Turning Your Canon EOS Into A View Camera Using Adapters Like Cambo Ultima 35, Horseman VCC Pro, Horseman LD or TS-Pro, Just Together, Novoflex Bellows, Sinar p-slr or Studiotool STM - Canon EOS Technoclopedia (Mobile Version)

None of the available view camera conversions listed below requires an actual conversion of your Canon EOS in any way. They furthermore all share the central idea of using a DSLR as digital back of a view camera system. The camera is simply mounted in the back of the system without the need to perform physical changes to its mount or anything else. Still they convert your DSLR into a fully working view camera with all the advantages of such a system, especially in the field of tabletop (product, macro etc.) and studio photography.

"The Sinar p-slr was developed especially for photographers who wish to avail themselves of the unique advantages and quality characteristics of a Sinar view camera while using their digital single lens reflex cameras. Exact control of the perspective and selective sharpness – the most important creative tools in photography – can be set and evaluated precisely on a view camera." (Sinar Product Brochure)

However, all of those adapter solutions also share the same limitations when compared to an original view camera with middle or even large format digital back. For one, they are limited in their wide angle capability. Just Together for example points out, the shortest reliable focal length to use with their adapters is a 40mm lens (see descriptions below for other adapters' minimum focal lengths). The shortest compatible lens for the JTs would be 28mm, but by using such a lens you could not obtain more shift than by using a normal tilt-shift lens in a standard SLR configuration (shift of 12mm vs. 11mm), thus clearly loosing the advantages of such a bulky, heavy and expensive system. They therefore discourage to plan on using view camera SLR adapters for landscape or architecture photography. The other draw-back is resolution. Middle and large format lenses deliver an unbeatable resolution - if used with the proper digital backs. But they don't even with a 35mm full frame frame sensor, leave alone APS-C. While you only use the center portion of the lens, you can also only use a portion of that great resolution. For both landscape and resolution issues there'd still be a workaround by stitching though, like for example described by Jim Collum. Ellis Vener also recommends to set up the camera tether to a computer for proper frame composition and focusing, since the viewfinder and LCD images tended to become dark and blurry by tilt and swing operations in his tests.

If all that is too much and you were just looking to tilt or shift your lenses, refer to Adapting Lenses > Tilt/Shift Adapters

Arca-Swiss is a company originating from - the company name already suggests it - Switzerland, famous for their view camera systems and other high quality products including tripods and monoballs. Production grounds are located in Switzerland and France.

F-dslr for Canon (announced in 2014): The F-dslr is the DSLR dedicated view camera model of the F-universalis series. The units come complete with monorail, stands and bellows. Just mount your Canon to the rear and your Schneider-Kreuznach or Rodenstock etc. large format lens to its front plate. Applicable are focal lengths between 29 and 72mm. The camera mount is rotatable.

Front Standard Movements: 70° tilt (orbix^® metric*), 30° swing, rise and fall of 40mm
Rear Standard Movements: 50mm vertical shift, 50mm horizontal shift
Size/Weight of Body: ...mm, approx. 1200g

M-Line Two for Canon (2009): Applicable are focal lengths of 28mm and longer.

Optional Accessories:
V-Holder [#802306] (L-bracket) to mount the camera in a vertical position (130 x 100 x 13mm, 265g)
rail extensions
compendium

^®

*So what's that orbix^®? "The orbix's movements are perpendicular to the optical axis rather than the monorail. Focus adjustments therefore occur in the selected plane and are also easier to make. The orbix produces absolutely yaw-free movements - an indispensable feature when shooting with digital cameras because of their small sensors. Another benefit is a marked increase in movement with short focal length lenses. The orbix-dynamic model gives the user the ability to perform dynamic focus adjustments. Simply make manual adjustments in the optical axis until the desired focus is attained. Unlocking or locking of the mechanism is not required. The orbix-micrometric model offers geared control." (from The Arca-Swiss Camera System 1999)
Clear so far, if you understood, that they are talking about the tilting mechanism. The info is still valid, both types are still sold as system extensions for Arca large format cameras today. They are just not applicable to the F-dslr or M-Line Two dslr models, which come with the orbix by default.

Cambo is a company from the Netherlands specialized in view camera systems.

