Thank you for this video. When we talked about tilt shift when I comment about my Nikkor 50mm f/2 you talked about this system. Yo be sincere I never used a bellows system so it is interesting to see how it works and what it does. Also thumbs up for the Arca Swiss C1 gearhead (it looks like) , really a time saver in repeatable stacks. I had a chance to use it some years ago and it really outshines in that job. Although what I do is hard to justify the price of it (I'm a hobbyist, not a pro) I'm not lying that it is a wishlist item. Currently I'm satisfied with both my AcraTech GP and Ultimate Ballheads.
Good to see you here again. If I remember, I helped you toward the X-ACT2. (Fauxtaku here). It is a phenomenal camera, but not made with macro in mind.
one thing, if you want copious movements, AND simultaneous two axis, better, and cheaper options are out there, like a sinar F2 or P2, these have a rock solid monorail design, bellows which can be used as a lens shade\bellows\focus cover all with the help of adaptor brackets and a couple of rods; also twin rail clamps and rail extensions as well as a 'multi-purpose standard' allow mega macro shots, and for movements, there are angle and f-stop calculators on board the focussing rear standard, so makes critical focus a breeze. one tip the sinar does allow for Fujifilm GFX camera adaption, via a lens board style plate, in place of the ground glass frame, allowing digital macro shooting.
Thanks for the reply, Andy. I have used the Sinar P2 because I was fan of the arTec, but I found the Linhof the perfect middle ground, and about as acrobatic as its larger cousins for all but extreme movements. The thing is that in my studio, I use usually only two or two movements at a time, so the BALPRO T/S, as limited as it is, is perfect for my use case.
I am inclined to sell my cambo actus g and just get the balpro ts. I don't think there would be any functionality that can not be done with the balpro ts or can not be achieved with a workaround. Actually I see more freedom with the balpro. Thanks for the video
BTW :) about the subject of not having simultanious rise-fall or tilt n'swing - a diagonal shift/tilt is the same. Yes not as conveniently done as with a Cambo etc... but still can be done.
Indeed, I have used the BALPRO TS in that manner, with the rotatable ASTAT mount at the back, as well as re-mounted on the L-shaped arca footing. I bought the whole shebang when I picked it up in 2014.
Thanks a lot for the review! I’ve been really interested in getting into product/food photography and I just came across this product. The limitations seem a pain in the butt…. you do, however, make it sound managable. I’m worried mostly about flatlay photography. I’m still way too new in this realm of photography and I wouldn’t want to mess up in what I buy. I’ve been also having some trouble figuring out which would be the complete kit to get with this camera. Novoflex shop is a little bit confusing. I wish they had a “build your setup” guide or package.
Fauxtaku here. Maybe I could show a best-of or basic T/S necessary kit that represents what I've used and WANTED to use but not used with the BALPRO T/S. If that sounds helpful perhaps I can try to pull this together in the new year.
@@guyprolly that sounds really helpful. I would really appreciate it. Sorry for my delayed answer, RUclips doesn’t send me notifications when I get answers
Great video. Are most of the lenses shown from enlargers? Was the Sinaron 80mm taken out of a DB lens board and rehoused in some way to provide aperture control?
Very well spotted. Yes, the Sinaron was taken from a DB lens board and inserted into a Rodenstock 60/4 tube I think. I've used the lens for so long that I don't remember what was sacrificed to make it.
Great video. It helped me to decide much easier to purchase my system. I am really interested in a Sinaron lens. I understand that I have to take it out a DB board. Does Novoflex sell a board to attached it to? If so what would that be called? Once again thank you for the video and love to see you more. Cheers
Thank you for this video.
When we talked about tilt shift when I comment about my Nikkor 50mm f/2 you talked about this system.
Yo be sincere I never used a bellows system so it is interesting to see how it works and what it does.
Also thumbs up for the Arca Swiss C1 gearhead (it looks like) , really a time saver in repeatable stacks. I had a chance to use it some years ago and it really outshines in that job.
Although what I do is hard to justify the price of it (I'm a hobbyist, not a pro) I'm not lying that it is a wishlist item.
Currently I'm satisfied with both my AcraTech GP and Ultimate Ballheads.
I've never used AcraTech, but they sure seem solid and really agile.
Nice video my friend, I still use my X Act II, but to tell you the truth, I don’t use all the movements anymore.
Good to see you here again. If I remember, I helped you toward the X-ACT2. (Fauxtaku here). It is a phenomenal camera, but not made with macro in mind.
You were the one that convinced me to get the GX680, which worked great, except, as you know, its lenses aren't that good for close up.
one thing, if you want copious movements, AND simultaneous two axis, better, and cheaper options are out there, like a sinar F2 or P2, these have a rock solid monorail design, bellows which can be used as a lens shade\bellows\focus cover all with the help of adaptor brackets and a couple of rods; also twin rail clamps and rail extensions as well as a 'multi-purpose standard' allow mega macro shots, and for movements, there are angle and f-stop calculators on board the focussing rear standard, so makes critical focus a breeze.
one tip the sinar does allow for Fujifilm GFX camera adaption, via a lens board style plate, in place of the ground glass frame, allowing digital macro shooting.
Thanks for the reply, Andy. I have used the Sinar P2 because I was fan of the arTec, but I found the Linhof the perfect middle ground, and about as acrobatic as its larger cousins for all but extreme movements. The thing is that in my studio, I use usually only two or two movements at a time, so the BALPRO T/S, as limited as it is, is perfect for my use case.
I am inclined to sell my cambo actus g and just get the balpro ts. I don't think there would be any functionality that can not be done with the balpro ts or can not be achieved with a workaround. Actually I see more freedom with the balpro. Thanks for the video
You are most welcome.
BTW :) about the subject of not having simultanious rise-fall or tilt n'swing - a diagonal shift/tilt is the same. Yes not as conveniently done as with a Cambo etc... but still can be done.
Indeed, I have used the BALPRO TS in that manner, with the rotatable ASTAT mount at the back, as well as re-mounted on the L-shaped arca footing. I bought the whole shebang when I picked it up in 2014.
Thanks a lot for the review! I’ve been really interested in getting into product/food photography and I just came across this product. The limitations seem a pain in the butt…. you do, however, make it sound managable. I’m worried mostly about flatlay photography.
I’m still way too new in this realm of photography and I wouldn’t want to mess up in what I buy.
I’ve been also having some trouble figuring out which would be the complete kit to get with this camera. Novoflex shop is a little bit confusing. I wish they had a “build your setup” guide or package.
Fauxtaku here. Maybe I could show a best-of or basic T/S necessary kit that represents what I've used and WANTED to use but not used with the BALPRO T/S. If that sounds helpful perhaps I can try to pull this together in the new year.
@@guyprolly that sounds really helpful. I would really appreciate it.
Sorry for my delayed answer, RUclips doesn’t send me notifications when I get answers
@@AlreadyTiredOfYou I'll see what I can do.
Great video. Are most of the lenses shown from enlargers? Was the Sinaron 80mm taken out of a DB lens board and rehoused in some way to provide aperture control?
Very well spotted. Yes, the Sinaron was taken from a DB lens board and inserted into a Rodenstock 60/4 tube I think. I've used the lens for so long that I don't remember what was sacrificed to make it.
Great video. It helped me to decide much easier to purchase my system. I am really interested in a Sinaron lens. I understand that I have to take it out a DB board. Does Novoflex sell a board to attached it to? If so what would that be called? Once again thank you for the video and love to see you more. Cheers