RZ67 AE Finders

Dennis-B · Aug 16, 2018

I own a RZ67 Pro, and I have the "correct" AE Prism finder, the type which has the side-mounted dials. It seems to work all right, and the readings are in line with my Pentax One Degree Spot Meter.

I've seen the newer model AE Prism, with the top-mounted dials. I understand that this model will work on the older RZ67 Pro models.

Is there any reason to "upgrade" to the newer AE finder, other than having a newer model? It seems the one I have is a bit of a battery hog.

Thanks.

Stephen Prunier · Aug 17, 2018

When I had my RZ67 Pro, I was planning on eventually moving up too the Pro II, so I purchased the AE 701 Pro II. I liked it, and I could still use it down the road. Needless to say. I sold my complete setup, only to realize it was the wrong decision. After coming to my senses. I purchase another (used) outfit. This time I went with the Pro II from the start, and I have the AE 701 Pro II again. Looking at the brochure, the newer one has average, spot, and combined metering. It also has exposure compensation +/- 3 stops in 1/3 stops. It has a view finder shutter for long exposures. So I think it has some updated features. If you shoot B&W, I don't think it's a huge advantage. If you shoot Chromes, the newer one would be a better bet.

Dennis-B · Aug 18, 2018

Stephen Prunier said:
When I had my RZ67 Pro, I was planning on eventually moving up too the Pro II, so I purchased the AE 701 Pro II. I liked it, and I could still use it down the road. Needless to say. I sold my complete setup, only to realize it was the wrong decision. After coming to my senses. I purchase another (used) outfit. This time I went with the Pro II from the start, and I have the AE 701 Pro II again. Looking at the brochure, the newer one has average, spot, and combined metering. It also has exposure compensation +/- 3 stops in 1/3 stops. It has a view finder shutter for long exposures. So I think it has some updated features. If you shoot B&W, I don't think it's a huge advantage. If you shoot Chromes, the newer one would be a better bet.

I do shoot a mix of C41 and E6, but the AE II finder is a great deal, so I went ahead and bought it. The AE "I" finder will probably go to eBay. The price on the AE II was such that I couldn't afford to pass on it ($220 at a local shop, and in excellent condition, with the case).

Thanks for your response and advice. Much appreciated!

mshchem · Aug 18, 2018

Dennis-B said:
I do shoot a mix of C41 and E6, but the AE II finder is a great deal, so I went ahead and bought it. The AE "I" finder will probably go to eBay. The price on the AE II was such that I couldn't afford to pass on it ($220 at a local shop, and in excellent condition, with the case).

Thanks for your response and advice. Much appreciated!

I paid $1000 for mine used in 2001, it's a great finder, too darn heavy, like all these beasts. Crazy how cheap this stuff has become. I love these cameras.

Stephen Prunier · Aug 18, 2018

Dennis-B said:
I do shoot a mix of C41 and E6, but the AE II finder is a great deal, so I went ahead and bought it. The AE "I" finder will probably go to eBay. The price on the AE II was such that I couldn't afford to pass on it ($220 at a local shop, and in excellent condition, with the case).

Thanks for your response and advice. Much appreciated!

Wow, that's an awesome price! I paid $300 for mine. You'll enjoy having it. I see you live in MI. I've bought a couple film backs on the "bay" from a camera store in Dearborn, MI, called Westborn Camera. They have excellent prices, and the condition is as nice or better than described!

Dennis-B · Aug 18, 2018

Stephen Prunier said:
Wow, that's an awesome price! I paid $300 for mine. You'll enjoy having it. I see you live in MI. I've bought a couple film backs on the "bay" from a camera store in Dearborn, MI, called Westborn Camera. They have excellent prices, and the condition is as nice or better than described!

They're my dealer of choice, and I only live around 4 miles from their shop. I've bought lots of stuff from them off the shelves, and eBay. Don and Joel are two men of superb reputation and knowledge. Don worked for a large photo shop just a few doors from their current location, and he really know his stuff. Among the things I've found have been a Hasselblad 500CM, Cambo SC 4x5 (along with several lenses for it), mint condition Gitzo and Manfrotto tripods. The best deals I've found though, are the Tamrac Pro Bags they get in from time to time. I own several 612 and 614 USA-made bags, which are my favorites. They also have a lot of used parts which I've found to be of great use.

They actually run three ID's Westborncam, Westborncam1, and Westborncam2. One is a warehouse that's full of parts, complete cameras, etc. I'd love to get in there and explore!

Stephen Prunier · Aug 18, 2018

Dennis-B said:
They're my dealer of choice, and I only live around 4 miles from their shop. I've bought lots of stuff from them off the shelves, and eBay. Don and Joel are two men of superb reputation and knowledge. Don worked for a large photo shop just a few doors from their current location, and he really know his stuff. Among the things I've found have been a Hasselblad 500CM, Cambo SC 4x5 (along with several lenses for it), mint condition Gitzo and Manfrotto tripods. The best deals I've found though, are the Tamrac Pro Bags they get in from time to time. I own several 612 and 614 USA-made bags, which are my favorites. They also have a lot of used parts which I've found to be of great use.

They actually run three ID's Westborncam, Westborncam1, and Westborncam2. One is a warehouse that's full of parts, complete cameras, etc. I'd love to get in there and explore!

Thanks for the info on them. I noticed yesterday that my invoice said Westborncam2, and my last one said cam1. I'll definitely keep them in mind. When you stop in the next time tell them I said Hi, and Thanks! Then again, I'm sure they have no idea who I am! LOL

jjphoto · Aug 18, 2018

Im selling an AEII finder now, also selling rz pro ii and APO 210, ebay, Australia only. Yes, it's amazing how cheap all this stuff has become. I've been holding off selling all my rz gear just because of how cheap it's become but no point keeping it as i won't use it any more.

Dennis-B · Aug 19, 2018

jjphoto said:
Im selling an AEII finder now, also selling rz pro ii and APO 210, ebay, Australia only. Yes, it's amazing how cheap all this stuff has become. I've been holding off selling all my rz gear just because of how cheap it's become but no point keeping it as i won't use it any more.

Always a tough decision. I few years ago, I sold all my large and medium format equipment after giving up my portrait business. However, in late 2016, after scanning in some of my medium and large format transparencies, I decided to take up film again. It's now a labor of love, but since I'm retired, I don't have the time stress, and I can really enjoy the set up, framing, exposure settings, etc.

RZ67 AE Finders

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