Rollei X-Act2 Monorail Camera

Rollei X-Act2 Monorail Camera
The Rollei X-Act2 Monorail Camera is an innovative system camera for
both digital workflows and traditional medium-format roll-film photography.
This compact monorail camera is compatible with the accessories of the
Rolleiflex 6000 System and offers all the camera movements required for
correcting perspective, avoiding converging lines and
extending the depth of field – in fact,
everything you need for perfect creative photography.
14.173 in
Medium-format optical bench
with 80mm lens and electronic shutter
with 4.5x6cm Rollei type 4562 film magazine
(16 exposures, motorized film advance)
with focusing magnifier
without bench extension (not necessary)
17.717 in
4x5-inch optical bench
with 150mm lens
without sheet-film holder
without focusing magnifier
without bench extension
9 x 12
sheet film
Standard focal lengths (approximate frame diagonal) for
the most common exposure formats (rounded up/down):
9 x 12 cm = 150 mm
6 x 7 roll film
4.5 x 6 roll film
6-megapixel
chip
24 x 36 mm
6 x 7 cm = 190 mm
4.5 x 6 cm = 175 mm
24 x 36 mm = 150 mm
Back focal distance of
Rolleiflex 6000 lenses
Minimum required
distance when set to
infinity
Carl Zeiss Planar
80mm f/2.8
Carl Zeiss Distagon
40mm f/4
The back focal distance is the distance between the
rear element of the lens and the film plane when
the lens is set to infinity.
When designing wide-angle lenses for SLR cameras,
allowance must be made for the space taken up by
the mirror box.
The problem is solved optically with the aid of a
diverging front component and a converging rear
component. The resulting lens type is known as a
retrofocus lens whose back focal distance is often
greater than its focal length. The wide-angle lenses
of the Rolleiflex 6000 System are retrofocus lenses.
Back focal distance
Carl Zeiss Sonnar
150mm f/4
Technical camera with
special wide-angle
bellows inserted
(recessed integral lens
panel)
View-camera lens in
Rollei ElectronicShutter
The lenses have been specially computed for highresolution digital chips, and some of them have a
back focal distance of less than 60 mm. When used
on a conventional technical camera, the technical
limits usually become apparent pretty soon. Thus it
is often impossible to focus for infinity due to the
thickness of the standards.
This is where the well thought-out concept of the
Rollei X-Act2 Monorail comes into its own. Thin but
rugged standards and a special wide-angle
bellows with a recessed integral lens panel,
which is attached to the front standard
from the back, allow full professional
use to be made of these “digital” lenses.
Back focal distance of lenses
and camera movements
An eye for detail :
Reading accuracy and reproducibility
Rollei PanShot
The PanShot interchangeable system makes changing between finder unit
and image-taking system a cinch. As the change is made, the lens shutter
closes automatically (when using the Rollei LensControl S unit with Rolleiflex
6000 lenses, the Rollei Electronic Shutter and the Rollei behind-the-lens
shutter with type 36700 cable), thus preventing unintentional exposures.
The Rollei 4560 Magazine can be changed or switched from vertical to
horizontal format very easily. The built-in laminar drawslide obviates the
need for a conventional drawslide. Film advance is motorized for continuous
shooting or bracketing with the aid of the Rollei LensControl S unit.
Shutter connecting cable
Lens in
Rollei shutter
Magazine connecting cable
(36 700)
LensControl S unit
(64 872)
When using a digital back in conjunction with PanShot,
automatic closure of the shutter effectively prevents
black calibration with the shutter open.
PanShot
(32 493)
Rollei PanShot
for comfortable operation
Rollei Sliding Adapter
The Rollei Sliding Adapter allows the use of numerous independently made
accessories, integrating the X-Act System seamlessly into the systems of
other manufacturers.
The base plate of the adapter can take viewfinder systems on the left and
film magazines on the right.
The following can be attached:
Viewfinder systems
All Rollei focusing screens plus the collapsible finder hood, the magnifying
hood and the rotating 45° prism finder.
Hasselblad magazines
A12, A16, A24 and instant-film magazine as well as all digital backs
available for Hasselblad.
Mamiya RB magazines
All magazines and backs (analog and digital) suitable for use on Mamiya RB
cameras.
International 6x9cm back
All film magazines and digital backs suitable for the international 6x9cm
back.