Cambo Actus (2014): The Actus basic system consists of the monorail unit, bellows (#AC-210) and rear plate with camera mount of your choice; the camera is mounted in horizontal position.

Optional Accessories:
front lens boards for Hasselblad C (#ACB-HA), Mamiya RB/RZ (#ACB-RZ), Copal #0 (#ACB-0: no mention of flat nor recessed or related limitations) and Copal #1 (#ACB-1) will work with both SLRs, i.e. EOS cameras, and mirrorless, i.e. EOS M cameras,
front lens mounts for Pentax 645 (#ACB-P645), Mamiya 645 Pro (ACB-M645), Leica M39 (#ACB-39) and Leica R (#ACB-LR), Nikon F (#ACB-NF) and Canon EF (#ACB-CM) only work with mirrorless, i.e. Canon EOS M cameras (infinity focus limitation for D-SLRs),
Cambo Canon EF Aperture Controller (#ACB-CA) is an active Canon EF/EF-S lens plate for the Actus with support for electronic iris control via thumb wheel on the board, which further provides a small LCD to show the selected value (172 x 97mm, 220g) - as the dumb mount only works with mirrorless cameras, i.e. Canon EOS M
camera sockets for Canon EOS (#AC-780) and EOS M (#AC-781) among others (Nikon F, Sony E, MFT, Fuji X)
special wide angle (#AC-212), long (25cm, #AC-214), longer (30cm, #AC-215) and macro (45cm, #216) bellows and the corresponding monorail extensions
a special non-rotating rear stand (#ACB-310) for use with selected, short focal length Copal mount lenses
Cambo Actar 24mm F3.5 (optimized for full-frame T/S operation providing an image circle of 60mm to fully support the tilt capabilities of the body, min. aperture is F22, filter thread of 82mm, size of 130 x 98 x 95mm, weight of 660g, comes attached to an Actus lens board)
Cambo Actar 60mm F4.0 (optimized for full-frame T/S operation providing an image circle of 75mm, min. aperture is F22, front filter thread is 40.5mm, size of 41 x 98 x 130mm (incl. mounting plate), weight of 300g, comes attached to an Actus lens board)

Cambo Actus G (2017):

Optional Accessories:
same as Cambo Actus, excluding the ACB-310 rear stand

Cambo Actus XL (2016): The Actus XL basic system for SLRs consists of the monorail unit, bellows (#AC-210) and rear plate (#ACXL-965); the camera is mounted in horizontal position.

Optional Accessories:
front lens boards - the same as Cambo Actus, with the same limitations applying,
camera mounts - the same as Cambo Actus, plus mounting plates for digital backs (requires #ACXL-970 conversion frame),
special bellows - the same as Cambo Actus
Cambo Actar lenses - the same as Cambo Actus

Cambo Ultima 35 (2003): The system mainly consists of the base unit and a kit including the right bellows and camera socket; the camera is mounted in horizontal position;
recommended lenses especially include the Schneider APO-Digitar 72mm F5.6 (Cpl0), 80mm F4.0, 90mm F4.5, 100mm F5.6, 120mm F5.6 and 150mm F5.6 as well as Macro-Digitar 80mm F5.6, 120mm F5.6 and 180mm (all with NK-0) - in an Ultima 35 Canon setup these will offer an identical FOV to 35mm lenses;
incompatible are Schneider APO-Digitar 35mm, 47mm and 60mm (can't be focused properly due to the recessed sensor position);
Schneider WA-Digitar 28mm F2.8 is compatible, but will only allow a shift of up to ± 12mm (NK-0 mount, use recessed lens board #0);
can be used untethered.

Optional Accessories:
L-brackets for vertical positioning of the camera
lens boards for Hasselblad V and Mamiya 645 Pro, Mamiya RB/RZ (FOV will equal standard 35mm lenses in all cases), flat Copal #0 (for Schneider Digitars ≤90mm), recessed Copal #0 (for Digitars ≥90mm and for the 28mm) and flat Copal #1
camera sockets for Canon EOS 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 7D and 5D I/II (ULC-20, must all be used with battery grip), for EOS 1Ds I/II (ULC-35) and EOS 1Ds III (ULC-MK3)
and a universal, in high and depth freely adjustable socket (UL-599) to mount any camera without dedicated socket (including EOS 40D etc. when used without battery pack) ... using this version looks little adventurously, since you need to manually adjust the setup exactly to fit in with the optical axis (there is no L-bracket for vertical positioning available and choice of bellows is limited to C/EF and Nikon mount)
further also sockets for Kodak DSC 14n (discontinued), Mamiya ZD, Nikon D2x or Nikon D3/x, Fuji S2 (discontinued) and S3
bellows for Canon EF and Nikon
conversion kits to mount 4x5 film (Graflock) or medium format digital backs (converts to Ultima 23)

