STATUS: October 2020

• COVID-19 is adding some months delay to the LS45.
• Ordering the color CFA now. (We should have amazing color, the best color of any camera!). Expect 1.3 stops loss with the CFA, which means the hardware ISOs will be 100 and 800.
• Working on an on-camera battery solution for those who want it. Using Gold Mount type batteries.
• Mounted the back with a 5x7 Svedovsky camera. So we have a 5x7 and 8x10 Svedovsky mount ready.
• Have finished Graflok and custom mounts. Will produce demos soon.

LS45 Video Page

LS45 Video Page

Infrared (IR) Support

Excellent support for near IR and near UV, since there is no blocking filter fixed in the camera. Filters should be changed in a clean and dry environment.

Configurations:

Color or Monochrome

Graflok mounting back or Custom mounting back

Base Options:

AC only Bases:
LS45-BASE-BAP-01  AC only Base, lightweight case
LS45-BASE-BAS-01  AC only Base, strong extruded case

AC and battery lower-powered Bases, slower processing than the full AC models:
LS45-BASE-BBP-01  AC and battery Base, lightweight case
LS45-BASE-BBS-01  AC and battery Base, strong extruded case

Specifications:

• 4.7 x 5.5 inch high sensitivity, large pixel digital sensor
• 6.7 Mega Pixels - 6,720,000 pixels
• 50-micron pixel size (these are very large)
• Live view for easy focusing
• WiFi for remote viewing and control
• Video mode with an optional 1920 x 1080. Up to 28 fps. Video output options TIFFs, DNGs, CinemaDNG, JPEGs, h.264
• 14-bit AD
• No CFA, no AA, and no micro lenses. This allows large movements without affecting edge image quality.
• Output to DNG, TIFF, and JPEG
• Media: SD card slot, USB 3.1 external drive, internal 1,500 GB SSD
• Tethered operation, by CAT5 cable or WiFi
• The sensor plane is around 22mm behind what would be the film plan for the Graflok model. This may affect SLRs, but assumed not mirrorless cameras.
• Dust - The sensor is large and can pick up dust. It is easy to remove the bellows and clean the sensor. Also, an FFC frame can be taken before a photo session, which works very well in removing most dust. The FFC frame is incorporated into the camera software.
• All specifications subject to change

Suggested accessories:

• Tablet or notebook for camera control and FFC
• ND filters for shooting wide open, since the digital sensor is much more sensitive than film
• A sturdy tripod
• Large format 8x10, 5x7, or 4x5 camera and a lens
• Sensor cleaning tools. We recommend Eclipse fluid, PEC pads, and a Giottos Rocket Blaster Dust-Removal blower. There is an external glass in front of the sensor glass so that if you damage the glass, it can be replaced.

HTML Camera Control

Control of the camera is done through an HTML interface. PCs, tablets, and phones may connect to the camera's WiFi connection. A guest account allows users with a PIN to browse and download images on the camera. A wired Ethernet connection may also be used for camera control and image sharing.

Custom Curves

LargeSense cameras can import your PhotoShop actions and apply your curves to the linear images the camera takes. These are applied to the JPEG images saved, and shown as preview images, as well as being embedded in the raw DNG images.

Types of Shutter Speeds

You can set the electronic shutter with fractional, ms, or seconds.

LSR1 - The Real Raw

Storing all of the actual files used in an image in a ZIP file:

Unmodified 14-bit sensor readout saved in 16-bit files
Fixed Pattern Noise
FFC flat field correction
Dark noise file
Curve applied to the linear file
The processed JPEG, DNG, and TIFF of image

An LSR1 client program will allow further processing of the images.

Regular Firmware Updates

LargeSense will keep updating the interface software for all models of cameras. An abstraction from the hardware allows quick updating of the functions and user interface.

Mounting the LS45

4x5 film is near 4x5 inch, but smaller. In addition, it is held around the edges so there is less of an active area. The LS45 digital sensor is a bit larger than 4x5 inches.

