Just in case, for any possible reader... The front standard swing is 360 deg, so you can turn it 180 degrees and mount the lens the other way around (to gain focusing reach for macro work or longer focal length lenses...)
I realise now that I put a #1 at the end of the title. I need to follow up, perhaps with a comparo. I no longer have the Linhof M679CS, and the only other 'technical' camera I have is the simple Novoflex BALPRO T/S.
Thanks for the encouragement. I missed a lot, did a poor editing job and cut my words off at the end. It's a process. Like as not, the GFX will work with Canon TS-E lenses for architecture. Currently, I'm still happy with a MF pancake setup and a Leica SL and Canon TS-E lenses. I will follow up with comparo articles with the granddaddy Linhof M679cs, which I still consider to be the best studio MF camera ever designed.
This is the best video I've seen on the Actus! Thanks a lot for posting it. Do you happen to know if they've fixed the manufacturing misalignments (hopefully not design misalignments) you show on the video? I contacted a Cambo distributor, but they weren't clear on their answer (at all), so it makes me think they haven't.
I've not heard of improvements to that area, but Cambo did contact me about it suggesting that it was part of some spec or another. I will have to look at the email again. It isn't a big bother, just annoying that it seems to be part of spec.
@@FauxtakuLounge That's true... it isn't a deal breaker at all, and I imagine one could paint in black the white mark, and mark a new line to have it corrected.
@@MrUpsidown hard to say if more or less than without the actus. for sure the mirrorless Nikon Z7 gets dusty a lot quicker than then D850 I had before. Shooting white walls at f8-f11, I'd say i get it cleaned every month or two. But it would get just as dusty with the Z7 and native lenses. Swapping lenses and an exposed sensor just gets dirty.
I just got the GFX50r and I am really intrigued by this system coming from using a Toyo VX125 4x5 camera from the old days. What lenses are you limited to if you want to use the movements? I shoot architecture and some landscapes so mostly using rise/fall and lateral shift.
What a house, mate. I assume you use tilt-shift lenses for most of your work. The Cambo is great, but is of course much larger. There exist some Cambo-branded lenses that cover good movement for the system. Otherwise, I just use enlarging lenses in M39 format. They work great for macro, but because of flange distance, I can't get the GFX to work with them for infinity. You may be best served by the system that is obviously working for you today.
Hello there! and thanks for the wonderful video. As a product photographer, I'm evaluating all the options to get into the Actus G world, which I want to pair with a Fuji GFX100s. What lenses do you think I should look into, in order to cover all sorts of movements with the fuji sensor? The Mamiya you show in the video looks like a viable option for my needs I guess?
The best single-purpose macro lens I've ever used is the Schneider 120/5,6 Apo Digitar M, which is not only sharper than any other macro lens, it covers 4x5, meaning more than plenty of movement for the GFX100s. Other duplication lenses that are excellent are the Componon 50/2,8, the Sinaron Digital 100 and 80.
@@FauxtakuLounge thanks a lot for the quick and useful reply. I'm super excited to get my hands on the actus and at least one of those lenses you have recommended. Will surely let you know about my experience. thanks again!
Yessir, I used a Rollei electronic shutter remote control, which was important when I used digital backs and technical cameras. Now that I no longer use them, I use simple barrel lenses or copal-shutter lenses and don't worry about batteries, expensive remotes, and the like. @@SD_Alias
Thanks for creating this video. I've always been interested in purchasing a Cambo Actus Mini View camera but it has been difficult finding videos and reviews online since it is not a very common camera system. I really wish this system had rear tilt and swing. I know Cambo sells systems with more rear movement but those look too clunky. Have you been happy with with your Actus?
Thanks for the comment, MattCoPhoto. Generally I am happy with it. I have used technical cameras expressly for several years and found that my most used non-focus movements are all on the front standard. Interesting that the Cambo doesn't do front rise, which is my most used movement. That aside, the Cambo is good. I also have the Novoflex BALPRO T/S. The Cambo has more useful movements, but is neither as stable for focusing, nor as accurate. It jumps a bit here and there when focusing. Not bad like the Rollie X-ACT 2. Smoothness: Novoflex. Utility: Cambo. Stability: there is nothing like the Novoflex.
Yes, it can be used for architectural photography, but with rear rise and fall. The problem is that the Actus lenses for it aren't the equivalent in terms of quality as any of the true medium format lenses from Rodenstock or Schneider or even Canon. For that I use Canon T/S lenses. Wide angle flangeless lenses can't be used with the ACTUS GFX in other than macro.
I was contacted by Cambodia’s USA soon after this video about a different thing (gear smoothness) but I’m not interested in sending away my only swing/tilt focus unit.
