Just bought two lenses for RB67

[Rob MacKillop]

Hello from Edinburgh.


I've been using the RB67 Pro SD on and off for a year now, with the 90mm lens. But lately I've decided to try to make it my go-to camera, and have invested in the 180mm portrait lens (K/L), and the 140mm Macro C.


The 180mm arrived yesterday, and is in perfect condition. It is great to look through. I have the regular waist-level finder.


The macro arrived today. The glass looks in excellent condition, though there are a few small marks on the casing. No problem. I was surprised, though, that it didn't seem like a macro when I looked through it. I guess it will give better images when used close. But I have now picked up a extension tube No.1, and that should arrive on Saturday or Monday.


The only thing I don't have at the moment is film! But that is on its way too. Some HP5 and some Velvia.


One thing I'd like your advice about. The macro lens, not being a K/L lens, proved a little stiff when trying to lock into the camera body. The K/L lenses lock in easily. Is this common?


Rob

 

[Dan Fromm]

Completely off topic, would you be Rob MacKillop the lutenist?

 

[Rob MacKillop]

I would be!

 

[Dan Fromm]

I would be!

Son of a gun! I have one of your CDs -- Greysteil -- and like it very much.

 

[jstout]

You might have to use an adapter ring to use a "C" lens on your Pro SD. Did you check about the compatibility of the adapter ring to your body and lenses? I get mixed up about the topic, but I use KL lenses on my Pro-S without the ring. Don't have any "C" lenses.

There are numerous warnings and cautions out there about getting a lens jammed on your camea if the ring is not used certain times. Don't recall the details. Sorry if I'm going on about something you may have already checked.

I like the pictures on your images link. Love the way you show the character of your country. They show emotion and stir the imagination. Would love to visit Scotland some day. Good luck with the new lenses.
Jeff

 

[jstout]

Page 2 of the Mamiya RB67 Pro-SD owner manual, in the Introduction section in the right column, paragraph entitled "Enlarged Lens Mount", states "Compared to the conventional RB67 Series, the Pro-SD has a lens mount with a diameter 7mm larger, making it possible to accept a new group of high performance sophisticated lenses, such as the APO, shift and newly designed wide angle lens 75mm."

I think you have to put the adapter ring on a "C" lens (to make it 7mm larger diameter) or it will jam in the mount of the Pro-SD.

The owner manual can be found at Mamiyaleaf.com. I apologize if I have miscontrued the facts, or am belaboring the obvious.
Jeff

 

[MattKing]

You might have to use an adapter ring to use a "C" lens on your Pro SD. Did you check about the compatibility of the adapter ring to your body and lenses? I get mixed up about the topic, but I use KL lenses on my Pro-S without the ring. Don't have any "C" lenses.

There are numerous warnings and cautions out there about getting a lens jammed on your camea if the ring is not used certain times. Don't recall the details. Sorry if I'm going on about something you may have already checked.

I like the pictures on your images link. Love the way you show the character of your country. They show emotion and stir the imagination. Would love to visit Scotland some day. Good luck with the new lenses.

The C lenses are fine on the Pro-SD - it is only the original, pre "C" line that can be problematic.

The mount itself is the same, but the KL lenses are made to fill the space available in the larger "throat" that was put in to permit use of the 75mm shift lens (and one other esoteric lens, I think).

And as for the 140mm macro lens being more stiff than the other, all I can say is that my 4 lenses vary somewhat in how easily they mount on the camera. I think it may depend on how much the mounting ring has been used.

Have fun with the 140mm macro lens.

In case you don't have it, I have a pdf of the instructions for the 140mm macro lens. It is slightly too big to attach here, so if you pm me your email address I'll send it to you that way.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks for all the comments. Much appreciated. I was getting a bit worried until Matt chimed in - thanks, Matt. BTW, I already have the macro instructions. And thanks to Jeff for his nice comments about my images, and to Dan for buying one of my CDs

 

[micwag2]

I'd like to chime in with an on topic question or two. I'm new to owning an RB67. The ones that i have (I have 2) are RB67 Professionals with 90mm and 180mm lenses. What should I be looking for when searching for additional lenses? I was not aware that there are different mounts or different size mounts for the RB67's. I will be looking into the purchase of some wider angle lenses such as 45-50mm and some longer focal lengths possibly 250mm-360mm. If I could afford it I would search for the complete line up.