1. 5x7 Cameras are the best option for the 4x5-inch LS45 digital back to allow full coverage. This is also the easiest to mount. We have completed a mounting design with Svedovsky cameras. People love their existing 4x5 cameras, but to get the most of the sensor, a 5x7 or 8x10 body would be a better choice.
2. International Standard Graflok back. We plan to have Graflok mounts for easy mounting. It will not give full coverage of the sensor, so it should be around 4.6 MP. The sensor plane is around 22mm behind what would be the film plan for the Graflok model. This may affect SLRs, but assumed not mirrorless cameras.
3. Custom mounting for 4x5 cameras and others. This is expected to cost a little extra. Custom mounts will be made for the individual camera.

Planned Compatibility at Launch

FIELD CAMERAS

Sample Images

Model: 

Camera: LS45

Schneider Kreuznach G-Claron 9/305

Schott BG 38 filter

Photo Taken: June 5, 2018

Santa Clara, CA, USA

Copyright LargeSense LLC

All rights reserved

Ls45

Model: 

Camera: LS45

Schneider Kreuznach G-Claron 9/305

Schott BG 38 filter

Photo Taken: 

Santa Clara, CA, USA

Copyright LargeSense LLC

All rights reserved

LS45

Model: 

Camera: LS45

Schneider Kreuznach G-Claron 9/305

Schott BG 38 filter

Photo Taken: 

Santa Clara, CA, USA

Copyright LargeSense LLC

All rights reserved

LS45

Model: 

Camera: LS45

Schneider Kreuznach G-Claron 9/305

Schott BG 38 filter

Photo Taken: 

Santa Clara, CA, USA

Copyright LargeSense LLC

All rights reserved

Ls45

House

Camera: LS45

Schneider Kreuznach G-Claron 9/305

Schott BG 38 filter

Photo Taken: 

Santa Clara, CA, USA

Copyright LargeSense LLC

All rights reserved

LS45

Stone

Camera: LS45

Schneider Kreuznach G-Claron 9/305 at f/90

BG 38 filter

Photo Taken: 

Santa Clara, CA, USA

Extra Mounting Options

Many people have expressed strong interest in mounting the LS45 on their own 4x5 camera. There are issues with it, such as possible cropping of the sensor, weight, and infinity focusing. However, we'll give it a try. Most likely a back for the camera, such as a film back, would be needed to construct a mount from.

Here are the cameras that have been requested:

• 4x5 Sinar X
• 5x7 press camera
• Arca Swiss Basic 1
• ARCA-SWISS 4x5; ARCA-SWISS Monolith 4x5; ARCA-SWISS Basic 1
• ARCA-SWISS Misura 4x5
• Bergheil 9x12
• KB Canham 8x10
• Cambo 4x5
• Cambo Master
• Cambo SC
• Cambo SCX
• Calumet CC400
• Calumet View Monorail
• Chamonix 045F-1; Chamonix 45H-1
• Crown Graphic Graflex
• Deardorff 4x5 and 8x10
• Ebony SV-45U2; Ebony 45SU; Ebony RW45E
• Ebony SV45-U2
• Gandolfi
• Gandolfi 5x4 field camera
• Graflex KE-12 (2) 4x5 Super Speed
• Graflex RB Super D (SLR)
• Graflex Series D 4x5
• Graflock Adapter for 4x5 or 8x10
• Graflex back or graflok back camera
• Graphlex super speed
• Gottschalt DS-45; Gottschalt DS-45 M1
• Gowlandflex TLR 4x5
• Horseman 450
• Horseman 45FA
• Horseman 5x4
• Horseman HD45
• Horseman L
• Horseman LX
• Intrepid 4x5
• Korona 5x7
• Kowa Super 66
• Linhof 4x5 Super Colur (Color); Linhof 4x5 Supercolor
• Linhof Master Technika 5X4
• Linhof Master Technika Camera 4x5; Linhof Majster Technik, Vintage Linhoff Technica
• Linhof monorail
• Linhof Technika 3; Linhof Technika 4x5
• Linhof Technika camera (many submissions!)
• Linhof Teknikarden
• Linhof Technikardan 4x5
• Vintage Linhof Technika 5x7
• Meridian 45A
• MPP 5X4 Monorail
• Omegaview 45D
• Phillips 4x5 (Horseman Back)
• Plaubel Peco III
• Plaubel Peco Profia 4x5
• Plaubel Profia
• Polaroid 110B converted to 4X5
• Shen Hao HZX45-IIA
• Shen Hao PBT45
• SINAR Norma 4x5 and 5x7
• Sinar F1 4x5
• Sinar F2 4x5
• Sinar P 4x5
• Sinar P2 (With possible 8x10 change kit)
• Sinar P2 --compatible; Sinar P2 4x5
• Speed Graphic 4x5 Notes: mounting with custom back panel, around 5 MP with an opening of approximately 4.75 by 3.9 inches
• Tachihara 4x5; Tachihara
• Tokyo View 45c
• Toya Omega View 4x5
• Toyaview 4x5a
• Toyo-View 45C / 45G / 45GII
• Toyo 8X10 Field Camera
• Toyo Field ( Sakai special camera) 5 x7 inch
• Toyo Field 45AII
• Toyo SV45u
• TOYO VX125
• Toyoview 4x5A; Toyo 45A
• Universal 9x12 non-Linhof cut film folders
• Walker Titan SF
• Wisner 4x5
• Wista Field DX
• Wista VX; 4x5; Wista 45 SP; Wista RF
• Zone VI Tachihara Field Camera

