Does anyone in the U.S. have any RECENT experience with ArcaSwiss sales/tech.sup port/parts?
I ask because I'm in the market for my first 4x5 camera (I'm moving down from 8x 10 and 11x14, although I've borrowed and rented 4x5's) and the Arca-Swiss camera s (reviewed elsewhere on this home page) sound intriguing; I've been impressed w ith my B2 head--others rave about the B1--so I think the company makes quality s tuff).
Unfortunately, I can't invest several grand into a camera I can't find out anyth ing about (because I worry that if the company won't help my BUY their camera, t hey're even more unlikely to help me get accessories, parts, and repairs). The " distributor" listed in those quarter-page black-and-white ads in the magazines i s a woman working out of her home in Chicago who usually isn't there to answer h er phone and doesn't return messages or send info even when you leave your name, address, and phone number (as I have). I'm also a bit frightened by the Switzer land issue; I know that Mike Kirk is no longer the repair guy for the A-S ballhe ads (they must go back to Switzerland now) and I can't afford to be without my m ain camera for six days, let alone six months (as the 4x5 reviewer was when his A-S monorail broke).
Thus I'm considering the Sinar f2. Sinar has been very responsive when I've call ed their number (toll-free), I can actually find dealers all over who stock--and even rent--the equipment, the large catalog clearly illustrates and explains ea ch exorbitantly-priced item, and there are so many Sinar cameras and accessories available everywhere, new and used, that I figure I can rely on getting replace ments/repairs when I break something (and I will, as I'm pretty rough on my equi pment).
In the ArcaSwiss 6x9 review on this web site, the reviewer says Calumet stocks A rcaSwiss. Maybe I'm missing something, but I live a few blocks from the big Calu met store in Chicago and go there so often that I know every employee by first n ame--but I have never seen any A-S products there (cameras or tripod heads) nor have I seen any A-S items in any Calumet catalogs in the past couple of years (I tried calling them but they're closed for the holidays). If Calumet carries A-S , I'll be very interested in the product line; if the only source is the phantom phone number in the ads (and if I have to wait for parts to come from Switzerla nd) I'll probably do more than hesitate.
Arca-Swiss users (especially those in the U.S.): any comments or advice? The cam era looks very promising, but support can be more than half the equation... Than ks in advance for your help!
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