Hi Charlie, The pics you've posted have really caught my eye. Really nice job. It sounds like you worked with Doug to put the system together. Any chance you could identify each of the pieces that you put together in this system? For example, which Alpa, which adapters, focusing system, etc.
Ray - First let me preface this by saying I do not work as a pro photographer so my needs and wants may be very different than others.
My system:
refurbished Phase P20+ with Mamiya interface purchased from Capture Integration
I spoke and corresponded with both Doug and Dave at CI and both were very helpful and extremely knowledgeable.
Alpa 12 SWA with wake-up handgrip for Phase back
Alpa backadapter MA645A for Phase backs with Mamiya interface
Alpa viewfinder
Lens: Schneider Apo-Digitar 5.6/47mm XL
viewfinder mask
I purchased all the Alpa gear from Fotocare in New York (I am in NY)
No focussing aids, just guesstimating. But many of the shots are f/11 and set to infinity. I need to experiment with this more but that will come in time.
No meter, again just guessing but it is very fast to tune in the exposure with reviewing the shots on the LCD. I was worried about this before I got it but it is not really a problem.
Also, the first day I went out with it I brought along the M8 and tried transferring info from the lens distance scale on the M8 for closer objects and that worked very well. I could use the M8 as a meter as well but it is just as quick to guess the exposure, review on the LCD, and make adjustments.
One caveat, the Alpa is very expensive. The Cambos are much less expensive, have more movements than the SWA, and use the same lenses from Schneider so for a technical camera they may well be a better option. For me, I liked how the Alpa felt in my hands better than the Cambo and I will shoot handheld with it as well as on a tripod. For what I paid for this system I probably could have gotten a refurbished P45+ with Phase camera and 80mm lens (and maybe picked up another cheap used Mamiya lens!), but again, I have no professional pressure to bring home the shot - except from my own drives and desires as an artist so I have some latitude and freedom in selecting equipment.