GS1 - RB67

macvisual · Jan 27, 2015

Hi all medium format shooters!

I've got an urge to try medium format again after too many years without one. I've used a few medium format cameras over the years, a SQ-A and a RB67 ProSD etc...

So I fancy the 6x7 format as I would like to shoot landscape stuff etc, I see Bronica GS1's seem quite cheap in the used market.

Any advice/experience would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Peter
Central Scotland

Trail Images · Jan 27, 2015

Hi Peter, nice to hear about your thoughts with regard to MF usage.

I cannot speak for the Bronica line but have used the RB67 ProSD for years on landscape work and find it is excellent for my style of field duties. I also use a 4x5 and find the ability to use both without rotating the cameras for horizontal and vertical shots is a real plus. Much easier just maneuvering the backs to the required orientation.

Anyway, good luck with your final decision.

wildbill · Jan 27, 2015

The gs-1 is a bit smaller than the rb and yes, cheap on the used market. I've only used the 110mm macro and it was very sharp. I've been considering one again to replace my pentax 67II's. I like the ability to switch films/backs from color to b+w.

macvisual · Jan 27, 2015

Thanks for the quick replies, impressed.

I can see the RB67 advantage with switchable revolving back is more appealing than the GS1, hmmm interesting. Any more thoughts and ideas please....

I've no problems in relation to weight and size issues, I know these are quite a beast of cameras, it don't worry me one bit.

Regards;
Pete
Scotland

flavio81 · Jan 27, 2015

I haven't used the GS1 but I have used many cameras and let me tell you that the RB67 pro-S is as perfect as a SLR camera can be. I own two (one for spares) and it is just wonderful. Once you get used to one you see that the revolving back is a MUST, every rectangular-format camera should have one. Curiously, it seems that there is a new DSLR or mirrorless camera to be launched recently that has an oversized square sensor, to enable choosing either vertical or horizontal format without having to rotate the camera.

With the rotating back, portraits or landscapes are equally comfortable. The ergonomics of the camera are excellent, everything feels properly and "in control" in my hands. The lenses i've used (50C, 90C, and 127C) are superb; sharp wide-open, contrasty, and without distortion. The viewfinder is huge and I can nail focus with more confidence than in my (otherwise great) C330 camera. Level of mirror-induced camera shake must be amongst the lowest for a medium format SLR; the camera can be handheld at 1/30 (or even slower) with no problem at all. The reliability is acknowledged to be excellent.

What else can be said? Yes, it is a bit heavy and big. But worth the extra weight and size.

PS: I'm a big Frank Zappa fan.

arealitystudios · Jan 27, 2015

Speaking as someone who owns both, I would put my preference toward the Mamiya. The Bronica is a GREAT camera, don't get me wrong, but the Mamiya has a few practical advantages that I really enjoy - namely the bellows focusing and the revolving back. When setting a camera up on a tripod the revolving back is quite handy and its nice to be able to focus in really close when out in nature using just about any lens I want. I would even consider looking at an RZ67 if you can find one for a good price. Perhaps a bit more plastic than the RB67 but you can use lenses from both lines which is really awesome.

Good luck!!

Trail Images · Jan 27, 2015

Most all the main brand 6x7 units will do an excellent job and have many optional accessories. As stated the RB weight can be of concern when toting about. However, if one can deal with that aspect it has a lot to offer. Not only the revolving back as a plus but the interchangeability of backs and film types works well too.

Here is a two page pdf that has an exploded view of interchangeable pieces for the RB line. rb67_pro-s_system.pdf

The 3 versions are Pro, ProS, and the ProSD. The ProSD has a slightly larger front opening to accommodate the 75mm shift / tilt and 500mm lenses. As a result when using the earlier version lenses it is recommended to use a sleeve or collar for a tight fit.
I use the ProSD and have collars on all the lenses but you can just have one collar and move it from lens to lens when using the ProSD model.

