Cambo
Ultima, Sinar X , Sinar P, certain Toyo models, and the Arca-Swiss
are the best available.
|
|
|
Cambo
large format camera accessories
|
Some
other large format cameras (such as Linhof) have an L-shaped system
which sags when you insert the heavy scan back into it. Most other
4x5 cameras are also inappropriate because they lack geared movements.
Sliding
movements, movements in a groove especially, are the worst kind.
Movements which are "locked" with a loose knob are also
poor. Another problem are the many cameras where the lock on one
side of the camera is completely independent of the lock on the
other side (such as most field cameras based on the old-fashioned
4x5 brass construction). Trust us, we have used these cameras and
they were absolutely not what you want for any studio work.
Digital
scan backs require precise focusing, really precise. You have little
depth of field to fall back on with digital cameras (unless you
are in full sun outside or have a zillion watts of lighting inside).
If your camera sags your focus will be off.
I
am a snob when it comes to photography equipment. Thus the Sinar
naturally appealed to me (especially since I lived in Switzerland
for several years). When Calumet offered a Cambo for evaluation,
immediately after I had been using a Sinar
Bron for several months, I felt they must really trust their camera.
How can anyone possibly find another camera acceptable after being
spoiled by a Sinar?
 |
| Cambo
4x5 camera scan back |
Calumet
handled the evaluation quite intelligently. Instead of sending a
used demo model that had been dented and worn out from previous
trade shows Calumet sent a brand new unit. This camera had never
been removed from its original manufacturer's box.
Furthermore,
Calumet sent all the extras and accessories that a studio photographer
would possibly need.... an entire box full. After all, even reviewers
are only human, and there is nothing worse than receiving an evaluation
unit that is missing a key item such as for attaching a lens which
has a Linhof board.
Filters,
Lee
filter holder, Boss screen, an extra-long rail, everything your
heart could desire was included by Calumet for this evaluation.
|
|
The
fully-outfitted camera shown here is not my evaluation unit,
but a demo unit in the BetterLight
section of the Calumet Digital Solutions booth at PMA trade
show in Las Vegas
|
Since
this was a fresh new camera it came with each component carefully
wrapped in protective packaging. I was en route to Germany to attend
CeBIT trade show and then DRUPA trade show so it was not feasible
to put all the parts together, so I show the main portion here.
Now I can see why Calumet had no hesitation sending me the Cambo
Ultima even though I was obviously spoiled with the Sinar X. The
Ultima is built with solid metal, as though made in a steel foundry
by Krupp (in Germany I live in Essen, Ruhr Valley, former home of
Krupp steel factories, fortunately all gone with all their smog
gone too).
The
design of this Cambo Ultima reminds me of all the better 6x6, 6x8
cameras from Linhof and Rollei,
the new generation of cameras whose main job is to hold a digital
back (the Linhof and Rollei to hold a middle format back with their
tiny 35mm-sized chips). The advantage of the BetterLight,
PhaseOne,
Dicomed
and upcoming Jobo digital backs is that they scan 72x90 mm. If you
need to enlarge your image to fill a wide format print, rather hard
to do that from a minuscule original. Although the BetterLight can
be adapted on some smaller models, you lose a bit of the 72x90 image
area so I prefer a full-size (and full-featured) 4x5.
BetterLight
is available from Calumet Digital Solutions. Cambo is the 4x5 camera
featured by Calumet Photographic and Calumet Digital Solutions.
|
|
|
DVD-RAM
or DVD-ROM? Which is best?
CD-RW or CD-R, what are the differences?
RAID, what is a RAID and why is a RAID system an easy solution
for massive digital storage? Perhaps our experience with working
out which digital
storage devices are best for the Digital Imaging Technology
Center can help you too.
|
Gateway
to information about different
options in photo studio lighting
|
Arca Swiss
