Is anybody using an RZ67?

jchesky · Jan 16, 2008

I know they are heavier than many other medium format cameras, but I wanted to get some feedback from those that may have used them in the field for landscape shooting.

nick mulder · Jan 16, 2008

They are heavy as they are basically a 7x7 camera... and what makes it even more ludicrous is using a 645 back on it - (but just think of the nice tilts and shifts that could be done if you had the right bits)

Was just IM'ing a friend who owns one also and we form a little 2 person fan club - yup, we both do landscape, also street and band/gig photography with them ...

That being said, hmmm ok, if I could trade it in for a package of similar lens specs in Hasselblad I might, just for the size and weight factor - especially if it had a 645 back included as I prefer this for the music/scene photography ...

6x7 with the 50mm in portrait aspect tho >> nice, I like it a lot for landscape and the weight is not a deal breaker

rootberry · Jan 16, 2008

I just bought an RZ kit, but it will be used almost exclusively for food photography mostly in a studio setting. So far I am really digging it, but I couldn't imagine hand holding it effectively without the L grip.

nick mulder · Jan 16, 2008

rootberry said:
I just bought an RZ kit, but it will be used almost exclusively for food photography mostly in a studio setting. So far I am really digging it, but I couldn't imagine hand holding it effectively without the L grip.

A good neck strap and its fine - Using the diopter the neck strap will fall and not help but you are in effect using your face/eye as a third arm to balance it.

Try it out - one of two possible outcomes is that you might use it more ...

Nick Zentena · Jan 17, 2008

Considering they made a 6x8 back it's more of a 8x8 -)

jchesky · Jan 17, 2008

I actually have used it hand-held in the field, and as Nick says, the neck strap helps you to steady it. However, with that said I do 99% of my shooting with it - it or out in the filed - on a tripod.

nick mulder · Jan 17, 2008

Nick Zentena said:
Considering they made a 6x8 back it's more of a 8x8 -)

Do the wides cover it adequately ?

If so I'd consider getting one (and the RB/RZ back adaptor) - may as well make the most of the weight huh

Nick Zentena · Jan 17, 2008

They used to have a chart showing the coverage. IIRC the wides missed the corners. It's the motorback so I guess the most weight possible.

PVia · Jan 17, 2008

I use the RZ hand-held all the time, although for landscapes, tripod mounting and mirror lockup will give you the sharpest images.

I get good shots down to 1/15, sometimes 1/8 with the 110mm lens. With the waist-level finder, 110mm lens and 120 back, the camera weighs 5.8 pounds or 2.64 kg. With an AE finder, the whole thing weighs 7.5 pounds or 3.43 kg.

Sometimes it's quite a committment to take it out for casual shooting, say a family party or to a park outing, but the results have always been worth it. But I must admit, I just bought a Leica M2, circa 1964, for an easier time, unobtrusiveness in public and also the fact that I didn't have any 35mm cameras.

coriana6jp · Jan 17, 2008

I had a complete RZII system for a while. It was a good system, the results were always spot on. I just found it to bulky to carry around, found if I was going to carry that much weight my LF system would give better results.

Sold the RZ system several months ago, but I kept my 7IIs and hassy gear, but easier to carry when I am not in an LF mood.

Gary

SuzanneR · Jan 17, 2008

I love mine. Hand held... wide open... chasing kids!! The results have been awesome, and they suit my vision. Of course, sometimes my back complains!

Lopaka · Jan 17, 2008

I use mine for most of my landscape work. I love it. It's a great tripod camera, the rotating back allowing easy change from horizontal to vertical. With several lenses and extra backs, my backpack weighs around 19 pounds, not including tripod.

Bob

GraemeMitchell · Jan 17, 2008

I've shot people with them on a regular basis. They're very well thought out cameras. And I've shot one hand held all day, tiring after 9 or 10 hrs sure, but they're well balanced and the mirror action is remarkably light and dampened for a 67.

For landscape with a tripod and M.U. it's an okay camera but kind of overkill feature wise. For maybe less weight you could haul a simple 4x5 feild kit...? Just a thought.

keithwms · Jan 17, 2008

I use and adore the rb67 proSD, which is slightly heavier than the rz and fully manual. I use it almost entirely with the 6x8 back.