Thank you for your effort in this video. I am considering the ACTUS GFX as I'm unable to set up a tech camera (CAMBO WRS 1600) with an older digital back with compatible, wide angle lenses. What other wide angle medium format lenses or 35mm ones (with adapters) can be paired with it please!
I didn't stay long with the Mamiya lenses. They just weren't sharp enough. A lot of people say they are and I can't imagine in what world they live. I just use the same M39 enlarging lenses I've always used (Sinaron and Schneider) as well as a dedicated macro 120/5,6 Schneider that covers 4x5 and is the sharpest lens I've ever used. AF adapters for Canon lenses work well with the GFX but most of the lenses don't perfectly cover the sensor and Canon EF adapters for the cambo are $$$.
@@FauxtakuLounge Thanks for your prompt reply, very much appreciated. Have you paired the GFX 50s (on the CAMBO ACTUS GFX set up) with the Schneider 38mm f5.6 Super Angulon XL lens before, and was it tack sharp even at the corners? Any recommendations for the widest possible lens too? Thank you.
The new Cambo Actus-MV has been introduced 22-04-2022. by a short tiny Email. Shops in The Netherlands not knowing of the arrival of this new Cambo Actus-MV. "In stock ? ..... "No way". What about closing down the studio? No way ! Back to analogue 5 x 7 inch, Swiss Made and Made in Germany SINAR and Linhof. 100% After Sale Service. Jaco van Lith, Rotterdam The Netherlands
Just in case, for any possible reader... The front standard swing is 360 deg, so you can turn it 180 degrees and mount the lens the other way around (to gain focusing reach for macro work or longer focal length lenses...)
Thank you, wonderful video! By far the best I've seen on the Cambo and what every manufacturer should strive for on their own videos.
I realise now that I put a #1 at the end of the title. I need to follow up, perhaps with a comparo. I no longer have the Linhof M679CS, and the only other 'technical' camera I have is the simple Novoflex BALPRO T/S.
Thanks, great job. You've done Cambo's work, ... but like a pro. Would be glad to see a follow-up with architectural & interior wide angle examples.
Thanks for the encouragement. I missed a lot, did a poor editing job and cut my words off at the end. It's a process.
Like as not, the GFX will work with Canon TS-E lenses for architecture. Currently, I'm still happy with a MF pancake setup and a Leica SL and Canon TS-E lenses. I will follow up with comparo articles with the granddaddy Linhof M679cs, which I still consider to be the best studio MF camera ever designed.
Thank you for putting this extremely useful video together. Can I ask what tripod and head you use please?
Amazing
This is the best video I've seen on the Actus! Thanks a lot for posting it.
Do you happen to know if they've fixed the manufacturing misalignments (hopefully not design misalignments) you show on the video? I contacted a Cambo distributor, but they weren't clear on their answer (at all), so it makes me think they haven't.
I've not heard of improvements to that area, but Cambo did contact me about it suggesting that it was part of some spec or another. I will have to look at the email again. It isn't a big bother, just annoying that it seems to be part of spec.
@@FauxtakuLounge That's true... it isn't a deal breaker at all, and I imagine one could paint in black the white mark, and mark a new line to have it corrected.
What an incredible system, turning the GFX into a view camera. Need to rob a bank..
How much dust gets into the system? When focussing back and forth, I see the bellows breathe quite a lot, possibly sucking in a lot of air and dust?
Hey, I believe, as I follow you on IG that you own the Actus. Would you be able to answer that question now? I'd be interested to know...
@@MrUpsidown hard to say if more or less than without the actus. for sure the mirrorless Nikon Z7 gets dusty a lot quicker than then D850 I had before. Shooting white walls at f8-f11, I'd say i get it cleaned every month or two.
But it would get just as dusty with the Z7 and native lenses. Swapping lenses and an exposed sensor just gets dirty.
@@telepoiss Ok thanks for the info. I suppose it's also a good idea to keep the bellows in a dust-free place when not using it.
I just got the GFX50r and I am really intrigued by this system coming from using a Toyo VX125 4x5 camera from the old days. What lenses are you limited to if you want to use the movements? I shoot architecture and some landscapes so mostly using rise/fall and lateral shift.
What a house, mate. I assume you use tilt-shift lenses for most of your work. The Cambo is great, but is of course much larger. There exist some Cambo-branded lenses that cover good movement for the system. Otherwise, I just use enlarging lenses in M39 format. They work great for macro, but because of flange distance, I can't get the GFX to work with them for infinity. You may be best served by the system that is obviously working for you today.
Hello there! and thanks for the wonderful video. As a product photographer, I'm evaluating all the options to get into the Actus G world, which I want to pair with a Fuji GFX100s. What lenses do you think I should look into, in order to cover all sorts of movements with the fuji sensor? The Mamiya you show in the video looks like a viable option for my needs I guess?
