Mamiya RB67 PRO SD Shopping Hints?

[MattKing]

Unfortunately, the 127mm lens is the smallest and lightest of the lens line, and is a very nice focal length to work with.

 

[OrientPoint]

I've never had an RB lens die on me, but I have noticed the K/L lenses (esp. 127mm) seem prone to a nasty yellowish haze. I'd definitely be mindful of that when looking for one to buy.

 

[Alex Benjamin]

My 127 C is my most used. Works perfectly, and I absolutely love it.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Funny that you mention that.

The only two RB lenses that I've had fail on me were 127mm lenses. One of them locked up after a shot and never cocked again, and with the other the "T" function stopped working completely. Who know's what sort of hard life they lived before me.

Jeremy

Think of all the marital happiness they witnessed.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

My 127 C is my most used. Works perfectly, and I absolutely love it.

that;s the problem Alex. The guy you sell it to will be buying your most used lens,

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Unfortunately, the 127mm lens is the smallest and lightest of the lens line, and is a very nice focal length to work with.

yes great for portraits which is why they were used so much by pros in a studio or at weddings with loads of snaps.

 

[SodaAnt]

My RB67 Pro SD in Ex+ arrived from KEH and overall I'm pleased with its condition. Same with the 90mm K/L lens I bought from a Japanese eBay seller. Both seem to work fine when operating the camera without film. I'll run a roll of film through it tomorrow to verify everything is okay.

My only complaint about KEH: they didn't include a body cap or rear body cap with the camera body.

 

[Don_ih]

My only complaint about KEH: they didn't include a body cap or rear body cap with the camera body.

To be fair, those are probably not that easy to find.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

My RB67 Pro SD in Ex+ arrived from KEH and overall I'm pleased with its condition. Same with the 90mm K/L lens I bought from a Japanese eBay seller. Both seem to work fine when operating the camera without film. I'll run a roll of film through it tomorrow to verify everything is okay.

My only complaint about KEH: they didn't include a body cap or rear body cap with the camera body.

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[GregY]

My RB67 Pro SD in Ex+ arrived from KEH and overall I'm pleased with its condition. Same with the 90mm K/L lens I bought from a Japanese eBay seller. Both seem to work fine when operating the camera without film. I'll run a roll of film through it tomorrow to verify everything is okay.

My only complaint about KEH: they didn't include a body cap or rear body cap with the camera body.

if it's not listed....you won't get it.... sad modern times.

 

[SodaAnt]

Try B&H

No luck there. They seem to only stock body caps for common mounts like Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K, and a few others. Nothing for MF.

KEH has one. If I had known the body wouldn't come with one I could have ordered it at the same time as the camera. Now I've got to order it separately and pay shipping. Bummer!

 

[SodaAnt]

Another observation: I'm surprised how light the RB67+lens is. I was expecting a real heavyweight, but it doesn't seem heavy at all.

I have no qualms about using it with my Manfrotto 3221 tripod. I was expecting to have to use my Bogen 3051, but that seems like overkill.

 

[Neil Grant]

..the RB 67 weight is deceptive - judging by it's size. It's just not very dense, mostly full of air. I think we have a pre-conceived idea of camera density - the RB is below average and we are presently surprised. The Pentax 67 is very different. It weighs every bit is much (and more) than you'd expect. In fact, both cameras are more or less the same mass with standard lens and normal viewfinder. (wlf for RB, prism for P 67)

 

[SodaAnt]

Quick question about film loading: Since I have only one film back so far, do I have to remove the back from the camera to load and unload film, or can I leave it attached and just remove the insert?

 

[Arthurwg]

Just remove the insert. Much easier.

 

[Jeremy Mudd]

Quick question about film loading: Since I have only one film back so far, do I have to remove the back from the camera to load and unload film, or can I leave it attached and just remove the insert?

If the camera is on a tripod, I find it easier just open the back and remove the insert to change rolls if I am only working with one back.

Jeremy

 

[MattKing]

Technically, an RB back consists of an insert and a shell, with almost all of the functional mechanism, including the winding crank and frame counter, being in the insert. I only point this out because people who are more familiar with other systems might be unclear about what stays on the camera - the shell - and what comes out when you proceed this way.

 

[JWMster]

Please forgive my reviving a relatively old thread.

I'm confused by the lenses and "adapter ring".... especially whether it's really needed for the Pro-SD body. I'm reading that the KL lenses come with adaptor rings which they need to fit on the PRO-SD and are removed to fit on the other RB's. I've also read that some folks have found they can mount their C lenses on a PRO-SD body without an issue. More to the point, I don't see ANY of the lens ads on Ebay, Roberts, KEH or elsewhere mention whether the adaptor ring comes with the lens.

