help on buying a Mamiya RB67 professional S with 90mm lens

[TheToadMen]

Hi,
I'm offered a RB67 for EUR200. It's not too far from my home so I can drive over and see the camera before buying. I'm familiar with MF cameras (Bronica SQ-B, RF645, Rollei SL66) and would like to have a RB67 also. (I don't need it, GAS, ... I know, but I will use it - promise!).

Since I'm unfamiliar with the RB67 models, haven't even hold one yet. So my question is:
- it this the right model RB67 to look for?
- what are the problems/quirks to look for in this camera to access if it is a decent working camera?
- I'm guessing this price is a decent price? €200 is about $260.

The set is offered as:
- body RB67 (model Professional S ??)
- 90 mm lens: Mamiya Sekor 1:3.8
- 2 film holders 120 type
- grip
- 2 dark slides
(BTW: The images also show a lens hood)

These are the images from the ad:

 

[Xmas]

any of the RB are ok
check the light seals in backs, adapter and mirror are ok

 

[TheToadMen]

any of the RB are ok
check the light seals in backs, adapter and mirror are ok

Hi Xmas, thanks for the quick reply. Will do so.
But what is the "adapter" for?

 

[Xmas]

the rotation 67 or 76 is achieved by an adapter
download the user manual - the camera has more tricks and traps than DisneyLand

 

[TheToadMen]

I found the manual:
http://www.mamiya.nl/client/mamiya/uploads/downloads/rb67_pro-s_v7.pdf
It seems that Mamiya has all the old manuals online. Very nice.
And there is a Mamiya service station in Holland as well. If and when I get the camera, I'll have it serviced first just to be sure.

I called the guy to tell him I accept his asking price of €200, but he said it was his minimum price and he wants to wait and see if he gets any other offers this week (hope not).
If I have to raise my price, what would be a fair price for this set?
Thanks,
Bert

 

[gone]

It's fortuitous that you have a car. You will need it to carry that camera around :}

To me, that is the main quirk. I would only use it in a studio setting due to its size and weight. A 'blad is about my limit, and that is pushing it.

 

[Xmas]

wimp!

 

[Xmas]

I found the manual:
http://www.mamiya.nl/client/mamiya/uploads/downloads/rb67_pro-s_v7.pdf
It seems that Mamiya has all the old manuals online. Very nice.
And there is a Mamiya service station in Holland as well. If and when I get the camera, I'll have it serviced first just to be sure.

I called the guy to tell him I accept his asking price of €200, but he said it was his minimum price and he wants to wait and see if he gets any other offers this week (hope not).
If I have to raise my price, what would be a fair price for this set?
Thanks,
Bert

199euro seems resonable for next Friday… but you buy on condition not on the marketing spiel.

 

[MattKing]

The Pro-S is a good choice - the camera plus matching backs gives you all the safety interlocks you need.

If it is in good shape, $260 USD is a good deal here. I cannot say what a good price would be in Holland.

I carry mine regularly. It is big and heavy, but certainly usable. Try it with a monopod - the rotating back makes it very functional.

 

[omaha]

An RB67 like that was my "return to film" camera last year. Really love it.

Everything in the photos looks "right". When you inspect it, just verify that everything functions smoothly.

If the seals haven't been previously replaced, odds are you'll want to do that. I did it myself on mine. Its not a hard job, and the kit won't cost much. Unless the current seals are totally shot (meaning you can tell just by looking at them that there is no way they are good), you won't really know until you run some film through it.

> I called the guy to tell him I accept his asking price of €200, but he said it was his minimum price
> and he wants to wait and see if he gets any other offers this week (hope not). If I have to raise
> my price, what would be a fair price for this set?

Private sale, I'd say $260US is a pretty fair price. By way of comparison, if you go to KEH.com you'll see that you could get this setup from them for a total price of $350US to $400US. Considering that their stuff is guaranteed and includes return privileges, that seems about comparable.

If its not too far to drive, I'd go have a look. Bring your 200EU with you. If you like it, offer him the cash on the spot. Hard for him to turn away cash money!

Good luck to you!

 

[Xmas]

You can do the seals with mouse mat, scissors, double sided pressure sensitive tape, scapel, used chop stick and can of Zippo.

And you will want other lenses and a big gbag, lots of 120 film.

The 67 is a studio camera but good for landscape, a heavy tripod is desirable for f/32.

 

[jstout]

Here is a site I've found on the RB67; http://rb67.helluin.org/

That site has tons of info on the RB cameras, and I hope it helps you with your questions. It has so much info on the RB, and was/has been a great help for me. I love my RB67 Pro-S, and it can sure take a great image, limited only by my skills and imagination. Good luck with your purchase.
Jeff

 

[Tom1956]

I bought a really nice RB Pro-S outfit a few years ago in mint condition and paid a premium to have it. I soon got rid of it at a loss just to be rid of it. Biggest complaint: "Hmmm... should I make this picture horiz or vert?" Then you have to twist the back and compose. Then twist it back again and compose that way. What a bunch of hooey. Plus, you're lugging around a boat anchor whereas you could have lugged around a 4x5 and still less tonnage, and a better negative. Or you can just get a square negative 120 camera and there is no horiz or vertical. You just shoot and worry about that by turning the enlarger easel to suit yourself. And if you want a cheap way to get out on a Hasselblad, get an EL series model. Heavier than a C series, but still more compact than an RB. An RB is a studio camera.

