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Actar, Cambo Actus, Education

New View, New You – Part Three: Lenses are forever.

This brings us to the second part of the view camera equation. Lenses. 

Actus Camera Lenses
Perspective Control – Selective Sharpness

But why do lenses matter? Well, simply put, not all lenses are created equal. Generally speaking in recent photographic history, lenses are designed to work both with a single camera system as well as made to cover with very little overlap only the size of the piece of film (or sensor) inside of the camera. With Mirrorless cameras becoming more and more common the idea of adapting lenses from one system to another is becoming much more common. 

Cambo ACTUS-GFX

Lenses with larger image circles are more ideal for usage with view cameras because it allows for more movements within that circle. Tilting, shifting, rise, fall, and swing movements all require more “room” within a lens. The larger the image circle of a given lens, the more room becomes available. 

As you can see from the chart above, given the smaller sensor size (when comparing against medium or large format) of modern cameras, the 24x36mm sensor can have a fair bit of movement when paired with the larger image circles of medium format lenses. 

But, I already have a lens that does that…

So you may be asking, why wouldn’t I just buy a native Tilt Shift lens (Canon TS-E, Nikon PC) for my camera? And the answer all comes back to movements. Tilt shift lenses only allow for 2 of the 3 directions of movements (and usually don’t allow for more than one adjustment at a time depending on camera orientation). Only a view camera can give you the full range of movements for perspective control.

When comparing the cost of these incomplete solutions you will also find that they are similarly priced. But for the same investment, why would spend the same amount but only get 2/3rds of the features?

March 17, 2020by CamboUSA
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Cambo Actus, Education

New View, New You – Part Two: Mirrors, Who Needs ‘Em?

Because of the innovation of mirrorless cameras the modern view camera has more opportunities to thrive than ever before. Using the Nikon Z series as an example, because of the change in design the flange focal distance–

( flange focal distance (FFD), is the distance from the mounting flange (the metal ring on the camera and the rear of the lens) to the film plane. This value is different for different camera systems. The range of this distance, which will render an image clearly in focus within all focal lengths)

 –was reduced by 30mm which means that more lens options become viable as they no longer are limited to focusing at a much farther point on the sensor plane. Let’s compare this to some other modern flange distances:

If you have ever written us an email asking for help choosing lenses you may have been sent the below PDF “Cheat Sheet” that describes the most commonly available lenses today, and how well they play nicely with various modern camera systems

Cambo-Actus-lens-compatibility-table-2019-V1-1

November 12, 2019by 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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