mamiya RZ 67

clwyd · Nov 4, 2008

Hi, I've just brought a RZ67 professional off of ebay, spur of the moment!! It has a RB67 view finder on it, will this be OK? it has also got a mamiya 150mm F3.5 W sekor lens is this a good lens? Thanks Chris.

Nick Zentena · Nov 4, 2008

Can't have a RB view finder. Memory wants to say it would short out the contacts for the RZ metering prism.

Did it come with a back?

Good camera. Fine portrait lens.

Steve Smith · Nov 4, 2008

I know that you can fit an RZ viewfinder to an RB if you file down a couple of locating pins so it seems reasonable to assume that an RB viewfinder will fit an RZ. As to functionality though, I have no idea.

http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?MamiyaRB67.html~mainFrame

Steve.

clwyd · Nov 4, 2008

Hi nick, yes it comes with a 120 pro back, i havant received it yet, but it definatly says RB view finder. I have copied two picturess hopfully they will appear so you can see. Regards Chris

konakoa · Nov 5, 2008

The waist level pop-up viewfinder shouldn't be a problem. The bigger, heavier RB glass prism finder would be, however. My RZ came with a little plastic tab that fits over the electrical contacts for using a RB prism. If you got a RB prism finder in the future, I would think some electrician's tape could work in place of the plastic tab.

clwyd · Nov 8, 2008

I received the camera, and yes the RB view finder just slots right on. It was described as perfect but wasn't, the focussing screen is broken and there were a lot more signs of wear than i would of expected from a camera only having amarter use! I did put a roll of film through it today , the first time I've use 120 and it all seems to work well, only next time I develop a film i must remember to put more chemicals in as i have bubble marks along one edge. I gave £252 for this camera and lens, was it an OK buy ???
Thanks Chris

Claire Senft · Nov 8, 2008

I do not know what RZ bodies are selling for these days. I would certainly try to get a new screen from the seller.

Kevin Kehler · Nov 8, 2008

Assuming there are no other marks/issues, it is an OK buy but not a steal. I have gotten more skeptical of flea-bay as people have gotten less honest in their descriptions (especially in the past 2 years). I use the same body and it is a good camera (built like a tank) but not something to carry around too long; it is meant as a studio camera although I don't use it that way (Annie Lebonitiz swears by hers). You will want to take it to a reputable dealer for a full clean/lube/adjust to ensure good life expectancy of the camera, I saw the manual for doing it once and it is not something you want to do without specialized tools and a degree from M.I.T. I don't have that lens length but have been impressed with the quality of the Mamiya lenses; you can use RB lens on the RZ but all setting must be done on lens and the B/T setting sometimes is finicky for me on the RB lens.

If you are using a Paterson tank, you need a minimum of 500ml of solution to cover the reels but that is just covering; I always add 100ml to ensure a full coverage.

Drew B. · Nov 8, 2008

I use an rb finder on my RZ...with no problems.

clwyd · Nov 9, 2008

I have asked the seller for a new screen, and am waiting for a reply, I have a funny feeling that they are sending out broken cameras and relying on the postal insurance to replace the broken item, when I looked back over their feed back it would appear there have been lots of problems with there stuff all of which have been sorted out afterwards!! The body and lens have signs of wear and a few marks a scuffs.

Greg_E · Nov 9, 2008

That would be fraud. I don't think the postal service would like that. I hope you saved all the packaging so that they can inspect it.

clwyd · Nov 9, 2008

No I havn't, they are now asking me to send it back and if they can't fix it then they will refund the cost of the item. But i will then be out of pocket to the tune of £25 in postage. Ive looked for another camera my buget was £400 but I can't find one in the U.K. for that kind of money thats not on Ebay. The question now is do i send it back or do i keep it?

schwefel · Nov 9, 2008

clwyd said:
No I havn't, they are now asking me to send it back and if they can't fix it then they will refund the cost of the item. But i will then be out of pocket to the tune of £25 in postage. Ive looked for another camera my buget was £400 but I can't find one in the U.K. for that kind of money thats not on Ebay. The question now is do i send it back or do i keep it?

Well then. A focusing screen, a "user replaceable" item, is broken. They want you to send it back. Not a good thing. Just how much did you pay on shipping?

The will not be able "repair" it. They will just refund you the money, less shipping and sell it again. They do not have, nor will they get any new focusin screens. If they would, thye would just send you one.

You may want to complain to eBay. Not sure how far it will go. They are offering you a "solution". I doubt that this is the first time it has happened.

I would suggest you email the seller, state that you want a credit for a new screen or they send you a new screen. They do one or the other or you will leave negative feedback.

Make you tell them that there is ABSOLUTELY now reason that you need to send the whole thing in for them to "repair"

Alternatively, demand that they pay for you to ship it back (it is there grossly mistated condition) and that any refund that they give you also include the shipping you paid.

If they refuse all of those, do a stop pay on your card, and tell them you will be happy to ship back when they send you a prepaid label.

Jason

Greg_E · Nov 9, 2008

It was more than just the broken screen. Since it was not as described, they should refund the shipping too, and cover the return shipping. You might want to try to get them to cover all the shipping and see what they say.

clwyd · Nov 9, 2008

They have been in touch again tonite, they are trying to get a screen through a supplier of there's. The camera has its knocks but it dose work, I will run another film through it tomorrow. I did some printing with the negs that i didn't develop properly and the quality differance to what i'm use to is amazing.

jp80874 · Nov 9, 2008

Before you buy on eBay again you might want to look at the steps you have just taken. Impulse is a powerful motivator, but there are some simple precautions you can take that will reduce the chances of a repeat performance. Look very carefully at feedback. You discovered things about this seller's history that might have stopped you from buying anything from him if you had looked before you bid. Don't buy from someone who has no history. Let some one else take that risk.

Ebay is so huge that no matter how rare the object offered, there will be another one along if you are patient. If you like the idea of owning something, ask before you buy. With nearly 30,000 of us, someone has owned that product before, maybe even bought from that seller before. There are so many people selling on eBay, especially in these hard times, that there is absolutely no reason to risk buying from someone who is the least bit questionable or buying a product that is less than described.

Buy wisely and rely less on good fortune to obtain what you want. We have all made mistakes there. Try not to make the same ones twice.

John Powers

clwyd · Nov 22, 2008

As a foot note to this, I may have done the seller an injustice. After contacting them again and a couple of weeks of discussion he has sent me a replacment screen, although the camera has a few marks and scuffs it seems to work well, I am now looking forward to taking some pictures.

Chris.

mamiya RZ 67

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