Horseman SWD II Pro
The use of the technical camera is growing in popularity. Images taken with a technical camera can have a different look and feel compared to DSLR or medium format capture. The look is achieved through unique focal lengths, use of rise/drop and shift movements available since photography began, and a different optical point of view.
For many photographers, quality cannot be compromised. A technical camera provides significantly more optical quality especially when combined with a Phase One back and Capture One. The optical path is straight and simple with no mirror systems to worry about. This removes the need of retro-focus design wide-angle lenses that compromise image quality with DSLRs and Medium format. Both Rodenstock and Schneider have produced technical camera lenses that are tuned to the capture area and quality requirements for digital. A technical camera solution offers the sharpest possible results.
Horseman SWD II Pro
Horseman SW-D II Pro is a super-wide camera developed for exclusive use with digital camera backs. The camera becomes compatible with camera backs offered by various makers for use with Hasselblad, Mamiya or Contax cameras by simply interchanging adapter plates.
The adapter plate attachment mechanism is designed accept a plate from four different directions. Lateral and vertical positions can be changed promptly while maintaining the same camera position, for speedy camera work.
A focusing glass frame offered by Hasselblad (for SW-C and Flex Body) can be used by attaching it on the Hasselblad V mount for precise focusing and framing.
- Focusing glass (Hasselblad V)
- Live focusing
The lock-knob for camera movements and the adapter plate knob are large enough to ensure accurate and prompt control work, and scales for reading camera movements are placed on both sides of the rear of the body for good visibility.
Horseman SW-D II Pro employs spirit levels for two directions independently to allow accurate confirmation of horizontal and vertical camera positions. When the viewfinder is in use, the horizontal position can be confirmed while watching the subject through the viewfinder.
Horseman SW-D II Pro accepts a bright viewfinder that allows easier framing. Also, it becomes compatible with all lenses by simply changing viewfinder masks.
Camera Movement
Horseman SW-D II Pro is equipped with camera movement mechanisms for rise, fall and lateral shift to the right or left. All camera movements are performed by changing positions of the camera back. Rise/fall movements can be made by shifting the position of the camera back vertically by 17mm upward or 17mm downward (maximum 34mm), or by shifting horizontally by 17mm to the right or left (maximum 34mm). Thanks to these ample shift amounts, perspective control is easier and effective in architectural and interior photography. In addition, stitching of digital images is made possible by utilizing the camera movement functions.
Stitching is a photographic technique that expands wide-angle capabilities of lenses or enhances the sensor resolution as if one built in the digital back is a larger sensor. Stitching is an important technique in digital photography. With Horseman SW-D II Pro, since the camera back is moved instead of the lens portion, precise stitching is easier. When the camera movement function that allows movements in four directions is used and multiple images are stitched, you can have an image plane that virtually measures maximum 70 x 82mm.
Lenses
The 24mm lens unit in combination with a 38 x 48mm image sensor gives you the same wide angle as a 17mm lens with the 35mm format. You will find this super wide angle especially useful in interior architecture and landscape photography, but other applications abound.
The Horseman SW-D II Pro lens units come equipped with Schneider or Rodenstock digital lenses. The shortest focal lengths are the Rodenstock HR 23mm and the Schneider Apo-Digitar XL24, is one of five available lens units that include 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 (but we suggest testing of film lenses).
Specifications
SW-D II Pro Camera Body
| Type | Interchangeable lens, interchangeable camera mount wide-angle camera with vertical and lateral shift movements |
| Focusing | By Focus ring (Visual focusing or Ground glass focusing) |
| Camera Movements | Vertical shift: 34mm (rise 17mm/fall 17mm) Lateral shift: 34mm (left 17mm/right 17mm) |
| Spirit Levels | 2 |
| Dimensions (Body) | 185mm (W) x 164mm (H) x 77mm (D) |
| Weight | 900g |
Lenses available
Rodenstock Diagron-S HR 23mm f5.6 (Image circle 90mm @ f11)
Schneider 24XL f5.6 APO-Digitar (Image circle 60mm @ f11)
Rodenstock Apo-Sironar digital 35mm f4.5 (Image circle 90mm @ f11)
Rodenstock Apo-Sironar digital 45mm f4.5 (Image circle 125mm @ f11)
Rodenstock Apo-Sironar digital 55mm f4.5 (Image circle 125mm @ f11)
