[Leica] Was 6x17 lust, now Noblex Oblige

[editor at frontenachouse.com (editor@frontenachouse.com)]

Many thanks.  I've been on the tipping point of getting one; your 
information will probably tip me over to the Gotta-get-one side.  Thanks 
also to Slobodan for your advice. D/
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Henning Wulff" <henningw@archiphoto.com>
To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2008 11:19 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] Was 6x17 lust, now Noblex Oblige


> >Does anyone in the group have experience with the Noblex cameras, in 
> >particularly the model 150? While the 6 x 12 format yields a less extreme 
> >aspect ratio (1:2 instead of 1:3) the curved platen and revolving lens 
> >seem to make a wider angle of  acceptance than the 617 cameras.  I'm 
> >wondering about reliability, and about distortion. Anyone have any 
> >thoughts on the subject?  /David
>>
>
> I've had Noblex 150 cameras since they came out (my first one was ser. no. 
> 6). I currently have a 150 with the slow speeds etc.
>
> I've had Widelux cameras since the 60's and have also had/used Horizon 
> (Horizont) cameras, as well as many wide aspect 6x12 and 6x17 cameras and 
> holders. I also use a Roundshot 28-220 which does rotational panos in 45 
> degree increments up to multiple rotations.
>
> The Noblex cameras have given me consistently excellent results; never any 
> banding (as opposed to the Widelux), are easy to load and have truly 
> outstanding lenses, although slow. There are a couple of operational 
> quirks, but no serious ones. When you start a shot, the barrel holding the 
> lens makes 1/2 a revolution before the exposure starts. This is great at 
> 1/125 sec, as the camera is properly up to speed by the time the exposure 
> starts, but not so good at 1 sec, as it takes the better part of a minute 
> before the exposure starts. Fortunately, you can set it to 1/15 sec for 
> the first part, and when the barrel gets close to starting the exposure, 
> set it back to 1 sec.
>
> With the cameras that have no slow speeds, long exposures are still quite 
> possible; just set it on multiple exposure and keep the shutter release 
> cable pressed for additive exposure. If you need 1 sec, and all you have 
> is 1/30, just let it rotate about 35 times (to compensate for latency 
> effects and you're there.
>
> The cameras are very reliable. I've not had any problems, and haven't 
> heard of any real problem from others. They use double A batteries, and 
> the switch has to  be turned off. Some early ones don't have a switch; you 
> have to take the batteries out after you finish shooting as they drain 
> within a couple of days.
>
> Distortion in rotating lens cameras is a bit of a strange concept as one 
> type of distortion is built in but other types are intrinsically 
> impossible.
>
> When you want very wide pictures, you get distortion. Which kind you want 
> is up to you. A single shot instant camera can be made with a lens with 
> essentially no linear distortion, such as the 35 Apo-Grandagon I use on my 
> Cambo Wide with a 6x12 back, but since the angle of view is so huge, the 
> corners will show the typical distortion of three-dimensional objects.
>
> Here, another lens with no so good correction might produce some barrel 
> distortion, pincushion distoriton (unlikely) or complex distoriton if it's 
> a retrofocus lens.
>
> If you want a very wide shot, you could use a fisheye lens, which has 
> infinite barrel distortion. This gives you an extreme angle of view, but 
> bowed lines away from the axis in any direction. The three-dimensional 
> distortion from rectilinear lenses is gone, but all sorts of other 
> distortions show up at the edges of the image.
>
> The rotating lens cameras will give you bowed lines off the horizon, can 
> give you 360 degree views, but due to their basic concept cannot give you 
> any linear distortion in the other dimension.
>
> So in answer to your question, the Noblex of course has zero distortion 
> other than the one it's designed to produce.
>
> I've used the Noblex extensively in architectural/development work and 
> also travelled with it; it's seen the high ridges of Annapurna.
>
> -- 
>
>    *            Henning J. Wulff
>   /|\      Wulff Photography & Design
>  /###\   mailto:henningw@archiphoto.com
>  |[ ]|     http://www.archiphoto.com
>
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