While I agree on most, pricing is already absurd high... don’t tale Alpa as example... take a look at a Full Arca Swiss or Cambo system. Just saying the difference is massive!
Just an over view:
XT:
XT camera - 5.950EUR
23mm - 11.900EUR
32mm - 11.900EUR
70mm - 8.300EUR
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Total: 38.050EUR
Arca Swiss:
Rm3di - 5.450EUR
23mm - 7.850EUR
32mm - 8.350EUR
70mm - 3.850EUR
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Total: 25.500EUR
Yes, but Arca Swiss lenses are generally lower than the same lens purchased through Cambo/Alpa because they do not require the helical mount, that is on the RM3Di body. And some Cambo bodies costs thousands less than the RM3Di, so ...
The most appropriate comparison is to Cambo, because that is what the eco system is derived from. Saying that X shutter lenses are expensive compared to Arca lenses is no different than any Alpa or Cambo lens being more expensive. X Shutter HR lens pricing compared to Cambo HR lenses in Sinar e250 shutter, is roughly the same price (except for the 70HR, oddly) for a far superior shutter. Also, what mount are these Arca Swiss lens prices you're presenting? If Copal, these prices are out of date, because copal shutters are no longer available through Arca (or anyone).
The only apples to apples comparison can be via e250 Shutter or perhaps Aperture Mount. Any other pricing is out of date (which means it would be lower).
Below are standard prices (no discounts applied) in USD for the X lens choices compared to buying the lenses in e250 mount for Cambo/Alpa/Arca bodies.
$11,990 - 23HR in Phase One X Shutter
$11,823 - 23HR in Cambo WRS Mount Sinar 250 eShutter
$11,949 - 23HR in Alpa LB Mount Sinar 250 eShutter
$10,273 - 23HR in Arca R Mount Sinar 250 eShutter
$11,990 - 32HR in Phase One X Shutter
$12,268 - 32HR in Cambo WRS Mount Sinar 250 eShutter
$12,052 - 32HR in Alpa LB Mount Sinar 250 eShutter
$10,647 - 32HR in Arca R Mount Sinar 250 eShutter
$8,990 - 70HR in Phase One X Shutter
$7,230 - 70HR in Cambo WRS Mount Sinar 250 eShutter
$7,010 - 70HR in Alpa LB Mount Sinar 250 eShutter
$5,961 - 70HR in Arca R Mount Sinar 250 eShutter
In the context of the above, I do not find the pricing of the Rodenstock HR lenses in X Shutter to be outrageously high (except the 70HR, a head scratcher). Arca Rwiss is the outlier, because the helical is a one time purchase that you pay for when you buy the R body. But the X Shutter lenses are very fairly priced compared to Cambo/Alpa helical-based lens mountings.
Steve Hendrix/CI