Arca-Swiss RL3d

This state-of-the-art professional viewfinder camera comes equipped with new functions for making great high-resolution images both digitally and on film. Following the success of the Rm3d, Arca-Swiss has introduced the RL3d, a universal camera with increased shift, opening up new horizons by enabling you to take images in multiple formats up to 4x5in.

Capture the real moment
Ever dreamed of a few more million? Or wished for higher resolution? The RL3d, with its ability to produce images of over 200 Mb, will make your dreams come true. It allows you to take fantastic quality images – from medium format to 4x5in – with the utmost ease and efficiency, using a high precision hand-held camera.

Despite its solidly build quality, the RL3d remains light and compact and ideal for location photography. The Arca-Swiss R-Line has five exceptional functions to improve efficiency and ergonomics and help you capture all sorts of images:

• All In Plane vertical and horizontal shift
• An integrated ± 5° horizontal or vertical tilt function to provide optimum sharpness where required (Scheimpflug effect)
• Focus distance can be measured and displayed electronically
• Camera level can be found electronically or using conventional spirit levels
• The camera comes equipped with focus sensors; framing is achieved using the new variable Vario viewfinder which covers focal lengths from 23 – 210mm.
• Lenses are fitted onto the ARCA-SWISS R via an exclusive bayonet mount. By equipping lenses with a bayonet mount and by opting to link the optical system to the helical focus mount, they can be used both on the RL3d and Rm3D, as well as a bellows camera.

Versatile
Photographers using the RL3d will be able to take pictures on film or digitally in a multitude of formats up to 4x5in. Thanks to Arca-Swiss’ wide selection of interface plates it is possible to take anything from medium format images through to panoramas. The extraordinary versatility of the modular Arca-Swiss photographic system enables you to use elements from the F- and M-Line cameras as well as a binocular viewer, lens hoods, bellows and other accessories to significantly enhance the functionality of the Arca-Swiss R-Line.

The optional electronic module extends its versatility even farther as it electronically calculates and displays data relating to level, distance from the subject and focused distance, as well as depth of field.

The quality of the image is determined by the choice of digital or film back, and by the type of film or format selected. It is easy to use as a hand-held camera and enables you to do away with a tripod, particularly in tricky situations such as construction sites, working on scaffolding or even on ladders.

RL3d technical specifications

(body, international back with ground glass and Fresnel lens)

Why stop there!
The ability to shift the lens has eliminated perspective distortion and the tilt or swing movement has extended the depth of field. The integrated bubble levels make it easy to keep the camera level, ensuring images are perfectly straight and accurately reflect reality. The shape and position of the hand grips make it easy to switch between landscape and portrait without having to change the position of the viewfinder or back.

Lenses are mounted using the exclusive Arca-Swiss R bayonet system attached to a helical focus mount. Its large diameter does not restrict the choice of lenses. The micro-precision helical focus mount, which has precise control using 1/100mm increments, is part of the R-line body guaranteeing extreme precision. The very bright multi-focal zoom viewfinder eliminates stray light and informs the photographer what movements are required. It also offers tips: points of light appear in the viewfinder generated by the format mask to indicate the amount of shift required. Each point of light equates to 5 mm of shift. The viewfinder bracket is identical to the tripod bracket, enabling the photographer to turn the camera over and thus achieve the maximum amount of shift both upward and downward.

All cameras come equipped with focus sensors. The electronic functions are provided by a separate optional electronic module that provides a wealth of information! It uses a ultrasonic device to measure the distance between the camera and the subject and also provides information on the distance on the focus ramp, the depth of field covering four F-stops and the camera level in any position.

The Arca-SwissR-Line cameras come with two built-in tripod mounts for regular or up-side-down configuration, but can be also slid onto a monorail to attach a bellows for the use of longer focal lengths. The R-Line extension kit provides a variable extension for use on long focal lengths or for still lifes.

The unique Arca-Swiss Rotaslide sliding back enables you to switch quickly between ground glass and digital back. This sliding back also enables you to rotate the digital back from landscape to portrait without having to remove it.

