Cambo Camera

Cambo Camera, also known as Cambo BV, is a Dutch specialist manufacturer of technical, view and large-format camera systems. The company was established by Roelof Bok in 1946 in Hengelo, the Netherlands, originally under the name Technica Hengelo. Its first camera, the Super Techna, created a naming problem because its name could be confused with Linhof Technica. The company consequently adopted the Cambo name, derived from “CAMera BOk,” linking the brand to its founder and its camera-making origins. Cambo moved its operations from Hengelo to Kampen in 1965. Its early history is associated with studio and large-format photography, where precision movements, rigid construction and compatibility with professional lenses and accessories were central to the product proposition. The company is notable for being the first studio-camera manufacturer to produce an all-metal large-format camera, a distinction that reflects its emphasis on durable, technically focused equipment rather than mass-market consumer cameras. A major historical turning point came in 1968, when Cambo developed the Multishot camera. The system used four lenses and could expose four images at once, giving the company international recognition and demonstrating its ability to pursue specialized imaging solutions. This development helped establish Cambo as a technical-camera brand with a focus on applications requiring controlled perspective, high resolution and specialized capture workflows. In its modern camera business, Cambo has concentrated on modular systems for professional digital photography. Its Wide RS flatbed cameras are designed for use with high-end digital backs and are positioned for architecture, landscape and automotive photography. These systems support professional Rodenstock HR Digaron-S and HR Digaron-W lenses as well as selected Schneider Digitar lenses. The brand’s Actus range extends the view-camera concept into compact and modular platforms, including versions intended for digital backs, mirrorless or other digital camera configurations. The Ultima 45 represents another part of Cambo’s view-camera offering. Cambo has also expanded beyond still-photography camera bodies into video supports. This broadens the company’s scope from traditional technical cameras to equipment used in professional production environments. Its products remain oriented toward specialist users rather than ordinary consumer photography, including architectural, landscape, automotive, studio, commercial and high-end digital-imaging practitioners. Publicly available reference material does not provide sufficient information to identify current ownership, executive leadership, revenue, listing status or a definitive corporate website URL.

Cambo’s history began in 1946, when Roelof Bok founded the company in Hengelo, the Netherlands. The business initially operated as Technica Hengelo and produced the Super Techna camera. When the company attempted to export the camera, its name was considered too close to Linhof Technica, creating the risk of confusion in international markets. The business therefore adopted the name Cambo, formed from “CAMera BOk.” The company’s early identity was built around professional studio and large-format photography. Cambo became associated with technically oriented camera construction and is credited with being the first studio-camera manufacturer to produce an all-metal large-format camera. This construction approach supported the requirements of studio and commercial photographers who needed stable camera platforms, precise adjustments and durable equipment. In 1965, Cambo relocated from Hengelo to Kampen. The move marked an important stage in the company’s development and established Kampen as its long-term Dutch base. Three years later, in 1968, Cambo achieved international recognition through the development of the Multishot camera. The system incorporated four lenses and could make four exposures at the same time. Its unusual configuration illustrated Cambo’s emphasis on specialized solutions for professional imaging and became one of the company’s notable historical innovations. As digital photography became increasingly important in professional applications, Cambo developed systems intended to work with high-end digital backs and precision lenses. The Wide RS family was designed as a flatbed technical-camera platform for subjects such as architecture, landscape and automotive photography. Its compatibility with Rodenstock HR Digaron-S and HR Digaron-W lenses, along with a range of Schneider Digitar lenses, placed it within a professional ecosystem centered on high image quality, lens control and perspective management. Cambo also developed the Actus family of modular view cameras. The range includes compact Actus Mini configurations and larger Actus systems, with models such as the Actus-B, Actus-DB2, Actus-G, Actus-G990D, Actus-G991D, Actus MV, Actus XL-35 and Actus XL-DB. These products continued the company’s view-camera tradition while adapting it to contemporary digital workflows and different camera or digital-back arrangements. The Ultima 45 forms another part of Cambo’s technical-camera portfolio. In addition to still-photography systems, the company expanded into video supports, extending its professional equipment range beyond camera bodies and view-camera mechanisms. The available reference material does not document the dates of individual product launches, ownership changes, executive appointments, financial performance or specific marketing campaigns. Cambo is therefore best understood from the available evidence as an active Dutch specialist imaging manufacturer with a long history in professional technical-camera design.

• 1968

  Multishot camera development

  [1]Cambo cameraen.wikipedia.org

  Cambo developed the Multishot camera, a four-lens system capable of taking four pictures at a time, bringing the company international recognition.

• 1965

  Relocation to Kampen

  [1]Cambo cameraen.wikipedia.org

  Cambo moved its operations from Hengelo to Kampen, where the company is based according to the reference material.

• 1946

  Company founded in Hengelo

  [1]Cambo cameraen.wikipedia.org

  Roelof Bok founded the business in Hengelo, Netherlands, initially using the name Technica Hengelo.

• 1946

  Cambo name adopted

  [1]Cambo cameraen.wikipedia.org

  The company changed its name after concerns that the Super Techna name could be confused with Linhof Technica. Cambo was derived from “CAMera BOk.”

A specialist professional-imaging brand focused on precision technical cameras, modular view-camera systems, large-format photography and related video supports.

• Technical flatbed cameras

  Wide RS Series

  The Wide RS family consists of flatbed technical cameras designed for digital photography with high-end digital backs. The systems are aimed at professional applications including architecture, landscape and automotive photography, where precise composition and perspective control are important. The range is compatible with Rodenstock HR Digaron-S and HR Digaron-W lenses and with selected Schneider Digitar lenses. Listed models include the WRS-5000, WRS-1600, WRS-1250, WRC-490, WRC-491 and WRC-400.

• Compact modular view cameras

  Actus Mini View Cameras

  The Actus Mini line applies view-camera movements and modular construction to compact professional camera platforms. The listed range includes the Actus-B, Actus-DB2, Actus-G, Actus-G990D and Actus-G991D. The systems are intended for specialist digital-imaging workflows requiring technical-camera control in a smaller format than conventional large studio cameras.

• Modular view cameras

  Actus View Cameras

  The broader Actus family includes the Actus MV, Actus XL-35 and Actus XL-DB. These modular view cameras continue Cambo’s focus on adjustable, precision-oriented systems for professional photography. The range includes configurations intended for different digital camera and digital-back workflows, allowing specialist users to combine camera movements with contemporary imaging equipment.

• View and large-format camera

  Ultima 45

  The Ultima 45 is part of Cambo’s technical and view-camera portfolio. It represents the company’s continued presence in professional large-format and view-camera equipment, where stable construction and controlled camera movements are central requirements. The available reference material identifies the product but does not provide detailed specifications or launch information.

• Specialized multi-lens camera · 1968

  Multishot camera

  Developed in 1968, the Multishot camera used four lenses and could take four pictures at the same time. The system was an important historical innovation for Cambo and contributed to the company’s international success. Detailed technical specifications, production duration and current availability are not provided in the reference material.

• Professional video-support equipment

  Video supports

  Cambo has expanded its product range into video supports, extending its activities from still-photography camera systems to equipment used in professional video and production environments. The available source does not specify individual product names, model numbers or launch dates for this category.

1. 1Cambo cameraen.wikipedia.org