Just brought home my own Mamiya RZ67 Pro II

jimmyklane · Feb 22, 2015

For once I'm that guy you see in forums that got the stupidly amazing deal on something great...I'm still a bit stunned, as this stuff never happens to me.

For $525 I got an entire kit, hard case included, I ended up with:

RZ67 Pro II Body
2x 120 back
2x 220 back
1x Polaroid back
110mm f/2.8
180mm f/4.5
Left-Hand Grip
Waist Level finder
AE Prism finder
Power Winder II

included were all the original boxes, which held several of the accessories untouched, new-in-box since it was purchased new in 1997!

Ive got some experience with the Mamiya 645, but this is my first 6x7 camera and I'm incredibly happy to have such a great camera in mint condition.

Now: does anyone have a solid suggestion for a wide angle lens? The 110mm looks like my normal, and the 180 feels like my "portrait" (50/85-ish on 35mm) but I like shooting with my 28/35mm on my 35mm. So hearing the experience of years would be really great to hear what wide-angle lenses are very well regarded and (obviously) compatible with this system.

Kirks518 · Feb 22, 2015

http://www.mamiyaleaf.com/legacy_RZ80.asp

It gives you the 35mm equivalent for the lenses, along with some interesting info. But in answer to your question, the 50mm and 65mm are the wides.

Enjoy it!

Sirius Glass · Feb 22, 2015

Welcome to APUG

Enjoy your camera!

r-brian · Feb 22, 2015

I shoot the 50mm W, which is similar to a 28mm in 35mm. There is a 50mm with a floating element that is supposed to be better but I find the W just fine. Also have the 65mm, which is like a 35mm in 35mm. Enjoy.

jimmyklane · Feb 23, 2015

Kirks518, that was a great link... I've been to the main page, but never bothered to click into the tabs to read about the lenses. Thank you!

Stephen Prunier · Feb 23, 2015

Kirks518 said:
http://www.mamiyaleaf.com/legacy_RZ80.asp

It gives you the 35mm equivalent for the lenses, along with some interesting info. But in answer to your question, the 50mm and 65mm are the wides.

Enjoy it!

Thank's so much for the link. I've been trying to get information myself on the lenses. Now I know which of the 180mm is the newer one!

Jimmyklane, welcome to APUG. You got a Great Camera at a Great Price. Enjoy it.

ParkerSmithPhoto · Feb 23, 2015

jimmyklane said:
For once I'm that guy you see in forums that got the stupidly amazing deal on something great...I'm still a bit stunned, as this stuff never happens to me.

For $525 I got an entire kit, hard case included, I ended up with:

Wow, what a score! That 180mm is a succulent portrait lens. I used this with a short extension tube to make close up portraits. It's a beauty. My old RZ body sort of fell apart and I sold the rest of my kit. I wish every day I had held onto it! Probably the best all around camera system ever made.

mweintraub · Feb 23, 2015

That's a great kit. I have something similar (Pro I) with the same lenses (my only two lenses for it). They both are friken fantastic!

jimmyklane · Feb 25, 2015

I have found that I can shoot in the studio with all the accessories attached (winder, LH grip, AE prism) or strip it down to basics like I did today...took it on the train with me into the city and shot the Chicago streets handheld! WL Finder, body, back and lens and it fits snugly in one of my 35mm cases including the 180 and a meter.

im extremely excited to shoot some portraits this weekend. Free sittings for aspiring models along with a unique "look" for their portfolio ("people still shoot film?") works wonders in getting some talent in the doors when testing a new camera!

Thanks for making me feel so welcome here at APUG, too
-Jim

mike c · Feb 25, 2015

Feels great I bet, I have had this happen to me a couple of times also. Wecome to Apug the luckiest place on the Net.

Mike

mweintraub · Feb 26, 2015

jimmyklane said:
I have found that I can shoot in the studio with all the accessories attached (winder, LH grip, AE prism) or strip it down to basics like I did today...took it on the train with me into the city and shot the Chicago streets handheld! WL Finder, body, back and lens and it fits snugly in one of my 35mm cases including the 180 and a meter.

im extremely excited to shoot some portraits this weekend. Free sittings for aspiring models along with a unique "look" for their portfolio ("people still shoot film?") works wonders in getting some talent in the doors when testing a new camera!

Thanks for making me feel so welcome here at APUG, too
-Jim

Agreed. When on the tripod I use the winder and sometimes the prism depending on the height of the camera (I'm short). When out and about, the stripped down kit with WLF is perfect.

