I haven't yet managed to sell my IQ180, no doubt in the foolish hope of getting a reasonable price for it. Gone are my Phase Mammy DF body and lenses, gone is my Cambo wide RS and Schneider 35XL.
But I find myself with an interest in the Alpa STC and maybe one of the shorter Digarons... maybe the 32 or the 40. Trouble is, they look big enough to compromise the nice small form factor of the camera. And I have totally lost track of what lenses these days need LCC on the IQ180.
I have been thinking of getting the HPF ring and Leica disco, too.
Anyone with experience of any of the above have an opinion? I'd be very grateful.
Why do you want to sell the back? Why did you get it in the first place?
I though long and hard before deciding to purchase a MFDB system (Arca rm3di and 40mm HR). I make decent money with my Canon gear (advertising/commercial) and the MFDB is for several projects and to maybe use it for my architecture photography (which I do a bit and sometimes nets me about $5-6k a month for a few days work). I will still use the Canon's for most of my work. The MFD system is just an additional tool for me.
That said, financially speaking, the MFDB systems are not a good value at all. Its no secret that to get that bit extra quality one has to pay a LOT more. But if you know what you want and are a dedicated photographer the systems do offer something unique that might help you achieve your goals. In my case I wanted to make very large prints and sell them in a gallery exhibition. I already have a working relationship with a local art promoter with publishing and international experience and we are in the process of setting everything up.
The theme and look and feel of the project has been agreed and I just have to go out and produce the images and prints.
For the type of images I intend on producing I mostly use the Canon 24mm TSE II on a Canon full frame DSLR. I love setting up on a tripod and composing the image using the rise and fall of the lens and sometimes tilt to achieve the focus desired. For camera movements in the field the "pancake" tech cameras are still the best option IMHO. The Arca offered integrated tilt and seemed like the most versatile and cleanest design out there in a light and compact package.
I chose the 40mm HR for the focal length and the fact that its the best wide angle for the larger backs if you want to do quite a bit of movements. Even though I got it to use it on an IQ160 it works great on the IQ180 (ever seen Rodney Lough Jr's prints? I think he uses an Arca with a 40mm HR) and should work well with future backs. The 40mm HR is also not a huge lens. The 32mm is. I might also get the 23mm HR and the 70mm or 90mm later. Those would be my lens choices.
The guys at Digital Transitions NYC helped me a LOT in deciding what to get. I just think its insane to purchase such expensive systems without a knowledgable dealer to help out with the purchase, service and support. They have a great tool for pre-visializing lenses:
https://www.digitaltransitions.com/page/tech-camera-visualizers
[I am expecting the whole back/camera/lens system soon so I have not had a chance to use it yet]
You have the IQ180 with you, why not at least have some fun with it! I would just make the best of it and try not to think of the financial depreciation hit if you sell it. Think of that money as camera rental. (IQ180 rigs are rented out at about $1600 a week or more!)