Square back for mamiya rb67

[pantelis adiavastos]

i have an rb for some months, and the reason i bought it was not 6x7, but 6x6 MF SLR. I also have a bronica etrs but i dislike 4/3 format. So hassies were expensive, so bronica SQs so i went for mamiya.

I know from before buying it that you can fit a Graflex RH/12 roll film back on that to take square pictures. The F* problem although is, that i cannot find this freaking back anywhere.

Does anyone have any ideas ?

thanks in advance
p.a.

 

[stormur]

Mamiya made "quadra back" .

 

[Darkroom317]

You could mask it probably but you would still only get 10 shoots per roll.

 

[Photo Engineer]

IIRC, with the RB67, there is a 6x7 masking back that is removable giving you the additional option of 7x7 format with a special back. I took some photos that way years ago when I had an RB. I have forgotten the details as that is years ago.

PE

 

[Peter Black]

i have an rb for some months, and the reason i bought it was not 6x7, but 6x6 MF SLR. I also have a bronica etrs but i dislike 4/3 format. So hassies were expensive, so bronica SQs so i went for mamiya.

I know from before buying it that you can fit a Graflex RH/12 roll film back on that to take square pictures. The F* problem although is, that i cannot find this freaking back anywhere.

Does anyone have any ideas ?

thanks in advance
p.a.

The page at the link below suggests there isn't a square back for the RB67, although it is possible there may have been one in the past?

http://www.mamiya.com/rb67-pro-sd-a...nes,-holders-inserts-roll-film-magazines.html

 

[thisismyname09]

I had an RH12. That is probably the best solution. They show up on ebay every once in a while. Mamiya made a 6x6 back for the RZ67, but those are even harder to come across and more expensive.

 

[keithwms]

Last time I checked (1 year ago), there was a square back still available for the rz; but as far as I know, there hasn't been one for the rb for a long time. They are both exceedingly rare now. And backs like that will cost you more than it's worth. Why not just make yourself a viewfinder mask.

(But frankly that's a pretty heavy camera for 6x6. Those of who use the rb/rz systems generally appreciate them for their 6x7 and 6x8 rotating backs...)

The quadra back is for sheet film only. I have done polaroid type 55 with it,

I have thought about making a ~3x3" (76x76mm) sheet film back for the rb, based on the 2x3 cut-film holders. If you badly want to do it, it can be done.

A 70mm back could probably be rigged to produce something closer to a square.

Bottom line, you can spend a lot of time and money chasing something like that; just ask yourself whether you really need it!

 

[keithwms]

Here you go, a 6x6 back for an rz...

http://www.teamworkphoto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=14004

One other thought would be to to adapt a hassie or bronnie back....

 

[darinwc]

Dont the mamiya universal backs fit the RB with an adapter? Isnt there a multiformat back for the universal?

 

[johnnywalker]

What is the size of the 70mm back? 70 X ??

 

[keithwms]

The opening on my 70mm back is 57mm. Looks like it could be dremeled out a tiny bit further if you don't mind irregular edges, but not much.

 

[pantelis adiavastos]

wow, a bucketload of answers.

yes i know about the quadra back, but it is still unpractical to use shit film. I could go to a graphic for that and do better job.

someone asked why i want it. Well it's a matter of format taste. I seem to apreciate more in composing, the square format. and for sure i apreciate more 12 shots per roll rather than 10 ;p .

someone talked about weight.... ask me about it. i have a motorized back wich carries 4 AA batteries.... handheld it's not photographing it's bodybuilding

the best solution must be the mamiya 6x6 back althought it's expensive (and mate thanks very much for the link). About the graflex ones, people say that old edditions might have some problems with pressure plates or something, so the film might not be completely straight behind the lens, althought i havent seen anyone proofing it.

anyway, thank you very much for your responses i'll see what i'll do

goodmorning (or not ? :S)

 

[Steve Smith]

but it is still unpractical to use shit film.

Indeed it is but I assume you mean sheet film!!

It's not what you are looking for but the RB67 Polaroid back produces 7x7cm images.


Steve.

 

[pantelis adiavastos]

oopsy... sheet film. i am sorry ;p

yeah ok, but fuji polaroid in athens where i am at costs 15 euros a ten pack. something like 18-20 dollars. which is not so cheap...

 

[metalbuyer]

Keith,
Thanks for the link on that RZ 6x6 back, I just bought it. Have been wanting one really bad. Last one on eBay went for about $250. This one cost $115.

 

[pantelis adiavastos]

Keith,
Thanks for the link on that RZ 6x6 back, I just bought it. Have been wanting one really bad. Last one on eBay went for about $250. This one cost $115.

just kidding

we are expecting a review....!

 

[keithwms]

Yes well I bought it before he did

 

[thisismyname09]

About the graflex ones, people say that old edditions might have some problems with pressure plates or something, so the film might not be completely straight behind the lens, althought i havent seen anyone proofing it.

The problem comes in from some older graflex backs not having rollers that hold the film flat. The knob wind backs tend to lack them, though I've seen several exceptions to that rule. AFAIK, all lever wind backs have the rollers. Here's a picture of a graflex back with the rollers I'm talking about circled:

If you're buying a knob wind back online, ask for pictures of the inside so you can see if the rollers are there or not.

 

[pantelis adiavastos]

thanks very much for the enlightment pal
i'll have it in mind if one falls on my head

thanks again

 

[timk]

i have an rb for some months, and the reason i bought it was not 6x7, but 6x6 MF SLR.

So, the consensus seems to be that there are 6x6 backs available but they are very rare. I think you're the first person i've heard that purchases a 6x7 camera to shoot in 6x6 format!! I won't question the choice of camera since RB67's are great but in hindsight it may have been a good idea to check the availability & price of 6x6 backs before buying. Hassy kits have come down in price and are very reasonable on KEH these days.

Anyway, good luck with your hunt, if you are patient I'm sure you will find something.

 

[pantelis adiavastos]

i bought it about half the price or maybe less , of a 500c/m or elx with 80mm lens.
price was definately the major fact.

for squares i also have a yashica tlr (635), but i dont like the minimum focus of 1 meter (same on hassies). mamiya can focus down to 30cm or even less.

think that you can buy an rb back for 20$ from time to time. every accesory and lens is about 2-4 times cheaper that hasselblad, and the actual picture quality is compareable to hasselblab. maybe inferior, but indeed excellent

i am a student, so i cant afford everything.

althought i like 6x7, and the lenses are superb......

 

[metalbuyer]

I see that Keith. I just got notice that they could not fill the order. Crap.

 

[keithwms]

I see that Keith. I just got notice that they could not fill the order. Crap.

Oh I didn't buy it, I was just curious whether they'd sold it.... not trying to buy it out from under anybody. I wouldn't bother to shoot squares on my rb or rz.

 

[TANGOARTIST]

SQUARE 6X6 BACK FOR THE RB67

I have an RB67 ProSD and I purchased a 6x6 back on ebay from 'Shutterblade'. FYI, Paste this URL and you should go to the back I purchased and let me know your thoughts...Jorge (TANGOARTIST)

 

[TANGOARTIST]

6x6 BACK URL

Forgot the URL:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350334532085&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Sorry, Jorge