Arca-Swiss Rotaslide sliding camera back adapter.

Every year we look at different aspects of studio and location camera equipment. This year we are looking at sliding back adapters. We have tried the Phase One Flex-Adapter and are now looking at others from Cambo, Kapture Group, and elsewhere.

Arca-Swiss rotaslide sliding camera back adapter. Sample from Photokina 2006.

If you want to use your medium format digital back on a large format camera, then you need a sliding back adapter.

I have inspected the Arca-Swiss Rotaslide sliding camera back adapter at several Photokina trade shows, but when I have requested a back for evaluation, never received an answer to my e-mail or even to messages left by calling long distance all the way to Arca-Swiss in Europe. In the booth everyone is polite and helpful, and the equipment looks great, but when you read on any web site you quickly learn that response is limited. After waiting several weeks and no answer, I asked Cambo, got an answer in 24 hours and a sliding back adapter by FedEx or TNT or DHL about 72 hours later.

So I immediately flew the Cambo sliding back adapter down to Guatemala and used it both in Honduras to photograph Maya archaeology sculpture at Copan, and used it in Guatemala to photograph Maya ethnobotany. Our FLAAR Reports on all this photography will include a discussion of the advantages of a sliding back adapter.

Since I have two Cambo 4x5 cameras (one Ultima and one repro version), it is logical to use a Cambo branded sliding back adapter. If I had an Arca-Swiss camera body it would be logical to at least consider an Arca-Swiss Rotaslide, but with no Arca-Swiss cameras, and none of their accessories, I am now evaluating the Cambo, and very content with the Cambo.

Arca-Swiss camera system.

Most recently updated Jan. 16, 2009.
First posted Oct 6, 2006.

Available by october 2008 Available by octuber 2008 Available by october 2008 Available by october 2008 Available by october 2008

Nicholas Hellmuth’s Medium Format Digital Camera Initiative For over 40 years Nicholas Hellmuth has used Rolleiflex and Hasselblad cameras to record the flora, fauna, and archaeology of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Now for several years he is extending his medium format experience to digital photography. Since FLAAR works both in a studio as well as out on location, we are an ideal focus for judging portability. We have experience with large format digital scan backs (the excellent BetterLight) and we also use Nikon and Canon digital cameras. A full-service digital pro should have at least one medium format digital system and should consider large format digital options as well. Although we started with a Leaf Valeo 22 coupled with a Mamiya 645 AFD body and lenses, we are open to showcasing all bodies as well as other digital backs. Indeed we have tested an Imacon 4-shot back on a Hasselblad H1 body. Then (February 2006 onwards) we are evaluated a MegaVision black-and-white dedicated back for fine art photography. Next we are testing a 33-megapixel Phase One P 30. Since 2008 FLAAR has used a Phase One P25+ (a great way to update an aging Hasselblad ELX body with its excellent Zeiss lenses). Camera resellers or manufacturers who wish to have their cameras, lenses, and backs included in this initiative are welcome to send their equipment for evaluation. FLAAR is the de facto source of information because we have been university based, independent, blunt, and we are one of the few review sources that dares to review advertising specs, advertising claims, and advertising hype. We can afford to reveal all the pros and cons because FLAAR is a research institute. Photographers feel they can trust a university research professor who has devoted years to understanding the pros and cons of each aspect of a digital camera system and workflow. Notice you are not blinded by blinking, flashing, or pesty ads for low-bid camera stores on a FLAAR photography review. I am always amused by a pseudo-review that obviously is simply paid to send you to a camera store. You can download our colorful FLAAR Reports on our medium format digital camera initiative.