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HB_Chris
14-Aug-2007, 18:49
Hey Everyone,

New to the group and full of questions! I'm currently testing a Phase One P45 back with my 15 year old Arca F Line. The results have really been impressive. The tonal range, color accuracy and workflow are vastly superior to the 4x5 trans I' ve been shooting since, well since I was a young punk with a camera and an attitude.

Now the only area I am having probems with are sharpness. In the center of the lens, the images are tack sharp, but they sometimes fall off as I shift. Not always, mind you. After much head scratching, I'm wondering if my camera is just not totally square. I never noticed a softness problem when shooting film, but then the lenses are wider now (a 35mm often used) and so close to the focal plane that I imagine a little slop is going a long way.

So now, I'm considering a more robust camera. Perhaps Arca's F Metric, the Linhof M679 or *gasp* a Horseman SW-D, though I suspect geared movements may become essential.

Any experience out there? What are you guys shootin? Shifts, I need shifts!

btw, shooting primarily Architecture/Interiors

Thanks,
Chris in Chi-town

paulr
14-Aug-2007, 18:54
You don't think it could be the lens?

For those of us who don't know anything about the P45 back, could you describe how it's used in the field? I'm curious.

Gordon Moat
14-Aug-2007, 21:06
You might want to look into the Cambo Wide DS (http://www.cambo.com/Html/products_photo/set01/english/internet/Group502.html), one of the ALPA (http://www.alpa.ch) offerings, or a Gottschalt (http://www.gottschalt.de/de/kameras_05.html). I know a prominent architectural photographer using the Cambo set-up with a Phase One back.

In general, tilt or swing can make matters worse. Restricting to shift, rise, or fall can simplify adjustments, and minimize problems. Unfortunately, when you get further from the lens centre, the microlenses on the digital back just cannot compensate enough.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio (http://www.allgstudio.com)

Michael T. Murphy
15-Aug-2007, 01:01
There are some interesting discussions on the Schneider and Rodenstock web sites about resolving power of their old lenses versus the newer digital:

http://www.schneiderkreuznach.de/knowhow/digfoto_e.htm#4.%20Lenses%20for%20Digital%20Photography%20-a%20New%20Series%20from%20Schneider%20Kreuznach

http://www.linos.com/pages/mediabase/original/rodenstock_apo-sironar_digital_hr_e_2473.pdf

Basically they have doubled the resolving power from 20Lp/mm to 40Lp/mm. The lenses are also optomized for working at larger aperatures (almost wide opne), like f/ 8.0

The Schneider XL and Rodenstock APO are the standards. There are, of course, quite a few considerations in the selection of a supporting camera system.

I have the Cambo Wide, but am still only using it with film. I would be interested in your test results if you start evaluating the newer lenses against your older versions.

Good luck!

Best,
Michael