Technical Cameras: All the Right Moves

[Michael Erlewine]

I am slowly getting more used to using technical cameras, bellows units that have tilt, shift, swing, rise, and fall.

Of course I have used the Nikon PB-6 and PB-4 Bellows units over the years. I find the PB-4 very useful because it has tilt. I also have a small system, the Kenlock (Spiratone) Bellows that has all of the various movements, but is ideally built for a mirrorless camera like the A7R II, which I no longer have. If anyone wants a small technical camera, I have put this system up on Ebay. Anyone with a mirrorless might find it helpful.

For Nikon bodies, like the D810, I have a new copy of the Rollei X-ACT2 Bellows System which, while a heavy beast, has all the right moves and is compatible as to parts to the Novoflex Balpro Bellows System.

I’m afraid I am not much of a student in studying all of the various
Charts, etc.  for technical-camera moves. Instead, I just twist the various parts around until I like what I see. I am amazed at what can be done with swing, rise, fall, etc. I find that even a little movement can enhance a photo quite a bit.

Would love to see some photos done with technical cameras and a DSLR from those of you who are doing this. Frank and Bob, and Bob come to mind.

Here is a shot with the Nikon D810 and some bellows moves.

[Frank Fremerey]

stacked or not stacked?

very interesting project!

[Michael Erlewine]

stacked or not stacked?

very interesting project!

Stacked

[Frank Fremerey]

I thought the stacking moved shots might get you i to new territorry.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Stacking in combination with movements of a technical camera, unless the movements are zeroed on the standards,  will probably be an added challenge for the software.

[Michael Erlewine]

Stacking in combination with movements of a technical camera, unless the movements are zeroed on the standards,  will probably be an added challenge for the software.

What do you mean "zeroed on the standards?"

Well, we will find out what happens. So far, not a big problem. And I plan to do non-stacking, of course.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Sorry, view camera lingo - old habits die hard.

'Zeroed' means both standards (front and back) are normal to the bench rail they are residing on (0 tilt) and are set to the non-shifted position (0 shift).

[Michael Erlewine]

Sorry, view camera lingo - old habits die hard.

'Zeroed' means both standards (front and back) are normal to the bench rail they are residing on (0 tilt) and are set to the non-shifted position (0 shift).

I hear you. However, it may challenge the software, but from my experience with it (many hundreds of thousands of photos), I believe it will do fine and the challenge obviously may add to the effect... or not.

One thing I would like is a softer, more flexible, "bag" bellows. Any ideas on that? In this case the movements accent the curves somewhat.

Here is a shot, but I feel I would have to soften it up a bit. I may have to learn to un-sharpen the photos.

[Michael Erlewine]

Here is a small Kenlock (Spiratone) technical camera that I have, which is very detailed, but too small for a big Nikon. It would do great with one of the mirrorless cameras, but has to be treated gently. I am selling it on Ebay, since I no longer have any mirrorless cameras.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

That is the same as the Hama-labelled unit I used for recasting a Nikkor 28 mm f/3.5 PC into a full tilt/shift lens. I used parts of the unit, not the whole.

You are correct in stating this device is too delicate to handle a heavy system camera such as a D800. Perhaps it could do service with a D3xxx/D5xxx though.

[Michael Erlewine]

That is the same as the Hama-labelled unit I used for recasting a Nikkor 28 mm f/3.5 PC into a full tilt/shift lens. I used parts of the unit, not the whole.

You are correct in stating this device is too delicate to handle a heavy system camera such as a D800. Perhaps it could do service with a D3xxx/D5xxx though.

Yes, this is just like the Hama. It works perfectly, but you need a smaller camera than my D810, and even then patience and care are required. My Rollei X-ACT 2 is heavy, beast-like, but works very well. I would not go backpacking with it, however.

[Michael Erlewine]

What in your experiencewould you consider to be the best, most flexible, technical camera that we could hang a Nikon on?

[simsurace]

Micheal, when stacking with tilt and swing, what do you focus with to move through the stack? Do you move the rear standard or do you manipulate the lens helicoid?

The results look good. I would expect that a Pmax-type algorithm is not bothered too heavily by having tilt applied. Maybe Dmap will be slightly confused, but maybe you already have some experience. What method did you use in Zerene Stacker for these stacks?

[Michael Erlewine]

Micheal, when stacking with tilt and swing, what do you focus with to move through the stack? Do you move the rear standard or do you manipulate the lens helicoid?

The results look good. I would expect that a Pmax-type algorithm is not bothered too heavily by having tilt applied. Maybe Dmap will be slightly confused, but maybe you already have some experience. What method did you use in Zerene Stacker for these stacks?

On a bellows I fix the front and move the rear standard.

As for Zerene Stacker, I almost always shoot both PMax and DMap. Then I retouch on Dmap, from parts of PMax.

[Frank Fremerey]

you might be looking for something like this.

http://www.sinar.ch/en/category/products/cameras/p-slr-en/

Sinar is one toolbox, so you can combine anything and everything within the system: Meaning: Most parts you can get used and cheap in good condition and be able to replace any screw or add new parts to it as you like

The handling is very intuitive therefore easy to learn. The P-series is very robust, still not too heavy.