But any Arca/Alpa offers you flat stitching
[cough] Not to mention the Cambo Wide RS. [cough]
You really, really, really - get the idea - need to get your hands on a medium format DSLR and a digital back/tech camera. The two options here are about as different as you could get and the suitability to task is also about as different as you could get.
My gut feeling is that if you can't decide between these two disparate options then you're not ready for either.
+1.
Jim, you have been posting in circles for a short while now, and to jump on the bandwagon: forget looking at the specs lists, the web chatter, the product catalogues, and go and TRY these systems out. :deadhorse:
I think my shooting style works well with a technical camera, but at the same time a Pentax 645D can work too - I can deal with the difference in handling - after all it's all just a tool to take photos.
Using a tripod, getting up at dawn and being picky with what you shoot is one thing. Bear in mind that the ergonomics and user-interface (for want of a better term) of tech cameras are vastly different to 35mm and MF DSLR's. Again, I echo KeithL's comment above. I'm not saying any one system is lesser/more or better/worse. They are all just DIFFERENT.
An analogous example that I have seen many times before are those who lust after an M Leica. If they were friends I always lent them my M6 and they mostly always came back gushing over the quality, but wouldn't buy one because it wasn't what they had expected or were used to. Too quirky, too hard, too different etc. On the face of it the M is 135 format just like a Canon/Nikon, but until you actually pick one up and USE it then you will very quickly discover whether you love it or hate it.
My aim is to take the best possible photo that _I_ can. At the same time I want some sort of convenience - not bulky, so I can pack the camera inside my hiking backpack, light weight as possible, ease of focusing (live view would be great), but at the same time I would like to have tilt if possible.
This is an unbelievably loaded statement. Define convenience, ease of focusing etc. Relative to what? You can't possibly answer these questions until you've spent some time with these systems yourself.
I do have the money - that's not a problem. My problem was justifying whether it's a wise use of my money because that is ethically important to me.
The question now is that which will be the best for me to use - taking money out of the equation.
Despite saying that you have taken money out of the equation, you still seem to be conflicted between having the "best" because you can afford it, but at the same time worried about putting down a significant truckload of cash on something you may end up regretting. To be honest, until you sort out this internal conflict you will most likely not enjoy ANY system you buy because you will always be thinking either that you spent too little or that you spent too much.
I can't tell if you are trying to decide on a new system yourself or whether you are hoping someone on this forum will do it for you.
Do some research on cognitive dissonance and confirmation bias. You may find it interesting.
I wish I can just 'try' both camera systems for a week(end) on my own without a sales person breathing down my neck but that's probably not possible unless if I know someone who owns either/both systems. I wouldn't mind flying over to you in the USA if you have time to play with me
I am a tourist in the USA and my visitor's visa runs out soon (I've been here for over two months). I'm due to fly out of USA through LA on the 5th of May.
You can rent these systems from a good dealer – so you will not have the salesperson breathing down your neck – and have the rental fee deducted if you decide to purchase from them. Some will even ship the cameras out to you.
Unless I am mistaken, you mentioned in another post that you are Australian? Some of these systems are available for rent from the major Oz dealers. However, last time I checked (which was earlier this year) there was only one Alpa TC for hire/test in Sydney and no Arca-Swiss R-series anywhere in the country.
Options are available to you if you choose to proactively seek them out. You are in a better position than most considering that by your own admission you travel for pleasure half the year and money is no option.
Finally, playing devil's advocate, have you considered that maybe your Canon is what's best for you?