GAS attack

chuck94022 · Dec 8, 2016

I always thought I had medium format covered with my Mamiya 6MF. It's such a wonderful camera. But it isn't a portrait camera. To be fair, I'm not a portrait photographer. I tend to shoot landscapes and street. My 6MF has been wonderful for the latter, and I use large format for landscapes. However, I'm feeling more desire to master portrait photography.

I like the idea of medium format for portraits, and my 6MF just isn't right for it. So I've started lusting after RZ67s on the auction site. More specifically, mostly to get a newer body, I've been looking at RZ67 Pro II kits.

A couple of questions. Is this just GAS and I should ignore it? Should I just stick with large format portraiture? I fear that any subject would get bored with me fiddling under a dark cloth, plus the fear of missing a moment.

Also, getting past GAS, I notice that almost 100% of the auction site listing note "dust" in RZ lenses. Do the Mamiya lenses get more dust than other lenses for some reason, or is this just sellers being thorough? If I do pull the trigger on an RZ system, anything I should be especially careful of?

mweintraub · Dec 8, 2016

The RZ67 is a fantastic camera with great results. I have three lenses: 65mm L/A, 110mm, and 180mm W. No noticeable dust... at least not when I bought it each used.

FujiLove · Dec 8, 2016

I always say this when people talk about buying film cameras and lenses...you really have nothing to lose in giving it a go. Buy whatever you want as long as you can afford it. Relax, have fun and if it doesn't work out for whatever reason, sell it on. The whole process is unlikely to cost you more than a cheap meal out for one!

I started out with Rolleiflex TLR cameras and have bought Hasselblad and Pentax 67 equipment since to 'solve' various limitations. Hasselblad for the interchangeable backs, wide lenses and ability to more easily use grad filters. The Pentax because I sometimes get bored of square compositions and wanted to use the lovely 105mm and 165mm lenses.

I've no experience with the RZ67 Pro II, but have heard nothing but good things about it aside from the bulk and weight (similar to my Pentax 6x7) which of course is relative. Plus you already have the M6 when you want to travel light.

I say pull the trigger!

paul ron · Dec 8, 2016

just be sure to include a return statement with tge seller in case that dust is way out of line. make it clear n conditional that if for any reason the camera doesnt work or lenses are fungus n dirt ridden, you have a right to return it for a REFUND!

that dust statement may be his disclaimer to say it was sold as advertised.

Alan Gales · Dec 8, 2016

There are a lot of Japanese Sellers on Ebay today selling medium and large format lenses. They usually say that there is a tiny bit of dust in their lenses. I think they are just covering their butts in case you find something in a lens that they sell. Of course a lot of lenses have a speck or a few specks of dust in them. Some even came from the factory that way. A few small specks of dust won't hurt anything. Now fungus, thats another story.

spijker · Dec 8, 2016

If the main objective is to shoot portraits with the MF SLR, then maybe you should consider a 645 SLR with a (AE) prism finder instead of the RZ67. You'll get practically the same print resolution as from the (cropped) Mamiya 6 negatives. But a 645 SLR is a lot compacter than a RZ67 and thereby easier to maneuver for handheld portraits. For example, a Mamiya 645 Pro/Pro TL with the Mamiya 150mm f/2.8 A lens should be able to get you beautiful portraits. Just another thought.

RichardJack · Dec 8, 2016

Hi,
In the past 3-4 months I've made several purchases from Ebay sellers in Japan. Usually using the "make offer" option. As mentioned above the sellers are covering their rear end when they mention tiny dust. If the mention tiny SCRATCH avoid the lens. I purchased 2 bodies, 5 lenses, and 2 backs. The condition was outstanding, high serial numbers as if these were new old stock. In some cases I paid top dollar but the lenses were rare. BUT...you must read all of the fine print, sometimes they spell something wrong. Ask questions as well. The other amazing thing was I received one or two of the items from Japan in less than a week, always in less time than posted.
Buy what you like and enjoy it.
happy holidays!
Rick

Kirks518 · Dec 8, 2016

EVERY lens has some amount of dust internally, and it is not a Mamiya problem. They aren't assembled in clean rooms, and 99.9% of the time, the dust isn't significant enough to cause any issues with image quality. It's a seller protecting him/herself against BS returns for 'not as described' claims. In other words, I wouldn't sweat it. In an 'item not as described' claim, the seller usually has to pay for the return shipping, and that could be a lot of money to/from Japan.

