Mamiya RB67 Questions

[micwag2]

I just bought 2 RB67's from the big auction site. One has a 90mm lens and the other a 180mm lens. I did notice that the camera with the 90mm lens takes a little more effort to cock the shutter than the one that has the 180mm. This may be normal, I'm not sure. Shutter speeds sound OK. The body cocks OK with the lens off and the lens cocks ok when it is off the body. Only seems to bind some when they are together. I'm planning on doing a CLA on them but i haven't worked on these before. Is there a service manual available for these that I can download? Is there anything else I should look at while i'm servicing these two while I'm waiting for the light seals to arrive? Everything on these 2 cameras seems to work but they have been sitting for awhile so I'd rather service them now before loading them and trying to take a few test frames.

 

[jstout]

I have a pdf "Parts Catalog for Mamiya RB67 Pro S, Camera Body, Roll Film Holder", dated April 1975 which I could send you if it would be of any help. It has exploded views and a parts list. It is 55 pages. It's not a service manual, just a parts catalog.
Jeff

 

[philosomatographer]

Hi,

If you've never used the RB67 before, you're in for a real treat - a superbly versatile and fun-to-use camera!
I was wondering if the force required to cock the shutter is the same when you swop the lenses? This might indicate the one of the lenses has much more "spring tension". Other than that, I guess it could be many things... lubricant that has dried / become too viscose, etc.

This is a really simple, extremely robust and long-living camera that is difficult to jam up (compared to other waist-level medium format SLRs) - so I wouldn't worry about it too much unless it's too difficult to use comfortably.

Much more important are light leaks in the film back(s), which they are unfortunately prone to.
If you can find a 37mm Fisheye, you'll have more fun that what you dreamt is possible with a medium format camera

Dawid

I just bought 2 RB67's from the big auction site. One has a 90mm lens and the other a 180mm lens. I did notice that the camera with the 90mm lens takes a little more effort to cock the shutter than the one that has the 180mm. This may be normal, I'm not sure. Shutter speeds sound OK. The body cocks OK with the lens off and the lens cocks ok when it is off the body. Only seems to bind some when they are together. I'm planning on doing a CLA on them but i haven't worked on these before. Is there a service manual available for these that I can download? Is there anything else I should look at while i'm servicing these two while I'm waiting for the light seals to arrive? Everything on these 2 cameras seems to work but they have been sitting for awhile so I'd rather service them now before loading them and trying to take a few test frames.

 

[micwag2]

Hi,

If you've never used the RB67 before, you're in for a real treat - a superbly versatile and fun-to-use camera!
I was wondering if the force required to cock the shutter is the same when you swop the lenses? This might indicate the one of the lenses has much more "spring tension". Other than that, I guess it could be many things... lubricant that has dried / become too viscose, etc.

This is a really simple, extremely robust and long-living camera that is difficult to jam up (compared to other waist-level medium format SLRs) - so I wouldn't worry about it too much unless it's too difficult to use comfortably.

Much more important are light leaks in the film back(s), which they are unfortunately prone to.
If you can find a 37mm Fisheye, you'll have more fun that what you dreamt is possible with a medium format camera

Dawid

Yeah I was thinking I should have swapped the lenses to see if the stiffness followed the lens. I'll have to try that tonight. A fisheye lens would be great, but I wonder how much that'll set me back. Already have light seals on the way. Figured I'd get them first. I wanna load these and go use them!

 

[micwag2]

Also have another question. One of the bodies has an adapter in the tripod socket so the grip can attach and the camera can go onto a standard 1/4 20 tripod screw. The other does not, I'm not sure of the size because i haven't measured it yet. My question then is: Where can i get another adapter? And, is it a good idea to put such a heavy camera on a tripod with only a 1/4 20 screw? Last thing i want is for one of these behemoths fall on my foot because the tripod failed!

 

[jstout]

I have sent you the parts manual via email per your request
Jeff

 

[micwag2]

I have sent you the parts manual via email per your request
Jeff

Thank you!

 

[Wayne]

There is an owners manual floating around the web somewhere...

 

[micwag2]

There is an owners manual floating around the web somewhere...

I downloaded the owners manual from Butkus website.

 

[MattKing]

Also have another question. One of the bodies has an adapter in the tripod socket so the grip can attach and the camera can go onto a standard 1/4 20 tripod screw. The other does not, I'm not sure of the size because i haven't measured it yet. My question then is: Where can i get another adapter? And, is it a good idea to put such a heavy camera on a tripod with only a 1/4 20 screw? Last thing i want is for one of these behemoths fall on my foot because the tripod failed!

Without the adapter, the thread is the fairly standard 3/8" tripod thread. With the adapter, the thread is the also fairly standard 1/4" tripod thread.

You can buy tripod heads and quick release plates that use a 3/8" tripod bolt instead of the 1/4" bolt.

I have a bunch of extra 3/8" to 1/4" adapters, because I have a bunch of cameras that use them, and every few years one loosens and falls out.

Any good tripod seller should have them - here is an Amazon source: http://www.amazon.com/Promaster-Tripod-Thread-Adapter-Pack/dp/B002MXO47I

 

[micwag2]

Ok. Makes sense. I haven't had a tripod or camera that used a tripod socket bigger than 1/4" before. I'll most likely use this on my Bogen tripod with the 3030 head. I'll check and see if they make a 3/8" quick release plate for it.

 

[MattKing]

Ok. Makes sense. I haven't had a tripod or camera that used a tripod socket bigger than 1/4" before. I'll most likely use this on my Bogen tripod with the 3030 head. I'll check and see if they make a 3/8" quick release plate for it.

The 1/4" version of the quick release plate is the 200PL-14

The 3/8" version of the quick release plate is the 200PL-38

The plates are the same - only the threaded bolt differs.

If you have other cameras that use the 1/4" bolt, the adapters I linked to earlier are a more practical choice, because the 200PL-14 is easier to find.

 

[mesantacruz]

^ i also recommend the above quick release plate... i've not had it for so long (about 3 years) and used it for D*g*tal, and my f-1... when i got the rb67 i was a bit hesitant to put it on there... but trust me, those little plates, go a long way... no play, and extremely sturdy.

 

[George Nova Scotia]

A Service manual can be found here: http://rb67.helluin.org/files/2010/02/Mamiya-RB67-Pro-S-Repair-Manual.pdf

 

[micwag2]

A Service manual can be found here: http://rb67.helluin.org/files/2010/02/Mamiya-RB67-Pro-S-Repair-Manual.pdf

Thank you very much! This is what i was looking for.