RB67 versus SQ-A versus Pentax 67

keithwms said:

You can also shoot 2.25 x 3.25" sheet film on the rb and get wonderful 72x72mm squares on polaroid or fuji instant. This latter capability is especially nice with polaroid 665, the negs are beautiful <sniff>

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One of my favorite ways to shoot my rb is with a 2x3 Grafmatic on it. Interesting playing with sheet film with the awesome lens quality the Mamiya provides. I recommend it to anyone.

tim in san jose

now Tim,
don't go telling everybody all the Mamiya lenses are sharp as hell, you'll just get told it's not possible. I have no complaints about any Mamiya lens, including my 50 C and 65 (both non and C) are as good as anything else out there. I recently sold my 500 c/m outfit because it didnt' add much to the mix, other than a smaller negative and maybe a pound less weight.

erie

My secret is safe with you. Use a lens hood and the non - C lens are quite nice. My C lens are truely outstanding... but I won't tell anyone...

I think I have as many lens as I need. I have all but the 37, 140 and 250 in "Pro-S" compatible format. The 150 is a great portrait lens, the 180 superb, and I have the most fun playing with the 50 and 65 mm lens. But you are correct, let's not piss off the Hassey... guys.

To be honest, my next camera purchase, if I ever make it, will be a M4, not a Hassey. Just because.

tim, shooting away, in san jose

David H. Bebbington said:

... Pentax has ceased production of all film cameras ...

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I believe Pentax still produces the 67II and the 645NII.

Cheers.

Kent10D said:

I believe Pentax still produces the 67II and the 645NII.

Cheers.

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It's rather hard to tell sometimes! There will of course always be new examples of a camera avaialble for some time after actual production has ceased. I based my statement on this:
http://www.pentaxuser.co.uk/pages/pl_2007.html
The Pentax User Club is, I believe, officially supported. Elsewhere on the website it categorically states that Pentax 67 is no longer available, However, since IIRC the reason for the cessation of sales of Pentax 67 in the EU was the presence of electrical solder in the camera, this may well be on sale in other markets. Whether this is on the basis of availability until stocks are exhausted or of ongoing production, I can't tell!

Regards,

David

PS: A quick search of the website of major US dealer Adorama reveals no new Pentax 67 or 645. British dealer Jessop is still offering Pentax 645N II at 28 days' delivery - hard to tell if it's really available or not!

P67 availible

Pentax 67 is not coming to Europe anymore, but on the Japanese Pentax-website the whole program of camera + lenses is to distinguish. So Kent is right I think. Maarten

David,

Perhaps they're not exporting to the EU anymore because of the RoHS Directive thing, but you can walk into any Yodobashi Camera or Bic Camera (or any major camera store) here in Japan and pick up a brand new kit. In fact, only a few days ago when Pentax announced that they were dropping their 645D (digital medium format) project for sure, I seem to remember that they also said they would continue production of the 67 and 645 film cameras.

So I think they are still making 'em, but as you say, perhaps they aren't available everywhere.

Cheers again!

Just a few notations concerning the RB67 (I've been using an RB67 Pro-SD for a few years, with a nearly full complement of lenses and accessories for it.

a) While the camera prices have dropped, by the time you build up a stable of equipment, you can still have to invest quite a few thousands. When buying used, I would strongly suggest only buying equipment rated at Mint or at least Excellent++... there is a lot of equipment out there that's been hard-used.

b) Asked question but not answered: known troubles. The only known trouble I can think of is that infernal dual cable shutter release. The attachment point to the lens is very weak, and the slightest side contact to the cable release on the lens will result in the threaded tip breaking off in the lnes. This is easily removed, but replacing the cables relatively frequently gets very expensive with cables running over $50 even used. And... you do not need a dual cable to fire your lens "mirror up." Simply attach a standard cable release to the lens... set the mirror up switch on the lens... compose... fire the camera shutter manually... wait a second for any vibration to cease... then fire the lens with the cable release.

c) Film backs... I generally carry 3 with me, all loaded with different films. And all are the motorized backs (of which 2 are 6x8 backs). Reason I prefer the motor backs... they can be set for the film size... the same back handles both 120 and 220 film. They're heavy... but you can leave out the 4-AA batteries and use them manually. The ability to use the same back for either film size makes the extra cost and added weight a worthwhile investment.

d) Gotta-have accessory: Prism finder... especially if you're stepping up from 35mm cameras. Easier to see the image, no worry about trying to see a ground glass in bright conditions... the image is seen as the film sees it.