Sirius Glass · Dec 8, 2016

If you have GAS, just give in to it. You worked hard for money to buy things for others your whole adult life and now it is the time to you to buy those things that you want. No one else will buy it for you so just go ahead and buy it. The only reason not to buy it is to buy a Hasselblad instead.

moto-uno · Dec 8, 2016

^ Did somebody just put in a plug here ? Peter

paul ron · Dec 8, 2016

some hassie did!

yeah got gas?... just buy it!

you'll feel guilty in the morning but your wife will get over it.

Groundloop · Dec 9, 2016

If buying the RZ II kit doesn't mean your kids are going hungry or otherwise missing out, if you're not delaying mortgage/rent/car/insurance payments, or in any way shirking obligations that need to be addressed, go for it. The RZ is a great, although bulky, system that is very flexible and gives lovely results. To me, the secrets to the RZ sauce (when I had one), were the great lenses, bellows focussing, and the revolving back.

Sirius Glass · Dec 9, 2016

paul ron said:
some hassie did!

yeah got gas?... just buy it!

you'll feel guilty in the morning but your wife will get over it.

Chances are good that if you never tell her, she will never know the difference.

chuck94022 · Dec 9, 2016

Sirius Glass said:
Chances are good that if you never tell her, she will never know the difference.

That's my usual trick...

Larry the sailor · Dec 9, 2016

You realize of course that if YOU don't buy it somebody else will.

pbromaghin · Dec 9, 2016

Do you really own only 2 cameras? That's not near enough. If you're worried about quality, you can check out KEH for their industry-standard rating system and no-questions-asked return policy.

chuck94022 · Dec 9, 2016

pbromaghin said:
Do you really own only 2 cameras? That's not near enough. If you're worried about quality, you can check out KEH for their industry-standard rating system and no-questions-asked return policy.

Ha! Only two? Not hardly. I have an Oly 35RD, Nikon FM3a, F4, F5, two digi-Nikons, a Chamonix 045n2 LF camera with a couple of MF roll film backs to boot, a Kiev 88 (essentially inoperable due to extensive leaks and mechanical problems), and the Mamia 6MF. They need a stablemate. The RZ67 seems to fill the bill.

chuck94022 · Feb 3, 2017

Well, I did finally pull the trigger - multiple triggers as it turns out to assemble an RZ67 Pro II system from selected e*ay components. Here is what I bought, in separate transactions (waiting for just the right component):

RZ67 Pro II body with 120 II back
180mm lens
250mm lens
Winder II
extra 120 back
Side grip
set of extension tubes
AE Finder II
Neck strap
Polaroid back

This was a fun camera to assemble! And by waiting for individual components, I was able to assemble the system at exactly the quality level I wanted. This is (still) a great time to buy great film cameras!

Theo Sulphate · Feb 3, 2017

For portraits there's also a 180/4 RZ variable soft focus lens you may wish to investigate...

chuck94022 · Feb 3, 2017

Theo Sulphate said:
For portraits there's also a 180/4 RZ variable soft focus lens you may wish to investigate...

It is an interesting lens, I have checked it out. I did see a review online that said the bokeh was a bit funky. What is your experience with it?

I'm waiting for a good 110/2.8 to show up on e*ay. At the moment, the only ones for sale are junk (unless I want to buy another body to go along with it...)

Theo Sulphate · Feb 3, 2017

I have the regular 180, not the soft focus, sorry. Just thought I'd mention it though.

iakustov · Feb 4, 2017

Congratulations on the purchase!
I own several rz lens and 180 (non s/f) is a wonderful lens. alhough it is simple tessar type design and usually one the cheapest you can buy, it delivers perfect results for me when shooting portraits.
I use 180mm s/f (but with no disks) usually stopped down 1/2-1 stops with good results. It is interesting lens indeed, although focusing could be tricky.

GAS attack

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