Cambo Actus DB2 User guide

Actus DB2

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Please read

this manual

carefully before

using the Cambo

Actus

DB2!

Compact View Camera

EN

Version 5.0

Index:

1. Key Features Actus .................................................................................. 3

2. Warnings ................................................................................................. 4

3. Installation Cambo SLW interface plate ................................................... 7

4. Mounting the lens-panel ......................................................................... 8

5. Mounting the bellows ............................................................................. 9

6. Using the Actus ....................................................................................... 9

7. Setting the infinity hard-stop................................................................... 9

8. Collision safety stop/ infinity setting ..................................................... 10

9. Conversion Actus DB2 ........................................................................... 13

10. Actus accessories ................................................................................... 15

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Thank you for purchasing a Cambo product

The Actus DB2 (Digital Back) is a compact view camera system featuring lateral
and vertical shift of the rear standard as well as a swing and tilt movement of
the front standard. The Cambo SLW adapter plate is used as an interface
between the Actus and the digital back. These interface plates are the same as
used in the Cambo WRS and Ultima 23 series.

The precision gearing enables a fine rear shift/rise and fall control which is
ideal for perspective control, image displacement and high quality panoramic
stitching. The precision gearing tilt and swing movement of the lens enables
the photographer to optimize spatial sharpness.

For the conversion of a standard Actus to an Actus DB2 please refer to page 12.

1. Key Features Actus

• Small size

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153 x 114 x 203mm (L x W x H)

• Lightweight, only 1.2 kg (excl. lens and digital back)

• High grade CNC milled aluminum camera body

• Horizontal shift 40mm (20mm left/20mm right)

• Vertical shift 27mm (15mm / 12mm)

• Stitching possibilities (2-way / 4-way)

• Tilt 19 degrees (9°/10°)

• Swing 30 degrees (15°/15°)

• Compatible with the Cambo SLW interface plates

• Interchangeable interface plate, lenspanel, rails and bellows

• Millimetre/degree movement indicator

• Precision geared movements (tilt, swing, shift and rise/fall)

• Zero position click indication

• Wide fine focus range (0-60mm)

• Telescopic rail system, standard extension 115mm

• Ability to set the infinity position stop

• Adjustable safety stop to prevent collision of the rear lens element

• Durable genuine leather bellows

• 3/8” and 1/4” tripod mounting option

• Integrated Arca® dovetail

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With the bellows detached

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2. Warnings

Due to the modularity of the Actus camera system, many camera-lens
combinations are possible. Please beware of the collision of the rear
lens element and the rear standard and/or the sensor. Always use the
end stop block to prevent any possible collision (instructions on page

10). Please note that Cambo is not responsible for any damage done
to the Actus, lens or camera, due to improper or careless use.

(Over)exposure to direct sunlight or heat sources will damage the
leather bellows. Keep/store the leather bellows in a cool, dry, dust­free and ventilated place.

The Actus uses disc magnets to mount the bellows. These permanent
magnets (magnetism N45) could cause temporary or permanent
damage to equipment
(credit card, ATM card).

Beware that the some combinations of swing, tilt, shift and focus
adjustments can dismount the bellows.

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sensitive to magnetism like magnetic cards

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Please note that memory cards are not magnetic data carriers and will

therefore not be damaged by static magnetic fields.

4

Figure 1: Cambo Actus front view

A Frame Cambo SLW interface plate
B Lock rise and fall movement
C Lock shift movement
D Shift adjustment knob
E Spirit level
F Focus unit
G Focus adjustment knob
H Lock telescopic rail

I Rise and fall adjustment knob

J Lock safety stop unit

K Tilt adjustment knob

L Swing adjustment knob

M Lenspanel slot

N Slide lock Cambo SLW adapter

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Figure 2: Cambo Actus rear view

O Lock handle lenspanel
P Actus DB spacer (16,5mm)
Q Safety stop
R Telescopic rail

S Location end stop telescopic rail
T Lock focus movement
U Main Actus rail (153mm)

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3. Installation Cambo SLW interface plate

The Actus uses the standard Cambo SLW interface plate for mounting the
digital back. These interface plates are the same as used in the Cambo WRS
and Ultima 23 series. To mount the interface plate please fully open the two
slide locks (N). Align the SLW interface plate (V) with the frame (A) and place it
in the frame at an angle of +/-15 degrees. When the plate is fully inserted close
both slide locks (N).

Figure 3: Mounting the Cambo SWL interface plate

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Interface DB mount type

SLW-80 Hasselblad-V interface plate
SLW-81 AFi or HY6 interface plate
SLW-87 Contax 645 interface plate
SLW-88 Mamiya 645 AFd interface plate
SLW-89 Hasselblad H interface plate
WRS-1068 Mamiya RB film
WDS-619 Groundglass/Fresnel unit

4. Mounting the lens-panel

To mount the lens-panel please;

1. Unlock the lever

2. Return the locking pin, if necessary

3. Position and slide the lens-panel in the slot

4. Lock the lever to fixate the lens-panel

Figure 4: Mounting the lenspanel

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5. Mounting the bellows

The front of bellows (the side with the largest ring) features an indication
point, this point corresponds to a hole at the top of the lens-panel. When the
indication point is aligned correctly the front ring will snap into place. After this
please attach the rear-end of the bellows by aligning it with the rear standard
until it snaps into place.

