Horseman L45 / L45PRO



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Perhaps the most unique Horseman feature in the L45/L45 PRO are found in the design of the "L" standards and their associated control mechanisms. They assure that even when tilt and swing operations are used, the tilt/swing axis always stays coincident with the film plane. When a swing or tilt movement needs to be applied, once the desired image plane is focused on the appropriate swing/tilt axis line, the inclination can be in one movement without trial and error adjustment between focus and inclination. Compared with conventional monorail cameras this Horseman feature greatly speeds the application of these important movements. The swing/tilt axes being on the actual film plane must be regarded as the camera's most significant technical feature for the user.

AfterTilting

One of the most highly appreciated feature of Horseman L45 PRO camera is the unique "film axis tilt" (F.A.T.) which positions the tilt axis at the exact center of the film plane. With this, tilt can be applied without the need for refocusing. F.A.T. works fine as long as the main axis to be focused upon is at the center of the object.

Now, Horseman goes a big step beyond this by providing "variable axis tilt." The tilt axis still remains in the film plane, eliminating the need for refocusing after tilt has been applied; but the axis can now be moved away from the film plane center, within a range of 40mm. This lets the photographer respond to situations where the object's main horizontal focus axis is not at the exact center.



	Due to upward and downward movements of the main frame, the tilt axis can be adjusted by as much as 40mm below the center.

In practice, he photographer first focuses upon the main point or area of a slanted object. The infocus area can then be expanded by moving the tilt axis to the desired position and applying the correct amount of tilt. The available range of V.A.T. (40mm) is clearly indicated on the ground glass. When using 6x7 or 6x9 film holders, the V.A.T. range covers the entire picture area.


Reframing after focusing was quite a chore in the past --- every readjustment of the frame area necessitated refocusing, which in turn required reframing, which in turn... But now, the Horseman "focus plane rise" feature permits reframing after focusing in one easy step. The camera back can be raised and lowered along the focal plane. By the same token, the front can be moved along the lens plane. Focusing is not disturbed by these operations, making last second frame adjustments a quick and painless process.

Tilt about the axis 30mm below the center of the film plane.

Others
Powerful Disc-brake Equipped L-standard Lock

The tilt-swing axis is locked in place by a powerful disc-brake equipped lock. The sturdy L-standard allows for one-sided support and a light lever movement is all that's needed to lock the tilt adjustment securely in place. Again, you'll find the ease and structural stability inherent in the L45/L45 PRO design a time-saver and a boon to your spontaneous creativity.



The monorail of this optical bench system is shaped like an H on its side, a shape known for its high rigidity and stability. Traveling on the upper and lower bars of this "H" are a total of three precision machined rack and pinion drivers for moving the two camera standards (top) and the entire monorail (bottom) back and forth. The photographer can thus move the entire camera forward and backward over a certain range without having to move the tripod .. a feature that will be especially welcome in close-up and macro work. Both movements can be performed at the same time (with the other hand), greatly facilitating rapid sharp focusing in extreme close-up situations.

By moving the front and rear L-standards together and setting each of the frames on the inside, it's possible to achieve a minimum flange distance of 60mm between lens panel and focusing screen. In 4x5" photography with a 65mm wide angle lens, a normal flat lens panel is all that is required (using wide-angle bellows).