Maris · Jan 27, 2015

I have and use both the Bronica GS-1 and the Mamiya RB67 Pro-S. The Bronnie is more compact and elegant, lighter, offers long shutter speeds to 16s, one wind advances film and cocks shutter, has AE options, and a revolving viewfinder to make vertical shots easier. The RB67 has the revolving back so a WL finder does both horizontal and vertical pictures; saves the weight of a big prism. All RB lenses focus (bellows focussing!) much closer than the GS-1 so there's no need to carry and fit extension tubes in the field. The Mamiya lenses standardise on 77mm filters. The Mamiya system is cheaper to acquire and extend than the Bronica. And the Mamiya is purely mechanical so it is repairable indefinitely. Plus it still works perfectly if all the battery makers in the world go broke.

If I absolutely had to pick only one it would be my Mamiya RB67 Pro-S.

Alex Muir · Jan 27, 2015

The Mamiyas appear to be far more common in the UK than the Bronica GS1. Having said that, there was some GS1 stuff recently in Merchant City Cameras in Glasgow. I like the Bronica SQ, and have two, but for 6x7 I would look at the Mamiya.
Alex.

John Koehrer · Jan 27, 2015

flavio81 said:
What else can be said? Yes, it is a bit heavy and big. But worth the extra weight and size.

PS: I'm a big Frank Zappa fan.

Well, sheik yerbouti too.
Have your camera serviced at Joe's Garage do you?

Sirius Glass · Jan 27, 2015

arealitystudios said:
Speaking as someone who owns both, I would put my preference toward the Mamiya. The Bronica is a GREAT camera, don't get me wrong, but the Mamiya has a few practical advantages that I really enjoy - namely the bellows focusing and the revolving back. When setting a camera up on a tripod the revolving back is quite handy and its nice to be able to focus in really close when out in nature using just about any lens I want. I would even consider looking at an RZ67 if you can find one for a good price. Perhaps a bit more plastic than the RB67 but you can use lenses from both lines which is really awesome.

Good luck!!

I believe that the Mamiya is built better and that parts and service are both more available. If I remember correctly the Mamiya is more compact than the Bronica.

skysh4rk · Jan 27, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
If I remember correctly the Mamiya is more compact than the Bronica.

The opposite is true; the Bronica is definitely both smaller and lighter than the Mamiya.

Kirks518 · Jan 28, 2015

The Mamiya is a beast as you know, but I wouldn't give mine up. I had a Bronica (not the GS1) for a very short, and just didn't like it. The RB67SD has made me a Mamiya fanboy, and I now also shoot a 645.

Not much help, I know, but just another vote for the Mamiya.

M Carter · Jan 28, 2015

Doesn't this question - or similar "best MF camera" - get asked (and generate a four page thread of responses) about three times a year?

Anyway, if I had to choose today, I'd go Mamiya Pro-S (or SD) all the way. Stupid-cheap used, a pro workhorse that generally just needs seals and mirror foam (and occasionally a lens CLA for stuck shutters, but that's been once for me in decades) and the glass is just superb. The RZ is nice but the RB is a battery-free system unless you use a metered finder.

The "pro" lacks some handy features the Pro-S has, but they're plentiful on the market. And personally, I really like the old-school leather & chrome body vs. the RZ.

film_man · Jan 29, 2015

I can't speak for the GS1 as I never used however one consideration is that to use the GS1 in portrait you'll need a prism which then makes the camera not that much smaller/lighter than the RB.

I have a RB67 SD and it is a superb camera. The revolving back is fantastic and what always amazes me is how smooth the shutter release and mirror mechanism is, I can shoot at 1/15 with it and get sharp results all the time. As a system it is fantastic and you can get lenses dirt cheap for it from anywhere and everywhere.

In any case, you can't really go wrong with either.

PS.
If you do go down the RB67 route you may want to spend a tiny bit extra to get the SD backs, they don't have foam seals so you'll never have to worry about that.

GS1 - RB67

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