Cambo Wide RS series: With the release of the Cambo WRE-CA Adapter the WRS camera family came into reach of Canon EF mount lenses as well. Requires the use of digital backs with featured electronic shutter.

Cambo X2-Pro (2006): Features Cambo Crossgearing drives; quick release mechanism to switch between horizontal and vertical positions; recommended minimum focal lengths of 50mm for Mamiya RZ lenses, 90mm for Rodagons and Schneiders;
recommended lenses are as above, plus Rodenstock Apo-Sironar Digital/Digaron 90mm 5.6, 105mm 5.6, 135mm 5.6 and 150mm 5.6;
can be used untethered.

Optional Accessories:
lens boards for Hasselblad CF, Mamiya 645 Pro and RB/RZ (FOV will equal standard 35mm lenses in all cases), recessed Copal #0 (for Digitar 28mm, 72mm, 80mm and (reverse mounted for) 150mm), flat Copal #0 (for all other Schneider Digitars)
camera sockets for Canon EOS 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 7D and 5D I/II (#X-812, must all be used with battery grip), EOS 1D(s) I/II (#X-811) and EOS 1D(s) III (#X-813) and a universal, in high and depth freely adjustable socket (#X-899) to mount any camera without dedicated socket (including EOS 20D etc. without battery pack) ... using this version looks little adventurously, since you need to manually adjust the setup exactly to fit in with the optical axis
further also sockets for Mamiya AFD/Phase One DF, Nikon D2x and D3/x, D300/700, D200 and Fuji S5 (with battery grip), Fuji S2/S3
bellows for Canon EF, Nikon, Mamiya ZD/645AF and Sony Alpha A850/A900
Cambo Actar 24mm F3.5 X2-Pro is the Actar-24 version dedicated to/compatible with the X2-Pro (95 x 98 x 150mm incl. X2 mount, 660g)

Watch a short clip about the Cambo X2-Pro's features and functionality.

Cambo X2-Macro: Macro Version of the X2-Pro, allows magnifications of up to 2:1 (with 80mm Macro Digitar);
uses optional Bellows Extension XMBC-35.

Focusing Range: 180mm
Max. Bellows Extension: 300mm
Size: 253 x 293 x 298mm (100mm longer due to increased focusing range of 180mm (vs. 80mm of the standard version))

Read an article by Alex Koloskov on how to custom build your own view camera adapter from used view camera equipment (in his case based on a Cambo Master PC 4x5 film camera). He also provides a video about tilt and swing capabilities of this setup.

Fotodiox offer the cheapest solution of all with an adapter, that simply mounts in the Graflok holders. That said, the adapter fits all Calumet, Cambo, Ebony, Horseman, Kodak, Linhof, Omega, Toyo etc. 4x5 view cameras with Graflok back. The Canon body is mounted on a horizontally sliding plate, so you can either pick a part of a scene or take shots of several parts of a scene from the view camera's rear end and stitch them together later.

Fotodiox Pro Canon EOS to Large Format 4x5 Adapter [4X5EOSStnd]: the camera mount on the mounting plate is in a vertically centered position, so you'll miss bottom and top fields of the image, since the plate only slides horizontally

Fotodiox Pro Canon EOS to Large Format 4x5 Adapter - Offset Camera Mount [4x5EOSOffset]: the camera mount on the mounting plate is vertically located off-center, so by turning the plate around for 180° upper and lower portions of the image are recorded (so you have to photograph 2 lines of x pictures instead of only one line to cover the full scene). The camera mount can rotate by loosening a screw to prevent head over heels output by default.

The standard adapter is offered for 150€, the Offset version goes for 230€ (MSRP).

