Mamiya RZ67 Pro II worth the extra cost (compared to RZ67)

[bwidjaja]

Hi,

I am sure this has been discussed before. After research, I also have learned that the following are the advantages of the RZ67 Pro II vs RZ67:
- Fine focus knob
- Half-step shutter speed (with AE Prism)
- Digital Back

My question is if I can get an RZ67 body for $199 and similar condition RZ67 Pro II for $399 (about double), is it worth the extra cost to get the Pro II?
Please point out other advantages that I might have missed.

Thanks in advance

 

[Kevin Kehler]

I use an RZ and see no real reason to upgrade. Half stops on the shutter might be nice but all of my lenses allow half stop adjustment so it is kinda moot. When focusing with the waist-finder, I find the pop-up magnifier more than sufficient for accurate focusing, unless you are doing some extreme macro shots; otherwise, your depth of field on all RZ lenses is sufficient to make up for minor focusing errors. As for a digital back, $10k for a cheap back is a lot of 120 rolls (about 2000-3000 by my quick calculations). If your an amateur, stick with what is cheaper; if your a professional, are you really going to spend $10k to see a 10% improvement over a high end SLR?

 

[vlasta]

- Half-step shutter speed (with AE Prism)

This feature doesn't require AE prism.

 

[hpulley]

The DM56 back is not 10% better than a "full frame" DSLR, it has more than double the area at 36x56mm. It is still small compared to the 56x69.5 negatives you get with proper film but at 56MP for those with money and storage space to burn I'd say it is a step up from a 22MP 24x36mm DSLR.

 

[tomalophicon]

Guys, please take the digital talk elsewhere.

 

[hpulley]

Neither of us are recommending it, just talking about camera capabilities. No way a digital back is going on my Mamiya...

 

[bwidjaja]

Thanks everyone for the response. So far i do not see a strong reason of spending the extra money for the Pro II.

 

[EdSawyer]

Agreed

There's no real reason to get the II vs. the regular RZ67.

You can get half-stop shutter speeds (actually stepless I think in AE) by using the AE prism on the RZ Pro (I), no problem. I do that myself.

Condition is everything of course so try to get a nice one (RZ) as there are of course a lot of mechanical parts to them and they have been around a while by now (some of the early ones at least).

There's some advantages to the Pro I, for example it can use the PD prism (metering prism) whereas the II can't as far as I know.

 

[tkamiya]

Isn't there an added interlock in RZ-II for dark-slide that doesn't exist on plain RZ? I have been researching RZ as well so this thread is timely.

 

[EdSawyer]

I don't think there are any differences in the interlocks between Pro II and Pro I. The darkslide interlocks are in the back, not the body. The body (Pro I) knows if the darkslide is inserted and won't fire the shutter.

-Ed

 

[vlasta]

... and Pro II backs use light labyrinths instead foam, so no refoaming issues.

 

[Jeff L]

From what I understand make sure the RZ is as late a model as possible. The early ones had a serial number that started with the letter "H". I was told (repair guy) that RZ's had refinements along the way. The electronics will be newer too, which is good. I have an "H" which is fine, but the mirror coming up when I fire it seems quite a bit harsher than the later ones I have tried. Other than that it's an amazing camera whether it's an RZ or Pro II

 

[ContaxRTSFundus]

Save the money from buying the RZ67 Pro and put it towards another lens or the very useful combination of Left Grip (with shutter release) and Winder.

I have both types of RZ and in practical terms there's nothing to choose between them - I've never needed the fine focusing capability when using the old cameras and only once on the ProII with a tricky macro shot using the tilt/shift adapter. The older RZ represents one of the true bargains in second-hand gear.

 

[PVia]

... and Pro II backs use light labyrinths instead foam, so no refoaming issues.

A big plus...!

 

[tkamiya]

and it attaches to Pro I with no loss of functionality???

 

[brucemuir]

and it attaches to Pro I with no loss of functionality???

If you are asking if a Pro II back will mount on a Pro Body with no loss of functionality then yes.

It actually adds functionality because the Pro II backs have an extra frame #indicator window that is easily seen when the back is rotated. The Pro back only has one window.

I don't care about that feature but the lack of foam seals is why I have all Pro II backs in my kit w/RZ Pro body.

 

[TareqPhoto]

Sorry if i talk about digital, but what is the different between Pro II and Pro IID? Are both camera the same or something different for digital part?

 

[vlasta]

They are the same except IID has additional electrical contacts on the back side
for eventual digital backs.

 

[TareqPhoto]

They are the same except IID has additional electrical contacts on the back side
for eventual digital backs.

I see, and that additional electrical contact can be purchased separately and added later or i should buy a body coming along ready with that contacts?

 

[vlasta]

They are integral part of the IID body.

 

[TareqPhoto]

They are integral part of the IID body.

Ah ok, thank you very much!

 

[ianstamatic]

I use two standard pro bodies and have a mixture of backs. Don't feel any need to upgrade.

 

[tnabbott]

I tried the Pro II after staring with the Pro; I find no real benefit. The only differences I noticed were the additional stops on the shutter dial and the fine focusing knob. While both are nice, neither is essential to me.

 

[moonkberry]

Is there a difference between lenses for 'RZ pro' and 'RZ pro II'? Can I use a new lens for 'RZ pro II' on my used 'RZ pro'?

 

[vlasta]

Yes, you can use a new lens on every RZ model, including Pro IID.