostand and the heavier duty UST/UBS stand series.

The MBX stand combines several advantages of the various Cambo stands, such as a ball bearing movement for effortless vertical adjustment as well as rotation of the crossarm independently of vertical adjustments, all in a lighter, easier to assemble format.

15585112_1329301730465670_6196953203435077411_o
Actus EDU. 

The Actus EDU features an interchangeable bayonet holder for various system cameras. The top part holding the camera mount can easily be replaced. A locking lever secures it firmly in place.

Having the ability of rapidly changing this AC-78E holder makes it possible to always have a fitting solution within seconds when students bring their own camera bodies.

actar-lenses_serie01_w
Actar Lenses.

A lens system dedicated to the Cambo Actus for use in combination with a mirrorless camera, mounted to the Actus. This lens is permanently attached to an Actus lens panel, with manual aperture control. No electronic connections are needed.

Come by booths 43-44 to see everything for yourself.   screen-shot-2017-01-04-at-2-21-40-pm

 

 

March 8, 2017by CamboUSA
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Cambo Actus, News

NEW ACTAR 80/90/120 Lenses

actar-lenses_serie01_w

The ACTAR series now consists of 5 lenses!  Joining the existing ACTAR-24 and ACTAR-60 we now are pleased to announce the addition of the ACTAR-80, ACTAR-90 and ACTAR-120.

Designed exclusively for use with the ACTUS camera system, these lenses come pre-mounted to an ACTUS Lens Board and ready to use.

Actar 90/Actar 90

Cambo’s ACTAR-80 and ACTAR-90 are 80mm and 90mm standard lenses, dedicated to the Cambo Actus series. Both will focus at infinity in combination with mirrorless camera bodies as well as DSLR bodies. Both ACTAR-80/90 lenses are ideal for product photography, including fashion, food and jewelry.

An extensive image circle of 85 to 90mm, allows for horizontal shifts over more than 20mm each side when using a full frame (24×36) sensor in either landscape or portrait mode. The optical design of this lens is a 7 element, of which all lenses are multicoated to achieve the best contrast.

actar-80s

Actar 80
-focal length: 80mm
-aperture range: f 4 – 22
-filter thread: m40.5
-lens design: 7 elements
-image circle: 85mm
-built for: Cambo Actus (non DB)

actar-90s

Actar 90
-focal length: 90mm
-aperture range: f 4. – 22
-filter thread: m40.5
-lens design: 7 elements
-image circle: 90mm
-built for: Cambo Actus (non DB)

Actar 120

Cambo’s ACTAR-120 is a macro lens with a focal length of 120mm, dedicated to the Cambo Actus series. It will focus until infinity in combination with all mirrorless and DSLR camera bodies. The ACTAR-120 is a lens which is primarily designed for an optimal performance at close-up range, between 1:1 and 1:10. Nevertheless, this lens can also be used for general purpose photography. The design of this lens is build of 6 elements, of which all lenses are multicoated to achieve the best contrast.

actar-120_2s

Actar 120
-focal length: 120mm
-aperture range: f 5.6 – 32
-filter thread: m40.5
-lens design: 6 elements
-image circle: 100mm
-built for: Cambo Actus (non DB)

 

All of these are available now.

A dedicated Lens hood for the ACTAR-24 is in the works and will be announced soon

January 18, 2017by CamboUSA
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“Cambo BV was founded in The Netherlands in 1946 and has the distinction of being the first studio camera manufacturer to produce an all-metal large format camera. Based in the town of Kampen in the East of the Netherlands, Cambo has since built a reputation for high quality, precision engineered cameras, stands and other studio equipment.”

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