Glenn M said:

While the camera prices have dropped, by the time you build up a stable of equipment, you can still have to invest quite a few thousands. When buying used, I would strongly suggest only buying equipment rated at Mint or at least Excellent++... there is a lot of equipment out there that's been hard-used.

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I agree that there is a lot of RB equipment with a lot of miles on it. Probably true of any pro level gear. I've bought from both KEH and the internet auction. I had to have both of the auction lenses CLA'd. All of the stuff from KEH is EX or EX+, except for backs. I have 2 that were Bargain and they're fine. So is the prism. It's all cosmetic on those items. Even with the CLA, I got the camera, 4 lenses, 3 backs, and a prism for around 2 grand.

Glenn M said:

... you do not need a dual cable to fire your lens "mirror up." Simply attach a standard cable release to the lens... set the mirror up switch on the lens... compose... fire the camera shutter manually... wait a second for any vibration to cease... then fire the lens with the cable release.

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Couldn't agree more. Using only one cable release is less trouble, IMO.

Thanks for all the advice so far. I am finding that most of the RB's on the market have been extensively used and ones with low mileage certainly attract high prices. Some RZ's seem to be in very good condition and at a reasonable price. This could be an option. Prices down here are also a bit higher.

k_jupiter said:

My secret is safe with you. Use a lens hood and the non - C lens are quite nice. My C lens are truely outstanding... but I won't tell anyone...

I think I have as many lens as I need. I have all but the 37, 140 and 250 in "Pro-S" compatible format. The 150 is a great portrait lens, the 180 superb, and I have the most fun playing with the 50 and 65 mm lens. But you are correct, let's not piss off the Hassey... guys.

To be honest, my next camera purchase, if I ever make it, will be a M4, not a Hassey. Just because.

tim, shooting away, in san jose

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You'd be surprised how good that 250 is, even the non C version....


erie

Just bought an RZ67, two 120 backs and one Polaroid back. I can't wait to get out there and start shooting.
Thanks for all of your advice.

1. all medium format cameras are heavy and bulky to some degree. get past this right now.

2. forget hand-holding as part of a requirement. If you want to fully utilize the quality that medium-format offers, you are better off with a tripod or at least a monopod. camera shake, especially with medium-format SLR's, will limit the times you can hand-hold.

Now then, any of the cameras you mentioned are excellent. The mamiya RB is the largest, but it doesnt really feel any heavier. the controls are well placed (except for the film advance). holding the camera at your chest keeps it nice and stable.

I have, for some years now, been using Mamiya 6 RFs and they are as light, compact and handholdable as just about any 35mm SLR with a vertical grip... including lenses. Handholding is a total nonissue. In fact, the 6 is my #1 favourite handholding camera for landscapey stuff, I chose it over the 7ii because it is collapses so well. Almost no reason to put it on a tripod, you can get exceptional handheld images down to 1/8 sec.

I use an rb and a 6 for most of my MF, they are totally different tools. I just started using a 645 AFD and that is again a totally different beast- much lighter than the rb but way bulkier than the 6. The main advantage of the 645 is the much faster lenses.

For the things I normally shoot with the rb, the heft is a big plus. I mean, for macro, you want a very stable, bellows-focusing camera.

I wouldn't call either of the 645s I've used big or bulky [Pentax and ETRSI]. Weight is no worse then a Nikon F4.

All the "wedding" cameras are aimed at hand holding. Sure on a tripod you'll get better resolution charts.

I've seen people using RZ handheld! With that big handle mounted on the size. I can't imagine doing that but people do it. The smaller cameras with a metering finder and power winder mounted can be a joy to use handheld.