Rollei Sliding Adapter:
The universal connection
50 mm
Film plane
Plane of rear lens,
50mm large-format lens
90 mm
Plane of rear lens,
90mm large-format lens
150 mm
Plane of rear lens,
150mm large-format lens
Bellows extension
with large-format lenses
Lateral view:
Forward or backward tilt of
front or rear standard.
Top view:
Left or right swing of front
or rear standard.
Lateral view:
Vertical up or down shift of
front or rear standard.
Top view:
Left or right parallel shift of
front or rear standard.
Monorail camera movements
Rollei LensControl S unit
The LensControl S provides full control of Rollei medium-format
lenses and view-camera lenses in Rollei Electronic Shutter.
The LensControl S powers the monorail camera from its built-in
rechargeable battery, and makes the system independent of the
mains in any configuration (except digital backs).
In standard mode, the aperture and shutter speed are set on two
handy dials and indicated synchronously in the display.
Various special functions can also be called up in “menu” mode:
• Self-timer/multiple exposures/time exposures/bracketing
• Deactivate ON-timer/set time
• Select leading or trailing sync
• Set aperture increments for independently made lenses
• Display illumination/language
• EV display
• ISO setting
• Exposure compensation
A Useful Accessory:
The Rollei LensControl S unit
Compatibility
The following digital backs can be attached to the Rollei X-Act2 Monorail:
LensControl S unit
(64 872)
PanShot
(22 493)
Automatic
closure of
lens
Adapter
Rollei interface,
supplied by maker
of digital back
Digital back
eyelike
Imacon 3020, 4040, ixpress
PhaseOne H20
Sinar
Cable
(36 705)
(36 705)
(64 878)
LensControl S unit
(64 872)
Sliding Adapter
(99 090)
Adapter
(98 959)
Hasselblad
Digital back
mit Hasselbladscnittstelle von
eyelike
Imacon 3020, 4040, ixpress
Leaf
Kodak ProBack
Megavision
PhaseOne H5, H10, H20, H25
Sinarback 23HR, 43, 44, 54
Cable
(36 705)
(36 705)
(64 878)
All items for which a Cat. No. is given are available from Rollei.
Status: II/03
Compatibility of
Digital Backs
Rollei Electronic Shutter
Size 0 and 1 Rollei Electronic Shutters integrate a number of
attractive view-camera lenses into the X-Act system.
The fastest shutter speed of size 0 shutters is 1/500 s, of size 1
shutters 1/300 s. The aperture can be adjusted easily with the
Rollei LensControl S unit in increments of 1/1, 1/2, 1/3 or 1/10.
The compact design of the camera leaves an adequate margin of
camera movements for view-camera lenses even at short focal
lengths and when focused for infinity.
Usefull Accessories:
Rollei Electronic Shutters
Rollei behind-the-lens shutter
Rollei’s electronic behind-the-lens shutter makes it possible to fit
special lenses (e.g. enlarging lenses or soft-focus lenses) with an
M39 or M40 thread to the Rollei X-Act2.
The aperture is set manually on the lens, and the shutter speed
with all its functions is controlled via the LensControl S unit.
With the long extension of the standard bellows, it is possible,
with a 50mm enlarging lens, to take high-magnification macro
shots with the same degree of comfort as in a medium-format
camera.
For copy work, too, a combination of the behind-the-lens shutter
and an APO enlarging lens is the ideal solution.
M39/M40
lenses
M 39 / M 40
Behind-the-lens shutter
(59 926)
Rollei
lens adapter
(12 782)
A Useful Accessory :
Rollei behind-the-lens shutter M39 and M40
Silver-halide photography has until now been regarded as indispensable for top-quality printing and
copy work
With the development of new high-resolution digital camera systems, the stage is now set for a complete
upheaval in the photographic and lithographic trade, because in many areas the quality emerging from digital
cameras has overtaken that of traditional film, for example as far as the contrast range is concerned.
Instead of chemically processed film, digital camera systems use a high-resolution electronic area array CCD to
capture and store the image data. These chips work on the one-shot or multi-shot principle (with up to 16
partial exposures) to create an optimum picture.
The one-shot mode produces a color picture from only one exposure by mosaic filtering, making it also suitable
for capturing moving objects. Together with the imaging software, color-space transformations are
automatically obtained – batch-controlled if needed – for professional workflow in the photo, litho or print
shop. The special color tables for normal photography or copy work generate optimum CMYK quality
according to standard settings, making full allowance for print enhancement or, if available, the color space of
a defined printing machine.
The workflow is optimized by retouching directly on the fine data of the image, which drastically reduces rejects
and the outlay for chemicals.
