Mamiya RB67 Pro SD handheld?

Jessestr · Apr 27, 2014

Hi all

I'm planning to get my hands on a Mamiya RB67 Pro SD with the 127mm f3.5. Been reading of the internet and most of the times I read it's not suitable for hand held work?
I never work with a tripod for my portraiture's (www.jessestr.be) so I want to ask if it's possible or not?

My initial thought was a Mamiya 645 Super with the 75mm f2.8.

Opinions?

omaha · Apr 27, 2014

Anything is possible, and I'm sure there are photographers who have used the RB hand held with great results.

Personally, I never have. Well, not never, but in my limited experience (I've had mine not quite a year), its a camera that really should be on a tripod, at least for portraits.

YMMV.

Xmas · Apr 27, 2014

I've used it for 'street' with motor drive backs, neck strap and left hand grip, but it is heavy...

It is a studio camera really.

Trail Images · Apr 27, 2014

I'm a very long RB ProSD user. I'm sure one could handhold the unit, however, I've never shot one image with mine off a tripod. Bottom line, it's flat heavy for handheld usage. I will admit, I use very slow film in very low light. So, the need to prevent any movement with slow shutter-speeds is essential. Additionally, I shoot in a mirror lockup mode.
So, if one was using a higher speed film I'm sure it would aid in any thoughts of trying to shoot handheld. I suspect the smaller 645 would be much easier to tote handheld.

Jessestr · Apr 27, 2014

Thanks. Any suggestions to a more portable medium format? Within the same price range.
Maybe mechanical too.

Chris Lange · Apr 27, 2014

A Pentax 67 is a far more handholdable solution than an RB, much faster in operation, too.

omaha · Apr 27, 2014

Jessestr said:
Thanks. Any suggestions to a more portable medium format? Within the same price range.
Maybe mechanical too.

I went through a similar process a while back.

I decided on a folder (Dead Link Removed), largely for sentimental reasons, but also for maximum portability. It fits into the back pocket of my jeans, which is nice.

I do find myself thinking that a more modern camera like the Mamiya 7 would be nice, but those are at a completely different level, budget wise.

Kyle M. · Apr 27, 2014

I have a Pro-S with the 90mm lens, it's only been on a tripod once or twice since I've had it. Everybody is different but I don't find it to be awkward to use handheld and as long as I shoot at 1/60 sec. or faster handheld it's just fine. I've even hiked with it several time for 2-4 miles at a time, doesn't bother me. I shoot T-Max 100 almost exclusively through mine btw, every once in awhile some Tri-X.

mopar_guy · Apr 27, 2014

Jessestr said:
Hi all

I'm planning to get my hands on a Mamiya RB67 Pro SD with the 127mm f3.5. Been reading of the internet and most of the times I read it's not suitable for hand held work?
I never work with a tripod for my portraiture's (www.jessestr.be) so I want to ask if it's possible or not?

My initial thought was a Mamiya 645 Super with the 75mm f2.8.

Opinions?

Handheld? Yes.

Mamiya RB67 Pro SD, 180mm KL lens, Ektachrome 100VS, Exposure was by Sunny f16 minus about 2 stops.

Jessestr · Apr 27, 2014

Think I'll grab a Hasselblad. Thanks for the advice.

Augied · Apr 27, 2014

Don't underestimate the advantage of the RB67's weight when shooting hand held. With the waist level finder and a fairly short strap, it's very stable. I take out my RB when the 4x5 on a tripod is impractical.

analoguey · Apr 27, 2014

Jessestr said:
Hi all

I'm planning to get my hands on a Mamiya RB67 Pro SD with the 127mm f3.5. Been reading of the internet and most of the times I read it's not suitable for hand held work?
I never work with a tripod for my portraiture's (www.jessestr.be) so I want to ask if it's possible or not?

My initial thought was a Mamiya 645 Super with the 75mm f2.8.

Opinions?

I dont know what you are looking to achieve with the Mamiyas or MF, but yes, I own an RB67 - I only shoot it handheld - mostly portrait - and I find the weight reassuring to hold. I have shot 1/30 quite comfortably. I have also shot with (Metz 58) flash attached to the side.
Also used it on treks (10 km hikes) and street shots.

I dont know if the 645 has leaf-shutters, but the RB does and that is pleasant to use (with flash), for portraiture.

If you have ever held a baby in your arms and carried one around, then an RB is really a cinch - about 3kilos imho, really shouldn't be a problem for most people.

analoguey · Apr 27, 2014

Augied said:
Don't underestimate the advantage of the RB67's weight when shooting hand held. With the waist level finder and a fairly short strap, it's very stable. I take out my RB when the 4x5 on a tripod is impractical.

Exactly. The weight adds to the stability - even without a strap too.

film_man · Apr 27, 2014

I have both a Hasselblad 501CM and the RB67 ProSD. I use them 99% handheld, all of them. I have no problem handholding the Mamiya however the essential bit is having the adjustable grip. If you don't have the adjustable grip (or any grip) then the whole thing starts tipping forwards as you focus closer, making it tricky to handle. I first bought a fixed grip and found it much better but uncomfortable. With the adjustable one (the handle rotates) I can carry it all day long. No, I'm not a body builder and yes it is heavy but I'm ok carrying it for 4-5 hours by carrying it from the handle. I do not use the strap, the strap arrangement is just plain s***. However I do have a black rapid and attach it to the tripod thread if I want to carry it like that. But I very rarely use it.