Please note
and movement the leather bellows will behave smoother. If the leather
becomes dry over time, it is important to maintain the leather by keeping it
moisturised to retain the smooth behaviour.

; with first use the bellows could behave stiff, over time with use

6. Using the Actus

The Cambo Actus view camera features a swing and tilt of the lenspanel, and a
horizontal and vertical shift of the rear standard (camera). With the DB2
version the focus, swing, tilt, shift and rise/fall is driven by precision geared
knobs. The fast focus positioning is manually.

For still images, it is recommended to temporarily fix the shift, tilt, swing
and/or focus adjustments using the associated locking knops.

7. Setting the infinity hard-stop

To set the infinity position of the lens please perform the following steps;

• Mount the desired lenspanel and lens

• Set the fine focus to the infinity mark at the focus scale

• Unlock the fast focus slider (knob H, figure 1)

• Frame a (horizon) view point that is clearly at infinity

• Slide the fast focus slider until the infinity point is in focus

• Lock the fast focus slider

• Now the fine focus slider for this particular lens is set to infinity, the hard-

stop aligned with the infinity mark

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Figure 5: Safety stop to prevent collision

8. Collision safety stop/ infinity setting

To prevent a collision between the rear lens element, interface plate and/or
sensor, please use the safety stop (Q, figure 5). Please note that when you
swing or tilt the lens in combination with shift or rise/fall the rear element will
be closer to the interface plate. Please set the focus unit (F) to the end stop of
the telescopic rail (R) as indicated in figure 5, now lock the focus unit. Please
slide the telescopic rail (R) towards the rear element (W) until there is still
some clearance between the interface frame (V) and the rear element. Lock

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the telescopic rail at this setting. The last step is to slide the safety stop against
the locked telescopic rail and lock the safety stop.

With the safety stop correctly in place an adjustment of the telescopic rail or
the focus unit will not result in a collision of the rear lens element and the
interface plate or sensor. Please note that the position of the safety stop is
different for each lens, so when you change lenses keep in mind to change the
position of safety stop accordingly.

Figure 6: Safety stop to prevent collision, top view

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The Actus DB2 features an infinity scale for Schneider (S) and

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Rodenstock (R) lenses

. For example when you use a Schneider Digitar

5.6/47XL, align the safety stop (Q) with the indicator line S 47XL (the
stop is positioned above the line) and lock knob (J). Now you can slide
the quick focus adjustment rail (R) against stop (Q) and lock knob (T).
The end stop is now aligned with the indicated

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infinity setting of the

Schnieder 47XL.

Figure 7: Infinity scale, top view

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The infinity scale can only be used in combination with a digital back, it

doesn’t apply to DSLR or mirrorless system camera’s.

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Please note: The infinity setting is an indication of the actual infinity setting of

the lens, due to lens focal length variation it may not be the exact the infinity
point for each lens.

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Figure 8: Rail stop

The Actus DB2 version features a slide-off protection at the backside of the rail.
This bolt prevents the rail from accidently sliding off a compatible clamp.
Please note that this only protects the rail from sliding off when the Actus is
facing downwards (for example when using it for reproduction purposes).
Please use a Allen (Hex) key 2,5mm to position the bolt as an end-stop or
stored-away position.

9. Conversion Actus DB2

It is possible to change the standard Actus5 (for DSLR and mirrorless system
cameras) to a Actus DB2 version. Screw S (M2x4 DIN 912, figure 7) prevents the
telescopic rail (R) from sliding of the main rail (U). This screw can be removed
when it is aligned correctly with the hole in the telescopic rail. Please use an
Allen key 1,5mm to remove the screw. With the screw removed the rear
standard of the Actus can slide of the main rail. Place the new rear standard,
align the hole and screw hole of R and U, and screw in the screw S.

5

The rear element conversion is possible for the Actus models with the serial number C69050

(DEC-2015) and higher.

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Please note that the DB2 version of the Actus uses spacer block (P) to align the
optical axis with the centre of the sensor of the digital back. The assembly of
this spacer block uses the supplied screws Y (M3x30 ISO 14581).

