Mamiya RB67 - appropriate beginner MF landscape camera?

[soft]

I forgot about the inversion. I'm sure I could get used to it. It does make going for a rangefinder more appealing though. Not too bothered by the square format (blame Instagram), but cropping reducing negative size is a good point, and again makes a 645 rangefinder more appealing.

If I went for a Crown Graphic, I'm tempted to just go large format and try out a 4x5. The site Alan linked too makes it seem much more doable than I thought.

 

[shutterfinger]

When I started looking to advance beyond 35mm I cam across a jammed up RB67 with 127mm lens and roll film back with a partially exposed roll of Kodacolor in it for $200. The Pro S or Pro SD was still a current model and lens were going for $600 to $1200. I trashed the film as the back had been opened a few times. No service information was available on line, Mamiya wanted the price of new to fix it so I opened it up, releaeed the cocking mechanism, removed the lens from the body, reassembled the cocking mechanism, opened the lens shutter and found the main cocking gear shaft worn beyond repair. Once I found another 127mm lens I found the back had light leaks, repaired that.
Although the camera was nice, produced very good images, it did not handle well for the type of photography so I sold it for the money I had invested and did not get 1 cent for my work.

I decided to go with 4x5 format and my crietera after that was did it fit my budget, unfortunetly Toyo and Linhof did not.
Was it rigid, would it make gallery quality images or induce vibration from shutter operation.
What optics were available and what were thir quality.
How reliable was the camera, and most important how does it handle for my type of work.

After buying and selling several bodies and a couple of monorails I found ones I could live with.
Brand and pedigree be damned.

 

[rbultman]

Do you plan to shoot C-41, slide, or B&W? Do you plan to print, scan, project? Do you have prior experience with film? How big to you plan to print?

If you are intrigued by 6x7, do consider the Fuji 6x7 rangefinder offerings, as others have suggested. You can use them hand-held or on a tripod. The version II models can be had fairly cheaply and will give you a feel as to wether or not you really want to pursue film, and in what way. The Yashica MAT series are another affordable alternative in a TLR, fixed-lens, TLR format. Both are fun to shoot.

Don't underestimate the 645 format. My Mamiya 645 Pro is one of my favorite cameras. It can be used hand-held or on a tripod. They are cheap and the quality is very good. The autofocus models are a bid pricier. Add a metering prism and motorized grip and you have a rather large yet hand-holdable SLR.

All that being said, you can't beat the image in the viewfinder of the Mamiya 6x7. It is gorgeous, as are the resulting negatives.

My own evolution went 35mm, DSLR, 645 (Mamiya M645 Super), Yashica MAT-124G, Mamiya Pro SD, 4x5, and some 35mm RF (Bessa and Minolta) in the mix too.

The larger negative sizes can be seductive. In the end, you will find a format and system that fits the way you like to shoot as well as how you like to experience and share your resulting images. Be open and don't sweat any particular system. If something doesn't work for you, you can always sell it while losing little to no money. These old film cameras have already lost most of their value, they won't get much cheaper.

Good luck!

 

[Skai King]

The RB67 is an awesome piece of hardware. I owned one for a number of years in the early 80s and sold it to continuing financing the more portable Hasselblad system.

Having said that, I recently picked up a very nice RB67 ProSD w/127 and 120 back. and added the 50/65/150 SF and 180 lenses and a few misc accesories. The camera is idea for studio usage but I've had it on the beach more than once. It WILL slow you down, which is half the reason I returned to the system.

My history is this; A hand me down 620 folder from the 40s or 50s, followed by a Balda 35mm rangefinder hand me down. The Balda satisfied me until I was bitten seriosuly by the bug and bought into a new 35mm SLR system. Added a Sinar 4x5 shortly after and within six months a Mamiya 645. The slow synch speed (lack of initial research) caused me to jump on the Bronica ETRS wagon and after a couple years, I realized this was serious and I moved on once again, this time to Hasselblad. The 'blad handled my medium format needs into this millenium at which point I went D for professional reasons.

Not knowing what you are using in the digital world now, but any of the mentioned older medium format cameras are from a different age. Beyond the obvious much is manually operated, many have dim viewfinders and coupled with manual focus, it can be challenging.

Someone asked what was your intended usage. Great question. Knowing that is critical to make a wiae decision (says the guy that bought into a 1/60 synch speed world but was living in a wedding photographer scene).

Where were you in JP? I love that place and will be back again this fall.

 

[mshchem]

I've had or have every camera mentioned. If you plan to print your own negatives with an enlarger. You can get a nice Fuji 6x9 from Japan on Ebay for 600 bucks.