Alan Klein · Feb 26, 2015

I shoot the 50mm equivalent to 28mm as well as the 180, 90 and 360. Here are some 50mm's https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanklein2000/tags/50mm/
Good luck with this system. You'll get a lot of exercise.

EdSawyer · Feb 26, 2015

It's a great system, you will enjoy it. I'd go for the 50mm ULD or the 65 M/LA for the wides. Both are superb. 65 = 32mm or so, 50 = 25mm or so, as far as angles of view. The 37mm fisheye is great also, and not super fishy.

jimmyklane · Feb 27, 2015

Alan Klein said:
I shoot the 50mm equivalent to 28mm as well as the 180, 90 and 360. Here are some 50mm's https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanklein2000/tags/50mm/
Good luck with this system. You'll get a lot of exercise.

Alan,
those images are lovely! Well done!!!

the weight doesn't bother me in the least, but getting used to:
1:cock mirror and shutter
2: confirm frame counter (error check)
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]3: (optional) insert cable release in lens[/FONT]
4: focus camera/compose/choose orientation
5: check magnifier if needed
6: REMOVE DARK SLIDE (grrrr)*
7: press shutter/mirror release
8: (if 3=true) press shutter
is going to take a little time for me....I bought it to instill this exact life lesson: slow down and enjoy life.

*My RZ fired its first frame with the dark slide in...I cleaned all the contacts with engineer's alcohol (99% isopropyl) and it's never done that again...but it felt like such a bad omen that the dark slide sat in its holder for that entire roll!

Alan Gales · Feb 27, 2015

That's a great deal all right. Congratulations!

For a wide angle look at the 50mm ULD lens. It's fantastic!

royengineer · Mar 17, 2015

I got three RZ67's and the whole artillery of lenses, just missing the 65mm and the 350mm. I would love to have the 65mm, but I have to say that I don't miss it all that much as long as my 50mm is around. It's a great lens, as all the Sekor stuff is, and giving just the right feeling of a wide angle.
I also got the 37mm. That's a different story, and along with the 500mm the lens I use most rarely. It's although nice to have, but only for special occations. It's nothing for the daily shooting, that's for sure.

amellice · Mar 17, 2015

jimmyklane said:
For once I'm that guy you see in forums that got the stupidly amazing deal on something great...I'm still a bit stunned, as this stuff never happens to me.

For $525 I got an entire kit, hard case included, I ended up with:

RZ67 Pro II Body
2x 120 back
2x 220 back
1x Polaroid back
110mm f/2.8
180mm f/4.5
Left-Hand Grip
Waist Level finder
AE Prism finder
Power Winder II

included were all the original boxes, which held several of the accessories untouched, new-in-box since it was purchased new in 1997!

Ive got some experience with the Mamiya 645, but this is my first 6x7 camera and I'm incredibly happy to have such a great camera in mint condition.

Now: does anyone have a solid suggestion for a wide angle lens? The 110mm looks like my normal, and the 180 feels like my "portrait" (50/85-ish on 35mm) but I like shooting with my 28/35mm on my 35mm. So hearing the experience of years would be really great to hear what wide-angle lenses are very well regarded and (obviously) compatible with this system.

I'm currently looking for the RZ67 PRO II and gotta tell you that you got an AMAZING deal, usually people sell the body, WLF, one lens and the winder II for this price

EdSawyer · Mar 17, 2015

Your process doesn't need to be as slow or complex as mentioned. I leave the darkslide out while shooting. There's plenty of other interlocks. I only insert it when changing backs or film. With the L-grip and motor drive, and AE prism, the whole process can be as simple as focus and shoot. It's really as fast and easy to shoot as any manual-focus 35mm SLR for the most part, with the exception being ~1fps+ vs 5fps if desired.

I have a whole armada of lenses too, and don't use the 500 apo much either but I do use the 37 a fair bit. Something to do with the projection I think, but it's not as "fishy" as most 35mm SLR fisheyes, I found. So, depending on usage, it can double as a good general superwide lens.

the 65 M/LA is a super lens and worth getting. Sharper than the 50ULD, definitely. The RZ 65mm I think matches sharpness with the Mamiya 7 65mm, and can focus way closer too. the RZ 50 ULD is not quite as superb as the Mamiya 7 50 though, but it is still excellent.

Just brought home my own Mamiya RZ67 Pro II

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency