Tag: horseman

New Horseman SLR conversion lenses

Nicolai Grossman Leave a comment

Horseman press release:

Direct Source Marketing (DSM), the sole U.S. distributor of Horseman photo products for professionals and high-end consumers, today announced unique multi-coated conversion lenses for DSLR cameras. [Of course they should work on any film body, too. — ed]

"What makes the Horseman lenses unique is that they provide wide-angle and macro photography easily and comfortably, without changing lenses," said Richard Dischler, DSM President. "They are easily and quickly attached in front of the taking lens, much like attaching a filter. The lenses are also very portable and offer an affordable solution for the end user who is looking to extend the use-function of their DSLR."

Street pricing is expected to range from $60-$120, depending on the model, of which there are seven.

Among the numerous models is the Horseman 0.7 Wide, which is designed exclusively for 18-55mm zoom lenses. The 0.7x wide conversion lens is thin, lightweight and can be attached in front of the taking lens of your camera, quickly and easily.

Another is the Horseman 0.6 Wide/Macro, a 0.6x wide conversion lens that also serves as a macro lens. The lens delivers crisp images without chromatic aberration in the periphery of images, enabling you to enjoy wide-angle photography over the entire focal length range of your DSLR zoom lens.

The Wide Macro lens is particularly effective in shooting wide angles from confined spaces or when you’re in a tight spot and can’t step back. Other examples would be shooting scenic vistas or towering buildings. The lens gives you perspective and allows you to capture near-by objects larger and distant subjects smaller.

The Horseman 0.25x Superwide/Macro is a 0.25x super-wide conversion lens that enables you to enjoy super-wide-angle photography just like a fish-eye lens. In addition, the lens incorporates a macro lens so you can get real close to your subjects for frame-filling impressive macro shots.

Both the Horseman 0.6x Wide and the 0.25x Superwide conversion lens turn into a macro lens when its front part is removed. Macro photography lets you take close-up shots and bring out the minutest details of the smallest subjects.

The Horseman 0.45x WIDE conversion lens serves as a wide lens when it’s used as is, but it turns into a macro lens when you remove the front portion. It’s a uniquely versatile conversion lens that enables you to enjoy wide-angle and macro photography with just one lens.

Other models include the Horseman 08x SUPERWIDE conversion lens, which lets you make the most of a fish-eye lens’ barrel distortion; the Horseman 4.0x Macro, which is designed primarily for medical applications, and the MiniDigi AF5.0, which allows you to have super-wide and macro photography on the Rollei MiniDigi AF5.0.

Horseman products are manufactured in Japan by Komamura Corporation.

The Horseman conversion lenses will be available at professional photo dealers. MSRP is expected to be in the [USD] $60-$120 range.

For more information visit http://www.komamura.co.jp/e/CVL/index.html

Via ArtBistro

Horseman 3D stereo camera

Nicolai Grossman 2 Comments

Direct Source Marketing (DSM) Press Release:

Horseman/Rollei Partnership Unveils First 3D Camera Built From the Ground Up

CONCORD, CA (August 9, 2006) – One of the most advanced 3D stereo cameras ever developed was announced today by Horseman, which is in a joint venture with Rolleiflex to develop professional level cameras and accessories. Called the Horseman 3D, the new camera features the ability to make stereo pictures of high-speed moving objects, such as flying birds, jumping animals, a spray of water, and indoor or night scenes. These kinds of shots were difficult with conventional stereo cameras, but are routine with the Horseman 3D because of a unique 24x65mm size electronically controlled focal plane shutter that allows perfect synchronization of right and left images up to 1/1000sec. shutter speed. This synchronization is possible thanks to a 24 x 65mm long blade, one piece metal focal plane shutter.

Besides high-speed stereo shots, the camera is ideal for studio photography, weddings, pets, recording academic research, and criminal investigation.

Features of the 35mm split-image Rangefinder focal plane camera include aperture priority AE system, automatic film winding and precise rangefinder focusing that allows quick stereo snapshots. A pair of sharp 38mm F2.8 lenses give crisp and vivid stereo pictures. The camera only weighs 900 grams.

"What makes the Horseman 3D truly unique is its high level of precision, which comes from its integrated metering and advanced shutter system," said Richard Dischler, head of US sales for Direct Source Marketing. "In addition, this is the first 3D camera that has been built from scratch and not had 3D added on to an existing system."

