Medium Format Mamiya RB67

[Edward Romero]

i read a lot how so many people complain how a tank and heavy a Mamiya RB67 is to carry around. I have shot weddings and model shoots with a an RB along with a Sunpak 611 and didn’t sniffle about its weight. Any medium format is heavy and the Mamiya RB is not that bad to carry and I’ve done it plenty of times since the mid eighties.
I also use a Bronica SQ-A with a prism finder and a hand grip. It is not that much lighter camera to carry around. Also use a Mamiya C330. The lightest one of three but with a prism finder and hand grip same weight as the Bronica.
All 3 are great cameras and fun to use.
But so many people seem to cry about the weight and size of the RB. The C330 is very very quiet to use great when your in a church.The Bronica SQA very fast to use with the prism finder and speed grip. All three are fun to use and great cameras. But if I had to choose one the RB67 would be an easy choice. A great camera and to me gets unfair criticism about its size and weight. Like I said the Bronica with prism finder and speed grip is not much lighter to carry around.
Just say to everybody have fun shooting and don’t cry about the weight

 

[voceumana]

It's not so much "crying about the weight" of the RB67, at least in my case, but making sure someone new to MF systems are aware of it when considering different systems. So for me it is not a criticism of the system but noting a characteristic.

So much about the importance (or lack thereof) the weight depends upon how you use the camera. The Bronica SQ system is quite light without a prism, and so I think it's a better hand held camera--the prism isn't so essential if the camera angle afforded by the waist level finder is appropriate to the images you seek--that isn't always the case, which, I suspect, might be an undesirable perspective when used for wedding/portraiture, thus the desire for the prism at times.

The size of the RB system is necessitated by the rotating back--it is, in essence, a 7x7 camera as a result.

I am not surprised the C330 is the quietest of the group--there's no mirror slap upon releasing the shutter to increase the sound.

Finally, not everyone has the same strength nor can every hold any camera with the same stability as another. For me, I would not even try to use my RB67 for a hand held shot, whereas I would use my SQ-Ai hand held, and have done so with shorter lenses. I own an RB67 Pro-Sd, an SQ-Ai, and a Pentax 67II and have both waist level finders and prisms for all. Each is a very different type of camera. All of them belong on a tripod for the sharpest of images.

 

[markbau]

After about 10 years of using a Pentax K1000 I still recall the first time I picked up my just delivered Pentax 67. I was gobsmacked at how heavy it was! Needless to say, it is as familiar to me now as my favourite pair of shoes (20 years and about 600 rolls of film later). I still get comments when using it like "Man that is SOME camera" I suppose it does look a bit like a regular camera that been on steroids!

 

[Theo Sulphate]

90% of my RB67 photos have been made handheld while I'm walking through town (I use the waist level finder). Photos have been excellent in resolution. Its not heavy; just cradle it like youre walking around with a small hedgehog.

 

[John51]

How idiot proof is the RB?

I have mf folders and am used to blank frames and accidental double exposures, all part of the fun. What I don't want is an expensive camera that can break if I mistakenly do things out of sequence.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

How idiot proof is the RB?

I have mf folders and am used to blank frames and accidental double exposures, all part of the fun. What I don't want is an expensive camera that can break if I mistakenly do things out of sequence.

The RB67 Pro S and Pro SD have all the necessary interlocks; the plain RB67 does not.

In fact, unlike Hasselblad, the RB67 Pro S/SD wont let you unmount a lens unless the shutter and body is cocked (pg. 13 of manual).

other interlocks:

- can't remove back unless dark slide is in
- can't make photo unless dark slide is out
- can't make photo unless shutter is cocked and film advanced (there is switch for double exposures)
- can't advance film unless shutter has been released

 

[jim10219]

I think the weight complaint comes from people comparing it to a Hasselblad 500 series camera. Those cameras a significantly lighter and easier to hold. Though, I had a Hasselblad 500c and a Mamiya RB67 ProS and sold the Hasselblad. They were too similar in most aspects, but the Mamiya was cheaper to buy lenses for, had a larger negative, and (in my case) was more reliable (my Hasselblad needed 3 repairs in two years before I got rid of it). I occasionally do miss the size and weight of it though. The RB67 is too heavy for my wife to use, but it doesn't bother me. She prefers the C220. The RB67 certainly becomes a lot heavier with the prism attachment. That not only adds considerable weight, but it also forces you to lift it higher. With the WLF and a strap around your neck of appropriate length, it's not bad at all to walk around and shoot with.

 

[Trail Images]

Yes they're heavy. But there is a quality build to that point. I've had the same ProSD for 25+ years. It's bullet proof.

 

[Flyingfortfan]

I shoot w/ the RB67 with a prism finder, Bronica SQ-A with speed grip and Bronica ETRS with a speed grip. I love the large negatives of the RB67, but pretty much only shoot it on a tripod. My go to lens is the 180 mm. Since the camera has a rotating back I use a video head on my tripod so I can focus/recompose. Given you only get 10 images a roll, I'm pretty judicious before I click the shutter. The Bronica's are nice and light. They are perfect to take along when you are walking around all day.

 

[narsuitus]

i read a lot how so many people complain how a tank and heavy a Mamiya RB67 is to carry around.

