Walking around with the "Big One" - Mamiya Rb 67

[DcAnalogue]

Hi!
Well, my beautiful Rb67 has been in my house during last 2 years and I didn'd find a way to carry it with me for outdoor shooting..... until last week.
Big and Heavy... but powerful!
I went with Sekor C 80mm & 180mm and used it handheld only. My back still crying but... it's worth the price....
Here's a couple of shots. Hp5+ in HC110[H] using an orange filter.

Check more on my Film Blog!

 

[TheToadMen]

It's a nice camera, isn't it? (despite the weight)

 

[RichardJack]

Sounds like something John Holmes would of said. Very nice images are you using a mono-pod or hand holding? When I shoot 6x7 (Bronica) I've started to use a tripod (something that I've always hated) and even MLU. I couldn't see the sharpness that I was missing until I started scanning my own film. I make it a point now not to hand hold any medium format over 150mm anymore even though some of my cameras have 1/1000 sec.

 

[flavio81]

I read your blog post on the RB67. I love this camera and I also take it out for a walk from time to time, without complaining about the weight. Other people think that anything heavier or bigger than a OM-1 should stay home.

I salute you, comrade.

 

[DcAnalogue]

It's a nice camera, isn't it? (despite the weight)

Yep.... it is...!

Sounds like something John Holmes would of said. Very nice images are you using a mono-pod or hand holding? When I shoot 6x7 (Bronica) I've started to use a tripod (something that I've always hated) and even MLU. I couldn't see the sharpness that I was missing until I started scanning my own film. I make it a point now not to hand hold any medium format over 150mm anymore even though some of my cameras have 1/1000 sec.

The images are all made handheld, except for number four (of the blog post), where it was on a big stone (more for framing reasons than other)
Anyway, I agree that a tripod (and MLU) or, at least a monopod, will give more chances when using this beast!

I read your blog post on the RB67. I love this camera and I also take it out for a walk from time to time, without complaining about the weight. Other people think that anything heavier or bigger than a OM-1 should stay home.

I salute you, comrade.

Maybe you don't complain because you're younger than me.....

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

When I go out for a walkabout with the RB67, I say, I'm going out with the little one!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Consider it part of your physical fitness program.

 

[Larry the sailor]

Nice pictures!

I spent yesterday morning at an antique engine and tractor show with my RB67. Shot 4 rolls, 3 B&W one of Ektar 100. The B&W are still hanging to dry the Ektar just got scanned in.
They roll of Ektar came out pretty good and I'll post up a few when I get them uploaded.
Actually ran into one guy that knew what I had slung around my neck.

 

[TheToadMen]

A perfect camera for street photography and multiple exposures:

I sat on a bench at central station in Utrecht, The Netherlands and tried a multiple exposure as an experiment, to see how this will work out. It was hard to keep the camera steady, transport film and cock shutter without tripod. I measured available light, divided the shutter speed by 5 and made 5 exposures on one negative.
(Mamiya RB67 with 127 mm lens, five exposures of f8 @ 1/125 sec., Kodak Tri-X, Ilford Ilfotec DD-X)

 

[Theo Sulphate]

...
I sat on a bench at central station in Utrecht, The Netherlands and tried a multiple exposure as an experiment, to see how this will work out. It was hard to keep the camera steady, transport film and cock shutter without tripod. I measured available light, divided the shutter speed by 5 and made 5 exposures on one negative. ...

An impression of activity in the station - I like it.

I've always walked around with my RB67's. A Japanese lady stared at it once - I'm sure she knew exactly what it was.

 

[removed account4]

Hi!
Well, my beautiful Rb67 has been in my house during last 2 years and I didn'd find a way to carry it with me for outdoor shooting..... until last week.
Big and Heavy... but powerful!
I went with Sekor C 80mm & 180mm and used it handheld only. My back still crying but... it's worth the price....
Here's a couple of shots. Hp5+ in HC110[H] using an orange filter.

Check more on my Film Blog!

sounds like you had fun, nice blog too !

i use a graflex series d (4x5 ) slr. its pretty big too...

 

[phirehouse]

I have lugged mine around Busch Gardens on several occasions...one of my favorites! I have one pro and two pro-"s" models... I have a Kata backpack which fits the kit well...

 

[DcAnalogue]

Ok guys..... I'll have to carry around my M.P.P. Mark VIII soon......

 

[Alan Klein]

Nice shots-enjoy the camera. You mentioned in your blog that you didn't sharpen the scans. You used a V550. I use a V600 with my RB67 shots and always have to sharpen a lot. I also have to adjust the black and white points because the scans are too flat. Are you sure you didn't have some auto feature selected that adjusted during the scan? That seems likely.

 

[paul ron]

beautiful shots, wonderful camera!

if you carry your big boy like a shoulder bag instead of slinging it over your neck like a tourist, it will feel much more comfortable n less stress on your poor old bones.

 

[tokam]

Nice shots-enjoy the camera. You mentioned in your blog that you didn't sharpen the scans. You used a V550. I use a V600 with my RB67 shots and always have to sharpen a lot. I also have to adjust the black and white points because the scans are too flat. Are you sure you didn't have some auto feature selected that adjusted during the scan? That seems likely.

Hi Alan,

This is not really the place for it but you may like to check that your scanning holders are at the optimum height for the focus of your particular scanner. I have the Better scanning holders with AN glass and when setup properly I need little sharpening in PP.

My forays with a 6x7 are a little less burdensome as I use an RZ67 and save a few grams. With the 110mm f2.8 lens and a monopod it's a fairly easy combination to carry. The trick is to get the ball head correctly alligned for horizons before setting out. When carrying I 'shrink' the monopod leg to the minimum length and only extend and lock it when I want to frame and shoot. Sometimes I'll use a camera strap and I have also just used the monopod and the L grip without a strap, ( this gets a bit heavy on the left arm).

