Mamiya RB-67 Troubles.

Another Film User · Feb 22, 2015

Hi all, I'm a longtime film shooter, but I'm new to medium format and need some help with my new cameras. I have acquired two Mamiya RB-67s and both have issues. On one when you fire the shutter the mirror flips up and stays up. If you remove the ground glass and just slightly touch it it will flip back down as it should. On the other camera the shutter button will not depress at all (the safety is not engaged). They might be simple fixes or operator error, I just want to make sure I'm not making the mistakes before I send them out for service. Has anyone experienced these issues? I appreciate any help you can provide!

Sirius Glass · Feb 22, 2015

Welcome to APUG

It sounds like your cameras need CLAs [Clean, Lubricate and Adjustment]. I recommend www.keh.com. Someone may know other places for Mamiya repair work.

MattKing · Feb 22, 2015

Welcome to APUG.

You do know, don't you, that with the RB67 the mirror doesn't return until you wind the side lever?

And with respect to the other problem, is the dark slide still in, or the film not yet wound?

EDIT: which version of the camera do you have - Pro, Pro-S or Pro-SD? And have you seen this list of manuals on Mike Butkus' site: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/mamiya.htm

Or this list, also from his site: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/mamiya/mamiya_lenses_accessories/mamiya_lenses_accessories.htm

If you find these helpful, I would suggest a donation.

George Nova Scotia · Feb 22, 2015

I've had sticky foam hold the mirror, you may well have the same problem with on the first one. Might as well check the back seals as well.

PtJudeRI · Feb 22, 2015

Mine stays up as well. That's what the RB does until you cock the shutter again.

Theo Sulphate · Feb 22, 2015

Welcome to APUG and welcome to medium format!

You'll find the RB-67 one of the most user-involved film cameras, especially compared to the late model 35mm cameras. Things such as instant-return mirrors and film advance are usually not automated in medium format. In the case of the RB, the film wind is separate from the body-wind operation. With the Pro-S and Pro-SD version there are additional interlocks to aid in preventing common mistakes. Overall, it can actually be a lot of fun working with and mastering a camera like this.

Sirius Glass · Feb 22, 2015

By the way in Hasselblads, which do not have motor drives, mirrors do not return until the film is advanced by the hand crank.

Kirks518 · Feb 22, 2015

Another Film User · Feb 22, 2015

Thanks to those who welcomed me! I understand the shutter must be cocked for the mirror to return normally, mine does not return when cocked. I took a look at the seals hoping it was only them deteriorating and sticky but alas not. At least it looks like it has fresh seals haha. Since I'm not so familiar with this model I was hoping on the off chance it might be a common problem with a simple fix, but it looks like it is off to repair for them. Thanks all!

Theo Sulphate · Feb 23, 2015

Hmmm. In that case, a clean, lubricate, and adjust is a reasonable next step as suggested above. You'll find the image quality of medium format well worth it.

film_man · Feb 23, 2015

Another Film User said:
Hi all, I'm a longtime film shooter, but I'm new to medium format and need some help with my new cameras. I have acquired two Mamiya RB-67s and both have issues. On one when you fire the shutter the mirror flips up and stays up. If you remove the ground glass and just slightly touch it it will flip back down as it should. On the other camera the shutter button will not depress at all (the safety is not engaged). They might be simple fixes or operator error, I just want to make sure I'm not making the mistakes before I send them out for service. Has anyone experienced these issues? I appreciate any help you can provide!

Do these issues appear with a lens/back mounted? Remove both, ie just have the body and try to fire it like that. This way you discount issues in other components. With nothing attached the camera should fire and then when you cock it the mirror will return.

Vonder · Feb 23, 2015

Not sure what might be happening with yours, but I do know lenses play a role. I have a 50mm RB67 lens that simply doesn't work with the switch set to mirror lockup. Acts like it's in Bulb mode. In the "N" position it works fine.

Good luck finding someone to work on them. If you do, please share. I haven't needed one thus far but my one inquiry into getting the lens repaired, sent to Peachtree Camera in Atlanta, was answered with "we no longer work on the RB67 series due to lack of parts".

flavio81 · Feb 23, 2015

As said above, you should make sure the lens is OK as well.

Also, as said above, you should always read the manual and know the camera operation by heart. Especially in the case of a camera with so many safety interlocks as the Mamiya RB67 pro-S or pro-SD.

This is one of the easiest SLR cameras to work on for a technician, so a CLA is the best you can do for such a great camera.
Afterwards you will enjoy at least a full decade of trouble-free service.

Welcome to the RB67 club!

xtolsniffer · Feb 23, 2015

I did a foam replacement on a friends RB67 (non pro) and the mirror on that one stayed up. It turned
out that the mirror was sticking to the foam around the top of the mirror box but the frame the mirror sits in was going back down, the mirror was just flipping loose from the frame. If you took the focussing screen out and just gently tapped the mirror it would flip back down. My guess would be sticky foam.

Mamiya RB-67 Troubles.

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency