brian_ellis3 Posted June 3, 2003 Share Posted June 3, 2003 I'm considering the purchase of either the Ebony SV45Ti or the SV45U. I'd buy the Ti as compared with the U (mainly for weight and cost considerations)except for the fact that owners of the 45U consistently rave about the "asymetrical back tilt and swing." Unfortunately I've never seen an explanation of exactly what "asymetrical back tilt and swing" is and under what circumstances, and why, it is so great compared with "normal" back tilt and swing. Could an owner of the 45U please explain or point me to a review or other place where this is explained? Second, I use the "focus on the near, focus on the far, set the front standard in the middle" system of focusing and use the distance between the two points to determine the optimum aperture. To use that method you need to be able to attach a mm ruler somewhere on the camera and attach a pointer somewhere on the front standard (or on something that moves in synch with the front standard) so that the pointer moves forward and backward along the ruler. Does anyone use this system with either of these two models of the Ebony camera or know whether it can or can't be used with these two models? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leighperry Posted June 3, 2003 Share Posted June 3, 2003 Ebony has an article entitled ASYMMETRICAL MOVEMENTS on their site: <p> <a href="http://www.ebonycamera.com/cam/assym.exp.html">http://www.ebonycamera.com/cam/assym.exp.html</a> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorge_gasteazoro4 Posted June 3, 2003 Share Posted June 3, 2003 It is simple but kind of hard to explain in words. If you look at the Sinar P cameras you will see that the tilt rides on a kind of arc. When you tilt the standard this has the effect of keeping the tilt around a central axis. On a non asymetrical tilt, you have the bottom of the standard held in position and the top part describes an arc when tilted, this makes it a little bit harder to focus since you have to focus, tilt, focus again etc, etc. IMO for the kinds of tilts and swings we use in landscape it does not make any difference if you use asymetrical tilts or not, since is usually a matter of a few degrees, but given the choice and if you have the money, asymetrical tilts do make your life easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_hamley Posted June 3, 2003 Share Posted June 3, 2003 Brian, I own the SV45U. The ebony wood adds a pound and about $300 in the 4x5 size, and the asymmetric back will add about $700. Ebony will make you a mahogany SV45U if you like, I asked Ian Wilson about this one time, as a potential weight savings for hiking, and he said no problem. The asymmetric back means that the back swings and tilts not in the center, but nearer one edge. For example, the SV45U back swings about 5/8 inch from the left side and 1 - 1/8 inch up from the bottom of the groundglass. You focus along the line on the groundglass indicating the tilt or swing point, then just push or pull the back until everything's in focus - a lot of the time there's no iteration of focus and movement. It's very easy to use and quick to set up - and it is worth it. And you do have the regular non-asymmetric base tilts if you want them (but not regular swings) as the camera uses these to fold up. I'll post jpegs tomorrow to show you the back. I don't see any reason why you couldn't use pointers and scales on it, although I've never tried on mine. The rails are rather conventionally constructed except that they can be tightened or loosened up depending on the temperature and humidity so that there is never much (or any) slop in the rails. E-mail me if you want a picture of the rails. Thanks! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_hamley Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 Brian, The attached gif shows the U back with the pivot points and the approximate location of the GG pivot point lines. Thanks! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug_dolde Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 I have an Arca Swiss F Metric with Micrometric Orbix (front center axis geared tilt). I'm wondering if the assymetric tilt on the Ebony is superior to what I have. Can anyone shed any light on this? I realize back tilts tend to emphasize the foreground over front tilts but don't always want that effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian_ellis3 Posted June 4, 2003 Author Share Posted June 4, 2003 Thanks very much to all who responded here and by e mail. I've pretty much decided to forget the U. While I'm sure it's a very nice feature, I seldom use back movements and I think the weight savings (one of the main reasons I'm doing this is to lighten the load of my 6.5 lb Technika) of the Ti is more important to me than the asymetrical back. But then I've been known to change my mind about camera equipment, as my wife can testify. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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