As for the Hasselblad it feels like a feather next to the RB however one thing I found is that the Hassy is less handholdable than the Mamiya during shooting, I can shoot 1/30 sharp all day long on the Mamiya, 1/15 is ok most of the time. For the Hassy I really need 1/125 to be sure it is sharp, 1/60 is borderline and less than that not doable, the mirror or shutter spring or whatever have far too much torque and I can feel the camera bounce when I fire it. I also had a Hasselblad ELX in the past and the electrionic release is a bit better, I could do 1/60 on that but again 1/30 was tricky. Mind you I always use a prism with the Hassy, don't like the WLF but weirdly I use mostly the WLF on the Mamiya and don't like the prism that much!

Sirius Glass · Apr 27, 2014

Jessestr said:
Think I'll grab a Hasselblad. Thanks for the advice.

Great move! You will not look back.

Chris Lange · Apr 27, 2014

Sirius Glass said:
Great move! You will not look back.

Agreed if you're looking for a handheld MF SLR in 6x6 or 6x7, a Hasselblad or equivalent Rollei 600x is the best option depending on your location in the world. Bronica SQ series cameras are fine on a budget but they pale in engineering quality to the aforementioned systems.

Jessestr · Apr 27, 2014

Sirius Glass said:
Great move! You will not look back.

Actually, I had one before. Do not know why I got rid of it though.

film_man said:
I have both a Hasselblad 501CM and the RB67 ProSD. I use them 99% handheld, all of them. I have no problem handholding the Mamiya however the essential bit is having the adjustable grip. If you don't have the adjustable grip (or any grip) then the whole thing starts tipping forwards as you focus closer, making it tricky to handle. I first bought a fixed grip and found it much better but uncomfortable. With the adjustable one (the handle rotates) I can carry it all day long. No, I'm not a body builder and yes it is heavy but I'm ok carrying it for 4-5 hours by carrying it from the handle. I do not use the strap, the strap arrangement is just plain s***. However I do have a black rapid and attach it to the tripod thread if I want to carry it like that. But I very rarely use it.

As for the Hasselblad it feels like a feather next to the RB however one thing I found is that the Hassy is less handholdable than the Mamiya during shooting, I can shoot 1/30 sharp all day long on the Mamiya, 1/15 is ok most of the time. For the Hassy I really need 1/125 to be sure it is sharp, 1/60 is borderline and less than that not doable, the mirror or shutter spring or whatever have far too much torque and I can feel the camera bounce when I fire it. I also had a Hasselblad ELX in the past and the electrionic release is a bit better, I could do 1/60 on that but again 1/30 was tricky. Mind you I always use a prism with the Hassy, don't like the WLF but weirdly I use mostly the WLF on the Mamiya and don't like the prism that much!

Might reconsider the RB67 as an option on what you've said. I didn't have any issue with the Hasselblad on 1/60th in the past. Tend to use the mirror lockup just before I trigger the thing.
It's just the RB67 SD looks super nice to me, it's just scary I have to get it from Japan, and all the issues like weight. The Hasselblad is the simple, yet more elegant option, but maybe not that versatile.

dorigatti · Apr 27, 2014

Handheld! A really great shot!

Augied · Apr 27, 2014

film_man said:
As for the Hasselblad it feels like a feather next to the RB however one thing I found is that the Hassy is less handholdable than the Mamiya during shooting

I thought I was weird for thinking the same thing. I have very small hands, and yet I feel much more comfortable with the RB than with a Hasselblad. Maybe it's just that I'm more used to the Mamiya, but every time I pick up a Hasselblad, it just feels too cramped.

Steve Smith · Apr 28, 2014

Definitely possible to use hand held - preferably with the left hand grip.

Steve.

film_man · Apr 28, 2014

Jessestr said:
Actually, I had one before. Do not know why I got rid of it though.

Might reconsider the RB67 as an option on what you've said. I didn't have any issue with the Hasselblad on 1/60th in the past. Tend to use the mirror lockup just before I trigger the thing.
It's just the RB67 SD looks super nice to me, it's just scary I have to get it from Japan, and all the issues like weight. The Hasselblad is the simple, yet more elegant option, but maybe not that versatile.

Don't know if cost is an issue as that is also a massive difference, I paid £550 in total to get the 65KL, 127KL and 250KL. The equivalent Hasselblad kit would cost (for CF lenses or newer) at £1500-2000.

Jessestr · Apr 28, 2014

I have the option now between

- RB67 Pro Sd + 180mm f4.5 for 300 EUR (WLF + film back + grip)
- Hassy 500C with Zeiss Planar 80/f2.8 for 500 EUR (WLF + film back)

analoguey · Apr 28, 2014

Equivalent 6x7 format lens for a 6x6 80mm lens is the 90mm lens. 180mm in 6x7 is a portrait lens - I am not sure what Hasselblad has for a portrait lens, but you should probably consider that lens instead of a 80mm, if buying Hasselblad.

You should probably consider a newer Hassy than the 500C - someone who's more into Hassy like Sirius Glass etc., might be able to suggest which is better!

Jessestr · Apr 28, 2014

Thanks. Wish I had the 90 for the 6x7 camera. Could get on after I buy the kit. On my M6 for portraits I use the 35 & 50. See my work at www.jessestr.be.
So both on the RB67 or Hassy I'd like to have about a 50mm as I shoot a lot inside too and a 180mm might be too long.

The 500C which I'm talking about I have owned it before (the exact same camera). I liked it but in that time I did not shoot film only, didn't had a light meter or all the other stuff so I end up selling it.
I know the focus screens can't be changed on the 500C but I don't know if that's a huge problem?

Edit: I can get my hands on the RB67 with a 90mm
2nd edit: It's a Pro-S not SD

Jaf-Photo · Apr 28, 2014

With a padded neck strap, I'm sure you could use the 67 handheld. Annie Leibovitz does, as did Salgado before he went digital.

Because of the weight and balance, it's quite steady.

The nimbler option would be a Mamiya 645 Pro/AFd.

Mamiya RB67 Pro SD handheld?

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