That moment when you look in the viewfinder...

omaha · May 7, 2014

So I decided to go out tonight and burn some film through my new (old) RB67 that I just got from KEH (EX+ condition). Wow, that one is nice. WAY nicer than the ebay beater I started with. No comparison, either mechanically or cosmetically.

I had the idea to head over to my old grade school. They have some stuff in the playground that was installed when I was a kid, and I was surprised recently to notice that it was still there, so I figured that would make some good shooting.

Anyway, I looked at the scene, figured out a couple of angles to try, eyeballed the light, got in position and WHAM! That image in that big viewfinder is just magic! It is such an amazing feeling when you look down and everything just works.

Negatives on Friday. Another advantage of shooting film. I get two days to contemplate my brilliant photographs before being dashed on the rocks of reality.

fotch · May 7, 2014

omaha said:
So I decided to go out tonight and burn some film through my new (old) RB67 that I just got from KEH (EX+ condition). Wow, that one is nice. WAY nicer than the ebay beater I started with. No comparison, either mechanically or cosmetically.

I had the idea to head over to my old grade school. They have some stuff in the playground that was installed when I was a kid, and I was surprised recently to notice that it was still there, so I figured that would make some good shooting.

Anyway, I looked at the scene, figured out a couple of angles to try, eyeballed the light, got in position and WHAM! That image in that big viewfinder is just magic! It is such an amazing feeling when you look down and everything just works.

Negatives on Friday. Another advantage of shooting film. I get two days to contemplate my brilliant photographs before being dashed on the rocks of reality.

Nicely put.

dehk · May 7, 2014

"WHAM!" Wasn't an understatement from the shutter of the RB.

gone · May 8, 2014

I felt like that when I first saw the view in my 'blad's WLF. It had the standard old style screen installed w/ the focus bubble in the middle, and while there are brighter screens, I preferred that one. The photos from the camera never looked as good as the view in the finder though.

John Koehrer · May 8, 2014

dehk said:
"WHAM!" Wasn't an understatement from the shutter of the RB.

What? with that smooth mirror lift system. It sounds more like pulling your foot out of 12" deep mud.
More of a smoooooch.(not that kind) Whams are reserved for Pentax 67's

ntenny · May 8, 2014

I have an Optika IIa, which I suspect may be the most modern 6x9 SLR ever made, which isn't saying much; it doesn't have an auto-return mirror, even. But it does have a 6x9 viewfinder with a WLF! I sometimes pull it off the shelf just to look around the room admiring the view.

-NT

paul ron · May 9, 2014

Thats great! Not many express their first impressions so elegantly.

The photographer friends i know are youngins n never experienced film. They are digiheads n always ribb my beasts as dinasours just as i am.

Their first time looking through my view finder for giggles are simply blown away by how beautiful it really is.

They say it looks 3D n are so dissapointed when going back to their peepholes.

Glad you appreciate.
Btw... Just a tip when firing the RB... After you hear the mirror go up... Just hold your steady for just one more moment as the shutter imeadiately follows. There is a very slight delay regardless of the speed.

Kyle M. · May 9, 2014

The RB will do that to you, especially with the brightscreen. Theres always a wow!!! factor when I let someone new look through mine.

cliveh · May 9, 2014

That moment when you look in the viewfinder...

This is when you may press the shutter, because you have seen something that maybe worth recording. But would it be better 1mm higher or 2mm to the left and if there is also movement in view, how do you decide when to take the picture. This is why you should be devoid of thought at that moment, as no human being is capable of making such a complex decision.

film_man · May 9, 2014

The RB finder is indeed magic. When I got mine and opened the finder I just sat there for a minute stunned by the view!

Alan Klein · May 9, 2014

I just could never get use to the reversed image. I always swung the camera the wrong way. So I bought and use the eye level viewfinder sometimes with the focus magnifier attachment.

Sirius Glass · May 9, 2014

Alan Klein said:
I just could never get use to the reversed image. I always swung the camera the wrong way. So I bought and use the eye level viewfinder sometimes with the focus magnifier attachment.

That is why I use a prism on my Hasselblad.

paul ron · May 11, 2014

Yeah prism! Shame it maskes it so much more heavy but definately worth it.

But you do get use to it... Precursor to LF... BE WARE!

L.J.SILVER · May 14, 2014

That moment when you look in the viewfinder . . .

Yes! For me it was a Rolleicord in the 50s, my dad's which he let me use. Just magic for a 9 year old. I especially liked the reversed image - it made me work at making a picture. The magic's still there, now with a couple of Rolleiflexes and ground glass.

Thomas Bertilsson · May 14, 2014

I get a similar sensation from my Hasselblad. I like the mechanical sound of it. Feels good.

At the same time I really appreciate the elegance of a Rolleiflex or a Leica, and just how quiet they are.

Both sensations are nice.

Sirius Glass · May 14, 2014

Thomas Bertilsson said:
I get a similar sensation from my Hasselblad. I like the mechanical sound of it. Feels good.

At the same time I really appreciate the elegance of a Rolleiflex or a Leica, and just how quiet they are.

Both sensations are nice.

+1

Dr Croubie · May 14, 2014

paul ron said:
But you do get use to it... Precursor to LF... BEWARE!

Damn straight. I remember first looking in the viewfinder of my Pentacon 6 (my first MF cam).
Then I remember using my Toyo 45 for the first time. Then later even more of an impact using the 'chimney' finder, it's just one big screen with one eye, no distractions. Then a few weeks ago I got a 617 back with dedicated GG. Wow again. Even without the velvia I'd have been happy taking a photo of the ground glass.

Watch out, from here on in it's a slippery slope, slippery slope, slippery slope...

Jeff Kubach · May 15, 2014

RB 67 is a great camera!

Jeff

That moment when you look in the viewfinder...

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