Horseman is trademark owned by Komamura (who were assimilated into the Kenko Professional Imaging pool during 2012 or 2013). They are specialized in trading and designing view camera equipment. There are two Horseman 35mm DSLR view camera adapters: the LD and the VCC Pro (not to confuse with the LD Pro and VCC Pro [DB], which are for medium format digital backs only). Both adapters feature a rotating camera mount for easy switching between vertical and horizontal formats and everything between. The recommended minimum focal length is 60mm for medium format, 90mm for large format lenses. The kits are out of the box ready for macro photography without further need of adding more accessories.

Horseman LD (2005): does not include a lens board by default; features rack and pinion drives; the rear standard is mounted to a monorail for easy (re)focusing.

Optional Accessories:
lens boards for Hasselblad V, Mamiya 645 and 67, Pentax 645 and 67, Linhof Standard and Technika), Horseman standard and 8cm Ø mounts and boards for large format lenses matching #0, #1 and #3 standards

Horseman VCC Pro (2009): comes with a mount for Rodenstock Rodagons (classic and digital); features precision spindle drives.

Optional Accessories:
lens boards for Hasselblad V, Pentax 645, Mamiya 645 medium format lenses and Linhof, Horseman and #0 standard large format lenses

Horseman TS-Pro (2011): a tilt-shift bellows construction primarily designed for cinematography, but also good for taking stills; features precision spindle drives; minimum focal length of 80mm recommended for RED ONE and Canon EOS bodies; the kit includes the base and the bellows,

Optional Accessories:
camera mounts including Canon EF, Nikon F, PL mount and Micro 4/3
lens mounts including Hasselblad V and M39 (for Rodagons), the two being the only lenses to be able to focus to infinity on the TS-Pro with all of Canon's sensor formats
lens mounts further including Pentax 645 (focus to infinity only with Super 35 and APS-C models, while bellows might interfere with camera grips of APS-C cameras)
... and Canon EF (no electronic coupling), Nikon F and Mamiya 645, which do not allow any of the Canon relevant sensor formats to focus even near infinity

Horseman Axella EOS (2014): comes with a mount for Rodenstock large format lenses (also supports the IS remote shutter + ISS-G3 control units); as far as I understand from the catalog (in japanese ;)) there are dedicated versions of the main unit (or sets of unit and adapter?) for each camera back (Canon EOS [#511758] as well as adapters available (Canon EOS [#511762] - besides Canon they come for Mamiya 645 and Hasselblad V, Nikon F and Sony E mounts. Recommended focal lengths range from 30mm (the HR 23mm F5.6 is still compatible) to 175mm.

Rear Standard Movements: ±90° swing, ±20mm shift
Front Standard Movements: ±90° swing, ±20mm shift
Track Extension: 250mm
Size/Weight of Body: 280 x 255 x 225mm, 3000g

A review of the Horseman LD can be found here (Luminous Landscape).

Just Together is a german company offering simple adapter plates to mount your SLR to the rear of a view camera (since 2009 or earlier). The shortest recommended focal length to be used on their adapters is 40mm.

The following adapter versions are/were available for Canon:

adapter to mount Canon EOS 1D(s) series to Sinar (also works with 5D)
adapter to mount Canon EOS 1D(s) series to Plaubel (also works with 5D)
adapter to mount Canon EOS 5D series to Sinar (incompatible with 1D(s) series)
adapter to mount Canon EOS 5D series to Plaubel (incompatible with 1D(s) series)
adapter to mount Canon EOS APS-C models to Sinar (e.g. 300D, 400D, 500D ... EOS 10D, 20D, 30D ..., also fits 5D)
adapter to mount Canon EOS APS-C models to Toyo (e.g. 300D, 400D, 500D ... EOS 10D, 20D, 30D ..., also fits 5D)
adapter to mount Kodak DCS/CA to Toyo (manufactured on request)

The adapter plates are priced at a bit less than 500€ pp. (MSRP). Additional accessories like lens boards for Hasselblad V, Mamiya RB-RZ 67, M39 or Copal shutter lenses for Sinar cameras are available too.

Novoflex is a german company specializing in high quality photo accessories, including some bellows. None of the Novoflex Bellows can actually make up for all of the advantages of a real view camera system, but they are still cheaper and thus probably an alternative for someone on a budget. With the exception of the Tilt-Shift version the Novoflex Bellows are not even capable to shift, tilt or swing. The difference to an ordinary bellows still is the capability of electronic coupling between Canon EOS system bodies and lenses, which makes the Novoflex Bellows special - it is the only commercially offered system of this kind so far.

