Tripod for 'new' Mamiya RB67

jeztastic · Aug 15, 2014

Hi,

Just bought an RB Pro S with a 50 and 180 lenses. The 180 is fungus ridden and the lens elements are separating, so interested to see what results I get from that.

I am a little daunted by it's size and weight. Given that my approach to photography tends to he to sling stuff
In a bag and jump on my bicycle, what is the smallest, lightest tripod I can get away with? What are some minimum shutter speeds handheld?

Ta,

Jez

analoguey · Aug 15, 2014

Smallest, lightest? Your own two hands, rested on a stone or wall or such.
Should be good till 1/15 or 1/30.
Given that you're a cyclist, you probably are used to arms being steady anyways?

Sent from Tap-a-talk

jeztastic · Aug 15, 2014

Ok, good to know. Need to track down a strap too. I often do long exposures, I will need a tripod tho.

rbultman · Aug 15, 2014

Look at Op/Tech for straps. I have one for my RB.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Vonder · Aug 15, 2014

Dead Link Removed

Nice little outfit. The grip head isn't necessary and you can buy it cheaper w/o it.

aRolleiBrujo · Aug 15, 2014

like mine, Vanguard Abeo 323AB Tripod with BBH-200 Ball Head.

analoguey · Aug 15, 2014

jeztastic said:
Ok, good to know. Need to track down a strap too. I often do long exposures, I will need a tripod tho.

Edit- [mamiya] Straps are messy, screw the weight balance. I don't find them convenient at all (have two).[no experience with others brands]

Get a good tripod than a light one, like a 055x or something - you'll appreciate its virtues if youre doing long exposures.

Sent from Tap-a-talk

jeztastic · Aug 15, 2014

rbultman said:
Look at Op/Tech for straps. I have one for my RB.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Ok, I don't have strap lugs, do they do these too? If not, where can I find - eBay?

Jeff Kubach · Aug 15, 2014

Get a good tripod, a light one may not be strong enough.

Jeff

Trail Images · Aug 15, 2014

I've had a RB67 for years and always used a tripod. A couple years back I bought the Feisol 3301 with the long center column and find it is the best tripod I've ever owned. I also use it for my Wista 4x5 too.

MattKing · Aug 15, 2014

jeztastic said:
Ok, I don't have strap lugs, do they do these too? If not, where can I find - eBay?

Are you sure?

Mamiya RBs usually have lugs that are a strange sort of post, which mates with an even stranger sort of clip.

There are Optech clips that work on those lugs. The Mamiya ones are slightly better.

The cameras don't balance well when used with a strap, but I still use one. I always have the strap either on my neck or wrapped around an arm when I mount/unmount the camera on/from the tripod.

The strap actually works best when it is set up to allow the camera to hang at your side with lens down. And with a left hand trigger grip.

gone · Aug 15, 2014

You need a Rolleicord. I bike too, and there's not many medium format cameras that are much lighter than a Rolleicord, except maybe my Argoflex TLR. Folders are light too. W/ my TLRs, I can get sharp images at 1/30 hand held. 1/15 is pushing it, but if I have a tree or a wall to brace on, it is possible. Have to say that I never use a tripod unless I'm indoors, and I'm sure not going to carry one on my bike. A TLR can hang w/ a strap around my shoulder w/ a hood and filter mounted when I'm on the bike. I can get off a quick shot as fast as a 35mm SLR. A TLR w/ a sports finder will make life a lot easier when you're in a hurry or need the camera up higher than waist level. Took me forever to avoid slanted photos w/ these things, but now it's second nature, and my horizons are nearly always straight.

rbultman · Aug 15, 2014

jeztastic said:
Ok, I don't have strap lugs, do they do these too? If not, where can I find - eBay?

The Super Pro strap with the version B connectors will work with the Pro S lugs.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

summicron1 · Aug 15, 2014

if you wander the used market (the big auction site) you will find a lot of compact tripods that will work to hold that beast up for the occasional longer exposure, but really, as long as you watch your shutter speeds and stance, hand-held works. 6 by 7 negatives can be shot on tri-x or any other 400 film with very little risk of image degradation.

Momus speaketh a jawful. Rollei is a natural bike camera. Throw that puppy in a pannier and take off.

jeztastic · Aug 16, 2014

I do have a Yashica 24 which I use a lot. However, I feel constrained by the normal lens. Did anyone make TLRs with wider lenses?

And yes, I meant the clips not the lugs.

E. von Hoegh · Aug 16, 2014

jeztastic said:
Hi,

Just bought an RB Pro S with a 50 and 180 lenses. The 180 is fungus ridden and the lens elements are separating, so interested to see what results I get from that.

I am a little daunted by it's size and weight. Given that my approach to photography tends to he to sling stuff
In a bag and jump on my bicycle, what is the smallest, lightest tripod I can get away with? What are some minimum shutter speeds handheld?

Ta,

Jez

Your best bang-for-the-buck is a Tiltall, the Marchioni or Leitz versions. $50 to $75 and I use mine for everything up to a 4x5 Linhof.
They're simple, rugged, solid, and durable - I've had mine, a Marchioni from the '60s since about 1988 or so.

Alan Gales · Aug 16, 2014

jeztastic said:
Hi,

Just bought an RB Pro S with a 50 and 180 lenses. The 180 is fungus ridden and the lens elements are separating, so interested to see what results I get from that.

I am a little daunted by it's size and weight. Given that my approach to photography tends to he to sling stuff
In a bag and jump on my bicycle, what is the smallest, lightest tripod I can get away with? What are some minimum shutter speeds handheld?

Ta,

Jez

I used to own an RZ67. I highly recommend the Mamiya L grip and a good strap like the Op Tech mentioned earlier. A lot depends upon you and the lens you use. I've heard that hand held shooting with a normal focal length at 1/60th or even 1/30th of a second is possible. I mostly shot mine on a tripod with studio strobes.

The 180 lenses for both RZ and RB cameras go for peanuts nowadays if you want to replace the one you have.

I would look at Gitzo carbon fiber if you want a small lightweight tripod. Myself, I would much prefer my Ries J100.

Malice · Feb 21, 2016

Hello. Instead of creating new thread I'll ask here. What do you think about Manfrotto 190PROB and 141RC head for mamiya RB67? Is it sturdy enaugh?

David T T · Feb 23, 2016

E. von Hoegh said:
Your best bang-for-the-buck is a Tiltall, the Marchioni or Leitz versions. $50 to $75 and I use mine for everything up to a 4x5 Linhof.
They're simple, rugged, solid, and durable - I've had mine, a Marchioni from the '60s since about 1988 or so.

I have the Marchioni variant, and with the weight of the RB it's incredibly solid even in windy conditions. As solid as perhaps your legs will be after toting those two around on a bike. I used to do it on bike, and now on foot...you get used to it!

Tripod for 'new' Mamiya RB67

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency