Lens for Horseman LD SLR View Accessory

[Dennis_Vied]

I frequently do product photography in my job as a technical writer. I'm presently using Canon 90mm TS-E and 180mm Macro lenses. I'm considering getting the Horseman LD View Camera converter for my Canon EOS cameras. I need some guidance in what focal length lens to get for this unit.

Do I want the same focal length lenses I now use or different?

Thanks.

Dennis

[Robert Jonathan]

Hi Dennis,

There's no reason not to use the same focal lengths you like using right now. However, now that you have the option to use large format lenses with a Canon, you can take advantage of the superior digital optics that are available.

If you like the 90mm focal length, then a Schneider 90mm f/4.5 Digitar, Rodenstock 100mm f/4 HR digital lens, or Rodenstock 90mm f/5.6 Digaron-W HR digital lens (previously called the "90mm f/5.6 APO-Sironar Digital" lens) would fit the bill.

The HR series of lenses from Rodenstock are just about unbeatable. The Schneider Digitars are good, but the Rodenstock HR lenses are in a league of their own for digital capture, and far, far ahead of any Canon lens. Sharper and no chromatic abberation (purple fringing).

If you need macro, there's the Schneider Digitar 120mm M, and an 80mm f/5.6 macro from Schneider as well.

With regard to the Horseman LD accessory, I'm familiar with it, because I bought a Horseman LS 4x5 camera to use it with, but never bought the LD accessory.

My Horseman LS has the removeable frames, so I can use the LD accessory, but I discovered what might be a better, cheaper option, for me at least: a Sinar/Horseman 140x140mm board with a Canon or Nikon mount to mount to the rear frame of my Horseman view camera.

There's a company ( http://www.just-together.de/index_en.htm ) that makes boards to mount a Canon or Nikon to the rear of a Sinar or Horseman, but I'm going to be machining one myself, because I think I can do a better job (and it'll be cheaper).

Hope this helps.

[Dennis_Vied]

Thanks, Robert, that's exactly what I'm looking for. I thought that was the case, but I wasn't sure how that would play out considering the lens coverages. This is my first foray into large format work. Probably a good way to get my feet wet.

[Dennis_Vied]

As much as I would love to have the Rodenstock 90, I'm thinking it's overkill for what I need. Are these lenses available without the shutters?

I hope you won't shoot me for asking this question, but how do you think some of the classic 35mm bellows lenses would work for product photography at, say 3 or 4 ft. distances? For instance, an old Nikon 105 bellows lens, or a Zuiko 80/4? I realize they are optomized for macro work, but I'm wondering if they will do for my purposes. Also, I'm thinking they will be easier to use with 35mm type digital bodies with their larger apertures for viewing and focusing.

[Jeff Keller]

Olympus never sold a bellows with tilt-shift capability. The 135mm f4.5 macro can almost surely handle tilts -shifts at close distances since it will work very well as a normal lens and focus at infinity. The 80mm f4 (both versions) was designed for 1:1 copy work. It may have a limited range of tilt-shift. Both the 80mm and 135mm were designed for the Olympus OM bayonet mount. You would need an adapter to mount them to anything not made by/for Olympus. Both lenses are well regarded. Olympus also made some nice, short focal length (20mm, 38mm), macro lenses for greater than 1:1 magnification.

The mounting ring in the Olympus bellows can be easily removed. It might fit the Horseman View Camera Converter.

[Robert Jonathan]

Dennis, for viewing and focusing, you should definitely use a DSLR that has Live-View.

That way, it won't matter what aperture the lens is, because in live-view, you can focus clearly with the lens wide-open, or you can focus at the aperture you're going to shoot at.

Let's say you want to shoot at ISO 100, f/8, at 1/250th, and you're shooting with studio flash units/monolights/strobes/whatever.

In Live-View manual mode, set the aperture to f/8. The view on the screen will probably be dark, because all you have is the modeling lights. So just increase the ISO and/or slow down the shutter speed. Then zoom in on the screen, and focus with pin-point accuracy.

Then turn off Live-View and return to your shooting settings, ISO 100 and 1/250th, and probably mirror-lockup and timer. Then shoot.

You'll have perfect focus, because you focused at the shooting aperture (not wide open), and you focused using what the sensor was seeing, not what you saw through the viewfinder. This prevents "focus shift" as well.

[Dennis_Vied]

Yes, Robert, I already thought of that. It's on my list for future accomplishment. A 1DSIII would no doubt be perfect for the job. I'm trying to move into this in financial bites I can handle.

I think what Jeff is saying is that the angle of coverage may be limited in lenses optimized for macro work, which is why I'm asking the question as to whether these 35mm bellows lenses can be satisfactory for this work. I guess the answer is to get one and try it.

I may have to go for the Rodenstock eventually anyway, but I'll try to find a more economical solution first.

[names3]

Hi,

Just need advice on this as I have no experience with LF cameras. I note Jeff Keller's post mentions the Rodenstock 80mm f/4 APO-Rodagon N Enlarging Lens would need an adaptor of some sort be fitted to the Horseman LD, if so what lens board/adaptor would I need for this.

I read a lot about custom made live view cameras and from what I read the lens Im referring to is an excellent choice for macro work.

Any information on this is much appreciated.

Would be great to hear from someone with this set up and what they think too.

[Kirk Gittings]

Those adapters are pretty pricey. What are you expecting this to do for you that normal or T/S lenses can't do?

[names3]

Well I wasn't sure how much the adaptor was or even which one it is? I know the LD is $2400 new and I know you can get lens boards for around $80. I know just together make adaptors for this but I cant find any prices, not even sure if their enlargement adaptor will work with this lens?

Anyway their are a few forums/info on the net, noting the great difference between the standard ts lens by canon vs this set up.

I would like it for studio work with jewelry only.