Mamiya RB67 PRO SD Shopping Hints?

[SodaAnt]

I posted an earlier thread asking for shopping hints on a Mamiya C330, but now I’m also interested in a Mamiya RB67 PRO SD.

Anything to watch out for when shopping for one of these? Any gotchas to avoid?

 

[Alex Benjamin]

Not really. These things were built like tanks, and made to last. Make sure the back isn't too old or has had its foam replaced, main problem with these is the light seals (but that goes for any old camera). That said, there are replacement kits available — http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/Mamiya-RB67/Light-seal/index.php

Get the C lenses if you can, but then, a well-kept non-C will always be better than a poorly-kept C. I have both C and non-C lenses and, honestly, for black and white, I can't tell the difference.

Subject of the various lens models came up in a few older threads:

Are Mamiya KL lenses for the RB67 worth the extra $$ versus Sekor-C?

I'm once again jumping in to the purchase of an RB67 and am wondering if the KL lenses are worth the extra cost versus the Sekor-C lenses? Is there a distinct improvement in sharpness and resolution when comparing prints/transparencies, or would it only be of concern to nitpickers? I'll...

www.photrio.com

Mamiya rb67 lens coating question

for those that have experience with the rb67 system, how much of a difference to you feel the C multicoated lenses offer over the older non c versions? tia.

www.photrio.com

 

[Don_ih]

Make sure the shutter works on the lenses at all speeds. And look for fungus. I had to take apart two of mine to clean fungus from a buried element.

Their price seems to have jumped up over the past few years.

 

[Alex Benjamin]

Make sure the shutter works on the lenses at all speeds. And look for fungus. I had to take apart two of mine to clean fungus from a buried element.

Their price seems to have jumped up over the past few years.

It has. They have gotten immensely popular.

 

[MattKing]

Are you considering all three of the versions of the RB67, or just the last one, the Pro-SD?

 

[SodaAnt]

Are you considering all three of the versions of the RB67, or just the last one, the Pro-SD?

Just the Pro-SD

 

[MattKing]

Just the Pro-SD

Best to pay attention to the Reznitsky compatibility chart then:

Found here: http://www.reznitsky.info/Mamiya/Comchart.htm

 

[Jeremy Mudd]

If you are looking at buying an RB67 ProSD, get a full kit that includes the ProSD backs. While it can use any of the older backs, the ProSD backs IMHO are better as they use light traps instead of light seals, so no worries about replacement. There is still a seal on the body where the rotating portion fits IMHO, but in general the SD is a much easier camera to maintain.

I'm a big fan of the RB67 series and own a few ProS bodies and two ProSD bodies along with a crap-ton of lenses and backs. They are a go-to for almost all of my landscape work, and offer a lot of flexibility in regard to set-up and shooting. Not only do they create great 6x7 images, you have options of a 6x45 back (if that's your thing) and also shooting 35mm pano's with adapters and a viewfinder mask. There are also 3rd-party Instax backs available if you want to shoot current instant film with proper exposure and focus.

Let me know if you have any further questions. Good luck!

Jeremy

 

[Arthurwg]

Try to get the newest MINT camera you can, if finances allow. It's even possible to get NOS from Japan.

 

[SodaAnt]

I’ve decided to go with the Pro-SD and now have to decide whether to roll the dice on one from Japan on eBay or go with one from KEH.

The choices on eBay are many and a lot are in what looks like mint condition with very little wear visible in the extensive photos most of these sellers provide.

The options on KEH are more limited and the best condition examples they currently have are Ex+ (in their rating system). KEH prices are also higher than eBay, typically.

Since KEH doesn’t provide photos of individual cameras, it seems that buying from them is almost as much of a crapshoot as with eBay. Anyone have experience with KEH’s rating system? What does Ex+ really mean (I have read their description)? I’d like to hear from someone who has bought from KEH and can help me map their ratings into real-world experience.

 

[Arthurwg]

If shopping at KEH, just examine the camera closely and shoot a roll of film ASAP. There may be a problem that they have overlooked.

 

[Alex Benjamin]

Anyone have experience with KEH’s rating system?

