Mamiya RB Dual Cable Release

RolleiCO · Oct 29, 2022

I have an excellent RB67 Pro S kit that works perfectly. But, when I try using a dual cable release with the mirror up setting engaged, it works only intermittently. If use a single cable release attached to the lens, manually trigger the mirror using the shutter release, all works well.

Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations as to why the dual release does not work properly?

Thanks in advance.

Donald Qualls · Oct 29, 2022

I've never had the Mamiya dual cable, but I understand it to be a sequential release -- push partway to fire the body (close shutter, raise mirror, and stop down aperture to setting), then after a pause push the rest of the way to fire the shutter. If yours isn't working that way, it's likely got dirt or congealed lubricant in the combination housing (between the plunger and the dual cable sheaths).

No, I don't know if there's a way to open it up for cleaning and inspection; unless it's important to you to use the actual Mamiya equipment, a pair of conventional cable releases and some method of making it harder to release them in the wrong order would be a much cheaper solution than sending that one out for repair or trying to find another in better condition.

Trail Images · Oct 29, 2022

I had the original dual release cable and gave up on it after only a couple outings. Even using the recommended sequence approach and holding my mouth open during mirror up release and closing my mouth on shutter release.

What I did was made my own that I have used for years flawlessly. I took two standard cable releases and mounted the push release ends into a wooden dowel. I just took a short wooden dowel and drilled two holes in it and slid the cables all the way thru up to the point of the release buttons. The release buttons had tapered bottoms at the base that wedged nicely into the dowel tightly. Marked one side of the dowel mirror and the other side shutter. Done deal.
I placed a zip tie at the end of the main release button cable easy to find even in the dark. The other one gets screwed into the mirror up shutter release or N-M on lens barrel. I marked the ends of the dowel with a M & S with a Sharpie.
As I use the release setup for every image it gets a lot of usage.

RolleiCO · Oct 29, 2022

Trail Images said:
I had the original dual release cable and gave up on it after only a couple outings. Even using the recommended sequence approach and holding my mouth open during mirror up release and closing my mouth on shutter release.

What I did was made my own that I have used for years flawlessly. I took two standard cable releases and mounted the push release ends into a wooden dowel. I just took a short wooden dowel and drilled two holes in it and slid the cables all the way thru up to the point of the release buttons. The release buttons had tapered bottoms at the base that wedged nicely into the dowel tightly. Marked one side of the dowel mirror and the other side shutter. Done deal.
I placed a zip tie at the end of the main release button cable easy to find even in the dark. The other one gets screwed into the mirror up shutter release or N-M on lens barrel. I marked the ends of the dowel with a M & S with a Sharpie.
As I use the release setup for every image it gets a lot of usage.

View attachment 320302

That’s a great idea. I may give that a try. Thanks!

Trail Images · Oct 29, 2022

RolleiCO said:
That’s a great idea. I may give that a try. Thanks!

You're welcome. It has been MANY years since I made this unit up but I think these were the cable releases I used or similar ones. They're definitely 20" releases.

Gepe Cloth Covered 20"

xkaes · Oct 29, 2022

If you do think it's a "sticky" problem, hang the cables upside-down and drip a drop or two of 3-in-1 or sewing machine oil on the tips. Work the releases until they work correctly. Then hang them right side up to drain. If that fails to work --try these other options or find one used.

Stephen Prunier · Nov 1, 2022

I use one with my RZ. It does take some getting used to. The initial release feels normal, it's pressing it the second time when it feels odd. Having the double cable release isn't a must-have item. But if you already have one, use it for a while and decide for yourself.

Ian C · Nov 1, 2022

A much easier way to use the RB67 and RZ67 cameras without possibly degrading the sharpness due to mirror vibration is to use a standard cable release attached to the lens only. Trip the main shutter release with your finger and wait a few seconds for the mirror vibrations to abate. Then fire the shutter with the cable release. Only one cable release is needed.

Donald Qualls · Nov 1, 2022

Ian C said:
A much easier way to use the RB67 and RZ67 cameras without possibly degrading the sharpness due to mirror vibration is to use a standard cable release attached to the lens only. Trip the main shutter release with your finger and wait a few seconds for the mirror vibrations to abate. Then fire the shutter with the cable release. Only one cable release is needed.

This is how I do it, but if someone spent the money for a Mamiya dual release I can surely understand wanting to use it as designed...

Ian C · Nov 2, 2022

The timing adjustment on the chromed end that screws into the main release might cure the problem, but I’m not certain. It’s worth a try. Note: There are differences between using this on the RB67 compared to the RZ67. These differences are explained in the following manual for the double cable release.

See Pages 1 through and 4 here, Timing Adjustments:

Timing Adjustments; If The Projection Is Too Short - Mamiya Mirror-up Cable Release Product Sheets [Page 3]

Mamiya Mirror-up Cable Release Manual Online: timing adjustments, If The Projection Is Too Short. After The Mirror Is Raised, There Must Be A Sufficient Time Interval Before The Shutter Can Be Released. If The Interval Is Too Short, The Shutter Cannot Be Released; If It Is Too Long,...

www.manualslib.com

RolleiCO · Nov 2, 2022

Ian C said:
The timing adjustment on the chromed end that screws into the main release might cure the problem, but I’m not certain. It’s worth a try. Note: There are differences between using this on the RB67 compared to the RZ67. These differences are explained in the following manual for the double cable release.

See Pages 1 through and 4 here, Timing Adjustments:

Timing Adjustments; If The Projection Is Too Short - Mamiya Mirror-up Cable Release Product Sheets [Page 3]

Mamiya Mirror-up Cable Release Manual Online: timing adjustments, If The Projection Is Too Short. After The Mirror Is Raised, There Must Be A Sufficient Time Interval Before The Shutter Can Be Released. If The Interval Is Too Short, The Shutter Cannot Be Released; If It Is Too Long,...

www.manualslib.com

Thanks for the link to the manual. I have not seen that and I will try the recommended adjustments. Much appreciated.

Alan Edward Klein · Nov 2, 2022

Ian C said:
A much easier way to use the RB67 and RZ67 cameras without possibly degrading the sharpness due to mirror vibration is to use a standard cable release attached to the lens only. Trip the main shutter release with your finger and wait a few seconds for the mirror vibrations to abate. Then fire the shutter with the cable release. Only one cable release is needed.

What you do is what I do even though I have an operational dual release.

However, one advantage of the dual is when I use it to take portraits off the cuff. When I press the dual part way, the mirror is released making a big sound. The subjects hear it and relax thinking the picture was taken. Then while they're relaxed, I press the dual a little more firing the shutter and capturing a better picture with no forced smiles.

Mamiya RB Dual Cable Release

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