Recently I've been thinking about giving DMF another try. The main reason is the ability to use a view camera. I used to have a Linhof 679, which was great, but shifting was very unprecise (I had the classic version , not CC or CS).
I shoot food, mostly with lenses arround 120mm, nearly always flash or HMI, about 1m distance from the subject. The system has to be portable, I want to use it on a gitzo tripod (no column stand), quick setup is necessary. I need mainly tilt, seldom shift.
Now I am in the market again, Cambo and Sinar are out, I want something more solid. I am down to three cameras:
- Linhof 679CS. It's a beauty, I live 20 minutes away from the Linhof factory, but I think it is the heaviest.
- Arca Swiss Monolith. I've seen it at Photokina and really liked it, but it is near impossible to get information about that camera. it's the most expensive one. those who have it seem to like it.
- Arca Swiss m-line 2. cheapest, lightest, usable with dslr, no front shift or back tilt/swing. is this an option for table top?
My clients, my stylists and myself are used to canon's live view. is a sliding back still necessary or does the life view of modern backs like the IQ work well enough to judge static compositions in controlled light settings?