 

[Xmas]

I bought a really nice RB Pro-S outfit a few years ago in mint condition and paid a premium to have it. I soon got rid of it at a loss just to be rid of it.

…
An RB is a studio camera.

agreed it is a studio cam but see post #7
when three lenses and four backs are too heavy I pack a c330 and three lenses
the only problem with the 67 I have is it kinks film just like blads or Rollis.

 

[analoguey]

Hmm, when would someone carry 3-4 lenses for RB or MF? :-/
Isn't it more practical carrying one or 2 lenses and getting more film along instead? Changing lenses is a chore!

 

[mgb74]

I found the manual:
http://www.mamiya.nl/client/mamiya/uploads/downloads/rb67_pro-s_v7.pdf
It seems that Mamiya has all the old manuals online. Very nice.
And there is a Mamiya service station in Holland as well. If and when I get the camera, I'll have it serviced first just to be sure.

I called the guy to tell him I accept his asking price of €200, but he said it was his minimum price and he wants to wait and see if he gets any other offers this week (hope not).
If I have to raise my price, what would be a fair price for this set?
Thanks,
Bert

Here (US), RBs are relatively cheap considering their quality. $260 would be a good price unless really used hard (many were). It's my impression that medium format film cameras are more expensive in Europe than here, so 200 euro may be a very good deal.

However, if someone told me the price was 200 euro then, when I accepted told me that was a minimum and is now waiting for other offers, I'd look elsewhere. I would feel that the seller is (as we say here) jerking me around. I wouldn't have confidence in anything he said about the camera. Just my opinion.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

That sounds like a good deal, go for it.

Jeff

 

[Muihlinn]

The RBs are very capable cameras, and price sounds fine to me.
*Latest* lenses were as fine as you can get, glass preferences aside.

BUT they aren't light cameras, mirror lock is almost a must, back in the day I used them as if they were LF cameras, or press cameras [flash with high speed], and they delivered.

 

[Xmas]

Hmm, when would someone carry 3-4 lenses for RB or MF? :-/
Isn't it more practical carrying one or 2 lenses and getting more film along instead? Changing lenses is a chore!

three lenses and a body 55, 65 and 90
gbag also has three loaded power backs and a loaded insert
motor power pack
propack of 220, and six off individual 120.
Grip
hood
matt box cum hood
five contrast filters Y, G, O, R and polar
I've removed the Polaroid pack and P adapter
cable release
and small note book
I can't walk miles with it and I need a monopod as well
It is a large Billingham

 

[johnnywalker]

It's heavy, but not that heavy. I carry mine plus 3 lenses, light meter, etc with no problem. I'm 72 and weigh 140 lbs. I've never had a problem with the film kinking. Oh yes, and a tripod.

 

[Xmas]

Hi Johnny

If you use a lens wide open the 2nd frame from a long delay especially in cold may not be kept flat enough by the pressure plate as the film remembers the curl.
If Im loading an insert for the next day I leave it at the start arrows and wind to one when about to take the shot(s), I normally bracket three.

Rollis and blads are the same but if you always use f/22 or 32 you will (should) be ok.

We don't get cold here.

Noel

 

[Ric Trexell]

The RB models and the weight problem.

The three models of RB's were not explained here although you seemed to ask that. The 'Pro' was the first one and it did not have the interlocks that prevented things like double exposure and a few other things like not having the revolving back in the right place. The 'Pro S' has those. The 'Pro SD' has a little larger lens mount I think so that other lenses could be put on it. The 90mm lense I think is supposed to be the best for bokeh, but like anything, that is up to your idea of what is good bokeh. I only used my RB with a tripod and the one time I didn't I wished I did. Like a 'blad, you can mount a digital back on these cameras if you won the lottery, and like 50 mb photos to deal with. (Did I say photos, I meant files.) Only film cameras as we know take photos. As to the weight problem, here is what I suggest. If you find that your camera is too heavy for you, please donate it to me and include the bill of sale marked paid in full. I will use it and see if it is too heavy. If you are an old codger like me, and the eyes are not what they used to be, you will like the waist level viewer which looks like a little TV. The pop up magnifying glass will allow you to make dead on focus adjustments. I don't think you will be disappointed with one. As for a 4X5 being better as one poster said, that is a whole different ball game. You have to load your film, find a place to develop it, and the cost of 10 shots will buy you three rolls of 120 film.

 

[Xmas]

The basic model does not tell you in the finder which way you have the back rotated but you can easy see the back anyway.

But the OPs (potential) camera is not the basic one...

 

[bimaneg]

first to buy that camera ask for the correct shutter speeds... if they works well, then check the 120 back if it wind properly without problem, then check the light seals on the back and inside the 120 film holder. Usually a good used one here in Europe it's sold on ebay for 220€ more or less, just the complete body with a 90mm lens.

 

[TheToadMen]

Well, the deal didn't work out. He sold it to someone else. But, don't worry, I found me an other fine camera.
A Hasselblad SWC with a 38 mm Biogon lens from about 1963. Also on my wish list. I'll pick it up on Thursday.
I like the wide angle & square format of this camera. Even more than the RB67.

Thank you all for the good advice and help, I'll keep my eye open for a RB67 (without any hurry).