Sure, some pictures of your rig would be great if you get a chance. Thanks for sharing your experience!I recently bought a bgn rz67 (and a bgn toyo 45aii--big spender!) from keh. The rz67 arrived in better condition than the toyo, with one knob showing major brassing but the rest is in essentially excellent condition. Functionally, it seems perfect, with the occasional weird quirk but nothing so far that isn't likely ascribed to user error.
I love the rz67, but may have to sell it to finance the ridiculous expense of shooting large format. I've never used the rb67, though.
I can post some photos tomorrow if you want to see what a keh bgn camera looks like. I imagine every camera from keh is different, though--luck of the draw.
Of the three lenses I have (110mm f2.8; 65mm f4 m-la; 50mm f4.5 uld), the 65mm is the sharpest and the only lens for which a direct optical corollary is available for the rb67 (the 65mm kl). That said, the 110mm is impressive wide open and the 50mm is no slouch, either: wonderful corner to corner, but still not quite as sharp as the 65mm, though it's very, very close.
I really like the rz67 and recommend it if you keep shooting film, but I imagine the value of the rz67 and its lenses will only continue to plummet, sad thought it makes me to admit it. And if I had the money of course I'd prefer a Hasselblad for its smaller size and super cool Ziess lenses, but I don't have the money.
Maybe I missed this--BUT what does the RZ get you that the RB doesn't other than the ability to put a battery in the camera. I have shot a RB for 10 years and the camera body has never failed to deliver. Good old mechanical simplicity. Some have stated that the RZ lenses are better, which on paper may be true but there has never been a softness problem with the RB lenses I use. (50mmC, 90mmC, & 250mmC)
I say just get a 50mmC and keep using the RB it is a tried and true workhorse of a camera. Bang for the buck.
In the long run it will be cheaper to get the high-quality RZ glass that I need (at least the ones I'm looking for). That was my main motivator - knowing that I need to buy a few lenses soon and found that the RZ lenses are cheaper in many cases. Other benefits of the RZ I have found:Maybe I missed this--BUT what does the RZ get you that the RB doesn't other than the ability to put a battery in the camera.
Maybe I didn't mention it, but I mostly shoot people (portraits and some street). Landscape/architecture is not a very high percentage of what I do.The RZ is a better camera when you need to work a little bit faster while shooting, or if you want to use the 110mm f/2.8 lens. I have an RZ, but I would advise you to stick with the RB, since what you are shooting does not sound like it would benefit from use of an RZ. I prefer the RZ for shooting people, for shooting hand held, and for shooting things that are moving, but or anything else, the RB would do just as well. The very first thing I would get would be the 75mm shift lens, followed by a prism, and then more backs.
Based on diagonal AOVs, the 110mm lens on 6x7 is closest to a 50mm lens on small format (about 15 percent longer than normal), and the 90mm is closest to a "true" normal lens (which would be about 43mm on small format).
Maybe I didn't mention it, but I mostly shoot people (portraits and some street). Landscape/architecture is not a very high percentage of what I do.
Obviously for landscape work the faster operation of the RZ and the fast 110mm lens wouldn't be much help. Those things appeal to me more for the shooting I usually do.
That "fast" 110/2.8 lens really isn't that much faster than a 3.5, especially since these lenses aren't shot wide open that often, thanks to their thin DOF. Maybe a slightly brighter viewfinder but "speed" really doesn't count for much more.
I wasn't clear about the budget...I can swing the extra ~$200 for the 50mm lens I need. My plan is to get the RZ kit and the 50mm lens.How, when on a limited budget, will another body with a lens of similar focal length to the one you already have help you to fulfill the requirements of your commission? In the end, you will have nothing much different than what you already have, and still will not have what you need to get your job done. This one is a no brainer.
Hi PE,Nick;
I sold my RB when I got the RZ. It is a huge upgrade when you think about everything. I love it. All of the lenses are great, the tilt and swing are great and the options are great. Don't look back. I just wish that Kodachrome was available in 120!
PE
Maybe I didn't mention it, but I mostly shoot people (portraits and some street).
I absolutely love my RZ. The issues I was having with the RB were getting frustrating. It's still a great camera, don't get me wrong, but the RZ is a better match for me. The one area where I will say the RB wins for me is in aesthetics. It's just a purdier camera. Also, many people seem to say that the RZ is easier to carry than the RB. It doesn't seem any lighter to me and it sure as heck ain't smaller. After using it for a while, the things I really love are:I'm probably biased towards the RZ, as that is my favorite. I have never experienced battery drain issues with my RZ's. A moot point that some mention as a deterrent to acquiring a RZ, ridiculously favoring the RB on that point alone. There are times I prefer to use auto exposure; not available with the RB. Then, as mentioned, the RZ allows use of the 110mm, the 50mm ULD, the 210 APO, and the tilt-shift adapter. All with auto exposure if needed.
Big pluses in my book. A small, separate advantage with the RZ, is the single cocking lever, small issue, but still an advantage over the RB.
On another foot, one can not always say that a RZ will be newer than a RB. RB Pro SD's were simultaneously produced along side RZ's for many years.
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