who handholds their RB67???

[Steve Smith]

I handhold with a left-handed L grip, no problems. Wish the L grip had an MLU detent on the trigger though.

I use mine with the left hand grip and I will walk for a few miles carrying it by the grip.

Not sure that mirror lockup is of much use when hand held though!


Steve.

 

[olleorama]

I shoot handheld too. With the right film and/or in the right light (flash or ambient). I'm planning to bring it for an extended wilderness hike too.

 

[markbarendt]

Do the sparkles count for nothing these days? I'm so far behind the times...

It is a cool photo.

 

[bdial]

I hand-held a friend's RB years ago in trying it out, if that counts. It's heft and balance makes it surprisingly easy, but I've also never seriously considered buying one because of that heft.

 

[Jerevan]

I did use my former RZ II handheld but at something like 2.5 kilos with a 110/2.8 and WLF it's not something I'd walk around with, Cartier-Bresson style, for hours on end...

 

[stradibarrius]

I do hand hold my RB sometimes. Here is a shot that was hand held.

 

[CBG]

For serious shooting, why would one want to? It works best on a tripod.

 

[Sirius Glass]

For serious shooting, why would one want to? It works best on a tripod.

That is why a Hasselblad is more popular.

My Bad! I will go back in my corner again.

Steve

 

[olleorama]

I heard an apocryphal story about the RB67 once that the Japanese designers were shocked when after it's initial sales in the US that some US photographers wanted a grip for it. Since it was designed as a studio camera, they let absolutely no weight saving measures be designed into it, and only an American would hold it handheld, this demonstrated to some of the engineers why they had lost the war.

I always wanted to use it as a Paparazzi camera, thinking if anyone wanted to slug me they would have to get through 13 pounds of glass and metal first...LOL

I thought about this on my way to work. And came to the conclusion that the story must be false. The left grip was an accessory for the original RB67 pro, and in the pro S manual there are instructions on how to use it handheld and how to carry it. Also in the pro manual there are a lot of photos that couldn't be done in a studio. I think it was designed as a general professional camera (like the hasselblad), but that we, today, like to think of it as a studio camera due to its bulk compared to lighter more modern cameras such as the RZ and the GS1 (and different 645 systems etc.). And I still feel the whole weight thing is exaggerated, bulk okay, it is rather bulky. But not terribly heavier than a hasselblad. And as I said, in the right light, and with the right film, there are no downsides to shooting handheld.

 

[Pumal]

Go ahead and shoot hand held, but I prefer a tripod. In fact; I use a tripod for much work in 35mm.

 

[marcmarc]

One reason why the RZ/RB weighs more then other similar MF cameras is due to the revolving backs or so I've read. The extra hardware that goes into making this feature adds a bit to the weight.

I just uploaded another hand held shot; about 99.99% of my shots are hand held. Even when I craddle the camera in my lap to shoot as I often do when I shoot in the subways and on the Santa Monica 3rd St. Promenade, I still get acceptable results even at 16x20.

 

[MattKing]

If you would like to see what the basic left-hand trigger grip looks like, you can see one in this post by Blighty, because the C330 and the RB67 use the same grip:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Matt

 

[Darkroom317]

Tried this afternoon for the second time. Not that big a deal with 400 speed film, but the strap digs into my neck. I had the 50mm on the camera and the 90mm, 180mm and an extra back in my bag. It was kind of pain with the extra equipment.

 

[stradibarrius]

That is why a Hasselblad is more popular.

My Bad! I will go back in my corner again.

Steve

BAD BOY!!! No supper for you! LOL!!

 

[stradibarrius]

It goes without saying that the RB is best on the tripod. But when the light is good???
For ME the WL viewfinder is a bit tricky when I handhold it. But the viewfinder is beautiful...things look almost 3D.

 

[CBG]

That is why a Hasselblad is more popular. ...

Well, a Hassy is best on a tripod too. The Hassy is easier to handhold, but other than for moving subjects, why handhold anything when you can get better pictures with a stable camera.

 

[goldenimage]

I pretty much always used mine handheld, i had the flash flip camera bracket made hand holding it alot easier, i mostly shot fast film in it too. i shot my nieces wedding with it last fall, all hand held shots and 400 iso slide film, images turned out great. I sold it about 6 months ago, wished i would have kept it.

 

[Bluechapel]

I do. but I don't really like to. The biggest problem is carrying it-it's not the most ergonomic creature.

 

[thisismyname09]

I shoot almost all of my shots handheld with a prism. I don't have the money for a tripod that can hold 7 - 8 pounds, so when I'm not shooting handheld, it means I'm setting the camera on a table or something. It's probably because I don't make very big enlargements, but I can manage good shots at shutter speeds down to 1/60s, sometimes 1/30 turns out, but in that case I try to brace myself against something. I'd tried both the pistol grip and the left hand flash grip, but I find it easiest to shoot without a grip.

 

[mopar_guy]

Big SLR's handheld

Yeah, RB 67. I own one and have used it hand held with 180mm lens and Ektachrome 100 VS. Nice camera. Waist level finder, roll holder, bellows focusing. It's funny but I also own a Graflex RB Super D in 3 1/4 x 4 1/4. Nice camera. Waist level finder, rotating back with roll holders or sheet film holders, Big old SLR mirror, bellows focusing ...
It is funny, but when I see the two cameras side by side it is easy to see a resemblance.
Also many famous photogs such as Dorthea Lange used to use their Graflex SLR's hand held. Funny how we have come full circle.
Regards,
Dave

 

[TheAZGolfBum]

I shoot most of the shots hand held, with good success. On a tripod does seem more enjoyable though, for some reason.

David Pidcock

 

[eunkefer]

I hand hold my RZ67 80% of the time even though usually have a tripod with me. After years of chasing my daughter at equestrian shows and fox hunts with a Nikon F2/Motor Drive/50-300ED zoom the RZ doesn’t seem that bad. Best thing anyone can do using heavier equipment is get an OP/TECH Pro strap, really makes a difference.
Regards
Ed

 

[stradibarrius]

Well today I was downtown in the small town I live in and happened up on the funeral motorcade for 1st Lt. Joseph D Helton as his body was escorted back to his home for his funeral. I had my RB67 with me and had to use it hand held as I took photos of the huge crowd that lined Main St. to pay their respects. It was not as bad as I thought. If any of the photos are up to the level of respect for our fallen son I will post them.

 

[Ponysoldier]

While I no longer use an RB67 I did use them for years (95% of the time it was hand-held) and always found it ideal for hand-held photography with the waist-level finder. I was actually on a "waiting list" for the first production run and the camera was delivered with the "optional" left-hand grip (same one as the C330 used at the time). I was in the in what the Army liked to call the "Far East" at the time and the RB67 was such a welcome change from the Speed Graphic! For me the RB67 remains a truly great camera with incredible versatility.

 

[removed-user-1]

It goes without saying that the RB is best on the tripod. But when the light is good???
For ME the WL viewfinder is a bit tricky when I handhold it. But the viewfinder is beautiful...things look almost 3D.

I've used my RB67 handheld with and without the left-hand grip, and I prefer it without the grip if I am going to carry it around. The grip just makes it even bulkier. I've only done this with 400 speed film... most of the time my RB is on a tripod!

I learned a lot of photography with a Yashica TLR so the WL viewfinder is no problem; I also absolutely LOVE the view through the RB's finder, it's gorgeous! I just did an actual paid portrait sitting with the RB, the first time I've used this camera on a job after a year of learning to use it. The client was REALLY impressed with the view through the viewfinder, not to mention the images!