A wide selection of film and digital backs can be fitted to the Arca-Swiss RL3d. A high-quality camera for high precision, high quality work!

shift in X 40mm /20/20

shift in Y 50mm /10/40

tilt 10°

body weight 1450gr

1. derek regensburger says:

   February 27, 2011 at 1:57 PM

   I had some questions about the RL3d. First, how do you observe and/or calculate tilt for landscapes. How do you focus a helical focus mount? How does a 4×5 film holder attach to the camera? Do you have to buy a special back adapter to mount a 4×5 film holder? Do you focus on ground glass or do you rely on other methods? Finally, can existing lenses Rodenstock 55, 75, 180, and Schneider 120 Symmar L be converted to helical mounts?
2. Rod Klukas says:

   February 27, 2011 at 5:08 PM

   Hi Derek,

   For 4×5 film purposes, tilt can be set by focusing on the ground glass. Since the RL3d is an axis tilt camera, you focus first on the top of the ground glass for the near subject, and then roll the tilt knob until the far subject, near the bottom of ground glass, comes into focus. Recheck the near and adjust with focus, then recheck the far using the tilt knob, and so on until the near and far points are equally sharp. There are some who use mathematical calculations for tilt, but they take time and are accurate only for flat or rising ground.

   A helical is a geared focus mechanism with an extremely fine and accurate gear ratio. The helical is built into the Arca-Swiss RL3d camera body which makes it solid. DSLR and SLR camera lenses’ have helicals in their lenses’ focus mechanism, but not nearly as finely threaded and precise as the R line cameras.

   In addition to focusing on the ground glass, focus can be achieved by determining the distance from camera to subject and then transferring this information to the focusing mount. Each lens has a distance scale card delivered with it, which allows precision setting of a particular distance on the camera. You would of course need an idea of depth of field to fully utilize this, but for hand holding or a static subject with wider lenses, it is great.

   There is an optional accessory coming soon called E-Module, which attaches electronically to the lenses’ mount along the left side of the camera. As you turn the helical, it indicates the distance focused. But more than that, it simultaneously shows 4 apertures, with near/far distances for each aperture shown and also displays through LED’s when the camera is level.

   All of your Rodenstock and Schneider lenses can be mounted, but would only work for analog film photography. The lenses would need to go to the Arca-Swiss factory in France for the helical mounting. The mounting is extremely precise, much more so than just changing a lens board. The 55mm and 75mm mounting cost is $1146.00 each, while the longer ones would run $1581.00 each, as they require an extension. Lens mount pricing includes freight.

   Each lens would be delivered with the distance cards I mentioned above, specific to each focal length. Also included, is the appropriate mask for the VarioFinder, and a DOF indicator/focus drum also used in the VarioFinder, an optional accessory. After inserting the drum in the VarioFinder, rotating it to the subject distance you wish to photograph, will give some indication of depth of field. Useful, though not nearly as accurate as the E-Module.

   I hope I’ve answered your questions Derek. Let me know if you need any further explanation.
3. William Littlewood says:

   March 28, 2011 at 11:43 AM

   Is there any literature available for the RL3d?
4. Rod Klukas says:

   April 4, 2011 at 10:17 PM

   Hi William,

   You can call or email me about the RL3d. Use the contact page for my information and email links. I should be getting one as a demo camera in the near future and can provide new photos and information then.

   Rod
5. Richard says:

   July 29, 2011 at 7:49 PM

   Just getting into large format and the RL3D is of particular interest for the work I want to do. While working in 4×5 one selects lenses based on that format, while medium format requires totally different lenses. Do you need separate lenses for both 4×5 film work and medium format digital backs? It appears from the limited information i’ve read that you don’t? Also, focusing seems arduous as with all large formats, especially with hi-res digital backs that are very unforgiving ie Phase One IQ180, so how is this accomplished with any precision? What is the largest medium format back the RL3D will accept, 6×9 or 6×12? Is there a laser rangefinder accessory available, for precise distance measurement? Can I do extreme close up work with this camera and what lenses does Swiss Arca already have mounted for this type of work? Thank you.