At the same time, there is no need for expensive scans, films or proofs.
This also is a positive contribution to environmental protection.
Benefits
of digital image capture
Digital workflow
Analog workflow
1.
Getting ready:
Composition, lighting, camera…
1.
Getting ready:
Composition, lighting, camera…
2.
Exposure
(e.g. with Rollei X-Act2 Monorail with digital back)
2.
First check of subject and lighting
by instant photography
3.
Assessment of result on a calibrated monitor
(if necessary, follow-up shot)
3.
Exposure of film
(e.g. with Rollei X-Act2 Monorail)
4.
Editing (inclusion of necessary profiles)
4.
Laboratory
5.
After approval by client, data sent to printers
5.
Checking of results (if necessary, follow-up shot)
6.
Proof (overall and color)
6.
Approval by client
7.
Good for printing
7.
Scanning of slide/negative
8.
Desired print run
8.
Editing (inclusion of necessary profiles)
9.
Data sent to printers
10. Proof (overall and color)
11. Good for printing
12. Desired print run
Benefits
of digital image capture
1. Small studio
The studio equipment can be dismantled or set up again for the next job immediately after the client
approves the pictures (e.g. via ISDN, Internet or i-mode mobile phone).
2. Digital processing of image data
The images go directly into the digital workflow, which means no scanning and no additional hardware
equipments are needed.
There is no need to remove slides from their mounts and clean them or oil them to prepare them for
scanning.
There is no dust problem so that 90% of all retouching work disappears.
3. Time saving
There is a major reduction in studio time from capture to approval.
Scanning becomes entirely superfluous and the complete processing operation, including color management
in pre-press, is simplified enormously.
4. Additional benefits
The four-color separation costs can be incorporated directly in the photographic work. This means additional
income for the studio and faster amortization of the hardware.
Benefits
of digital image capture
Analog
Instant
picture
E6
process
Control
Manual
presentation
Approval
image
capture
Digital
Presentation
ISDN
Monitor
Approval
Oiling
Scanning
Spot
removal
Color/
correction
Oil
removal
Print
films
Final
printing
Final
proof
Printingplate
production
Electr.
assembly
Proof
Final
proof
Printingplate
production
Manual/
electr.
assembly
Approval
Approval
Diagrammatic example of
analog vs. digital image capture
Advantages
With the sensor chips actually available, which combine up to 22 million pixels on a surface of 36 x
48 mm, prints up to DIN A0/33"x 46" size and larger are possible. 80% of the pictures are printed in
sizes up to DIN A4/8"x12", for which a 6-megapixel back is entirely sufficient.
Even if very large prints are possible with 22-megapixel backs, many studios having small digital
backs in their arsenal will often use film in parallel with the digital back whenever the final picture
size is unknown. For a catalog illustration, for example, size A5/6"x 8" may be quite sufficient.
However, all of a sudden the client may come up with the idea of displaying a large print of the
same picture in the company’s entrance hall. If the amount of data captured was insufficient,
subsequent extrapolation will not give a satisfactory result. However, if the picture is also available on
film, a high-resolution scan will give a clearly better print.
Together with the Rolleiflex 6000 System, the Rollei X-Act2 monorail camera offers a
comfortable solution for working both in the studio and out on location.
Consistent operating modes make it easy to feel at home with the system. Because there is only one
system, hardware costs are minimized and there is no wasted investment due to compatibility
problems.
In addition to the current Rollei medium-format lenses and suitable view-camera lenses, even
Rolleiflex SLX lenses from 1976 can be used. System compatibility is traditional Rollei policy –
hardware components should be as versatile as possible for maximum customer benefit.
Benefits of
digital vs. analog image capture
Practical example:
Architectural photography with the Type 4560 Roll-Film Magazine
Artist: H.-D. Reichert
Distemper and chalk on multiplex board
Format: 94.488 in x 72.047 in
Photograph:
Rollei X-Act2 monorail camera
Rollei Gamma C6 digital back
120mm Rollei S-Planar f/5.6 HFT (SLX)
2 x 250 Ws flash units with soft-light reflector
Product:
Art catalog, format 8 x 8 in
4-color, offset printing
Delivery:
Digital image data Fogra Euroscale 2
Printing plates directly exposed
No film, digital final proofs
Practical example :
Reproduction of large-format pictures
Camera tilted, no shift
Camera tilted plus indirect shift
Practical example:
Camera tilted with indirect shift
Camera untilted
Camera tilted to extend depth of field
by the Scheimpflug rule
Camera data:
X-Act2, standard bellows, Rollei Gamma C6 digital back and 150mm Carl Zeiss Sonnar f/4 HFT PQ
Aperture 8 2/3, speed 1/125 s, control via Rollei LensControl S unit
Light: 3 studio flash units, each 1,200 Ws
Practical example:
Camera tilted according to Scheimpflug
Scheimpflug rule:
If the imaginary extensions of the subject plane
intersect in a common straight line with the lens
and image planes, the subject plane will be
rendered in sharp focus even at maximum
aperture.