As far as I know the 6x8 back doesn't go on the rz, you're stuck with that teeny-weeny 6x7 back

But seriously they are both great, great cameras, very robust and inexpensive (now) and with terrific lenses. Wonderfully modular with many affordable and useful accessories. You'll love the bellows focusing for closeup work especially.

P.S. I have used the rb handheld with a grip and it's doable. The grip really makes a big difference for handheld stuff. For studio work you will want a tripod or, better yet, a camera stand.

max_ebb · Jan 19, 2008

GraemeMitchell said:
For landscape with a tripod and M.U. it's an okay camera but kind of overkill feature wise. For maybe less weight you could haul a simple 4x5 feild kit...? Just a thought.

When you consider all the film holders, the 4x5 is substantially more cumbersome IMO (unless you're using the new individual films). I have both an RZ outfit and a 4x5, and I very seldom use the 4x5 anymore. The main reason though is the cost of the film and processing with 4x5 (also I have to drive quite a ways to get 4x5 film processed, and I can get 120 processing right down the road).

Drew B. · Jan 19, 2008

Use the Rz all the time..but always on a tripod, and quite slow shutter speeds. ...and love the revolving back. Would never get rid of it.

tac · Jan 20, 2008

99% on a tripod with flash; it's a big honking camera.

I stripped it down to the 65mm with a rubber hood, waist-level, neck-strap, and 220 back to photograph a parade once; worked great, but I never did it again- everyone saw the huge camera around my neck and got obnoxious. The leica with the 35 1.4 works better in that regard.

I also pissed off the local photojournalists quite a few years ago by photographing University basketball games with the same set-up (a longer lens), sometimes at 1/8 or 1/2 sec. Lovely chromes.

Nick Zentena · Jan 20, 2008

max_ebb said:
When you consider all the film holders, the 4x5 is substantially more cumbersome IMO (unless you're using the new individual films).

Depends on how many lenses etc you carry. Basically almost everything about the RZ is heavier then a light weight 4x5 or even some 5x7 cameras. I can put three light weight LF lenses in my jacket pockets if I really wanted to.

nick mulder · Jan 20, 2008

tac said:
I also pissed off the local photojournalists ...

I had an experience shooting my RZ where someone half-joked or half sniped (not sure) - "oh, so why dont you just shoot large-format" emphasis on 'large-format' and rolling her eyes... This in a gig mosh pit.

Thing is, why the hell not then! (Rollei R3 in 8x10 on its way)

RZ was used with a Metz 45CL and the 50mm shooting blind - some ok pix ...

PVia · Jan 20, 2008

I had my RZ with me in my daughter's ballet class a few weeks ago. It was a special day where the parents were allowed to come in and take photos and video. There was a lot of staring in my direction ;-)

That's one thing that's hard to get used to when going out in public with an RZ or a 4x5!

nick mulder · Jan 20, 2008

PVia said:
That's one thing that's hard to get used to when going out in public with an RZ or a 4x5!

yip - "Is that a film camera ?!?" - by film they mean cine. :rolleyes:

I tell them its a Japanese Death Ray ...

cskn0125 · Jan 25, 2008

what about the " Hey that's like one of those old fashioned cameras", haha.

PVia · Jan 25, 2008

Yeah...when I take it to the park my daughter's friends always want to "look" at the pictures on the back of the camera.

Kind of like when a 16-year-old comes across some vinyl albums and asks, "What are these things?"

benjiboy · Jan 25, 2008

A friend who has one says every time he gets it out in public he gets a crowd round him, the camera that is ,nothing else

keithwms · Jan 25, 2008

That is true, it is an attention getter. I was near the Lincoln mem. in DC with my RB, metering prism, and 360mm lens and 2x TC and people looked at me like I was a ghostbuster. At that point I realized that I need to glue a rubber duckie to the top of my metering prism so that people will simply assume that I am crazy and leave me alone.

Is anybody using an RZ67?

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