 

[mweintraub]

The RB/RZ can be used as a "street" camera. Like any camera you've gotta learn to be quick with it.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mrdat/10660000263

 

[flavio81]

I've mentione this before but i can easily bring it out for up to 3h walks around the city. What i do is use that camera straps that attach to the tripod socket; they're much better; the camera feels lighter that way.

Also, i set the strap on my camera bag really tight, so the bag is supported not only by my left shoulder, but also by my torso (on the right).

The 127/3.8C is the lightest lens followed by the 90/3.8C.

There are at least two versions of the 90/3.8C, they are identically looking but one is substantially LIGHTER than the other. (!)

 

[DcAnalogue]

Nice shots-enjoy the camera. You mentioned in your blog that you didn't sharpen the scans. You used a V550. I use a V600 with my RB67 shots and always have to sharpen a lot. I also have to adjust the black and white points because the scans are too flat. Are you sure you didn't have some auto feature selected that adjusted during the scan? That seems likely.

Hi Alan,
no I don't add sharpening and the box on Epson scanning software in "unchecked"...
Me to have to adjust black and white point on histogram before scanning (i.e. after preview) and occasionally, in post-production.

 

[DcAnalogue]

Guys,
I complained about my back because I can't carry around for a long time ANYthing... regardless the way I carry it. It's the complessive weight to carry my real problem. Doesn't matter how I carry it. Photobag, backpack, shoulder strap and so on.... In fact, I usually I walk around with One camera and One lens either on 35mm or MF.
Of course, there are ways better than others to carry the gears and the choice depends on gear itself, the kind of photography to take, the light conditions/film used etc......

 

[Oscar Carlsson]

I rarely use my medium format gear without a tripod so I usually carry my Bronica in a camerabag, preferably in a camera backpack with a good waist band. I am pretty strong (I like lifting heavy things in the gym) but a bad backpack/heavy camera on the shoulder takes unnecessary energy which I could put to better use (like looking for good compositions). When I owned a RB67 I did the same.

 

[DcAnalogue]

I rarely use my medium format gear without a tripod so I usually carry my Bronica in a camerabag, preferably in a camera backpack with a good waist band. I am pretty strong (I like lifting heavy things in the gym) but a bad backpack/heavy camera on the shoulder takes unnecessary energy which I could put to better use (like looking for good compositions). When I owned a RB67 I did the same.

Yep, a good backpack is a good option to carry gears from a place to another but, when on the field, I carry my camera outside the backpack because I feel awkward to get out/put in the gears for each shot... When on the field I want always be almost ready to shot, regardless the format I'm using.

 

[dugrant153]

I recently purchased a Mamiya RB67 myself and despite the massive weight (I weight it in at about 8lbs with a grip + prism), I do like the feel of the camera. I wanted something that produced a big negative and would give a different look than all the digitalness and even larger than my 35mm stuff (love my Leica M6 and Fuji X).

After a lot of futzing around with it, I decided I'm happiest with the waist level view finder (with the focus screen masked off for the horizontal lines) and not the heavy heavy prism finder. Going with the WLF makes it much easier to stuff the camera in my bag and to carry around, but of course composition on the fly is more difficult with the reversal of left-to-right.

The one thing that caught me off guard and became one of the reasons I purchased this camera was the very soft nature of the mirror slap. The Pentax 67 is like holding down a bucking horse with your fist. The Mamiya RB67 is like trying to hold a cat but it just meows when you press the shutter.

Even at 1/30th of a second on the 90mm, I've been able to get decent shots. In some cases, even with the 180mm lens (although I can feel it sway if I'm not careful). I use a technique involving holding my breath as I press the shutter button.

 

[DcAnalogue]

I recently purchased a Mamiya RB67 myself and despite the massive weight (I weight it in at about 8lbs with a grip + prism), I do like the feel of the camera. I wanted something that produced a big negative and would give a different look than all the digitalness and even larger than my 35mm stuff (love my Leica M6 and Fuji X).

After a lot of futzing around with it, I decided I'm happiest with the waist level view finder (with the focus screen masked off for the horizontal lines) and not the heavy heavy prism finder. Going with the WLF makes it much easier to stuff the camera in my bag and to carry around, but of course composition on the fly is more difficult with the reversal of left-to-right.

The one thing that caught me off guard and became one of the reasons I purchased this camera was the very soft nature of the mirror slap. The Pentax 67 is like holding down a bucking horse with your fist. The Mamiya RB67 is like trying to hold a cat but it just meows when you press the shutter.

Even at 1/30th of a second on the 90mm, I've been able to get decent shots. In some cases, even with the 180mm lens (although I can feel it sway if I'm not careful). I use a technique involving holding my breath as I press the shutter button.

Yep... the feeling of the Rb is really great when shooting, and mirror doesn't slap too roughly. I like the WLF too and (apart for the Big view) permits slower shutter speeds when pressing the button...

 

[flavio81]

The one thing that caught me off guard and became one of the reasons I purchased this camera was the very soft nature of the mirror slap. The Pentax 67 is like holding down a bucking horse with your fist. The Mamiya RB67 is like trying to hold a cat but it just meows when you press the shutter.

This is what i repeat often here. I sold my Pentax 67 because on comparison with the RB67, the RB was far smoother and i did have shutter jerk problems with the Pentax, although it seems that the Pentax problem is not only mirror slap but also shutter jerk.

The RB67 uses a centrifugal governor to slow down the mirror speed. This is mentioned in the marketing literature. I suspect i can handhold the RB67 at slower speeds better than all my 35mm SLRs.