Lens stopped down
for greater depth of
field
For this photograph of a toy locomotive, the
focusing screen (image plane) remained in its
normal position in order to retain proper
perspective. Only the lens standard was tilted
according to the Scheimpflug rule. Stopping down
the lens made up for the lack in depth of field.
Common intersection
Practical example:
Camera tilted according to Scheimpflug
When the camera points upwards and the subject looks like this in the finder
(converging verticals) (the picture is always upside down in the finder)...
..the back of the camera should be tilted so that it is parallel
to the front of the subject,
the lens so that it is parallel to the back to correct sharpness.
Refocus, if necessary.
Practical example:
Vertical perspective correction (low camera angle)
If the camera points downward and the subject in the finder looks like this ...
...tilt the back of the camera until it is parallel to the front of
the subject to correct perspective, and the lens until it is
parallel to the back to correct sharpness.
Refocus, if necessary.
Practical example:
Vertical perspective correction (high camera angle)
(top view)
(top view)
If the camera is at a low angle and the subject in the finder looks like this
(converging horizontal lines) ...
...tilt the back of the camera until it is parallel to the front
of the subject to correct perspective, and
the lens until it is parallel to the back to correct sharpness.
Refocus, if necessary.
Practical example:
Vertical perspective correction (low camera angle)
A
If the subject looks like A or B in the viewfinder, shift the front or rear
standard vertically; the subject will then look like C.
For lateral shifting, proceed in a similar manner using the cross movements.
B
C
Shifting the rear standard either vertically or horizontally will not affect the
camera station in relation to the subject. When shooting a high
building, for example, the front rise, the rear fall or a
combination of the two can be used to include the top
of the building while retaining parallel verticals.
Practical example:
Parallel vertical shift
Back adapter for
special purposes
(98 924)
Matte box
(98 080)
Apo-Symmar 150mm f/5.6
(98 531)
Back adapter for Hasselblad magazines
(98 959)
Makro Planar 120mm f/4
(66 300)
All digital backs
for Hasselblad
Digital connecting cable
(36 705)
Focusing screens
Apo-Symmar 90mm f/4
(63 348)
Rollei
lens adapter
(12 782)
Wide-angle bellows
(98 965)
Sliding adapter
(99 090)
Rollei
viewfinder insert
(98 927)
(10 772)
(97 069)
M 39 / M 40
Behind-the-lens shutter
(59 926)
M39/M40
lenses
Size 1
lens panel
(98 988)
Electronic Shutter/ Electronic Shutter/
size 1
size 01
view-camera lens view-camera lens
(98 991)
(98 989)
T2 adapter for
SLR cameras
(99 100)
[wide-angle bellows
recommended]
Rollei X-Act2
Monorail camera
(10 742)
Recessed lens panel with
integral wide-angle bellows
(99 101)
Connecting cable
LensControl S/PanShot
(36 700)
NiCad battery
(39 715)
Battery box
(30 036)
Power interface
(30 017)
Car-battery charger cable (91 187)
Flexible arm with LensControl S
(64 872)
ball-and-socket head
(64 875)
Focusing screens
(10 772)
(97 069)
Viewfinders
180 Ah
Einhell Powerstation
With Rollei adapter, from
Eyelike, Imacon, Leaf, Phase One, Sinar
Digital back
PanShot
(22 493)
Power-supply plug
(30 019)
Magnifier and Collapsible
base frame
finder hood
(59 551)
(56 900)
(63 048)
Type N rapid charger
(64 899)
Magnifier and Collapsible
base frame finder hood
(59 551)
(56 900)
(63 048)
Rollei X-Act2 Monorail Camera:
Example of digital linkup
RB67 Magazine
All Magazines for
Hasselblad
Matte box
(98 080)
Apo-Symmar 150mm f/5.6
(98 531)
Back adapter for
special purposes
(98 924)
Makro Planar 120mm f/4
(66 300)
Back adapter for
Hasselblad magazines
(98 959)
Apo-Symmar 90mm f/4
(63 348)
Rollei
lens adapter
(12 782)
Back adapter forr
Mamiya RB 67
(98 957)
Focusing screens
Sliding adapter
(99 090)
