Mamiya RB67 PROSD mirror up problem.

petersandford · Jan 11, 2018

Hey All.

I am having a small issue with my Mamiya RB67 PROSD. I took it out yesterday and shot a roll of film the first two images I shot normal and turned out fine. but the other 8 I put the Mamiya into mirror up mode and they turned out blank (Apart from all the film numbers)

So what I did for those 8 was cocked the lever, set the shot, removed the dark slide, press the body release (Mirror came up) Used cable release to activated the lens release (got the click) and dark slide in and advanced the film.

So I'm guessing its going to be an issue with the lens. tho to be honest I have no idea, so thought i'd post to see if anyone else had this issue or any advice

WilmarcoImaging · Jan 11, 2018

Blank frames with visible edge markings and good first two images means the film was adequately processed, and the 8 frames were not exposed. The shutter didn’t open. To find out why, more information is needed.

Which specific lens (focal length and model: non-C, C, KL) are you using? How long have you used this body and this lens? Have you ever successfully used MLU with this body and lens combo before?

It’s possible to test your gear and procedure without film. I’m thinking operator error. I have done this in the past myself (MLU related blank frame).

petersandford · Jan 11, 2018

Hi Wilmarcolmaging

I've owned and used the camera for a few years and about 70% of my shots are in MLU. The lens is the Sekor NB 127MM F/3.8 (only lens)

WilmarcoImaging · Jan 11, 2018

Thanks. Seems like operator error. The non-C, NB and C lenses have a selector knob for MLU. It’s possible to put the knob in MLU position, fire the body, forget to fire the shutter, then advance the film and recock the body. I have done this, more than once on the same roll. It is easy to think you have exposed the film when the body is fired. The film back only knows when the body has fired. There is no communication between the lens shutter and film back.

If this doesn’t sound like your situation then there could be a problem with the lens. You can test the film back + body + lens without film. If the testing shows correct function, then the original problem was operator error. If the lens has a problem, time for a new lens-probably cheaper and more available then a CLA.

petersandford · Jan 11, 2018

I've tested it on the table and cocked the lever I get the display, hit the body shutter, mirror up, the lens closes and then fire the len shutter and it seems to stay closed tried it also in T mode and it doesn't seem to open a tall. So time to send if off for a service and maybe a good excuse to buy a few more lens Thank you for your time and help Wilmarcolmaging

WilmarcoImaging · Jan 11, 2018

My pleasure.

Alan Edward Klein · Jan 11, 2018

petersandford said:
I've tested it on the table and cocked the lever I get the display, hit the body shutter, mirror up, the lens closes and then fire the len shutter and it seems to stay closed tried it also in T mode and it doesn't seem to open a tall. So time to send if off for a service and maybe a good excuse to buy a few more lens Thank you for your time and help Wilmarcolmaging

What do you mean, "...and cocked the lever I get the display,..."? How did you test the lens on the table, "cock" and "fire" the lens shutter on the table?

paul ron · Jan 13, 2018

take the lens off the body. set it for mirror up mode. cock the shutter and fire it via the rear pins.

now using the cable fire it and watch through the lens to be sure the shutter is firing.

now i see you did this and the shutter stayed closed. but does the shutter work in normal mode?

Sirius Glass · Jan 14, 2018

I do not own nor have I used a Mamiya RB67, however as a past camera store worker and decades shooting film I can advise:

Do not force anything.
Take the camera to a repair place and have the camera serviced.

WilmarcoImaging · Jan 14, 2018

Paul makes a good suggestion, to try the lens on its own. In addition to this, the body can be cocked and fired ad nauseum, when the lens and film back are removed. This would help isolate or eliminate problems related to the body, film back and revolving adapter.

paul ron · Jan 14, 2018

PLus... the mirror up mode vs normal mode, that will tell me if the lever to hold the shutter till cable fired is hanging; or if a spring responsible for opening and closing the leafs is off its post or broken.

.

paul ron · Jan 14, 2018

Sirius Glass said:
I do not own nor have I used a Mamiya RB67, however as a past camera store worker and decades shooting film I can advise:

Do not force anything.

Take the camera to a repair place and have the camera serviced.

THis is absolutely the best advice and should be taken very Sirius!

.

Mamiya RB67 PROSD mirror up problem.

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency