I just ordered a Mamiya RB67

[johnnywalker]

Well, it arrived today and I couldn't be more pleased. It is a fine camera. It's a big sucker with the lens, lens shade and film back on it, but not as heavy as I expected. I'm going to look for a small backpack with room for the camera, a couple of lenses, film, filters and 3-4 backs etc, that I can fill with "something" to protect everything. How do you all pack your RB's?
The only thing I found odd is that it was shipped with a -1.5 diopter correction on the magnifier, which apparently is standard. It's easy enough to use with glasses, so I'm wondering why they do this.
I'm anxiously awaiting daylight to go try it out.
One other thing for you Canadians. I paid no duty or taxes. All I had to do was sign for it at the Post Office. I've never paid duty on photo supplies from the US, and assumed it either the items were small enough that it wasn't worth their bother or was something to do with the Free Trade Agreement. This camera was a pretty big ticket item and came from Hong Kong. But I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth.

 

[Curt]

How do you all pack your RB's?

Super, no duty or tax, I carry mine in a Lowepro camera backpack. Maybe not the best but easy. When shooting I put the camera over my shoulder while on the tripod. Gotta love that revolving back. The Grafmatics fit and the older Graphic backs in 2 1/4 sq. and 2 1/4 x 2 3/4 no. 22 and no. 23 also work. I had several of them for my Graflex international back on my Busch C before I got the RB and found they work great.

Best,
Curt

 

[Dennis S]

One other thing for you Canadians. I paid no duty or taxes. All I had to do was sign for it at the Post Office. I've never paid duty on photo supplies from the US, and assumed it either the items were small enough that it wasn't worth their bother or was something to do with the Free Trade Agreement. This camera was a pretty big ticket item and came from Hong Kong. But I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth.

Lucky you. They have snagged me twice for duty on shipments from the USA in the last 3 yrs. Enjoy your camera. It looks as if we will be getting a late winter and the trees will be nice with colour film .

 

[benjiboy]

Johnny, the RB 67 is much easier operate and hand hold with the Mamiya L grip with trigger release, it enables you hold the camera and fire the shutter with your left hand while focusing and supporting the camera with your right, I don't have an RB myself but my Mamiya C330 F uses the same grip, and it really improves the handling.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Well, it arrived today and I couldn't be more pleased. It is a fine camera.

So when are you going to post some examples of what you can get it to do? :confused:

Steve

 

[keithwms]

How do you all pack your RB's?

The rb is a tank, you can pack it any old way you want! When I took one to Iceland I just stuck it in a box and sent it through. I have also dropped mine in various ways and from great heights... no problem. I mean, this is the camera for me, I don't have to coddle it.

Anyway, for travel there are two things you will probably want: body caps (front and rear) and there is also a gizmo that locks the mirror in place. I have been thinking of re-rigging all the knobs so they will pop off... they are the only thing that keeps the capped body from being a perfect cube, which more convenient for packing.

One more thing, especially pertinent to travel if weight is a major concern: the prisms are way heavier than they should be IMHO. So you'll want a compact hand meter, plus an understanding of the bellows factor chart on the side of your rb. On the other hand, I often lift my rb by the prism and it's never broken so... (by now you will have gotten the picture that I really don't treat my gear specially)

One thing I have succeeded in breaking on the rb system: the dual cable release. So I try to keep spares and normal releases just in case. But I have unnaturally strong fingers, apparently... I break cable releases all the time.

If you start to acquire rb lenses then you will quickly realize that this is where the weight is, when you pack for travel! A one lens kit is no big deal. But pack a 65, 127 and 210 or similar kit and two backs... :rolleyes:

 

[johnnywalker]

I just posted a couple of pictures from my first roll. I went to a local creek with a waterfall just to try it all out. I'm going to love this camera.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I just posted a couple of pictures from my first roll. I went to a local creek with a waterfall just to try it all out. I'm going to love this camera.

Where?? :confused:

I cannot see them.

Steve

 

[Jerevan]

Steve, look in the Gallery section.