I just ordered a Mamiya RB67

[johnnywalker]

with a 127 lens and a 120 back. I ordered it new from Hong Kong for US $725. The price in Canada is double that. Hopefully I won't get screwed on the duty. I think I might have to get rid of a 35mm or two. I'm getting a little camera heavy.

 

[TheAZGolfBum]

Let us know how it goes.

David Pidcock

 

[thisismyname09]

Out of curiosity, is it a new old stock Pro/Pro-S with a C lens or is it a brand new Pro-SD with the K/L lens?

 

[bdial]

You will be very camera heavy when your new toy arrives.

 

[Dave Wooten]

You are going to like that camera Johnny!

 

[johnnywalker]

Out of curiosity, is it a new old stock Pro/Pro-S with a C lens or is it a brand new Pro-SD with the K/L lens?

Pro SD with the KL 127 3.5 lens. Whether or not this is good, bad or indifferent compared to the older version, I have no idea.

 

[johnnywalker]

You will be very camera heavy when your new toy arrives.

I get it, I get it. But it has to be easier to pack around than my Toyo 4x5 and all the ancillary gear!

I've been thinking about medium format for a while. At the price (compared to the used stuff on ebay) and the nice things everyone had to say about the camera on another thread, (aside from the weight), I couldn't resist.

I realized last night I needed a couple of filters, some developing reels and film, so it's a little more expensive than I told my accountant. Guess I'll have to get her another paint brush, or a second dress or something.

 

[keithwms]

When I finally settled on an rb, it was that exact same kit, SD with 127 KL. Excellent start! You'll love it.

Consider also a 6x8 back. And you can shoot sheet film with the rb- there are holders for 3 1/4" film.

 

[johnnywalker]

6x8?? I didn't see that in their literature. Great. It also comes with a 6x4.5 back, but a 6x8 back would be make it even better.

 

[keithwms]

Rotatable 6x8

 

[Curt]

3 1/4" film holders Keith? I have the RB ProS and just got 2 1/4x 3 1/4 film holder, it took some time but finally found new in box. The film holders are built like the camera, a tank.

 

[keithwms]

Yep, they are heavy!

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I'm sure you'll enjoy your RB. You never get camera heavy!

Jeff

 

[photogolf]

Whoopee...Congrats and have fun with this great camera kit.

 

[removed-user-1]

I have been using an RB67 for about a year now - it's a great camera and I think you'll like it.

 

[Curt]

I took my RB 67 and a 5x7 to Arches NP, the RB is sure nice to use and the negative size is sure better than my Mamiya 645. I'm sure you will be happy with yours. I have a 90mm and a 180mm plus the 2x telex. Having extra backs are a plus, I bought the double cable release, waited and found one new for cheap, but I had no problem using the camera without one. The best feature of the camera: RB, revolving back. No kidding, it's so very nice and extremely convenient.

Curt

 

[Ponysoldier]

One of the great cameras of our time. If I were only allowed one camera I suppose I would give up the 8x10 and 4x5 and stick with an RB67. I am not a "big" man but I never found the RB67 uncomfortable to carry and use!

 

[timk]

I got one a week ago, I love it! I've been shooting 35mm for a long time and I'm loving the bigger film size! 6x7 slides look awesome.

Yes, it's a tank, I wouldn't take it backpacking through jungles or out on the street, I use mine for Portraits and landscape/nature shots, I always use a tripod and I always use the mirror lockup + cable release. You'll love the bellows focusing. I'd get another back for it it I were you, I only got one back and it's annoying when I want to shoot black and white and am halfway through a roll of slides.

If you came from 35mm like I did, medium + large format photography is great, you slow down and take your time, meter the exposure right, get focus, dof and composition right, more good shots per roll, you should always use a tripod and you can double/triple-check everything on the ground glass before you take the shot.

Enjoy your new toy!

 

[johnnywalker]

I'm anxious for it to arrive. I have a "few" 35mm cameras and a Toyo 4x5 view camera with 3 lenses, and I'm sure the Mamiya will have a useful place. I am really looking forward to this. I suspect I'll use it to the exclusion of the others at first, then things will gradually sort themselves out.

 

[Sirius Glass]

While I have not used a RB67, the suggestion of multiple backs is good. The ability to change film types or to start a new roll of film by changing backs is one of the big differences with MF and 35mm.

I have four backs for my MF: 100 ISO color, 400 ISO color, 100 ISO black & white and 400 ISO black & white. The lower speed films are mostly used with the SWC.

I have to carry two Nikon SLRs when I shoot 35mm, one for color and one for black & white.

Steve

 

[johnnywalker]

I plan on getting the 6x8 back Keith mentioned next time I have a work windfall. I had thought of getting the 6x8 Fuji at one point, but decided the RB suited me better. I didn't know until Keith mentioned it that it would do 6x8. Lucky me.

 

[keithwms]

By the way, you can also shoot readyloads or quickload sheets on the rb with the 545i polaroid back (now cheap). You get ~72mm squares; with a little modification I get 3x3 inch squares.

 

[Rudeofus]

Just curious: are these special back options (6x8, 72x72) also available for the rz67 series or is this rb67 only? I'm still undecided between these two ...

 

[keithwms]

No, there is no 6x8 back for the rz. I think it may be possible to build an adapter but I haven't done that. Note that the rb lenses work on the rz in manual mode, so that's a great way to save some money if you do go with an rz. With the exception of the 50 uld and the 100/2.8, the two lens families are very similar in performance.

 

[keithwms]

I was asked some pertinent questions in a PM and will paste in my response here in case it is of use to someone else...

The rz has no time controls on the lenses... the exposure is controlled by a selector on the camera body. Also, the rz lenses also will not fire at any speed other than 1/400 without a battery in the rz body. Also, the rz passes full exposure information electronically to the back.... so rz lenses plus an rz body would be the more convenient choice if you plan to shoot digitally. The rb lenses, on the rz, won't pass the electronic information, you'd have to enter it manually (no big deal actually).

Using rb lenses on the rz is easy, you just select the times on the lens, that's all. Some people like the single stroke winding/cocking action of the rz, to me it's no big deal.

As for me I have both and use the rb much more!