Utter newbie has question RE: RB67 viewfinder

[ArtFromNY]

Hi all. I am semi-skilled using my Nikon DSLR and decided that I wanted to see what film was all about. Being impulsive, I didn't go the easy route with some variety of "almost point and shoot" 35mm piece.

I located and bought a mint RB67. We are ok so far - I got past the hassle of figuring out why my shutter won't fire and all the safety features on the camera, and I learned how to remove and remount the lens.

My question: There is a standard waist level viewfinder mounted on the camera, and what looks like a brand new view finder that you look through at eye level, which has a pop-up glass plate on a precision type slide. The slide rails are graduated and marked with what appear to be the focal length of assorted lenses; 90mm, 127mm, 180mm, etc. So the question is what is this called, what does it do, and when and why would I want to use it?

I truly appreciate any assistance. I did try a google image search but could find nothing like it in a search for "RB67 viewfinders".

I have attached an image.

Thank you all

Art - FromNY

 

[Alan Gales]

What you have there is a sports finder. It's used for shooting fast moving subjects like sports.

 

[shutterfinger]

That contraption is called Universal Sports finder. http://www.butkus.org/chinon/mamiya/mamiya_rb67_pro-s/mamiya_rb67_pro_s.htm
Its shown mounted on the camera on page 51. You mount it on the camera, set it for the lens in use, and use it for correct image framing of action events.
Original manuals are available here also http://www.mamiyaleaf.com/documentation.html
There were 3 versions of this camera over the years, RB67, RB67 Pro S, RB67 Pro SD.

 

[ArtFromNY]

That contraption is called Universal Sports finder. http://www.butkus.org/chinon/mamiya/mamiya_rb67_pro-s/mamiya_rb67_pro_s.htm
Its shown mounted on the camera on page 51. You mount it on the camera, set it for the lens in use, and use it for correct image framing of action events.
Original manuals are available here also http://www.mamiyaleaf.com/documentation.html
There were 3 versions of this camera over the years, RB67, RB67 Pro S, RB67 Pro SD.

Thank you very much for the information. Apparently the key to learning something is being able to name it; I appreciate the information and the explanation.
Art FromNY

 

[ArtFromNY]

What you have there is a sports finder. It's used for shooting fast moving subjects like sports.

 

[ArtFromNY]

Thanks Alan i truly appreciate your reaching out to me and helping me out.

Art FromNY

 

[John Koehrer]

The information on the side gives you information on minimum focusing distance. IE: follow a line,
say 360(mm fl) to the left & that's minimum distance.
The very bottom line is exposure compensation, the top line is actual extension in mm.

 

[benjiboy]

Hi all. I am semi-skilled using my Nikon DSLR and decided that I wanted to see what film was all about. Being impulsive, I didn't go the easy route with some variety of "almost point and shoot" 35mm piece.

I located and bought a mint RB67. We are ok so far - I got past the hassle of figuring out why my shutter won't fire and all the safety features on the camera, and I learned how to remove and remount the lens.

My question: There is a standard waist level viewfinder mounted on the camera, and what looks like a brand new view finder that you look through at eye level, which has a pop-up glass plate on a precision type slide. The slide rails are graduated and marked with what appear to be the focal length of assorted lenses; 90mm, 127mm, 180mm, etc. So the question is what is this called, what does it do, and when and why would I want to use it?

I truly appreciate any assistance. I did try a google image search but could find nothing like it in a search for "RB67 viewfinders".

I have attached an image.

Thank you all

Art - FromNY

A warm welcome to A.P.U.G Art from the U.K, didn't you know that on the internet using all capital letters is regarded in the same way as shouting, and considered bad manners.

 

[Alan Gales]

Thanks Alan i truly appreciate your reaching out to me and helping me out.

Art FromNY

No problem. Welcome to APUG!

 

[flavio81]

You lucky guy! I've always wanted to have that finder.

Don't forget to read the RB67 manual fully!! And welcome to the wonderful world of the RB system

 

[jvo]

welcome to apug...

enjoy your 'new to you' camera... there is a lot of help available here!

 

[M Carter]

If you don't have a need for the sports finder - kind of an odd duck, especially for the slow-ish RB experience - I think they're pretty hard to find and may be worth some bucks. (I'd have no use for one myself, but somebody out there is dying to find one).

 

[jgoody]

With the waist level finder the ground glass reverses the image so it's a bit counterintuitive to follow action as the image moves to the left whilst you need to pan to the right. Hence the sports finder.

 

[benjiboy]

An utter beginner starting film photography with an RB67 is like learning to drive with an articulated lorry.

 

[Moopheus]

What you have there is a sports finder. It's used for shooting fast moving subjects like sports.

I'm surprised such a thing exists. I can't imagine the RB being very good for sports photography. You'd need at least the motorized back to make it work.

 

[Alan Gales]

I'm surprised such a thing exists. I can't imagine the RB being very good for sports photography. You'd need at least the motorized back to make it work.

I've never seen one in real life. Just pictures on the computer. I guess most photographers felt like you do.

Photographers used to shoot sports with 4x5 Speed Graphics using their built in sports finders. Can you imagine carrying around all those sheet film holders? Each holder holds two sheets of film. There was a good reason 35mm cameras became popular for shooting sports.

 

[MattKing]

There is one in the used department of Beau Photo in Vancouver. It makes me smile whenever I see it.
I think it would be fun to use at something like a family picnic, for snapshots.