Novoflex Universal Bellows [BALPRO 1]: a simple straight extending bellows for macro work, no tilt, no shift, no swing here; there is a myriad of adapters available to mount several kinds of lenses (including electronically coupled Canon EF by using the Novoflex Retro-Adapter) and cameras;

Optional Accessories:
35mm camera mounts: Canon EF/FD, Contax C/Y, Leica R, M42, Minolta MD/AF, Nikon, Olympus OM, Pentax and Rollei SL35
the Canon EF Retro Adapter mentioned above (will allow to mount the lens in the usual manner (front glass in front), not only in retro position)
medium format: Contax 645, Mamiya 645, Pentax 645/67, Exacta 66, Rollei SL66 and Hasselblad 2000/205
more: Four-Thirds, Micro Four-Thirds, Samsung NX, Sony Nex
35mm lens mounts: C-Mount, Canon EF/FD, Contax C/Y, Leica M39/M/R, M42, Minolta MD, Nikon AI/G, Olympus OM, Pentax K
medium format: Contax 645, Mamiya 645, Pentax 645/67, Exacta 66, Rollei SL66 and Hasselblad 2000/205
permanently flush-mounted lens heads: Schneider-Kreuznach Componon-S 4/80 for 35mm cameras, 5.6/100 for 645s or 5.6/150 for use with the Hasselblads (by 2009) and Schneider-Kreuznach Apo-Digitar 4/80 and 5.6/100 (by 2011)

Novoflex Tilt-Shift Bellows [BALPRO T/S] (2004): same as above, but with tilt and shift capabilities (still no rise/fall); also compatible with the EOS Retro Adapter (but keep in mind, that only very few Canon EF lenses serve more than the usual 35mm image circle, so the use of at least medium format lenses makes more sense here); to switch between horizontal and vertical formats simply rotate the whole camera-bellows-lens-setup sideways (or use PROshift+).

Optional Accessories: see above

Max. Magnification: 1.8x with a Schneider Kreuznach 80mm F4.0 lenses and Canon EOS
Rear Standard Movements: ±15° tilt, ±10mm shift
Front Standard Movements: ±15° tilt, ±10mm shift
Bellows Extension: approx. 120mm (monorail ends at 130mm scale mark)
Size/Weight of Body: 200 x 185 x 120mm, 975g

Novoflex Automatic Bellows [BAL-AUT a.k.a. BALCAN-AF]: a fully automatic macro bellows for Canon EOS offering all the electronic coupling between lens and camera body; no shift, no tilt, no swing here

Max. Lens Ø: 80mm
Bellows Extension: 50mm - 130mm
Focusing Range: 65mm
Size/Weight of Body: 134 x 110 x 80mm, 430g
Novoflex PROshift+ [PROSHIFT+] (2004): a sliding camera rack to add or increase shift capabilities, to achieve higher resolutions (via stitching) and to switch between horizontal and vertical positions when used with the bellows; can also be used as shift adapter between camera body and lens without the bellow

Optional Accessories: see above

Horizontal Movement: ±12.5mm shift
Size/Weight of Body: 125 x 105mm, 270g

The Universal Bellows is selling for 330€, the Tilt-Shift Bellows for 800€, the Auto Bellows for Canon is priced 550€, PROshift+ goes for 300€ and the EOS mount adapter is offered for 120€ and lens mounts go for 100€ - 220€ (MSRP).

Darren Abbey describes how to mod an old manual bellows and turn it into a fully electronic coupled Canon EF mount hightech device at almost no costs.

Shen Hao is a company from Shanghai, China, with some 20 years in business. They are specializing in very classy wooden large format view cameras made from Black Walnut. Like Fotodiox above, they offer rear mounting adapter plates for several digital camera systems, including Canon EOS.