Figure 9: Conversion Actus DB2

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10. Actus accessories

AC = Actus (Mirror-less, (D)SLR camera's)
DB = Actus DB (digital back)
FB = Actus fixed mount Sony E

Actus lenspanels

Code: Name: Description Compatible
Black finish 

99070710 ACB-0 Lensplate #0 hole (black finish) ● ● ●
99070711 ACB-1 Lensplate #1 hole (black finish) ● ● ●
99070713 ACB-39 Lensplate M39 threading (black finish) ● ●
99070714 ACB-LR Lensplate Leica-R bayonet (black finish) ● ●
99070715 ACB-HA Lensplate Hasselblad bayonet (black finish) ● ●
99070716 ACB-RZ Lensplate Mamiya RB-RZ bayonet (black ● ●
99070717 ACB-NF Lensplate Nikon F-lens bayonet (black finish) ● ●
99070720 ACB-CA Lensplate Canon EF(s) bayonet (black finish) ● ●
99070719 ACB-P645 Lensplate Pentax 645 bayonet (titanium finish) ● ●
Titanium finish 
99070730 ACT-0 Lensplate #0 hole (titanium finish) ● ● ●
99070731 ACT-1 Lensplate #1 hole (titanium finish) ● ● ●
99070733 ACT-39 Lensplate M39 threading (titanium finish) ● ●
99070734 ACT-LR Lensplate Leica-R bayonet (titanium finish) ● ●
99070735 ACT-HA Lensplate Hasselblad bayonet (titanium finish) ● ●
99070736 ACT-RZ Lensplate Mamiya RB-RZ bayonet (titanium finish) ● ●
99070737 ACT-NF Lensplate Nikon F-lens bayonet (titanium finish) ● ●
99070740 ACT-CA Lensplate Canon Ef(s) bayonet (titanium finish) ● ●
99070739 ACT-P645 Lensplate Pentax 645 bayonet (titanium finish) ● ●

AC DB FB

Actus camera mounts

Code: Name: Description Compatible

99100780 AC-780 Bayonet Kit for Canon Eos body ●
99100783 AC-783 Bayonet Kit for Nikon F-mount body ●
99100786 AC-786 Bayonet Kit for Sony E-mount body ● ●
99100785 AC-785 Bayonet Kit for Leica-M mount body ●
99100788 AC-788 Bayonet Kit for Micro Four-Third body ●
99100789 AC-7896 Bayonet Kit for Micro Four-Third body (high flange) ●
99100790 AC-790 Bayonet Kit for Fujifilm X-mount body ●

AC DB FB

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For MFT camera bodies that need more clearance, like the Olympus OM-D E1, 5 and 10.

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99012111 SLW-80 Hasselblad-V interface plate ●
99012115 SLW-81 AFi or HY6 interface plate ●
99012113 SLW-87 Contax 645 interface plate ●
99012114 SLW-88 Mamiya 645 AFd interface plate ●
99012112 SLW-89 Hasselblad H interface plate ●
99161598 WRS-1068 Mamiya RB film ●
99161609 WDS-619 Groundglass/Fresnel unit ●

Actus bellows

Code: Name: Description Compatible

99030210 AC-210 Standard bellows (150mm extension) ●
99030212 AC-212 Wide angle bellows (40mm extension) ●
99030214 AC-214 Extended bellows (250mm extension) ●
99030250 ACDB-250 Standard DB bellows (150mm extension) ●
99030252 ACDB-252 Wide angle DB bellows (50mm extension) ●
99030252 ACDB-254 Extended DB bellows (250mm extension) ●

AC DB FB

Actus rails

Code: Name: Description Compatible

99080330 AC-330 Actus rail 300mm (black finish) ● ●
99080345 AC-345 Actus rail 450mm (black finish) ● ●

AC DB FB

Actus rear standards

Code: Name: Description Compatible

99100310 ACB-310 Rear Standard, 32HR/35HR/40HR/35XL/43XL ● ● ●
(non-rotating bayonet mount) / (black finish)
99100950 ACB-950 Conversion Kit Rear Standard Actus DB ● ● ●

AC DB FB

Actus accessories

Code: Name: Description Compatible

99100356 AC-356 Actus level unit ● ● ●
99080389 AC-389 Actus infinity lock protector ● ● ●

AC DB FB

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Actus complete camera body

Code: Name: Description Colour

99100700 ACTUS-B Actus Camera Body Black ●
99100702 ACTUS-B2 Actus Camera Body with Canon EF Mount ●
99100704 ACTUS-B4 Actus Camera Body with Nikon F Mount ●
99100706 ACTUS-B6 Actus Camera Body with Sony E Mount ●
99100708 ACTUS-B8 Actus Camera Body with Fujifilm X Mount ●

99100700 ACTUS-T Actus Camera Body Titanium ●
99100702 ACTUS-T3 Actus Camera Body with Canon EF Mount ●
99100704 ACTUS-T5 Actus Camera Body with Nikon F Mount ●
99100706 ACTUS-T7 Actus Camera Body with Sony E Mount ●
99100708 ACTUS-T9 Actus Camera Body with Fujifilm X Mount ●

99080389 ACTUS-DB Actus “Digital Back” Camera Body Black ●

Cambo Fotografische Industrie B.V. Cambo R&D April 2016

This instruction manual is prepared with care, although no responsibility, financial or otherwise, is accepte d for
any consequences related the information stated in this instruction manual. All specifications in this instruction
manual are subject to change without notice.

For more information please visit the Cambo web site: www.cambo.com

Black Titanium

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