If you are going to shoot 6x6 slides (I do and have a projector ) I have 3 Bronica SQ-AI s I love them. They are 1/4 the price of Blads and Zeiss. Very rugged cameras. But where the Bronica is a Subaru, the Blad is a very nice Mercedes. They both due the job.
With a good incident light meter, a Bronica SQ-AI or SQ-A, normal lens, slight wide and 110 macro you could rule the world for around a grand especially if you get a SQ A. Only difference between the A and the AI is TTL flash . All the Hasselblads before the 503cw don't have TTL flash. Bronica beat Hassy to the punch on that one.
Not too long ago I sold a NICE SQ A outfit for under 400 through my camera store on ebay.
You could have a camera that's light, 6x6 negatives that you could get printed anywhere, slides that will knock your socks off, pick up a Kindermann projector a couple lenses and do it for a grand. The deals are gone on KEH, I would carefully cruise Ebay. Don't be afraid of Japanese sellers if they have a good record. Great deals.
Remember the RB is actually a 7x7 (or since it takes a 6x8 back a 8x8 ) just that little bit almost doubles the size. Google a Graflex 5x7 RB SLR, those babies are what all modern SLRs are based on , certainly the Mamiya RB. They are the size of a microwave. Makes great pictures
Mike

 

[soft]

I went to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Koyasan, Kinosakionsen, and Tokyo. I spent most of my time at temples and gardens, the latter being my favorite places by far.

I don't really shoot in the digital world--I tried out a Fuji X100T for my trip and I liked it, but it didn't quite give me the same thrill as using a film camera (and I've only shot cheap 35mm cameras). So right now, it's really just me and my Samsung Galaxy S6.

Intended usage: making small prints to put together into little books just for myself, and occasionally large prints. I write poetry and fiction so the photo books and the photography itself are accessories to other creative endeavors. I'd love to experiment with making my own prints and using a projector. It's all for fun--I'm trying to be intentional about entering this with a sense of play.

I would like to shoot slide film, so it seems like starting out with a 6x6 or 6x4.5 would make the most sense. A Bronica SQ-A or a Mamiya 645. Lighter than the RB67, gives me the option to get a projector once I have some work I like. I'll keep an eye out for a Crown Graphic 4x5 or a Fuji GSW690 too, just for the satisfaction of getting having a slide as big as my palm.

 

[Alan Gales]

I don't really shoot in the digital world--I tried out a Fuji X100T for my trip and I liked it, but it didn't quite give me the same thrill as using a film camera (and I've only shot cheap 35mm cameras). So right now, it's really just me and my Samsung Galaxy S6.
.

I own a Fuji X100s. It's a great little camera. There really is no reason for me to own a medium format film camera like my Mamiya TLR. I just like it! I guess that's reason enough.

I also own an 8x10 and a 35mm stereo camera.

 

[faberryman]

Rather than lugging around a big RB67, I'd second the suggestion of a TLR like a Rolleiflex, Minolta Autocord, or Yashica MAT. The Mamiya TLRs are more versatile, but quite a bit heavier. Using a TLR eliminates the need for a tripod as well.

 

[Alan Gales]

Rather than lugging around a big RB67, I'd second the suggestion of a TLR like a Rolleiflex, Minolta Autocord, or Yashica MAT. The Mamiya TLRs are more versatile, but quite a bit heavier. Using a TLR eliminates the need for a tripod as well.

That's the reason for my Mamiya C220f. Mostly people shots, handheld.

 

[macfred]

If weight isn't an issue, I carry a pair of FUJI GW670iii (90mm lens) and GW690ii (65mm).
If I like to travel light (backpacking, hiking, mountaineering or there is limited space in the luggage), I take a pair of FUJI GA645Wi (45mm) and FUJI GA645 (60mm).
I can really recommend both setups - they are reliable and have remarkable lenses and a great IQ.

 

[Sirius Glass]

If one chooses a TLR other than Mamiya, such as a Rollei, then they need to carry three cameras around their neck: wide Rollei, normal Rollei, and tele Rollei. Talk about Rollei bling.

 

[locutus]

Need is a bit excessive.....

 

[Alan Gales]

If one chooses a TLR other than Mamiya, such as a Rollei, then they need to carry three cameras around their neck: wide Rollei, normal Rollei, and tele Rollei. Talk about Rollei bling.

I'd like to see some rap star with three gold Rolleis around his neck!

Could happen. Flavor Flav wore a clock. flavor flav images

 

[faberryman]

If one chooses a TLR other than Mamiya, such as a Rollei, then they need to carry three cameras around their neck: wide Rollei, normal Rollei, and tele Rollei. Talk about Rollei bling.

