ARCA-SWISS F-Metric 8X10 product review by Ben Horne

[@andyvan5692]

ben, would you more correctly call the lower rail, an optical bench?, like on the Linhof M679, as here this rail is acting in a simmilar manner, NOT supporting the standards directly, but supporting the rails, which DO hold the standards.

[@arca-swissusa1101]

Andy, Thank you for your inquiry. The base is called a connecting bracket. The upper portions are called monorails. The combination of a connecting bracket and the monorails, is called an Optical Bench. We have various Connecting brackets to 80cm, and Monorail II comes in lengths from 15cm(6") to 50cm(20"). Ben's camera is more than new enough to be mounted on monorail II. In the late 1980's we transitioned to Monorail II, which is slightly taller and more rigid, than the earlier original monorail. All Monorail II has a round hole visible from the end. The earlier original monorail had a rectangular hole or was plugged buy a small end-plate. The new rails can be used with the older camera if the rail system is replaced completely. But they do not work if you try to use one new and one old rail. The older rails will not ever work in a new connecting bracket as the locking mechanism is totally different on the new one. If you have more questions don't hesitate to contact me. Rod Klukas

[@kevin-parratt-artist]

Arcade Swiss have created their own nomenclature. But yes, throughout the industry, microscopy, all manner of optical testing rigs and certainly cameras, the term used and understood is "optical bench". The total unit is the optical bench, whether one piece as on most Linhofs but also including those made of more than one component that permit extension, for example the Kardan GT, Kardan Master and the collapsible Technikardan. 👌 Individual components that make up the complete optical bench assembly will need to have their own names.

[@andyvan5692]

@@arca-swissusa1101 thanks, one query, is the micrometric-orbix tilt just used for digital backs?, due to the limited movement (the sensor can't focus if the tilt is too extreme), and the "base tilt" used for film photography, or can each have multiple uses.

[@Rod7538]

@@andyvan5692 MicroOrbix tilt is for the front only. The back is not really capable of tilt, due to the fact that you cannot stop down far enough to increase the depth of focus, due to diffraction. Film photography is more forgiving of diffraction allowing one to use F-16 F-22, etc. The only place in digital use for rear tilt is to accommodate indirect displacement, where the camera is pointed up , or down, slightly and then both standards are brought perpendicular, and parallel, to allow for additional rise or fall.

[@andyvan5692]

@@Rod7538 thanks, but does this mean you can ONLY use "MicroOrbix tilt" in the front, for digital, ie: this base tilt is used, as you said for indirect movements, or can you use the base tilt in front for digital to.