Basically a view camera is nothing more or less than a flexible connection between a lens and a light sensitive medium. The latter being a glass plate, a sheet or roll of film or a digital sensor. One could easily think that view camera technology has seen more evolution than revolution since Cambo entered the market in 1946. Albeit under a different name, where this 1948 advertisement bears witness of. For obvious reasons the company’s founder soon decided to change the name to Cambo, a conjunction of the first syllables of Camera and his surname.

We’ve got a true modern classic in our program – the SC aka Super Cambo – that’s been around since 1958. The view cameras that leave our factory far more frequently nowadays, have to meet other demands. When the light sensitive medium scaled down from a generous 8 x 10” or 4×5″ to the now common 24 x 36, 33 x 44 and 40 x54mm sensors, the need for precision grew. Our current top-of-the-line view camera, the Actus-XL, may superficially resemble the vintage Cambo cameras, it’s a completely different beast.

Actus-XL with Nikon Z7

The 40th Anniversary SC from 1986

Speaking about evolution: The introduction of the Fuji GFX-100 urged us to redesign the Actus-XL’s rear standard. It now has the same interchangeable bayonet holder that’s one of the amenities of its smaller sibbling the Actus-G.

This makes swapping between different sensors a breeze. There’s a variety of fittings for all current camera systems, including mirrorless medium format and digital backs.

The Actus-XL is a modular view camera that will serve you for many years. Whenever you decide to change to another sensor, the Actus-XL is easy to adapt.  And for on-location photography we build some more compact solutions. Like the ones shown here.