Cameras where mounting is not possible:

• Cambo Actus

How to Buy the LS45

You may join our LS45 Interest List and our mailing list,  and we will update you when we're ready for taking orders. For those who wish to demo the camera, we will offer those by appointment in Santa Clara, CA, USA.

Versions:

To reduce weight on the rear of cameras, the digital back is in two pieces, with power supplies and processing done in the Base.

Digital Backs:

LS45-GB-C Color 4x5-inch digital back, Bayer CFA, for 4x5 camera mounting on a Graflok Back

LS45-GB-M Monochrome 4x5-inch digital back, for 4x5 camera mounting on a Graflok Back

Base Units:

Each back needs to be used with a base:

LS45-BBA  Battery/AC base for LS45, power saving. Gold Mount batteries. 2h+ usage.

LS45-BAC  AC base for LS45. Faster than the battery version.

C - color (standard Bayer CFA)
M - monochrome

UV Photography

The LS45 might work well with UV-A. There are a few images with large enough image circles for the LS45.

Some lenses which might work with UV photography:
Nikon EL-Nikkor 135mm f/5.6 lens. Image circle should just fit the LS45.
Charles Beseler Company East Orange N.J. 18" E. F. series 3 Big image circle

UV Pass Filters recommended:

Baader U-Filter
Hoya U-340 plus an E-CM500S
The BW403 filter is said to let in some IR light.

LS45-ES Enhanced Spectral

With enough demand, we may offer a version that goes deeper into UV and IR. UV cutoff is currently near 320 nm. Please inquire. Availability late 2018 to 2019.

LS45-COOL-2P-M Active-Cooled LS45 for Astronomy and Other Applications

Active cooling at a cost of more power consumption. This may benefit astronomy uses, though the sensor area may be too large for most telescopes and long exposures will be limited. Short exposures with a high base ISO will have low noise.

Some features which may benefit astronomy applications:

• FWC of 1 Me- and higher
• Non destructive readout. The sensor can be read each 1/30s while saturation increases.
• No CFA or micro lenses. Other filters can be removed.

Sensor Glass

The Sensor Glass can be configured for different situations.

The standard glass:

• Schott BG38 1mm AR coated - used to block UV and IR.
• Schott CG400 1mm AR coated - used to block more UV

The glass can be changed by the user, but care is needed. The sensor will have no cover glass, so a table-top clean room is recommended. The sensor will have an air gap before the glass.

JOIN THE MAILING LIST!

Portable Power

The LS45 AC Base uses international AC power. For outside use, you will need pure sine wave portable power. For people in the USA, there is the Paul C Buff Vagabond Mini™ Lithium. Paul C Buff is a company that sells great products at good prices and supports customers well. 

The LS45 grounds the chassis for safety. Use appropriate caution outdoors with portable power. The Vagabond Mini™ Lithium is made to work only in dry environments. Check the inverter manufacturer's information about grounding and outdoor safety. Don't use any other equipment with the same inverter as the camera.

Size Matters

Sensor size is an important component of image quality. It brings out the "magical 3D quality" in images, and better tones.

LargeSense cameras have large pixels also.

A Portable Solution

The LS45 and Svedovsky 8x10D camera, along with accessories will fit into a large backpack, making it a portable large format digital solution.

Compliance

California Proposition 65 Warning: LargeSense cameras and other products contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.