I wanted to bring the precision and perspective control of our large format photography to more people including new clients without the big budgets required for film and materials!

I recently decided last month to invest in this incredibly versatile and adaptable “view camera” from Cambo.

The modular design of this camera will allow Allinson’s Photography to deliver perspective control to more customers. Even those with ever decreasing budgets that won’t stretch to expensive film costs.

Let me tell you more about the latest investment I have made on behalf of our clients

When it comes to delivering precision and perfection as a product photographer, architectural photographer, or advertising photographer, like many leading professionals I have continue to use a large format view cameras, whenever I can. Only with a view camera we can deliver the full range movements required on both the lens and film/sensor planes, anything else being compromise of sorts.

As a professional photographer you always want the most precise focusing, perspective control you can put your hands to. Our investment in this camera system not only delivers all this as a 5×4 view camera but also adapts to give our small format Nikon DSLR’s the same full range of image and perspective control movements.

The many functions of a view camera offer a photographer Perspective Control and the widest range of creative possibilities

The view camera, or “old fashioned” camera has always been an essential part of our equipment. For over 30 years I have used Sinar cameras with a selection of quality Schneider or Rodenstock lenses. Advances in digital cameras together with the expense of film make it more and more difficult for many clients to justify the cost of this photographic process. However, the precision and control a view camera delivers remains very desirable and at the top of many Creative Directors lists.

With the View Camera, “Perspective and sharpness”, (two of our most important creative tools) are controlled and evaluated directly in the camera. Having the ultimate control at the very source of our photographs means subsequent computer manipulations together with the visible loss of quality they bring, are no longer required.

Clients who appreciate or need the best quality delivered by this type of camera continue to appreciate these high standard of images enough to budget for the ever increasing costs that come with large format film, a format that continues to outperforming digital sensors. However with the cost of large format film approaching £45 for each shot this level of quality and precision soon becomes un affordable when photographing any more than a handful of products or buildings etc.

The traditional view camera and the modern digital DSLR made by Cambo. The Ultima II 35D can deliver the precision and control of any view camera with the zero film costs. The modular system means that the same camera converted to the Large Format Ultima II 45D. Using 5×4 film for that one off special “Hero Shot” you want for the front cover, or billboard ad.

Studio Camera control with a Digital Camera budget

Always one to help our clients businesses with all things has lead me to our most recent investment at Allinson’s Photography. The Cambo Ultima II 45D, for continued work with 5×4 film and the additional Cambo Ultima II 35D conversion kit to deliver a more cost efficient alternative when used with our Nikon DSLR bodies.

This large format View Camera is incredible. Delivering all the features and quality of photography we have come to expect from any large format camera and more.

The “D” in the name stands for digital of course. However, what it refers to is not a sensor but the micrometer style precision built in to all its movements allowing this view camera, (Cambo Ultima II 35D) to work with smaller full frame sensors in our modern Nikon Cameras. The otherwise exaggerated movements can still be managed with all the precision and accuracy of any large format camera.

With this new investment we can continue to deliver the same precision photography we always have. While eliminating the expense of large format film. Instead using more economical solution of a making a Nikon digital camera an integral part of this versatile modular camera.

While the Ultima II will allow us to deliver a film solution for those who need it we will not compromise the quality of any of the digital images we deliver. With this new digital solution we will be using the same incredible Nikon D800E.

The D800E uses a Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor (35.9 x 24.0 mm) with 36.3 effective megapixels and It renders texture, nuances and details close to those a high-end medium format camera delivers.

If you are unsure of the advantages a view camera can deliver. Here is a short bulleted summery that might help.

The Advantages of Swings, Tilts and Shifts

• Manipulation, adjustment and correction of perspectives in camera
• Enhanced creativity by control of perspective in camera
• Correct proportions from every camera position
• Sharpness gradient and selective sharpness or unsharpness
• Selective definition of the depth of field and the area of sharpness
• Correct proportions and undistorted angles
• Subsequent software corrections of image distortions are eliminated