Arca M line 2 vs rotaslide and M8

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I just heard back from my local Arca dealer who said that the m line 2 for slr does have an M8 adapter.

 

I am really considering this option. The issue is the small image that will be captured. I love the Arca products and think they truly are the finest machines made. I shoot with both a 4x5 and 8x10 Arca kit.

 

The primary reason for this purchase is to use some of the exotic soft focus lenses I have. These lenses are wonderful for landscape and figure but there is no way to have a mount made for the M8. Heck the 1908 pinkham and smith is bigger than the M8 - besides being a barrel lens.

 

The other option is have Sk grimes manufacture an adapter for the Arca Rota slide which I have owned for a while, but couldnt justify the purchase of a MFDB. The prices are in freefall and the whole industry may well go bell up.

 

The image quality of the M8 is very fine and I really don't need more megapixels for what Ill use the kit for,.

 

Thoughts re: this would be greatly appreciated.

[Printmaker]

With a 35mm lens being normal for M cameras, what lenses are you going to shoot with a sliding back on your 4x5? My widest is a 75 Grandagon followed by a 90 Angulon. I doubt if I'd ever want to use them on my Leica... maybe my 127 Xenar - but I'd be better off finding a soft and dreamy screw mount Canon.

 

The Arca adaptor has to run a grand or more. I'd be inclined to pick up a good used MF back or a BetterLight or PhaseOne scanback to mount on the Arca. BetterLights do a better job on landscapes and nudes as they have adjustable scan speeds. If you don't need the huge MP or want fast capture, an older 16 -22 MP back from Kodak, Leif or PhaseOne would probably work better with your lenses.

 

Tom