RZ67 Pro I - owners help please

Could any RZ67 Pro I owners have a look at the cameras for me a see if you find any vertical play in the focusing rack when the bellows are extended out. With the RB 180mm loaded on, once I get past half way the weight introduces some play which worsens but the time its fully extended. The play is only about 5mm once fully extended but I guess essentially this could make quite an impact under certain circumstances. The play appears to stem from the hidden linkage inside the body on both sides.

I'm wondering if this is wear and tear? common on most? rarely seen?

Does anyone have a service manual or link to one?

Thank you

5mm of slack or slop?
No, this is not normal. I would also attribute this more to 'tear' (or abuse), than wear.
Bellows rack should be rock solid, even at full extension.

People don't fully understand how badly they are abusing their RB's & RZ's when attaching longer lenses, without using the extension support brackets; 100-200mm Zoom, 350APO/360, and both 500mm lenses.
That's possibly the source of your woes.

Even when using extension tubes, care must be taken that the bellows-rack system is not over stressed.

Using a bread-board or laptop table type support for long lenses, or lens extension tubes combinations will help in keeping your bellows-rack system in good condition, or aid an ailing rack system like you have described. Mount the camera to the board, off center, then use bean bags to help support the weight of your lens/tube combination on the other side of center.

A few ideas attached.

http://www.ikeahackers.net/2012/02/daves-lowhigh-rider-laptop-table-hack.html

http://www.instructables.com/id/LAPTOP-DESK-FROM-OLD-CAMERA-TRIPOD/

I have an RZ with an RB 180 and when extended fully, is completely solid with no slack. I saw a guy once using a 500mm and handholding, trying to be mobile in a field but it was a disaster. I remember asking if the body was going to snap off and he responded "it hasn't yet" - I would find a reputable repair guy and get him to tighten it up.

Agreed, there should be nearly no slop in the rack. That's definitely out of line. Given the cost of repair it might be cheaper/easier to get a 2nd body.

I've used the 500/6 in the field, hand-held. It's a beast. But I did it with the support bracket in place. I do sometimes use the 350APO w/o the bracket, but always make sure to support the lens with one hand when doing so, so as to not stress the focus rack.

-Ed

Thank you for the help there, not what I wanted to hear although what I expected. I have only put one test roll through and not seen any adverse effects but thats not to say they wont turn up at a more critical shoot. I may have have a look into attempting to tighten it up myself before paying out for another body.

Thanks again
Stephen