Anyone Using Metered Prisms or Chimney Finders With Their RB67?

Arthurwg · Dec 14, 2023

Wondering if you like these metered finders and which do you prefer? I believe the LCD finders are preferable to the CDS meters. What's your experience?

MattKing · Dec 14, 2023

I had one of the SPD chimney finders for my RB67 - sold it with the camera.
It was great to use - particularly with close focus work. And the built in adjustable diopter is handy.
It isn't quick to use, because you take a reading, read what is set on the side of the and then manually transfer the indicated settings to the camera/lens.
It is quite light, but it is bulky - both on the camera and, perhaps more important, in the camera bag.
It takes the same PX-28 six volt battery as the Mamiya 645 cameras use.

Donald Qualls · Dec 15, 2023

I have a CdS metered chimney for my RB -- it's handy, especially since it automatically compensates for bellows factor (I use the chimney finder mainly for macro, which I need to do more of). The CdS uses one or two (been a while since I changed them) button cells, and I was told it works correctly on alkaline as well as silver oxide. I also enjoy the adjustable diopter; but I can't use it without my glasses as I would the waist level finder (I'm very nearsighted). Then again, the ocular is large enough and the adjustment lets me changer eye relief so I don't need to remove my glasses.

Alan Edward Klein · Dec 15, 2023

Eye level finders see the world correctly from left to right. Waist level and chimney finders see the world reversed, which I find annoying when composing. This is why I use my eye level finder 99% of the time.

Arthurwg · Dec 16, 2023

Mostly interested in the meter performance.

Alan Edward Klein · Dec 17, 2023

Eugen Mezei said:
My trick is not to look at the ground glass (or only with periferal vision) but at the lens and pointing it to the subject.

My problem was when I make last minute adjustments left or right to frame the subject, I always move the camera the wrong way. My frustrations got me to buy an eye level viewfinder, so it works like my eyes and head.

Alan Edward Klein · Dec 17, 2023

Arthurwg said:
Mostly interested in the meter performance.

I understand Arthur. But there may be others reading this thread, interested in buying metered viewfinders, who might not realize that composing and viewing orientation are very different between waist and eye level finders.

mshchem · Dec 17, 2023

I have a fancy eyelevel prism finder for my RZ kinda like a RB. Meter works fabulous, downside is weight, almost need to use on a tripod. I have a chimney finder for a RB that fits my RZ, it's light as a feather, I have not used the meter much but it works fine.

xya · Dec 17, 2023

I have the metered chimney finder and I think it's a marvel. Metering performance is excellent. You don't have to care about anything else, just follow the meter and you will have good results. I use mine mainly with an Instax Square back, but film rolls were good as well.

Donald Qualls · Dec 26, 2023

xya said:
You don't have to care about anything else, just follow the meter and you will have good results.

Even better, the CdS version, at least (with the sensor on an arm that extends only when the meter is switched on) has a fairly small sensing spot, smaller than center-weighted metering in older 35 mm SLRs. You can actually do useful spot metering with it, if you feel the need for such.

Hassasin · Dec 26, 2023

Meter is essential on the RB, I think, at least for the times when closer focusing is in play. I have the chimney one and indeed it is both, a very good meter, and a big help with critical focusing. Bulky it is, as RB would only have it. Basically double the height of the kit, so it can be intimidating to onlookers You get the convenience of TTL metering, but it will be a lot bulkier than a handheld meter.

Donald Qualls · Dec 26, 2023

Hassasin said:
it will be a lot bulkier than a handheld meter.

Even with the metered chimney mounted, the RB67 isn't any bulkier than an 8x8 TLR would be...

Alan Edward Klein · Dec 26, 2023

Hassasin said:
Meter is essential on the RB, I think, at least for the times when closer focusing is in play. I have the chimney one and indeed it is both, a very good meter, and a big help with critical focusing. Bulky it is, as RB would only have it. Basically double the height of the kit, so it can be intimidating to onlookers You get the convenience of TTL metering, but it will be a lot bulkier than a handheld meter.

I mainly use my eye level viewfinder with my RB67. My chimney stays home because it takes up too much room in my case.

Arthurwg · Dec 26, 2023

I just received a mint version of the PD chimney finder for my RB67 Pro SD from Japan. Now I need to find the battery (PX28 or 644 6V) which required a trip to the big city of Santa Fe, which is about 60 miles to the south. Looking forward to trying it out.

MattKing · Dec 26, 2023

Even in this big metropolitan area, it has always made the most sense to buy the PX28 batteries on the internet.
The alkaline versions are used in dog collars, so don't limit your search

Anyone Using Metered Prisms or Chimney Finders With Their RB67?

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Anyone Using Metered Prisms or Chimney Finders With Their RB67?

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