Direct Source Marketing was created as a result of the joint venture between Komamura Corporation, a long time distributor of Rollei and Horseman products in Japan, and Franke & Heidecke, the Germany-based manufacturer of Rollei products. DSM is the U.S. distributor of the partnership’s medium and large format Horseman and Rollei professional cameras.

The Horseman 3D will be available at retail outlets later this month. For more information, go to www.dsmww.com.

(Announcement blogged previously)

Via PhotographyBLOG

Horseman SW-D Pro super wide angle camera

Nicolai Grossman 4 Comments

Direct Source Marketing (DSM) Press Release:

CONCORD, CA, June 22, 2006 – A joint venture between Rolleiflex and Horseman today announced one of the widest angle cameras on the market, Horseman SW-D Pro, which accepts digital camera backs to give professional and high-end consumer photographers wide angle opportunities that weren’t available in the past for medium format digital photography. Some of the possibilities not generally accessible for medium format digital photography in the past include super wide angle lenses and bellows-like movements.

Super Wide Angle Lens

Super wide angle lenses were not commonly usable with digital camera backs in the past, because of physical limitations of the camera body. But now, with the Horseman’s new design, you can use a 24mm lens unit with any digital back equipped with a Hasselblad V® mount.

The 24mm lens unit in combination with a 38 x 48mm image sensor provides the same angle of view as a 17mm lens with the 35mm format. This super wide angle is especially useful in interior architecture and landscape photography, but there are many other applications.

The Horseman SW-D Pro lens units come quipped with German Schneider and Rodenstock digital lenses. The shortest focal length, the Schneider Apo-Digitar XL24, is one of four available lens units that include Rodenstock Apo-Sironar digital lenses of 35, 45 and 55mm focal lengths. Horseman SW series (originally for film cameras) lenses can also be used.

All of the available lenses are optimized for digital demands, which mean a smaller image circle with high optical resolution and contrast. This is important because for digital photography, lenses are designed to provide optimum MTF at relatively wide apertures since resolution of the digital image drops visibly at stopped-down apertures (f-stops).

Control of Movement

The Horseman SW-D Pro gives you the freedom of bellows-like movements and adjustments for work that benefits from rise, fall or image plane shift… Maximum rise and fall are 17mm in either direction or (with a 24mm lens unit), 10mm. Sideward shift of the image plane is possible by 15mm in either left or right direction. By combining shift with several exposures, images can be "stitched", resulting in maximum image sizes of up to 48 x 66mm or 36 x 78mm (depending on image sensor orientation). For professionals, being able to manipulate camera movement can make all the difference in sharpness and photo quality.

Franke & Heidecke, manufacturer of the Rollei medium format camera in Germany, and Komamura (Horseman), a leading manufacturer of medium and large format cameras in Japan, announced in February their joint venture to distribute their medium and large format professional cameras in the U.S. through Komamura and doing business as Direct Source Marketing. DSM was created as a result of the joint venture between Komamura Corporation, a long time distributor of Rollei and Horseman products in Japan, and Franke & Heidecke, the Germany-based manufacturer of Rollei products.

The Horseman SW-D Pro is currently available from leading high-end retailers. For more information, go to www.dsmww.com

Suggested retail for the camera is $2,799. Lens pricing is $3,899 for the 24mm lens with APO-DIGITAR 24/5.6; $2,499 for the 35mm lens with the APO-SIRONAR-DIGITAL 35/4.5; $2,599.for the 45mm lens with the APO-SIRONAR-DIGITAL 45/4.5; and $2,599 for the 55MM lens with the APO-SIRONAR-DIGITAL 55/4.5.

Via PhotographyBLOG

Horseman LD bellows/movement system for DSLRs

Nicolai Grossman Leave a comment

Horseman have just introduced their LD bellows system for Canon and Nikon digital SLRs.

"Whether you are using a Canon® or Nikon® digital single lens reflex, Horseman now gives you an opportunity to add full bellows functions—like in a medium or large format view camera. The Horseman LD comes in two models that accept Nikon or Canon DSLR bodies, maintaining all their normal functions. Up front, you can attach any standard medium or large format camera lens…"

This isn’t my ultimate fantasy ideal, which is movements controlled by a thumb pad on the back of the camera with one-touch zeroing of any plane, but still: HELL YEAH!

Coming soon are a conversion kit that will allow you to shoot 4×5 film and a slide adapter for pro digital backs.

It’s available now for about US $2,500.

Check it out at the Horseman product page or read the press release.

Via PhotographyBLOG