will_legge Posted July 30, 2004 Share Posted July 30, 2004 This is a comment about the new Horseman SW 135mm Lens Unit using the Rodenstock Sironar-S that was introduced in the summer of 2004. If you are thinking of purchasing this lens, read this first. This lens is used with the Horseman SW612 and SW612 Pro 6x12 panoramic cameras. It is a replacement for the SW 135mm Lens Unit that uses the Rodenstock Sironar-N. This is a defective lens. The cone the lens is mounted in prevents the 6x12 image area from being fully illuminated. Vignetting is worst at the minimum focus distance but it is obvious at infinity as well. The rear of the lens unit is simply too small. Horseman is aware of this defect and told me it could not be fixed when I returned my lens to be fixed. Horseman told me they decided to used the cone designed for the old 135mm Sironar-N lens unit even though they knew it would vignette the image area. I certainly don't expect this in a professional product as expensive as the SW 135mm Lens Unit nor do I expect it from a manufacturer such as Horseman. If you shoot full frame, this lens is a complete disappointment. If you don't mind cropping the image area to eliminate the vignetting, the lens will produce sharp images. But why has Horseman decided which part of the image area I can use as well as limiting me from working with the full frame? (The vignetting is not even centered. One corner is vignetted more than the others!) This lens is not for professionals or those who demand complete control over their images. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frdchang Posted July 30, 2004 Share Posted July 30, 2004 LOL. thats an expensive nugget of knowledge that you gained there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will_legge Posted July 30, 2004 Author Share Posted July 30, 2004 Maybe I should charge for this!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joachim_hildebrand Posted July 30, 2004 Share Posted July 30, 2004 Return the lens and get Your cash back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_tescione Posted July 31, 2004 Share Posted July 31, 2004 I also noticed that the Horseman USA website no longer lists the 135mm lens as being available. Robert White in the UK doesnt either. Your above description would go a long way to explain the removal of the lens from their line up. Too bad, as a "normal" perspective would be useful with the SW 612 camera. Also too bad is that Horseman will not sell you (or me) a lens cone of any focal length without the lens. Bob Tescione Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will_legge Posted August 1, 2004 Author Share Posted August 1, 2004 The lens IS listed on the Robert White site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_tescione Posted August 1, 2004 Share Posted August 1, 2004 Sorry, Will. Last time I looked a few weeks back, it wasn't listed. Notice how much cheaper it is than the other lens units? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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