Pentax 67II vs RZ67

[Soeren]

When I first got my RZ67PROII I carried it around for a whole days shooting without strap. Next Day I had sore biceps

 

[M Carter]

Several years ago P67 prices seemed much more aligned with RB/RZ - in fact my sense is the RZ was generally more expensive into the new millenium.

From what I've seen, the minor explosion of young people getting into film photography has had a big effect on prices of certain camera models. Canon AE-1s are now getting ridiculously priced, but it's a name that comes up often since it was a smashing consumer success. Pentax SLRs are going up since they've been seen in lots of movies and were a photo-school stalwart. The P67 has gone up - I believe anyway - since new-ish users see it as just a bigger version of what they're used to. And really, I remember the first time I saw a P67 - I was really wowed by the thing, and I was shooting the RB commercially. I knew a couple fashion shooters that just loved the Pentax, and even bit the bullet for the hyper-pricey polaroid back, and dedicated a 2nd body for just polaroids.

Keep in mind, you can advise these kids that if they want to shoot 35mm film, something like a Nikon 8008s is just a screaming bargain. All those pro features for twenty bucks!!! But a big part of this is "style" - if the camera doesn't match your hipster fedora, it's not up for consideration. (And I do get that to some extent - for 35mm I like my N90s and 8008s, but I have an FG lying around that just sort of attracts me. And if I'm going to walk around and shoot 35mm, I dunno why but I prefer my Minolta RF with its fixed lens vs. all those lovely Nikkor primes and zooms I have). Kids are buying up TLRs as well - I think the RZ and to some extent the RB don't attract people visually like the Pentax or the retro-looking TLRs.

 

[ChuckP]

Price may be going up because of all the aging view camera users moving down to medium format. View camera equipment seems to be decreasing in price. I've had a P67II for several years and use it more than the view camera now. I did buy it when they cost more in the $1k range for camera and lens. I like the ability to do easy closeups with the 135. The metering works fine for me but you do have to think about reciprocity correction or if the scene is all high or low key. And it will time up to 30sec. I carry around the camera with 55.75,135 and 200 and extension tube set.

 

[btaylor]

What's the big deal with carrying around the RZ? I bought one about a year ago from the FS section of this forum. I had always wanted to try an RB or RZ, as mentioned above they were quite expensive professional tools back in the day. I got the body, finder, 3 lenses and 2 backs for under $600. That is just nuts for the capabilities. I carry it in a bag when I am walking around, it's not that heavy IMO. It's an extremely well designed camera system. I am impressed with the lack of mirror vibration. I can hand hold in the field at low shutter speeds and the pics are very sharp. Really, they are so inexpensive there is no reason not to try one out. Lots of bits available on the 'Bay as well when you look for accessories. I had a Norita 66 slr back in the '70s, a similar shape to the P67. While I loved the big negs, I was never comfortable with the ergonomics.

 

[Marco Gilardetti]

I suspect other people already mentioned this point, but I believe that the reason why the Pentax 67 holds its price better than Mamiya RZ/RB is because it looks (and is) like a 35mm SLR camera that ate too much vitamines. Many people, young lads especially, who are stepping up from 35mm are persuaded (with good reasons!) that it will be a breeze to enter the 6x7 format with this camera, with little or no learning curve. So there's more competition for it on the used market.

I made the same considerations myself 25-something years ago. I had stepped up from 35mm to 6x6 with a Kiev and later a Pentacon Six, and as I wanted to step up to 6x7 I thought the Pentax 67 was the obvious choice along the trail. I mean: it also had a coupled TTL meter, what else did you want!?! But then, looking again to the Mamiya 6x7 system, I thought that the interchangeable backs were a huge huge "plus" (at the time, like everyone else I suppose, I used to shoot and print much more slides than today), and the revolving back... my lord that was pure genius! So I reconsidered the Mamiya and made my mind up that I was an adult photographer and that it was time to learn how a mid-format system that dind't look like a magnified 35mm SLR camera is operated. I then bought an RB67 body from an old chap in my hometown, an almost unused unit with its original box, which he gave me for a very nice price possibly because he realised that I was so young and motivated. People of my age probably remember that finding one of these cameras in good conditions and at a good price and in your hometown was as unlikely as a multiple planetary alignment in those years.

Although the Pentax 67 is a system that deserves the highest respect, I never, by any means, regretted choosing the Mamiya RB. Actually, although over years I've again upgraded to 4x5'' format, I consider both the Mamiya C330 and the Mamiya RB67 two absolute, unquestionable "keepers" among my cameras.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

I suspect other people already mentioned this point, but I believe that the reason why the Pentax 67 holds its price better than Mamiya RZ/RB is because it looks (and is) like a 35mm SLR camera that ate too much vitamines. Many people, young lads especially, who are stepping up from 35mm are persuaded (with good reasons!) that it will be a breeze to enter the 6x7 format with this camera, with little or no learning curve. So there's more competition for it on the used market.

True!
There was a 17 year old lad on my weekend multispot metering workshop interstate with a Pentax 67. Just the camera and one lens (55mm f4), and a battered Pentax spot meter (carted along with rolls of film, notepads, Aeroguard and M&Ms in a retro 1960s polka-dot suitcase). I was mightily impressed by his fluency in using this big, loud-and-proud camera, but especially his self-taught,long-exposure metering nous — better than a few others demonstrated. Like so many others, he does find the camera (and tripod) heavy, but he's not a string-bean: his other interests include martial arts and football). The P67 reminded him of an earlier K1000 for his 13th birthday ... "this is just kinda like much bigger and noisier!". Touché.

The Pentax 67II never appealed to me as I am the type who does all the thinking and decision-making about the image, not the camera, which is there only to record the moment on film.