Size 1
lens panel
(98 988)
Electronic Shutter/ Electronic Shutter/
size 1
size 01
view-camera lens view-camera lens
(98 991)
(98 989)
(10 742)
Connecting cable
LensControl S/PanShot
(36 700)
PanShot
(22 493)
Power-supply plug
(30 019)
Rollei
viewfinder insert
(98 927)
NiCad battery
(39 715)
(10 772)
(97 069)
Magnifier and Collapsible
base frame
finder hood
(59 551)
(56 900)
(63 048)
T2 adapter for
SLR cameras
(99 100)
[wide-angle bellows
recommended]
Rollei X-Act2
Monorail camera
Recessed lens panel with
integral wide-angle bellows
(99 101)
Back dapter
for Horseman 6x9
(98 958)
Wide-angle bellows
(98 965)
M 39 / M 40
Behind-the-lens shutter
(59 926)
M39/M40
lenses
Magazines
International 6x9cm back
Connecting cable
type 4560 magazine/
LensControl S
(36 700)
Instant-film magazine
Type 4560
(Fuji,Polaroid)
magazine
(97 979)
with adapter
(14 987 + 10 776)
Focusing screens
(10 772)
(97 069)
Viewfinders
180 Ah
Einhell Powerstation
Battery box
(30 036)
Power interface
(30 017)
Car-battery charger cable (91 187)
Flexible arm with LensControl S
(64 872)
ball-and-socket head
(64 875)
Type N rapid charger
(64 899)
Magnifier and Collapsible
base frame finder hood
(59 551)
(56 900)
(63 048)
Rollei X-Act2 Monorail Camera:
Example of analog linkup
Rollei X-Act2
Monorail camera with bellows, front and rear standards on
optical bench, base block and systainer.
Dimensions:
Length: 14.37 in
Width: 7.283 in
Height: 9.921 in
Summary of outstanding features:
Compact, portable monorail camera with optical bench for
medium-format photography
Unrestricted perspective and focus correction
Use of Rolleiflex 6000 system lenses
Weight:
9.48 lp plus lens and back
Use of a digital back or the type 4560 Magazine with
motorized film advance
Bellows extension:
2.323 – 7.638 in,
measured from lens flange to film plane
Use of large-format size 0 and 1 lenses in Rollei Electronic Shutter
Focusing:
With two self-locking fine controls,
each with 2.657-inch travel, vernier reading to 0.05 mm.
Aperture and shutter-speed setting via Rollei LensControl S
control unit
Shift movements:
Horizontal and vertical shift of lens and
rear standards –0.591 to +0.591 in, self-locking,
reading to 0.01 in, fine control, yaw-free.
Swing:
Both standards –15° to +15°, self-locking. reading to 0.25°,
fine control, yaw-free.
Tilt:
Both standards –15° to +15°, reading to 0.5°.
Subject to change without notice.
Rollei X-Act2 Monorail camera:
Specifications
A cost calculation
Material and film-processing costs for a 16-page DIN A4/8”x12”
brochure with 30 medium-sized pictures, some of them full-size.
After no more than about 10 orders involving 8”x10” sheet film
or 25 orders involving 4”x5” sheet film, the Rollei X-Act2 has
paid for itself exclusively through savings of consummables.
Add to this the scan costs for the transparencies used: Here, the
output size is usually the determining cost factor. Regardless of
picture format, the average asking price for a high-quality
300dpi scan for 13x18cm output format (including spotting) is
currently between 42.– and 46.
30 exposures on 8x10” sheet film
Material costs + processing
584,–
30 pictures on 4x5” sheet film
Materials costs + processing
235,–
30 pictures on 4.5x6cm roll film
Material costs + processing
21,–
If, on the other hand, a digital back is used on the Rollei Rollei XAct2, the costs will go down with each exposure. After the initial
investment in a digital back and computer, no further outlay is
required for instant film, normal film, processing or scanning. In
other words, each additional exposure will be more economical.
Moreover, there will be neither waiting periods nor messenger
costs or repetitions because there was some fluff in the magazine
or a flash didn’t fire.
Each and every one of the images captured with a Rollei X-Act2
fitted with a digital back can be directly used as a printing file.
Rollei X-Act2 Monorail camera:
A cost calculation