Anyone who actually shoots a Mamiya RB know the low down? Love to have someone clear the cloud. THanks.

 

[MattKing]

The Pro-SD has a larger throat than the older cameras. The mount itself is the same.
The throat was larger because the larger throat accommodated a couple of special purpose lenses that weren't available until the KL lenses came into being.
In most cases you can mount the older lenses on the Pro-SD, but the adapter reinforces the strength of the fit - it is at least advisable to use it..
With a couple of exceptions the KL lenses came with the adapter ring, because they were sold when the Pro-SD was around, and it was understood that users might put the lens either on the Pro-SD - adapter a good idea/necessary - or on the older bodies - adapter has to be removed.
When the C and other pre-KL lenses were being made, the wider throated Pro-SD did not yet exist, so naturally there were no adapters sold with them.

 

[JWMster]

Matt: Thanks. I've kind of read this... and thought to look for a 50mm C lens which would require an adapter. What I don't see is that these adaptors are available separately. And no sellers of K/L lenses mention the adaptor ring (though I'm pinging them to ask) whether there's a ring that would be inicluded - because it may have originally had one. We'll see what comes back.

But then I've seen here on this site folks say something like "I never needed an adaptor ring to fit my 50 on my Pro SD" and that tends to be a bit confusing, but surely some folks subscribe to the "if it don't fit, I'll make it fit" school.... and that can be kind of rougher on gear than I think it might initially be visible to the naked eye. You don't strike me as that sort, so may I ask, do you shoot or have you shot an RB?

 

[OrientPoint]

From the old Mamiya Pro SD FAQ:

​

The spacer ring gives RB lenses a tighter fit onto the KL body with its larger opening. It also provides extra protection against light leaks. If one is not available, you may mount a lens without it.​

 

[MattKing]

But then I've seen here on this site folks say something like "I never needed an adaptor ring to fit my 50 on my Pro SD" and that tends to be a bit confusing, but surely some folks subscribe to the "if it don't fit, I'll make it fit" school.... and that can be kind of rougher on gear than I think it might initially be visible to the naked eye. You don't strike me as that sort, so may I ask, do you shoot or have you shot an RB?

I've used both a Pro and a Pro-S - and sold the latter reluctantly, after a downsize made it clear that at least some camera stuff had to go - preferably the largest stuff.
I had a 180mm KL lens that went with the set - including the adapter - because I bought it when KEH was liquidating remaining stock when Mamiya left the film camera business.
The adapter is like a collar - it strengthens the neck it surrounds. If you don't have one on when a C lens is mounted on the Pro-SD - or any of the RZ bodies (I think) - than the mount may be more vulnerable to impacts from the side. There is a space there where leverage could be applied.
I would be much more concerned with a large and long lens, then I would be with a 50mm C.

 

[JWMster]

I've used both a Pro and a Pro-S - and sold the latter reluctantly, after a downsize made it clear that at least some camera stuff had to go - preferably the largest stuff. I had a 180mm KL lens that went with the set - including the adapter - because I bought it when KEH was liquidating remaining stock when Mamiya left the film camera business.

Thanks for this. Seems there's often a lot of hearsay that gets posted in lots of places everywhere, so it is good to understand the direct experience that I'm looking to hear about direcctly.

The adapter is like a collar - it strengthens the neck it surrounds. If you don't have one on when a C lens is mounted on the Pro-SD - or any of the RZ bodies (I think) - than the mount may be more vulnerable to impacts from the side. There is a space there where leverage could be applied. I would be much more concerned with a large and long lens, then I would be with a 50mm C.

Matt: The detail and explanation is a very gracious follow up. Thank you.
OrientPoint: Thank you as well. Is the PRO SD FAQ still on line?

 

[OrientPoint]

I don't believe the FAQ is currently online. I found a screenshot of it on one of the forums here: https://www.photo.net/forums/topic/361062-mamiya-rb67-18045-kl-lens-on-a-pro-s-possible/

Back when I got my Pro SD I was worried as I had C lenses and no adapter. The FAQ gave me courage to proceed without it, and I haven't had any problems. As MattKing mentioned, if using a large and heavy lens I don't think I'd go without an adapter, but I'm not using those sorts of lenses. The RB67 is heavy enough already.

 

[JWMster]

OrientPoint: Thanks! I'd agree with the not going heavy lens statement. Like portrait lenses, but beyond that, it tends to be more than I want to deal with. That said, teh 180mm is my sweet spot. Given that KEH now strips EVERY part of a camera to sell separately, they rare selling KL lenses emphatically marked "without PRO S/SD adapter"... which is a reason I try not deal with them any more. Do you think a 180mm is too heavy to mount without the adapter?