Horseman SW612D is a super-wide camera developed for use with digital camera backs and roll film holders. The camera becomes compatible with camera backs offered by various makers by simply interchanging adapter plates or with the Horseman Roll Film Holders from 6x7 to 6x12cm formats.
Designed to capture images using both digital and conventional film backs, the Horseman SW612D offers photographers a hybrid performance especially in wide-angle photography. The unique modular design of this camera system allows users to choose either digital or film photography to meet their each requirement. It features very lightweight and compact design yet rugged CNC machined precision mechanism to help handheld shooting effortlessly.
For Digital photography: Place the Adapter Plate in place to accept Digital Backs.
For Film photography: Detach the Adapter Plate and place the Spacer to compensate the difference of flange focal distance.
For Film photography: Detach the Adapter Plate and place the Spacer to compensate the difference of flange focal distance.
Designed to be very slim to make extreme wide angle shooting possible with handheld convenience.
The 23mm lens unit in combination with a 40 x 54mm image sensor gives you the same wide angle as a 15mm lens with the 35mm format. You will find this super wide angle especially useful in interior architecture and landscape photography.
Five Types of Lens Units
The Horseman SW-D lens units come quipped with German Schneider and Rodenstock digital lenses. The shortest focal length, the Rodenstock HR Digaron-S 23mm, is one of five available lens units that include Schneider Apo-Digitar 24mm, Rodenstock Apo-Sironar digital lenses of 35, 45 and 55mm focal lengths. What's more, Horseman SW series (originally for film cameras) lenses can also be used.
What Is A 'Digital Lens' ?
Digital photography -- as opposed to conventional film or "chemical' processes, makes its own demands on the camera lens. A lens optimized for digital should fulfill these conditions:
- The image circle can be smaller, but inside that circle optical resolution and contrast should be as high as possible.
- In conventional large format cameras, optical resolution was considered good if it resulted in about 20 lines per millimeter. In view of the high resolution of today's digital sensors, lens resolution should be several times higher, up to 100 lines per mm.
- Resolution of the digital image drops visibly at stopped-down apertures (f-stops). For digital photography, a lens should be designed to provide optimum MTF at relatively wide apertures.
Horseman SW612D accepts a bright viewfinder that allows easier framing. Also, it becomes compatible with all lenses by simply changing viewfinder masks. There is a circular "peephole" through which the distance scale on the lens barrel (except for the 35mm lens) and the horizontal spirit level are visible. This lets you keep your eye pressed to the viewfinder while maintaining proper level and distance setting.
The SW612D camera offers you a choice of 6x12cm and 6x7cm format film holders. By changing backs, it is possible to shoot the same subject with different tupe of films.
two renowned German brands, Schneider and Rodenstock, who pride themselves on their
state-of-the-art imaging capability.