off axis tilts

Hi, was just speaking to a friend who was talking about his new Lotus camera and

how the front is centered ' off axis ' and it enables him to focus, then do a

movement and then not have the original focus point go out. I know that the

Ebony range of ' U ' cameras has a similiar ability. Are there any other

cameras out there that have this? Preferably a metal camera? I have a Linhof

Tek 5 but I think that this doesnt have this function? Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks again to any one who can help me with my queries. Regards Matt

All Sinar C, P and X models. Maybe the Arca-Swiss Monolith too.

I think you are asking about what is usually called "asymmetric movements". A similar recent thread: http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00MPIS

Ok, thanks again, will check out the Ebony line of cameras..

Matt: I have written to Lotus about this. I am their US-Canadian importer and have never heard about asymmetrical tilts on a Lotus. It turns out your friend was mistaken. There never have been any asymmetrical tilts on a Lotus camera. Ebony and Sinar are the cameras with this feature, and it is only on certain models.--Bruce

The debate between axis tilts and base tilts is an old one. Using base tilts does require a little tweaking of the focus. It soon becomes just part of the setup routine. The choice might be more important for doing a lot of studio work. In the field, I would not be concerned about it. I started with base tilts 25 years ago, and have been quite happy using them.

 

Ken

Ken, asymmetric movements are different from both axis and base tilts. The axis is not far away from the optic center for simplifying the camera design, as with the usual base tilt, but shifted somewhat, so that it is still in the field of view. The idea is that when you are configuring a swing or tilt, you place one object that you want to be in focus on the off center axis, and then swing or tilt to place the other into focus. This is extensively described at Ebony's website.