There's just something about a huge, bright groundglass!

480sparky · May 31, 2015

And it makes film photography EXCITING!

It's a gorgeous, sunny day, so I decided to take a couple hours and try out my second 120 film back I got last week. I decided to run a roll of b&w and color through th RB67 side-by-side, changing just one aperture stop to adjust for the ISO 50 v 100. Should make for an interesting experiment.

cliveh · May 31, 2015

As does an M2 bright line viewfinder.

Sirius Glass · May 31, 2015

As does a Hasselblad bright viewfinder.

As does ground glass on a LF camera.

Ken Nadvornick · May 31, 2015

As does a Steve Hopf borosilicate on an 8x10...

Ken

DWThomas · May 31, 2015

Hmm -- that first one looks like some pretty exciting gardening too!

paul_c5x4 · May 31, 2015

Define "huge" - For those accustomed to 35mm, 5x4 seems large. In which case, wait till you try 10x12

480sparky · May 31, 2015

Sad news. I just hung up the b&w roll. 4 shots are way way way way way way overexposed. I thought, "No freakin' way did I miss exposure by 10 stops!" Then I looked closer... they were all taken with the 250mm lens.

So I pulled the camera back out and started tripping the shutter. When on Mirror Up, the shutter does not close every time. So as soon as I actuate the camera, the film starts exposing and won't stop until I use the cable release.

So it looks like I'm in the market for another 250mm.

Trail Images · May 31, 2015

When on Mirror Up, the shutter does not close every time.

I had this take place last year with a 37mm Fisheye. Sent in to KEH for CLA and have not had one issue since.

480sparky · May 31, 2015

Trail Images said:
I had this take place last year with a 37mm Fisheye. Sent in to KEH for CLA and have not had one issue since.

How much, though? I can buy another lens for $100.

Trail Images · May 31, 2015

How much, though? I can buy another lens for $100.

I paid nothing as it was still under their warranty period. Being intermittent they missed the problem originally when testing. In fact, I'd used it on two outings without a hitch, then it became sluggish and was giving same results you're seeing.

For $100 you might just get another one, hopefully it is in better running shape.......good luck.

bsdunek · May 31, 2015

480sparky said:
And it makes film photography EXCITING!

Interesting! We have one of those here in Michigan at Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Must be by the same artist.
http://www.meijergardens.org/

removed account4 · May 31, 2015

480sparky said:
And it makes film photography EXCITING!

It's a gorgeous, sunny day, so I decided to take a couple hours and try out my second 120 film back I got last week. I decided to run a roll of b&w and color through th RB67 side-by-side, changing just one aperture stop to adjust for the ISO 50 v 100. Should make for an interesting experiment.

congratulatoins on your new purchase !
have fun with it

480sparky · May 31, 2015

Just about the only keeper from the roll of b&w due to the shutter malfunctioning on the 250mm...

MattKing · Jun 1, 2015

FWIW, I recently spent just a little bit more than you spent on your lens to have a 65mm lens CLA'd.

The result is a lens and shutter that will work well for a significant period of time.

The RB and RZ lenses and shutters do require reasonably periodic maintenance (say every few years) but they reward you for that, and the cost is very reasonable.

If you buy another 250mm lens, it will likely as not need some maintenance - maybe sooner, maybe later.

analoguey · Jun 1, 2015

480sparky said:
And it makes film photography EXCITING!

Indeed!
When I first got my hands on an RB, I went for a walk with, joyously looking at the screen - even while my film was on its way! It was such fun!

Trail Images · Jun 1, 2015

Just about the only keeper from the roll of b&w due to the shutter malfunctioning on the 250mm...

Looks like there is nothing wrong with the glass on the 250. If it is in decent cosmetic condition too it might still be better to have it CLA'd instead of taking a chance on yet another unknown unit. Not unless the other unit can be bought with a viable return policy.

480sparky · Jun 1, 2015

Trail Images said:
Looks like there is nothing wrong with the glass on the 250. If it is in decent cosmetic condition too it might still be better to have it CLA'd instead of taking a chance on yet another unknown unit. Not unless the other unit can be bought with a viable return policy.

No chance of returning the lens.... I've had it way too long and it never had a warranty anyway. I'm investigating places that repair them. If anyone has some first-hand experience with a shop, I'd love to hear it.

FWIW, the shutter does not close when in Mirror Up. Sometimes the blades will start to close, but not make it there. I cannot get the lens to do this in Normal mode. When bench testing, it seems to occur 10% of the time. But when I was out shooting, it happened in all 5 shots taken with that lens.

MattKing · Jun 1, 2015

480sparky said:
No chance of returning the lens.... I've had it way too long and it never had a warranty anyway. I'm investigating places that repair them. If anyone has some first-hand experience with a shop, I'd love to hear it.

FWIW, the shutter does not close when in Mirror Up. Sometimes the blades will start to close, but not make it there. I cannot get the lens to do this in Normal mode. When bench testing, it seems to occur 10% of the time. But when I was out shooting, it happened in all 5 shots taken with that lens.

To paraphrase my repair person (in reference to my 65mm lens): "Lubricant had migrated and gummed up the operation of the shutter. Cleaning, adjusting and re-lubricating solves the problem. It is not uncommon, but it is straightforward to maintain"

Trail Images · Jun 1, 2015

I'm investigating places that repair them. If anyone has some first-hand experience with a shop, I'd love to hear it.

Both lens CLA's I've had done were by KEH. Excellent as always with their service and help overall. I think they actually have "estimated" pricing quotes on line at their web site.

480sparky · Jun 1, 2015

Camera: Mamiya RB67
Lens: Mamiya Sekor 90mm f/2.8
Aperture: f/11
Shutter Speed: 1/125
Film: Kodak Ektar 100
Scanned with CanoScan 9000F Mark II @ 4800 dpi as 48-bit TIF, Edited in Capture NX-2

Camera: Mamiya RB67Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 50mm f/4.5
Aperture: f/11
Shutter Speed: 1/30
Filter: b+w Circular Polarizer
Film: Kodak Ektar 100
Scanned with CanoScan 9000F Mark II @ 4800 dpi as 48-bit TIF, Edited in Capture NX-2

There's just something about a huge, bright groundglass!

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There's just something about a huge, bright groundglass!

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