Swebo TC-1 OOBE

November 24, 2022 JimK 4 Comments

OOBE is a product management term that stands for “out of box experience”. Here’s mine with the Swebo TC-1, in pictures.

The camera comes in a hard plastic case

The contents of the case, once the plastic wrops are removed. The leather bags contain the lensboards, and are big enough so that for some lenses they can be used with the lens attached.

Mounting the monorail to the Arca Swiss head

Mounting the rear shift module

Mounting the front shift module and the tilt/swing module.

All the movements modules installed.

The back of the bellows, with the G-mount adapter permanently installed.

The front of the bellows, with the #0 adapter installed.

If you install the bellows without the camera, you’ll have a hard time getting the camera installed.

Mount the GFX 100S camera to the bellows, then mount both to the rest of the Swebo TC-1.

Difficult to install is an understatement, for the GFX 100.

Installing a 90mm M39 lens and focusing to infinity. Not much room for shorter lenses.

90 mm lens at maximum bellows draw gives greater than 1:1 magnification.

120 mm lens focused at infinity

Some of the markings under the camera are hard to read unless you bend way down.

Closeup of one of the level indicators

Comments

Stefan says

March 8, 2023 at 4:19 am

Hi Jim,
Thanks for the unboxing, much appreciated! I am interested in getting the Swebo TCS20 as i would look at using it on location. You mention that focusing a 90mm @ infinity is tight. I was hoping to use a Schneider 60mm with a GFX 100S and still have movements. Is this out of reach do you think?

Thanks so much! 🙂

Reply
Ross says

January 30, 2024 at 10:10 am

Jim have you used either the Cambo Actus or Arca Swiss Universalis? If so, anything you can comment compared to the Swebo?

Reply
- JimK says
  
  January 30, 2024 at 10:13 am
  
  I do use the Actus. On balance, I like the TC-1 better, but the Cambo bellows smell better. It’s easier to work with the Cambo distribution network.
  
  Reply
  - Jon Armstrong says
    
    July 1, 2024 at 12:27 am
    
    I have a TC-1 with both short and long rail, generally speaking I couldn’t be happier. The lens plates are a problem and to fit the schneider 47 I reworked the 39 plate which works well. By using the 100 adapter I am able to use lenses from 47 to 360, T-ED Nikkor. The levels have been deleted since yours and it is the one thing that is annoying. There does seem to be an issue with parallel between the two standards but nothing that can’t be resolved. Since a lot of my work is stitched landscape I have added the Swebo gear head which, like all the Swebo gear is solid.
    
    Reply

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