 

[jstout]

I don't believe this issue has been cleared up. Please refer to page 37 of the ProSD "Instructions" booklet. The chart shows when to use the ring, and when to leave it off. It clearly states to use the ring with a C lens on a ProSD.

It reads, "When using the Mamiya Sekor C interchangeable lenses with the RB67 Pro-SD, the lens mount adapter ring must be used." Are you using the ring? It also states, "The lens mount adapter ring comes with Sekor C lenses."

Previous postings may lead you to believe the C lenses are "fine" to use, but not following the directions in the manual may lead to trouble. As to the difference between C and pre-C lenses, I don't know why this would be an issue, since the change occurred with the KL lenses. 7mm is 7mm.

A smaller diameter lens in an opening that's 7mm larger, cranked down tight with the "bayonet ring", will be pressed against the side of the mount throat in one spot, rather than centered all around the edges with even pressure. You might get away with putting it on and off, but if you leave it on for a while it might tighten up.

I'm only reporting what I have found in my research, mostly in order to clear this up in my own mind, and I have, as previously stated, limited experience. To summarize, the best answer I have found to your original posting is the chart on page 37 of the instructions manual. If there is an issue of lens fit, that would be the first variable to check, and I'm assuming by your not mentioning the adapter ring, that it may not be attached. If you have any trouble getting the manual I'm referring to, I could send it to you. Thanks very much for reading this, and I hope my response is of some help.
Jeff

 

[MattKing]

I've found that page interesting, because the language used in the text ("must") differs from the language used in the chart ("should").

I've also found the Resnitzky chart (which uses "recommended") to be useful: http://www.reznitsky.info/Mamiya/Comchart.htm

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Jeff, I'd be delighted if you could send me the adapter ring! many thanks. Please send it to

Rob MacKillop,
2 Orchard Brae Gardens West,
Edinburgh EH4 2HL
Scotland

Cheers,

Rob
PS Let me know if I might be able to reciprocate somehow...

 

[jstout]

The 180 KL must have a ring on it. Can you slip the ring off of it, and put the ring on the other lens to try it?

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Hmm...now I'm getting confused about what the ring is. I thought it was a simple rubber ring, but that's not what is on the 180 K/L or the 90 K/L. All three look exactly the same at that end. The 180 and 90 slip on easily and turn smoothly. The macro is stiff to turn even when not on the body.

 

[TareqPhoto]

Congrats!

I bought RB-SD also this month [November] with 3 lenses: 90mm, 127mm, 65mm. I did test only 90mm and 65mm so far, later i will test 127mm.

I have 180mm for RZ only, so that i am not thinking to buy it again for RB also, the only lenses i will think about are 140 macro and something like 250 or zoom or even fisheye and ofcourse tilt/shift lens such as 75mm.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

The fish eye and tilt-shift would be fun, but they are expensive compared to the others. I can wait. How is the 65mm?

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Jeff, just found this comment on this detailed site:

http://rb67.helluin.org/lenses/

"This adapter is a fairly simple rubber O-ring for light sealing rather than for any mechanical reason. I, personally, have not had any issues using C lenses on my Pro-SD body without the small adapter ring."

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Well the problem has been solved, as today the extension tune no.1 arrived. It slipped on easily, and the macro slipped easily into that.

 

[jstout]

this photo shows the back of a 180 KL with the adapter ring slightly ajar;


The rings look like they're part of the lens, when they are in place, and they are not rubber, they are precision-machined metal. Twist it gently and lift to remove.

Also, SD tubes are only for the SD, and will not fit on the Pro-S. Not sure about using the ring when mounting various lenses on the SD extension tubes.
Jeff

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Ah, I see it now. I had no idea - I was looking for a rubber ring. I really appreciate your taking time to enlighten me, Jeff. Much appreciated. I think I'm good to go now.

 

[TareqPhoto]

Yes i know, but doesn't matter, they are cheaper than many digital lenses for smaller formats.
I like 65mm, somehow i feel i want wider because i have 50mm for RZ, but i can leave with that for a while, outdoor it is a great lens, i didn't test it outdoor but i can tell from my indoor shots that this 65mm is a remarkable lens.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

I'll get one some day. Having just bought the 180 and 140 macro, and extension tube no.1, I'm flat broke for a few months.

 

[Steve Smith]

On the subject of the adaptor rings, my memory of them is that they are there to assist you in centring the lens but you could attach it without them. You just needed to get it in the right place. No damage will occur if you don't use them.


Steve.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Steve. Something to keep in mind.