Mamiya rb67 mirror lock up on 90mm sekor c question

[Filmfan101]

Hi, an engineer told me not to use cable release in the mirror lock up port on the lens as it can cause damage, has anyone heard this before? I’m using a good quality Nikon cable release and can’t see the problem as the port is designed to be used.

 

[ags2mikon]

That's a new one on me. I have using these things since 1978. But maybe I just didn't get the memo.

 

[Filmfan101]

That's a new one on me. I have using these things since 1978. But maybe I just didn't get the memo.

Yeah I thought it was strange I’ve been using it and can’t see the problem

 

[xkaes]

I never had a problem with it either, on any RB lens -- that's what it's there for -- but this isn't the first time that someone has a problem and it quickly becomes an epidemic.

 

[Trail Images]

I made this double cable release up many years ago now specifically for mirror lockup usage and have used it on every lens I have from 37mm-180mm to date without one issue. I can't think of any image I've shot 30+ years with the RB without using mirror lockup.

 

[MattKing]

Hi, an engineer told me not to use cable release in the mirror lock up port on the lens as it can cause damage, has anyone heard this before? I’m using a good quality Nikon cable release and can’t see the problem as the port is designed to be used.

Is there a chance that this advice was particular to a particular lens that was in somw way already compromised?
If the mirror lock up mechanism was partly damaged - stripped threads or something similar - I can see that advice being prudent for that particular copy.

 

[xkaes]

That's entirely possible. It's also possible that the user with the "problem" was using it incorrectly. Some people have "problems" with the double cable release -- which is nice, but optional.

 

[benderscameracorner]

Hi, an engineer told me not to use cable release in the mirror lock up port on the lens as it can cause damage, has anyone heard this before? I’m using a good quality Nikon cable release and can’t see the problem as the port is designed to be used.

Err.. then how are you supposed to trip the shutter then? It's literally its only function ;-)
Yeah, definitely suss advice.

Worth mentioning, you don't need a double cable release to use an RB in MLU mode... just a standard cable release in the lens... trip the camera's mirror on the its shutter release, give the camera a moment to calm down, then fire away.

 

[Arthurwg]

My suggestion: Be careful that the release at the lens doesn't extend too far, and/or don't force it too energetically. I've heard of a similar problem with Mamiya 7 & 7 7IIs, when overly energetic cable release has caused damage.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Err.. then how are you supposed to trip the shutter then? It's literally its only function ;-)
Yeah, definitely suss advice.

Worth mentioning, you don't need a double cable release to use an RB in MLU mode... just a standard cable release in the lens... trip the camera's mirror on the its shutter release, give the camera a moment to calm down, then fire away.

That's what I do. I also have the Mamiya double cable release. It's more of a nuisance, so I don't bother using it.

 

[xkaes]

Worth mentioning, you don't need a double cable release to use an RB in MLU mode... just a standard cable release in the lens... trip the camera's mirror on the its shutter release, give the camera a moment to calm down, then fire away.

That's how I always used it.

 

[MattKing]

Err.. then how are you supposed to trip the shutter then? It's literally its only function ;-)

I expect that the advice questioned is effectively advice not to use the camera with the mirror locked up.
The other thing that occurs to me is that there are a couple of different ways that the mirror lock up use routine is implemented on the RB67 cameras and lenses. This seems to vary with which version of the lens is being used. The advice may be related to particular implementations.

 

[benderscameracorner]

My suggestion: Be careful that the release at the lens doesn't extend too far, and/or don't force it too energetically. I've heard of a similar problem with Mamiya 7 & 7 7IIs, when overly energetic cable release has caused damage.

Yep, something to be mindful of.
I have a double release designed for the Nikon PB-4 (or -5 or -6, I forget) bellows and one cable's inner/plunger does come out and lock rather a long way when pressed. Obviously designed for specific functionality with the bellows itself, it doesn't tend to work well on any camera, including the RB.

 

[Craig S.....]

Hi, an engineer told me not to use cable release in the mirror lock up port on the lens as it can cause damage, has anyone heard this before? I’m using a good quality Nikon cable release and can’t see the problem as the port is designed to be used.

The manual for the camera is free to download, this will show the use of the cable release, I think your engineer friend may be incorrect. I use a pentax duel release cable on my RB67 Pro S.

 

[MCB18]

Hi, an engineer told me not to use cable release in the mirror lock up port on the lens as it can cause damage, has anyone heard this before? I’m using a good quality Nikon cable release and can’t see the problem as the port is designed to be used.

It’s most likely he was either referring to that specific lens, or he just wasn’t using it right. Unfortunately, the way MLU works on the RB isn’t super intuitive.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

That's odd...I've been using a cable in the mirror lock up port since 1993. No issues and I have all sorts of lenses, new and old.