 

[Alan Gales]

What's the big deal with carrying around the RZ?

I used to own an RZ and it's nothing compared to the tool box I used to carry around at work. Those days are long over for me though due to a back fusion. I think a lot of people who complain about the weight are older and have physical limitations.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

I think a lot of people who complain about the weight are older and have physical limitations.

That would be me...

 

[Alan Gales]

That would be me...

Me too, Gary. I had a back fusion back in December 1994. I was diagnosed with Acute Rheumatoid Arthritis a few months ago. My doctor says that eventually I'll be back to normal. I do have to take medication every day for the arthritis. It's rough getting older!

 

[MattKing]

It's rough getting older!

Not when you consider the alternative.

 

[moto-uno]

^ Getting younger ? Peter

 

[moto-uno]

"Matt" sorry it's been so long getting back to you and saying thanks for the projector , now of course , I'm selling my Fujica GL690 B kit
to finance a 6x6 kit to make better use of the projector ! Does GAS ever go away ? Regards,Peter

 

[MattKing]

You are very welcome Peter. Hope it serves you well.
It is probably best that you didn't tell me of your intentions re: the Fujica - I need another camera like I need .....

 

[moto-uno]

^Well not to add fuel to the fire , but it's a fairly complete kit in good shape . Peter

 

[Sirius Glass]

Me too, Gary. I had a back fusion back in December 1994. I was diagnosed with Acute Rheumatoid Arthritis a few months ago. My doctor says that eventually I'll be back to normal. I do have to take medication every day for the arthritis. It's rough getting older!

Not when you consider the alternative.

Matt posted what I was thinking.

 

[barzune]

Me too, Gary. I had a back fusion back in December 1994. I was diagnosed with Acute Rheumatoid Arthritis a few months ago. My doctor says that eventually I'll be back to normal. I do have to take medication every day for the arthritis. It's rough getting older!

Sorry, Alan, but there's no chance in Hell that you'll be back to "normal " if you have Acute Rheumatoid Arthritis; you'll just get used to it, and that'll be your "new normal".
Keep taking the meds, but be careful for your innards ( arthritis meds are murder on the guts ! ).

 

[M Carter]

Sorry, Alan, but there's no chance in Hell that you'll be back to "normal " if you have Acute Rheumatoid Arthritis; you'll just get used to it, and that'll be your "new normal".
Keep taking the meds, but be careful for your innards ( arthritis meds are murder on the guts ! ).

I want a t-shirt that says "Getting Older: Not for Pussies".

 

[Sirius Glass]

I want a t-shirt that says "Getting Older: Better Than The Alternative".

 

[Alan Gales]

Sorry, Alan, but there's no chance in Hell that you'll be back to "normal " if you have Acute Rheumatoid Arthritis; you'll just get used to it, and that'll be your "new normal".
Keep taking the meds, but be careful for your innards ( arthritis meds are murder on the guts ! ).

Thanks for the warning.

I'm on Sulfasalazine. I take 2 500 mg tablets twice a day. My doctor tells me that my medicine is milder than a lot of stuff he could prescribe and hopefully I won't need the heavy stuff. Some medicines have a lot of side effects I hear. Right now I'm not 100% but I have little pain. I do take Hydrocodone twice a day for pain. I was taking it three times a day but I just started weaning myself off of it. So far so good. My arms are on the weak side and I do get tired out easily. I'm hoping for the best.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

I want a t-shirt that says "Getting Older: Not for Pussies".

 

[btaylor]

Geez. So lugging an RZ around IS a big deal. Hope you feel better.

 

[Alan Gales]

Geez. So lugging an RZ around IS a big deal. Hope you feel better.

Thanks!

I no longer own an RZ but I do own an 8x10 Wehman. I sold the RZ to help fund my large format gear when I originally got into 4x5. Due to my bad back I pulled the 8x10 around in a Klein Cordura wheeled tool bag. With camera, lenses, film holders, Ries J100 tripod and other essentials, it's a lot. I'm hoping that I will be able to keep it up. I will have to see how well my medicine works. The medicine takes a long time to build up in my body. I go back to my doctor in 2 1/2 months.

 

[Tobes71]

I have a Pentax 6x7 mirror up version. From what I understand from the P67 group on Facebook is with the 67II there is much more likelihood of the model being irreparable if it goes wrong, because it relies so much on electronics.

The P67's and P6x7 MU are far more mechanical and much easier to repair. So you may be better buying a P67 body especially as replacement bodies are easy to find and relatively cheap. If you buy a 67II and it dies out of warranty, you'll be out thousands.

This advice applies to any late model electronic film camera. Most of their circuit boards are reaching the age where they could just die without warning.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

The P67's and P6x7 MU are far more mechanical and much easier to repair. So you may be better buying a P67 body especially as replacement bodies are easy to find and relatively cheap. If you buy a 67II and it dies out of warranty, you'll be out thousands.

Repairs introduce redundancy and unreliability because parts are taken from like-cameras e.g. parts from the early 6x7 cameras are often not fully interchangeable with the later P67 bodies, even though they may do the job -- and there are literally thousands of tiny parts that can wear out and require a full strip-down, the cost of which will easily exceed the worth of the camera (hence find one in very good to mint condition -- they do exist out there, but you have to look very carefully). Mirror solenoids are often the hardest to find good, serviceable replacements for because they are in terms of long-term reliability the most troublesome. Shutters, too, can show signs of abuse or extended wear and tear e.g. the rubber seams peeling and jamming, film wind-on missing frames... a long, long list of things to catch owners out!

The 67II has its own problems, one of which I am aware of being something that happens over time to the display on the top -- it fades out or only parts of the display are visible.