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A quick reality check:being an arca user living in france, i have no trouble to call them...
For a complete combo
Cambo is around 15 % cheaper than Arca
Arca is around 15 % cheaper than Alpa
I've had my Rm3d for a few weeks now, so here's my initial take on 'likes' and 'dislikes' -- which of course are my own personal quirks and deficiencies. My interests are primarily in architecture and landscapes -- previously I used a Horseman SWD with 35 & 55mm lenses (I have 35mm & 47mm for the Rm3d -- I use a P45+ back.
Likes:
1: The build quality, engineering and 'feel' are superb
2: The movements are geared and precise
3: It has tilt as well as shift movements
4: The large helical focusing ring has great potential for extremely accurate focusing (but more below)
5: The viewfinder is bright and clear, and the 'zoom' function for different lenses works well
6: It is usable hand-held if necessary
Dislikes:
1: Accurate focusing is a challenge (I don't use a ground glass as I believe accidents will eventually happen if I keep taking the back on and off -- and I can't afford a rotaslide, yet) -- I use a laser rangefinder (Leica Disto) to get a very accurate measure of distance to the subject and then use a table which Arca have kindly provided to translate this into a setting for the helical -- it works, but is less than ideal as I don't have good dof information (now if there were an iPhone app which took distance, the lens and f-stop and gave the helical values for precise focus and dof, that would be perfect!!).
2: Communicating with Arca is a challenge -- as I think everyone knows they don't have a web-site and in my experience getting them to respond quickly to emails is like getting blood out of a stone -- my dealer calls them in France to get answers, but it's less than ideal.
3: The 'tube' on the finder showing depth of field information is too fiddly and imprecise to be of practical use
4: There isn't a firm enough 'notch' at the zero point on the shift mechanisms (though there is on the tilt which is where it really matters)
5: I'm neutral on the handles (they're necessary!)
This is first impressions -- I'm off on a 3 week trip next week where the system will get a lot of use, so this list may well change!
Here's a jpeg of about my 10th shot with the system -- our local pier -- processed in C1, but nothing much beyond that
I could be wrong, but aren't the movements of the arca and alpa smaller than the once on the Cambo ? That would be a main concern for me.
Another point would be that I would never want to use a sliding adapter on any such camera. I mean the great thing about them is size, if I add a sliding adapter I could start carrying around a real LF camera like I do now.
I have been shopping for a technical camera solution which provides back shift/front tilt and swing, easy focusing to back positioniong all with accurate focusing capability - the artec is the one I have decided does the best job. however it doesn't tick one important box for me - and that is it comes with a fixed specific mount design currently Hy6/Afi or V mount- soon enough Phase One mount and H mount.
However - I think the design has two basic flaws. Firstly it provides a panoramic head - but does not have the lens board centered to the tripod axis and does not have in built nodal point shooting. all this can be worked around
however the fatal flaw for me - is that I am forced to choose just one camera back mount option. This is bizarre - as the artec will outlast any back and technology changes- I would prefer the Alpa system of interchangeable adapters to mount any back onto the artec frame.
i have the alpa max and the XY. in fact, i'd like to sell the XY since on travels the max is so much more comfortable. please drop me an email if you are interested.RM3D looks very promising, but I've only ever seen a demo and specs, never a production model -- but if you can find one, this may be the ultimate. I prefer all of my tech camera rise/fall and shift movements at the back for easier, seamless stitching, so that lets the Max out for me -- though if I had to go with Alpa I might consider the XY, but it looks pretty big having way more movement capability that really needed... Which leaves the Cambo RS. Personally, at this point in time, this body offers everything I'd want in a tech camera -- it's relatively compact, has ample rear rise/fall and shift movements at a reasonable price and availability.
you need more movements ? then you have the alpa XY and the arca RL3DI could be wrong, but aren't the movements of the arca and alpa smaller than the once on the Cambo ? That would be a main concern for me.