Re: Roundshot 220VR

[Bill Glickman <bglick@xxxxxxxx>]

Peter

      Please keep in mind, I was only re writing what Mr. Seitz wrote me.
He said no lens on a rotational camera would be as sharp as the same lens on
a still camera.  This is what I noticed in the chromes.  And... it makes
sense.  But no camera can give you the same aspect ratio as the 220VR...
everything is trade offs, I have been shooting for 20 years, I am very
familiar with that fact.

        The 220VR chromes being a bit soft.... I was comparing them to my
Mamiya 7 rangefinder chromes.... and its clear they will never be that
sharp.  First off, the M7 lenses are sharper to begin with, and secondly
they are not moving when photographing.    However,  I still rate the 220VR
images as fair to good.  Everything is relative Peter.    We discussed this
in Vegas... enlargement factor is a function of "on film resolution".  (in
addition to other variables such as grain)  I wanted to maintain my LF
standards of no more than 5 lpmm in the final print.... anyone can enlarge a
chrome as large as they want, its all question of what standards you are
trying achieve and the viewing distances being considered.

       I also was told by other 220VR users before buying the camera that
the images will not be as sharp as flat film Pan cameras, such as Fuji 6x17
or LF Pan cameras.  After seeing images from both, I would agree with this
also.   Please don't mis interpret this as a knock to Seitz.  I am quite
impressed with what this camera can do, its truly an engineering miracle,
and probably only can be made by Swiss engineers and craftsman  :-)

         I have worked with the dealer and Seitz.  I am not stumped about
anything in particular, I just had a few issues, such as why doesn't the h
values exist for Mamiya lenses?   Why aren't the exact fl values provided?
It just seemed to make more sense to have the maker get this information
once, so we all don't buy the camera and try to re-invent the wheel.  The
values are posted in the manual for Hassy?  Minor refinement due to lens
variations can be done with field testing.   Since Seitz does sell a fair
amount of these cameras, this would be practical for all parties involved.
Do you have the "h" values for Mamiya lenses?

        As for nailing the fl's to +/- .05mm as per Mr. Seitz, after a
discussion with Gene, I am convinced this was a bit of overkill.  Also, I
have learned that shooting a building at infinity with a known aspect ratio,
is much easier to nail a fl to its exact value.  Shooting letters seems much
less exact.  I feel my fl's are all within, +/-  .1 mm, but not my original
goal of .05mm.

        Overall, I would say the camera is quite easy to operate, much
easier than I was informed by users.  If one has a good photographic
background it's not very difficult... I was shooting chromes within a few
hours out of the box with absolutely no goof ups on even my first few rolls.
This is after reading the manual and no supervision.   Like any new camera,
it always takes time to perfect it towards the application you are using it
for.

Regards
Bill G





----- Original Message -----
From: <CustomLab@xxxxxxx>
To: <panorama-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, June 09, 2000 4:12 PM
Subject: Roundshot 220VR


> The Roundshot 220VR is one of the sharpest rotational cameras on the
market.
> All of the Seitz Roundshot cameras produce first class images in the hands
of
> a skilled operator.  Anyone new to panoramic photography (rotational
cameras)
> as high tech as Roundshot Super Cameras should work closely with their
> dealers to get the required technical support.
>
> As for the Mamiya mounts, I use it myself as do many of my customers, and
we
> are using lenses from 35 to 300mm with superior results. Almost on a daily
> basis I am enlarging the images taken with the 220VR/Mamiya to sizes over
30"
> with a maximum being an 8' high mural.
>
> Peter Seitz is a designer/engineer of these cameras.  He does not use
every
> type of lense with different focal lengths. He relies on his authorized
> dealers to work with the clients to ensure the cameras are working to
their
> technical specifications.
>
> I have been working with Seitz Phototechnik for the last 7 years and I can
> assure every panoramic photographer that their product is superior
quality.
>
> Peter Lorber