Terry
New member
Many of you on this forum are pros or have large format experience in your past....I don't and thought this might be useful to others that don't. In addition, I've been going all through the different sites reading up on the new Rm3d and there isn't a ton of info available and thought maybe this thread could start a discussion and help others considering this system.
This all started quite innocently. I asked Guy and Jack if they could possibly get a back and tech camera for me to demo at the upcoming Yosemite workshop.
At the same time I was pointed in the direction of a virtually brand new P40+ kit on ebay. At first I brushed it off but the next morning curiosity got the better of me and I checked to see where the auction was. With only a few minutes left, I was pretty surprised there were still no bids (it was being sold by a very reputable dealer). So, after a bit of consultation I placed a bid at the very last minute - actually in the last 30 seconds. The bid confirm and the "congratulations you won" arrived in my inbox simultaneously. Yikes! What had I done! :ROTFL:
So now it was time to start down the path of deciding on a tech camera solution. Bob graciously sent his Cambo to try out while I was in AZ under Guy's tutelage and supervision. In addition, Rod Klukas at Photomark in Phoenix had the Arca Swiss Rm3d in the store for us to demo (in the store). I was a goner with the Arca in a few minutes. It took Guy and I a whole two shots to understand the focus system and the whole thing just felt right to me. We spent about two hours with Rod learning various facets of the camera and spent some time with a laser measuring and focusing (at pretty close range) and were both impressed with how accurate we could be (with more than just a wide angle lens). We also did a few shots with shifts for stitching.
So, I ended up buying the Rm3d that afternoon (with Schneider 35mm Apo-Digitar XL). I know this is a pretty major system for a newbie but like tripods I didn't want to try a bunch and end up where I just should have started in the first place. Also, if I hated it I knew some others interested in the system
Deciding Factor:
Focusing is fantastic
Other positives:
Great viewfinder/mask system
Today the Arca arrived and Jack got to do the grand unboxing with me. Sorry there are no youtube videos posted of this event! But alas shortly after that I needed to do some work (to actually afford this stuff). I finally got out for about an hour late this afternoon.
These are just some of my TEST shots (so if you hate people posting test shots you can stop now). I was not using the viewfinder and looking to get great framing. I was simply getting the workflow ingrained. These are essentially straight from the camera and resized.
figure out exposure/focus/cock shutter/wake back/fire
Again this was not an exercise in framing.
crop
Used a laser to measure the distance to the pole and was going to try and snap people as they walked by that area. My shutter speed was a bit slow but the laser in combination with the focus distance chart (supplied with each lens) gave me a sharp pole
I know not the ideal shot direction time of day combo
crop
I knew he was going to leave the beach so I dialed in the my new estimated distance and was very quickly able to get him in pretty decent focus.
If you've read this far.... if you thought the cube instructions were pretty funny considering the product price....be prepared the Rm3d instructions are very similarly presented.
This all started quite innocently. I asked Guy and Jack if they could possibly get a back and tech camera for me to demo at the upcoming Yosemite workshop.
At the same time I was pointed in the direction of a virtually brand new P40+ kit on ebay. At first I brushed it off but the next morning curiosity got the better of me and I checked to see where the auction was. With only a few minutes left, I was pretty surprised there were still no bids (it was being sold by a very reputable dealer). So, after a bit of consultation I placed a bid at the very last minute - actually in the last 30 seconds. The bid confirm and the "congratulations you won" arrived in my inbox simultaneously. Yikes! What had I done! :ROTFL:
So now it was time to start down the path of deciding on a tech camera solution. Bob graciously sent his Cambo to try out while I was in AZ under Guy's tutelage and supervision. In addition, Rod Klukas at Photomark in Phoenix had the Arca Swiss Rm3d in the store for us to demo (in the store). I was a goner with the Arca in a few minutes. It took Guy and I a whole two shots to understand the focus system and the whole thing just felt right to me. We spent about two hours with Rod learning various facets of the camera and spent some time with a laser measuring and focusing (at pretty close range) and were both impressed with how accurate we could be (with more than just a wide angle lens). We also did a few shots with shifts for stitching.
So, I ended up buying the Rm3d that afternoon (with Schneider 35mm Apo-Digitar XL). I know this is a pretty major system for a newbie but like tripods I didn't want to try a bunch and end up where I just should have started in the first place. Also, if I hated it I knew some others interested in the system
Deciding Factor:
Focusing is fantastic
Other positives:
Great viewfinder/mask system
Today the Arca arrived and Jack got to do the grand unboxing with me. Sorry there are no youtube videos posted of this event! But alas shortly after that I needed to do some work (to actually afford this stuff). I finally got out for about an hour late this afternoon.
These are just some of my TEST shots (so if you hate people posting test shots you can stop now). I was not using the viewfinder and looking to get great framing. I was simply getting the workflow ingrained. These are essentially straight from the camera and resized.
figure out exposure/focus/cock shutter/wake back/fire
Again this was not an exercise in framing.
crop
Used a laser to measure the distance to the pole and was going to try and snap people as they walked by that area. My shutter speed was a bit slow but the laser in combination with the focus distance chart (supplied with each lens) gave me a sharp pole
I know not the ideal shot direction time of day combo
crop
I knew he was going to leave the beach so I dialed in the my new estimated distance and was very quickly able to get him in pretty decent focus.
If you've read this far.... if you thought the cube instructions were pretty funny considering the product price....be prepared the Rm3d instructions are very similarly presented.
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