The best single-purpose macro lens I've ever used is the Schneider 120/5,6 Apo Digitar M, which is not only sharper than any other macro lens, it covers 4x5, meaning more than plenty of movement for the GFX100s. Other duplication lenses that are excellent are the Componon 50/2,8, the Sinaron Digital 100 and 80.
@@FauxtakuLounge thanks a lot for the quick and useful reply. I'm super excited to get my hands on the actus and at least one of those lenses you have recommended. Will surely let you know about my experience. thanks again!
Phantastic setup!
But my English is not so good. What wa lens are you using at about 7:00?
Thanks in advance....
I think that must be the 60mm F/4 Schenider APO Digitar. I will be doing a video about it soon.
@@FauxtakuLounge Thank you! will be nice to see how you handle the aperture. It is electronic shutter and aperture handling, isn´t it?
Yessir, I used a Rollei electronic shutter remote control, which was important when I used digital backs and technical cameras. Now that I no longer use them, I use simple barrel lenses or copal-shutter lenses and don't worry about batteries, expensive remotes, and the like. @@SD_Alias
How does it compare to the Sinar p2 with the gfx?
Thanks for creating this video. I've always been interested in purchasing a Cambo Actus Mini View camera but it has been difficult finding videos and reviews online since it is not a very common camera system. I really wish this system had rear tilt and swing. I know Cambo sells systems with more rear movement but those look too clunky.
Have you been happy with with your Actus?
Thanks for the comment, MattCoPhoto. Generally I am happy with it. I have used technical cameras expressly for several years and found that my most used non-focus movements are all on the front standard. Interesting that the Cambo doesn't do front rise, which is my most used movement.
That aside, the Cambo is good.
I also have the Novoflex BALPRO T/S. The Cambo has more useful movements, but is neither as stable for focusing, nor as accurate. It jumps a bit here and there when focusing. Not bad like the Rollie X-ACT 2. Smoothness: Novoflex. Utility: Cambo. Stability: there is nothing like the Novoflex.
Thank you for letting me know what you think. Yea, missing front rise is interesting.
Excellent demo of the product. Can we use this for architecture photography ? since I find there is no rise and fall in the front.
Yes, it can be used for architectural photography, but with rear rise and fall. The problem is that the Actus lenses for it aren't the equivalent in terms of quality as any of the true medium format lenses from Rodenstock or Schneider or even Canon. For that I use Canon T/S lenses. Wide angle flangeless lenses can't be used with the ACTUS GFX in other than macro.
@@FauxtakuLounge so you can use Canon TS-E lenses with the Actus and GFX?
@@FauxtakuLounge Thanks very much
Has Cambo addressed the alignment flaws you mentioned on the rear and front standards? Did Cambo explain why these flaws made it into production?
I was contacted by Cambodia’s USA soon after this video about a different thing (gear smoothness) but I’m not interested in sending away my only swing/tilt focus unit.
Thank you for your effort in this video. I am considering the ACTUS GFX as I'm unable to set up a tech camera (CAMBO WRS 1600) with an older digital back with compatible, wide angle lenses.
What other wide angle medium format lenses or 35mm ones (with adapters) can be paired with it please!
I didn't stay long with the Mamiya lenses. They just weren't sharp enough. A lot of people say they are and I can't imagine in what world they live.
I just use the same M39 enlarging lenses I've always used (Sinaron and Schneider) as well as a dedicated macro 120/5,6 Schneider that covers 4x5 and is the sharpest lens I've ever used. AF adapters for Canon lenses work well with the GFX but most of the lenses don't perfectly cover the sensor and Canon EF adapters for the cambo are $$$.
@@FauxtakuLounge
Thanks for your prompt reply, very much appreciated.
Have you paired the GFX 50s (on the CAMBO ACTUS GFX set up) with the Schneider 38mm f5.6 Super Angulon XL lens before, and was it tack sharp even at the corners?
Any recommendations for the widest possible lens too?
Thank you.
Cambo sent me a Mamiya 120 macro and lens board, they do not fit together.
Obviously a mismatch. Reach out to them ASAP.
I did, but they refused to admit it. @@guyprolly
Have you done p2?
SINAR?
Lol. Part 2.
The new Cambo Actus-MV
has been introduced 22-04-2022.
by a short tiny Email.
Shops in The Netherlands not knowing of
the arrival of this new Cambo Actus-MV.
"In stock ? ..... "No way".
What about closing down the studio?
No way ! Back to analogue 5 x 7 inch,
Swiss Made and Made in Germany
SINAR and Linhof.
100% After Sale Service.
Jaco van Lith, Rotterdam The Netherlands