So the new 4x5 that I bought has base tilts, which I've never had before

[mcherry]

I upgraded from a beat up Cambo Legend to a nearly spanking new Cambo Master PC. Very excited!! The new camera has base tilts as well as the standard axial tilts. Just wondering how you guys work with them and when you might choose one over the other.

[mcherry]

Ok so after I posted this I realized I should probably just do a forum search, which I did. It seems you guys already answered this question in depth. So thank you, past yous!

[Leigh]

Base tilts are used primarily when you must move the bed off horizontal to increase the available rise or fall of the lens.

The rear base tilt lets return the back to a vertical position.

- Leigh

[Ivan J. Eberle]

Nah. I had a Sinar Norma, one of the earliest modern monorails. Plenty of rise and fall, didn't need it for that. Probably true that it was coming from the convention of field cameras and "focus for the far, tilt for the near". It was a nice convention, albeit one that my axis tilt Meridian from the same era doesn't quite follow... not without refocusing.

[Leigh]

Nah. I had a Sinar Norma, one of the earliest modern monorails. Plenty of rise and fall, didn't need it for that.

I'm confident that you're familiar with all the lenses available for that camera at the time it was introduced,

so I'll accept your opinion based on your vast knowledge.

- Leigh

[Ivan J. Eberle]

Certainly not "vast" experience, Leigh. 4 large format cameras, all told.
There's really no need for the ad hominem attack, I was just stating what actual experience tells me when your's didn't seem like the final word on the subject.

[Leigh]

Usually when someone says "no" to another post, as in "... didn't need it for that", it's based on a good reason.

LF lenses of 50 years ago included many process lenses with huge image circles.

The fact that you've never needed base tilt in your experience does not in any way invalidate the concept.

- Leigh

[Frank Petronio]

Base tilts rule, axis tilts drool. Asymmetrical tilts are marketing.

It's important to develop good prejudices.

[Ivan J. Eberle]

err... I actually do like base tilts, Leigh. Not sure how you read that I didn't? I find it's easier to maintain focus while using them, applying the old rule.

What I was responding to negatively was that other cameras besides folding wooden field cameras (or other baseboard types) also used base tilts, even though some had beaucoups rise and fall. That perhaps base tilts were more the convention of an era, and getting away from them was more about marketing, as Frank succinctly said.

[Leigh]

Most of the LF cameras I've owned or encountered over the years have had base tilts. It's certainly not a feature of "yesteryear".

Both of my Sinar F2 cameras (4x5 and 8x10) have base tilt, as does my 8x10 Tachihara (purchased 2 years ago).

The only camera category I can think of that lacks back tilt would be press cameras (Graphic, B&J, etc).

I'm sure there are individual camera models that lack the feature.

- Leigh