Dumb Q regarding Mamiya RZ and RB

tkamiya · Apr 7, 2010

I thought RB meant Rotating Back and all RB had this option. I thought RZ didn't have this capability and couldn't with adapters either.

Then, I was browsing KEH site and it shows RB adapter for this purpose and the magazine type catalog KEH sends shows RZ with back rotating capability.

How does this work? Certain models of RB has this and certain ones are option? Can RZ have this and is it standard to all RZs?

I'm sure this is explained in bits and pieces but I'm so confused, can someone tell me how this works??

dancqu · Apr 7, 2010

I've One of Each

Rotating backs are standard on both. You may
have been looking at replacement backs. IIRC
the rotating backs may be removed. Dan

agfarapid · Apr 7, 2010

I'm not sure about the RZ but the RB Pro S that I bought on ebay came with the revolving back. It's an adaptor that fits on the back of the camera between the magazine and the body. Most RB's and RZ's ship with them and I believe it's the default.

keithwms · Apr 7, 2010

Yes, it's extremely rare to find an RB or RZ without the rotating adapter piece already mounted on it. I had my RB for more than a year before realizing that the rotating bit could be detached. Just be sure when you buy that you do get it, i.e. ask and be sure. You could call KEH and be sure that the body you are buying has one. The two RB and two RZ bodies I bought from them all came with rotating adapters on them.

MattKing · Apr 7, 2010

The rotating adapter is the one most commonly used on each version of the cameras, and comes standard with them.

On the RB 67 at least, you can take off the rotating adapter to, among other things, attach a Polaroid back (which requires it's own adapter).

I would guess that the "RB" designation was chosen because it helped promote the (then new) rotating back, but by the time that the RZ came out, it was well known the the film backs for the Mamiya 6x7/6x8 cameras rotated, so the RZ designation was chosen simply to differentiate it from the earlier versions.

tkamiya · Apr 7, 2010

Thank you everybody.... I guess KEH sells the rotating part for RB as accessory for those who doesn't have one for some reason?

unclemack · Apr 7, 2010

If you're buying an RB body some sellers include the rotating adapter, some don't. You can find adapters for sale separately - they come in 6x7 & 6x8 versions because there is a 6x8 back also available.
Except for the Polaroid back you can't fit a back to the body without an adapter. It's not optional.
RZ bodies have the rotation mechanism built-in, no adapter needed so RZ backs attach directly to the RZ body. Cocking the body also winds film with the RZ, unlike the RB.

Dumb Q regarding Mamiya RZ and RB

tkamiya

dancqu

agfarapid

keithwms

MattKing

Moderator

tkamiya

unclemack

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