Shen Hao SDE-F 6x9cm Canon
Shen Hao SDE-H 4X5" Canon: adapter with a horizontally sliding mount board (approx. ±3.5cm) and a vertically centered mount position
Shen Hao SDE-HQ 4X5" Canon
Shen Hao SDE-M 4X5" Canon: adapter with a horizontally sliding mount board (approx. ±3.5cm) and a vertically centered mount position

The Sinar p-slr for Canon (2010) is compatible with every digital Canon EOS available on the market. It features a quick clamping mechanism to switch between vertical and horizontal camera positions within seconds. A centering aid in form of a tube mounted to the camera's lens bayonet helps to mount the camera with its sensor exactly in the optical axis. A digital back can still be mounted to the p-slr instead of a DSLR just by using an appropriate adapter.

Sinar p2-slr-C: includes the Sinar p2 with Canon conversion kit, everything you need to convert your D-SLR

Sinar p2-slr-C Conversion Kit: for owners of a p2, only includes a mounting L-bracket, Bellows 4x5 for Canon EF with a max extension of 16cm, quick clamping adapter and center aid
Sinar p2-slr Macro Kit: includes Multipurpose Bellows 4x5 and Multipurpose Standard (guidon) 4x5

Sinar p3-slr-C: includes the Sinar p3 with Canon conversion kit, everything you need to convert your D-SLR

Sinar p3-slr-C Conversion Kit: for owners of a p3, only includes a mounting L-bracket, Bellows 100 for Canon EF with a max extension of 16cm, quick clamping adapter and center aid
Sinar p3-slr Macro Kit: includes Multipurpose Bellows 100 and Multipurpose Standard (guidon) 100

The full sets are priced at around 5790€, the conversion kits still go for 1640€ (MSRP). As usual with such highly modular systems every of the above parts can also be purchased separately, as well as additional accessories like lens boards for Hasselblad V.

Both the p2 and the p3 feature precision spindle drives to calibrate the whole system.

S.K. Grimes shows some interesting stuff in his so called Project Archives:

DigiView Sinar to Canon Adapter (2005): Grimes recommends recessed lens boards to compensate for the recessed film plane

Graflok to Canon EOS (2006): adapter plates to mount any Canon DSLR to any view camera with Graflok back, works with lenses of 90mm focal length and longer

He is primarily known for custom modifications. Better don't hope to find one of these on the used market.

The Studiotool*Stm STS Model 1 (2004) is compatible with all Sinar p, c and x models (incompatible with f series). It simply replaces their rear carrier frame. The kit further includes a neoprene bellows with Canon and Sinar mounts and a Sinar lens board modified for Mamiya RZ lenses. The kit's compatibility with virtually every DSLR (not only Canon) ever being produced is given by the modular design - the only thing to change will be the camera plate and the rear mount of the bellows (although I guess you could simply use an adapter there as well, since there is no electronic coupling anyway). However, the set comes with a camera plate for Canon EOS 1Ds by default. The bellows can be extended for macro work by attaching a standard Sinar bellows with a guidon frame. Unlike the Sinar p-slr the Studiotool*Stm STS M1 does not support shooting verticals. Instead you have to tilt the entire rig sideways, which requires a very stable (heavy) tripod and head.

Not sure about prices for full sets and additional camera plates or current activity state in general. The website still exists, but I didn't get any response on my request. There don't seem to be any distributors either.

Reviews can be found here (Jim Collum) and here (Ellis Vener, also read his supplementary comments here).

The Zörk Multi Focus System (introduced around 1980) in combination with the Zörk Panorama Shift Adapter might also be another alternative to the above systems. It works like a view camera but, similar to the Novoflex bellows, without actually using a view camera. It can achieve up to 20mm of rise and fall and 25° of tilt and swing (price list states a tilt of up to 30° for the MFS). The shortest recommended focal length for the combination to maintain infinity focus is 100mm to 105mm for 645 lenses and 120mm to 135mm for 67 lenses, and 80mm for the Multi Focus System alone. The MFS takes 39mm thread mount enlarger and large format lenses and achieves max. magnifications of up to 1:2 (with an 80mm lens), while focus to infinity is still possible.

Refer to Adapting Lenses > Tilt/Shift Adapters for some more details on the PSA.

The basic Multi Focus System (MSRP: 590$) includes the front mount, MFS and rear mount adapter (Canon EF available). The Panorama Shift Adapter for Pentax 645 goes for 670$ and the Mamiya 645 version for 650$ (the other PSAs can't be used with MFS). Also, add 130$ for an integrated tripod socket.