Massimo Squillace
26-May-2002, 07:37
I think the Shen-Hao HZX45 might represent a sensible upgrade option for 6x9 rol l film shooters like me, but would appreciate insight from actual users before m aking a decision.
Here are my goals for the upgrade:
a) I plan to continue shooting roll film, with the added capability of 6x12. In the future I could try my hands at 4x5, but for now my foremost interes t lies in keeping costs and weight down while changing as little as possible of my current outfit. This implies the 4x5 GG will be staying home most of the time .
b) I want to continue using my Horseman Angle Viewer for most of my shooting, including 6x12. To achieve this goal I could buy a Horseman 6x9 Reducing Revolving Back (RRB), which should fit all International Standard 4x5 cameras and would also accept my current 6x9 and 6x7 RFHs. When working on a 6x12 image I could focus the 6x9 middle section and inspect the extra 1.5cm right and left margins by shifting the back (in the Shen -Hao pictures I see a ruler along the back standard that would help greatly).
c) My shortest lens is a 55mm Apo Grandagon, and like my other lenses it is moun ted in a 8x8cm Horseman panel. The small panel size is helpful in keeping volume down in an already crowded backpack, so I'd like to leave a Horseman Linhof Tec hnica lens panel adapter permanently mounted on the Shen-Hao's front standard.
I have specific questions about this intended setup:
1) Is it possible to infinity focus the 55mm as described? Its flange focal distance is 67.6mm.
2) Using the wide-angle "bag" bellows what amount of movements can I expect with a 55mm lens?
3) I'm not sure the 6x12 RFHs (Shen-Hao's is relatively cheap but said to be good enough, my other option is the high-quality Horseman one) would place the film plane where the procedure explained in b) allows me to focu s. This is because, while the 6x9/6x7 RFhs will be mounted directly on the RRB, I will have to unmount it to use the 6x12 RFH. Anyone knows for sure? Are there other alternatives to achieve this goal ... e.g . does Shen-Hao provide a 6x9 reducing back where I could mount Horseman RFHs / Angle Viewer?
Questions about Shen-Hao cameras:
4) How do I contact an European distributor for the Shen-Hao?
5) What are the differences, if any, between a HZX45-IIA and a HZX45-II?
Thank you all in advance.
Here are my goals for the upgrade:
a) I plan to continue shooting roll film, with the added capability of 6x12. In the future I could try my hands at 4x5, but for now my foremost interes t lies in keeping costs and weight down while changing as little as possible of my current outfit. This implies the 4x5 GG will be staying home most of the time .
b) I want to continue using my Horseman Angle Viewer for most of my shooting, including 6x12. To achieve this goal I could buy a Horseman 6x9 Reducing Revolving Back (RRB), which should fit all International Standard 4x5 cameras and would also accept my current 6x9 and 6x7 RFHs. When working on a 6x12 image I could focus the 6x9 middle section and inspect the extra 1.5cm right and left margins by shifting the back (in the Shen -Hao pictures I see a ruler along the back standard that would help greatly).
c) My shortest lens is a 55mm Apo Grandagon, and like my other lenses it is moun ted in a 8x8cm Horseman panel. The small panel size is helpful in keeping volume down in an already crowded backpack, so I'd like to leave a Horseman Linhof Tec hnica lens panel adapter permanently mounted on the Shen-Hao's front standard.
I have specific questions about this intended setup:
1) Is it possible to infinity focus the 55mm as described? Its flange focal distance is 67.6mm.
2) Using the wide-angle "bag" bellows what amount of movements can I expect with a 55mm lens?
3) I'm not sure the 6x12 RFHs (Shen-Hao's is relatively cheap but said to be good enough, my other option is the high-quality Horseman one) would place the film plane where the procedure explained in b) allows me to focu s. This is because, while the 6x9/6x7 RFhs will be mounted directly on the RRB, I will have to unmount it to use the 6x12 RFH. Anyone knows for sure? Are there other alternatives to achieve this goal ... e.g . does Shen-Hao provide a 6x9 reducing back where I could mount Horseman RFHs / Angle Viewer?
Questions about Shen-Hao cameras:
4) How do I contact an European distributor for the Shen-Hao?
5) What are the differences, if any, between a HZX45-IIA and a HZX45-II?
Thank you all in advance.