- Joined
- Sep 9, 2006
- Messages
- 94
- Format
- Medium Format
I used to have two pentax bodies back in the 80's and found them to be very limiting but the lenses to be very good. I do feel that shutter bounce on those beasts were a factor and flash/strobe work was terrible. We used them because of the negative size - used to look amazing on a light table.
I currently use an RZ. The things I like about it in a minor way are the half stop speeds, the shutter sync speeds and the interchangeable prisms. Mamiya is a great and versatile system, and it is still a current system.
What I LOVE about the RZ (and RB) is the incredible minimum focus distances as well as the ability to lock the focus. That is sooo cool. I can set up a shot and then try a different filter and not worry about focus shifting. As for the focus distances - my 50 can focus withing about one and a half inches from the front of the glass. Try to find a 24 equivalent that does that! As someone who likes to do near-macro a lot ... it is one of the major draws of the system. It is nice that I can use lenses from my old RB setup, though I have gotten rid of them now, now that the RZ lenses can be found so super cheap. I traded in my hassy system (503 millenium and three lenses) to make the jump and other than the size, which makes it a hand holdable camera only for well trained weightlifters - I'm very happy.
The RZ lenses are good. They look different than the way Hasselblad lenses and I often prefer them. The mamiya lenses imho have less micro contrast but are very sharp and even except wide open.
I've got three backs for it so I can do a crude zone system shooting and the backs are the easiest I've ever had to load, and the backs are affordable.
Lastly, should one want to indulge in that form of photography which shall not be mentioned ... it is possible.
What is there not to love!
I currently use an RZ. The things I like about it in a minor way are the half stop speeds, the shutter sync speeds and the interchangeable prisms. Mamiya is a great and versatile system, and it is still a current system.
What I LOVE about the RZ (and RB) is the incredible minimum focus distances as well as the ability to lock the focus. That is sooo cool. I can set up a shot and then try a different filter and not worry about focus shifting. As for the focus distances - my 50 can focus withing about one and a half inches from the front of the glass. Try to find a 24 equivalent that does that! As someone who likes to do near-macro a lot ... it is one of the major draws of the system. It is nice that I can use lenses from my old RB setup, though I have gotten rid of them now, now that the RZ lenses can be found so super cheap. I traded in my hassy system (503 millenium and three lenses) to make the jump and other than the size, which makes it a hand holdable camera only for well trained weightlifters - I'm very happy.
The RZ lenses are good. They look different than the way Hasselblad lenses and I often prefer them. The mamiya lenses imho have less micro contrast but are very sharp and even except wide open.
I've got three backs for it so I can do a crude zone system shooting and the backs are the easiest I've ever had to load, and the backs are affordable.
Lastly, should one want to indulge in that form of photography which shall not be mentioned ... it is possible.
What is there not to love!
