Mamiya RZ Film back question

[Perrone Ford]

Hello all,

Brand new here and this is my first post. I bought an RZ II last month and it came with an RZ film back (not a II). I ran a roll through it, but could tell when winding it that something wasn't right. After taking it to a local shop to be developed and getting the roll back, I could see that the film was mangled, and the emulsion damaged on every frame. It's like the pressure plate was faulty or something. I contacted the seller of the camera about the issue, and he sent me a replacement back. This time an RZII film back. I ran a roll of Portra through that, but have had to send it off since my local shop can't develop them. It "felt" better winding it, but I guess we'll see.

So here are my two questions.

1. I've heard that the inserts for the RZ and RZ II backs are different. What would be the ramifications of mixing them up? Might it cause the issue that I saw?

2. Is there a definitive way to tell one insert from the other?


Thanks, and it's a pleasure to be here. Nice to get back to my film roots. Shot 35mm film all of my early career, but could never afford MF. Nice to have it now.

 

[jvo]

Welcome to apug... enjoy the rz, i do m645 so can't comment on inserts, someone here will help tho'.

 

[chuck94022]

Both backs should work fine on the RZ II. The RZ II back has a couple of better features, but otherwise the RZ back is fully compatible. Sounds like you had a defect in that particular back.

 

[chris77]

the rz pro and pro II backs are not identical in construction, so the inserts should not be mixed imo (havent tried that).

pro back is still using a kind o foam for blocking the light.
pro ii back no longer uses foam (which deteriorates in the long run). light is blocked by construction.

check the light seals. thats how you will know.
whether or not the wrong insert could cause your initial problem.. i dont know.

both backs work fine, but the pro II back is preferable if you have got the choice.

chris

 

[MattKing]

Mr. Reznitsky's excellent Compatibility Guide indicates that the inserts are not interchangeable: http://www.reznitsky.info/Mamiya/Comchart.htm

 

[chris77]

Mr. Reznitsky's excellent Compatibility Guide indicates that the inserts are not interchangeable: http://www.reznitsky.info/Mamiya/Comchart.htm

i dont find this, matt.
the op asked (i hope that i got this right) if the inserts, the inner parts, of the backs (pro back and pro ii back) are interchangeable.
the otherwise pretty useful list you posted doesnt answer this particular question.

 

[MattKing]

i dont find this, matt.
the op asked (i hope that i got this right) if the inserts, the inner parts, of the backs (pro back and pro ii back) are interchangeable.
the otherwise pretty useful list you posted doesnt answer this particular question.

If you look to the "Comments" column on the rows for the respective "Magazines", you will see the information about the inserts.

 

[Alan Gales]

i dont find this, matt.
the op asked (i hope that i got this right) if the inserts, the inner parts, of the backs (pro back and pro ii back) are interchangeable.
the otherwise pretty useful list you posted doesnt answer this particular question.

Look on the chart under Magazines and Backs. In the first line look all the way to the right under comments.

RZ and RZ ll backs are interchangeable among the three RZ cameras but the inserts are not interchangeable between the two style backs due to design changes to eliminate the foam.

 

[chris77]

If you look to the "Comments" column on the rows for the respective "Magazines", you will see the information about the inserts.

ah thank you.
im on my phone and have missed that out.
the display is small sometimes.

 

[Alan Gales]

ah thank you.
im on my phone and have missed that out.
the display is small sometimes.

Easy to do. Sometimes I miss things on my desk top!

I just got new glasses a couple days ago. Maybe that will help.

 

[chuck94022]

Both backs should work fine on the RZ II. The RZ II back has a couple of better features, but otherwise the RZ back is fully compatible. Sounds like you had a defect in that particular back.

Sorry, I was talking about the backs themselves, not the inserts. I agree with the others not to mix the inserts. Apologies for any confusion.