Still probably lighter than an RB67 and three lenses.

 

[macfred]

View attachment 177601

I really like that photograph - especially part 3. Does the young lady try to find portrait orietation with 6x6 ?

 

[faberryman]

I really like that photograph - especially part 3. Does the young lady try to find portrait orietation with 6x6 ?

Difficult to read the text, but it says: "As illustrated, there are many ways of taking candid pictures from different angles." I think the third frame is for taking candids from around the corner!

 

[mshchem]

If one chooses a TLR other than Mamiya, such as a Rollei, then they need to carry three cameras around their neck: wide Rollei, normal Rollei, and tele Rollei. Talk about Rollei bling.

Bronica Bling. Zenzanon PS, 500mm Fluorite f8 , Original list price around 20 grand. I think B&H sold it for around 12 grand, I paid $760 US. My camera shop sold it to a guy in Australia, I might have made 200 bucks. Minimum focus was like 26 feet. I put on extension tubes and got so I could take photos of birds at my feeder 10-12 feet away.
How much would a modern Zeiss Hasselblad lens cost . It was like an ARMS RACE, This was made when Tamron owned Bronica. 122mm Nikon L37c UV filter was COOL!
I had to have one, then realized I needed money more Mike

 

[Skai King]

...Using a TLR eliminates the need for a tripod as well.

View attachment 177601

My use of a tripod is to lock down the composition or framing of the image and steady the camera during 'long' exposures. How does the use of a TLR eliminate the need of a tripod for either of these two purposes?

 

[Sirius Glass]

The 500mm lens on the Hasselblad cannot really be hand held at 1/500 easily, so it needs a tripod. With the 2XE extender the focal length of 1,000mm definitely needs a tripod but it is worth it for the right composition.

 

[Alan Gales]

Bronica Bling. Zenzanon PS, 500mm Fluorite f8 , Original list price around 20 grand. I think B&H sold it for around 12 grand, I paid $760 US. My camera shop sold it to a guy in Australia, I might have made 200 bucks. Minimum focus was like 26 feet. I put on extension tubes and got so I could take photos of birds at my feeder 10-12 feet away.
How much would a modern Zeiss Hasselblad lens cost . It was like an ARMS RACE, This was made when Tamron owned Bronica. 122mm Nikon L37c UV filter was COOL!
I had to have one, then realized I needed money more Mike
View attachment 177643

I once had a 400mm FA lens for Pentax 645N and Nll cameras. I purchased it off Ebay for $400.00 I kept it for a couple years until after the Pentax 645D came out. I put it on Ebay and it sold for almost $1,300.00. I guess the fellow could afford it since he had just bought a $10,000 camera.

See y'all, digital is good for something!

 

[faberryman]

I once had a 400mm FA lens for Pentax 645N and Nll cameras. I purchased it off Ebay for $400.00 I kept it for a couple years until after the Pentax 645D came out. I put it on Ebay and it sold for almost $1,300.00. I guess the fellow could afford it since he had just bought a $10,000 camera.

I hope he reserved something in his budget for a tripod.

 

[Skai King]

<Nice ninga edit in post #45, Mr Faberryman>

With all due respect, because a TLR is easier to hold than something else does not replace the need for a tripod.

 

[Alan Gales]

I hope he reserved something in his budget for a tripod.

Yeah, he sure needed something to help prop him up after the heart attack he had a few years later after seeing how much his 645D had depreciated!

 

[klownshed]

If the RB is too big and heavy and the Hasselblad is too expensive, the natural middle ground is the Bronica SQ-A.

Same size (ish) as the Hassy and much cheaper (often less than the RB) whilst still modular so you can build the system to suit you.

Also the lenses are fantastic and a fraction of the price of Hassy (Zeiss) lenses.

I often take an SQ-A, Waist level finder and 50mm lens out in a small camera bag that only just fits a DSLR+zoom.

The 645 ETRS is obviously even smaller but I like the squares. And you can get 645 backs for an SQ-A should you want more shots per roll.

 

[David T T]

The Bronica sounds like a good choice in terms of size/weight/price. The question, though, is finding routine service or, gods forbid, repair. Hopefully there's still peeps working on these cameras.

Its fortunate that there were a million RB67s in use during their heyday, and therefore parts can be found. I bought a spare body from KEH just in case though!

The perfect medium format? Its quite the conundrum, and a frequent topic of conversation. For people who strongly prefer 6x7, the RB seems so perfect for so many...except for the weight! Which doesn't bother me in the least, fwiw. YMMV. But that's it, every camera has a gotcha, so I guess there's no such thing as perfect.