Mamiya RB67 Pro S questions regarding lenses

bjanders · Nov 10, 2012

Hello, I'm new here and just aquired a Mamiya RB67 Pro S body. I had shot with this little gem in the past before but this is the first one I've owned in 20 some years. Currently shoot digital Nikon. But I am in the process of trying to decide on a lens for the RB67 Pro S. Can you please advise which would be best for landscape such as star trails etc. and then also one for portraits. Also does the RB67 Pro SD 120 back work on the RB67 Pro S? Thank you all for your help with this, much appreicated.
Bobbi, Midwest

Alan Gales · Nov 10, 2012

For portraiture most people want a normal lens and a short telephoto. I used a 110mm and a 180mm on my RZ67. To compare to 35mm or full frame digital you divide by 2 to give you the focal lengths of 55mm and 90mm. The 110mm is not available for the RB but there is something close to the same focal length available.

Most landscape photographers like wide angles. The 50mm or 65mm are both nice. It just depends on which focal length you prefer.

dnjl · Nov 10, 2012

Welcome, bjanders.

Lenses for Mamiya RB67 cameras come in three flavours: the old 'non-C', the newer C lenses and the latest K/L line. If you can afford it, go for the K/L lenses.

For portraits, I would recommend the K/L 180mm. It's a very, very good lens that can be picked up brand new for pennies these days. 180mm in 6x7 is more or less equivalent to 85mm in 135 (that's FX in digital).

For landscapes, the K/L 65mm (32mm equivalent) should be excellent. I have the older C version myself and it is a marvelous piece of glass.

ProSD backs work just fine on a ProS camera and are in my opinion well worth the upgrade. They have mechanical light baffles, which means no messing around with old light seals and stuff. Then again, that's just a personal preference.

Jeff Kubach · Nov 10, 2012

I have a 50c lens a great landscape lens. Check out KEH.

Jeff

markbarendt · Nov 10, 2012

A really fun portrait lens is the 150SF.

As to the landscape lens, depends on your vision.

bjanders · Nov 10, 2012

Thanks guys... all wonderful help to me, I really appreciate it! I'll be looking for the 65 and 180 I think and thanks for the SD/S back tip, couldn't find anything online specifically as to compatibility with the Pro S so that's great to know too! Awesome help! thanks again, Bobbi

Alan W · Nov 10, 2012

This was taken with a 50mm non c lens-one of my fav lenses of all time,it stayed on my rb67 90 per cent of the time-a wonderful lens for the wide angle close-up types such as myself.

bjanders · Nov 10, 2012

Thanks Alan that is a nice shot! I'm probably going to end up with quite a few of these lenses by looking at everyones images. I honestly do miss film and the quality you get with the images without spending a huge fortune on "L" glass. Not that I'm saying Digital is bad lol... just miss the film quality.

fmajor · Nov 10, 2012

bjanders said:
Thanks guys... all wonderful help to me, I really appreciate it! I'll be looking for the 65 and 180 I think and thanks for the SD/S back tip, couldn't find anything online specifically as to compatibility with the Pro S so that's great to know too! Awesome help! thanks again, Bobbi

I have the 65mm Sekor C and 180mm Sekor C lenses and they're an awesome combination.I occasionally find myself wanting something a little longer - the 250mm APO, but i'm pretty pleased with what i have. The 65mm is simply amazing - love that FOV and the 180mm is great as a short tele or portrait lens.

bjanders · Nov 11, 2012

Thank you Fmajor... the back is now ordered through KEH and I'm thinking between the 65 and 180 ordering which first lol... probably the 65 to play around with landscapes this winter, then the 180 towards spring for portraits. You guys have all been great help to me, I appreciate it.

dnjl · Nov 11, 2012

If you can't decide which one to get, ditch both and go for the K/L 127mm or the K/L 90mm. Especially the 127mm is a do-it-all, you can shoot portraits and landscapes to your heart's content with it (although, of course, that depends on your personal style).

rulnacco · Nov 11, 2012

I've also got the 127, and it's by far my most-used lens--quite versatile, and very sharp. Possibly even sharper is the 90--not long after getting mine, I did a full-length portrait of a friend, leaving a bit of room beneath his feet and above his head. Under magnification, the lettering on the button holding up his jeans was clearly legible and extremely well-defined--that's resolution!

I've also got the 50 and the 180, and they're no slouches either, particularly the 180. I went for the C versions because they are cheaper, they're generally nearly as good (95% or more) as the KL-L lenses, and they're cheaper to repair if the shutter goes out (an important consideration if buying second hand with no knowledge of the lens's provenance or prior usage).

Another lens that's not been mentioned so far is the 140 macro. It's also amazingly good--I've used it as a portrait lens, and with its close-range correction, it's very useful if you ever want to do closeups with your RB. And at under $350 at keh.com, they're quite a bargain compared to many 35 mm macro lenses. You'll of course need the extension tube(s) to get full advantage out of this lens.

jdsanika · Nov 11, 2012

Shot with the 65mm C lens, very sharp with excellent contrast IMO. Tufa towers, Mono Lake California.

MattKing · Nov 11, 2012

My kit is 50mm C, 65mm C, 140mm C Macro and 189mm K/L.

The 65mm + 140mm is a useful 2 lens kit.

The 50mm and 180mm are really nice.

For a compatibility guide, the Reznitsky chart is very useful: http://www.reznitsky.info/Mamiya/Comchart.htm

bjanders · Nov 12, 2012

Cool! You guys are great... I went ahead with the 127 KL ordered it off Ebay for $120 brand new from Tokyo... anxious to try it out as soon as it arrives.... thank you all for all the help, very much apprecited to this Oldbie/Newbie. Bobbi

flatulent1 · Nov 14, 2012

MattKing said:
My kit is 50mm C, 65mm C, 140mm C Macro and 189mm K/L.

The 65mm + 140mm is a useful 2 lens kit.

The 50mm and 180mm are really nice.

For a compatibility guide, the Reznitsky chart is very useful: http://www.reznitsky.info/Mamiya/Comchart.htm

I just bought an RB67 Pro-S kit today at Kenmore Camera. This chart is going to be very useful information to have as I throw even more money away in the coming months.

(This is post no.1000 for me. Not sure if that's a good thing, but I think I'm going to pour myself a Belgian ale to celebrate.)

fmajor · Nov 14, 2012

Congrats on the 1,000th post Fred! (also on the RB67 - they're awesome cameras!).

MattKing · Nov 15, 2012

flatulent1 said:
I just bought an RB67 Pro-S kit today at Kenmore Camera. This chart is going to be very useful information to have as I throw even more money away in the coming months.

(This is post no.1000 for me. Not sure if that's a good thing, but I think I'm going to pour myself a Belgian ale to celebrate.)

You're welcome Fred.

Should I send you my bill . I accept payment in beer

Mamiya RB67 Pro S questions regarding lenses

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