There's a recent thread about it:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/keh-does-not-grade-conservatively-anymore.175170/

 

[SodaAnt]

There's a recent thread about it:

Thanks for the link to the thread. I'm in the process of reading it. One thing I wonder if KEH does on these old cameras is to evaluate the foam rubber light seals many cameras have and replace them if necessary?

 

[_T_]

If you are buying on ebay the most important thing is to read the description. The ebay buyer protection covers you if anything about the item is different from the description and you can get your money back with no trouble.

Ignore the condition ratings (e.g. ex+++)that the seller posts in the title of the listing. They are not covered by the buyer protection.

You want to see in the listing that the description lists the exact optical and functional condition of the item and then carefully examine the photos to make sure that the items condition is up to your standards and also to make sure that you actually received the listed item in the described condition.

 

[Tim Stapp]

Thanks for the link to the thread. I'm in the process of reading it. One thing I wonder if KEH does on these old cameras is to evaluate the foam rubber light seals many cameras have and replace them if necessary?

When I sold them my Pentax 67, they knocked the price down because of the seals on the film back.

 

[GregY]

Thanks for the link to the thread. I'm in the process of reading it. One thing I wonder if KEH does on these old cameras is to evaluate the foam rubber light seals many cameras have and replace them if necessary?

I'd bet $$ to donuts they sell them as is.....& service under warranty if an issue turns up.

 

[OrientPoint]

I recently bought a Pro-SD body to replace an older body that finally gave up and didn't seem worth repairing. Usually I find the KEH price premium to be worth it. Generally anything KEH grades as "bargain" and up is perfectly usable, and EX and EX+ are, well, excellent. You'll be happy with it. If and when they do make a mistake, or you just don't like the item, they'll take a return no questions asked. If you want to avoid the potential stress of getting stuck with a lemon on Ebay and don't mind spending more KEH is the way to go in my opinion, as is Roberts (aka UsedPhotoPro).

In the case of the RB67 however the KEH options just seemed too expensive. There are tons of RB67s out there. The ProSD is a bit harder to find that its predecessors, but not by much. In the end I was patient and found a seemingly never-used SD-Pro (still had the front and rear body caps installed) on a 7-day auction. There were few bids and I got it for less than half what KEH wants for the EX-grade body. I've seen others in good, but not mint, condition go for similar prices on Ebay when auctioned. If you are patient I think you'll be able to find one in nice shape for a decent price. At least a decent for 2023 price... the days of buying RB67s for $50 are probably gone forever.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I buy all my RB lenses and accessories from Japanese eBay sellers. I'm currently in Japan and found a complete pro-sd kit on consignment in Kitamura Camera, 2 lenses, 2 mags, all in mint condition for $700 Canadian. I'm so tempted! The salesmen told me it's been sitting there for months. I suggested eBay and he said that's the sellers next move. I love my RB kit. I've been using it for 30 years. A back up would be nice...

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Don't buy a kit that comes with a 127mm lens. That setup was often used by wedding photographers and other pros so it will be beat to death. Regarding where to buy I;ve never bought anything from KEH so I can't comment on them. But have bought old large format lenses from Japanese suppliers shipped from Japan in about 8 days. I check their grades and won;t buy unless its over 98% positive and have 70+ sales. So far I've had no problems. Good luck and have loads of fun. I;ve been using my RB67 Pro (no SD) for 35+ years.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Don;t be afraid to offer lower prices and bargain.

 

[SodaAnt]

Thanks for the tips and advice!

I’ve ordered an RB67 Pro-SD and back in Ex+ from KEH and, since they didn’t have any 90mm K/L lenses, I bought one of those in “mint” condition from a Japanese seller on eBay. I’ll let you all know how this turns out.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Good luck. Have fun.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Thanks for the tips and advice!

I’ve ordered an RB67 Pro-SD and back in Ex+ from KEH and, since they didn’t have any 90mm K/L lenses, I bought one of those in “mint” condition from a Japanese seller on eBay. I’ll let you all know how this turns out.

E*N*J*O*Y!!!
​

and shoot more film.

 

[Jeremy Mudd]

Don't buy a kit that comes with a 127mm lens. That setup was often used by wedding photographers and other pros so it will be beat to death.

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

 

[Don_ih]

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

Similarly, I have two 127mm lenses and neither works.