After I saw this side-by-side comparison of the Mamiya RB67 and the Fuji GX680, I never complained about my RB67 again.



Saanich-20120407-00050 by John Roberts, on Flickr

 

[Paul Howell]

When prices dropped on film gear our local camera shop had a couple of 680s and lens, great camera but not one I would care to carry on a long hike. My crown graphic is much more portable.

 

[Skeeterfx20]

Ok I will get this out first, yes get ready they are darn heavy period. Now let's put that comment into perspective. I came from the world of 35 film cameras. Now let's narrow that down some more, my favorites bodies are the Nikon FM and Pentax ME Super.
So in my little and I will say little world my move in the MF came with a lot more weight. I love my Mamiya RB67 67 PRO SD.

I would suspect if I never had anything other than the Mamiya RB I would say it is light and nimble.

Around the house or something like a wedding I would judge the Mamiya RB as being light. However on a long hike or extended landscape shooting, biking etc I would judge it to be extremly heavy.

I never complain about the size or weight, it is what it is and I can't change that. Personaly I can use it free hand or on a tripod. However to carry it around for several hours I certainly know it's there.

 

[Ariston]

I love my RB, but I would never call its weight insignificant. It is heavy. There are light MF cameras, though... like my Autocord.

 

[foveon_m]

The size of the RB system is necessitated by the rotating back--it is, in essence, a 7x7 camera as a result.

and there is this 6x8 motorized back, so its 8x8 ^^
you cannot compare to a 6x6
8x8=64
6x6=36

 

[warden]

I like numbers. How heavy is it?

 

[foveon_m]

with 127mm lense and back attached about 2,7 kg.
my F3 with all possible attachments and DA-2 viewer and 135/2 was the same.^^

 

[warden]

with 127mm lense and back attached about 2,7 kg.
my F3 with all possible attachments and DA-2 viewer and 135/2 was the same.^^

Wow. Yeah that's too heavy for me.

 

[foveon_m]

it`s not that heavy, it has no batteries inside, modern cams have grip and 8 AA and accu^^

 

[warden]

it`s not that heavy, it has no batteries inside, modern cams have grip and 8 AA and accu^^

Yeah I get that it's all relative, I'm just comparing it to the weight of my 6x6 and 6x7 cameras and the Mamiya is quite heavy in comparison. I walk for hours with my cameras and the weight is a factor. But for short walks or tripod use I'm sure it would be fine.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

My RB67 "knapsack" with all the extra lenses, backs, filters, film, meter, etc weighs around 35 pounds. Add another 9 pounds for the Gitzo tripod. Yeah it's heavy. I leave it in my car's trunk and try to shoot close to the car when I'm out. My back can't handle it any more.

 

[Edward Romero]

Regarding hand holding the camera. If you hold the RB against your chest and put your arm thru the neck strap where it pulls tightly around your neck you have four different points to stabilize the camera. So the idea the lighter camera is going to be more stable I highly doubt it. This way of shooting is probably more stable than using my Bronica SQA with the prism finder and hand grip while holding it eye level. As far as weights go
RB67Pro S 127mm lens 5.13 lbs
Bronica SQ 80mm prism finder &hand grip
4.12 lbs
Mamiya 330 Pro S 80 mm 3.12 lbs
Mamiya 330 with prism finder and hand grip 4.13 lbs.
My wife’s Nikon D 3.03 lbs digital camera which I won’t use.

 

[warden]

Regarding hand holding the camera. If you hold the RB against your chest and put your arm thru the neck strap where it pulls tightly around your neck you have four different points to stabilize the camera. So the idea the lighter camera is going to be more stable I highly doubt it. This way of shooting is probably more stable than using my Bronica SQA with the prism finder and hand grip while holding it eye level. As far as weights go
RB67Pro S 127mm lens 5.13 lbs
Bronica SQ 80mm prism finder &hand grip
4.12 lbs
Mamiya 330 Pro S 80 mm 3.12 lbs
Mamiya 330 with prism finder and hand grip 4.13 lbs.
My wife’s Nikon D 3.03 lbs digital camera which I won’t use.

For another perspective, I could carry two of my 6x7 cameras (a Makina670 and a Makina W67) and added together they still weigh slightly less than the RB67 and just one lens! Same size negative, outstanding optics, etc. I don't carry both cameras btw, preferring to use just one lens at a time, but still. Lightness is good if the walk is long, which is why I have the Makinas which are slim and light and don't compromise image quality.

The Makinas aren't the same animal as an RB67 of course, and the RB67 has a lot of flexibility and features that people like, no matter the weight. Great camera, just heavy.

 

[Trail Images]

Excluding the weight factor which I'd already agreed to in my first post. What I've always liked about the RB besides the uniqueness of the revolving back, was also the 77mm front lens mounts. Agreed, not all the lenses are such as the; 37mm fisheye, 75mm tilt, 500mm, but most all the others are based upon that 77mm front mount size. It sure cut down on the number of various filter or step ring sizes over the years.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I've had my RB since '92. Still use it. Two holders. Three lenses. Great system.

 

[Trond]

I have a RB67 Pro S system which i mostly use for still life, but I also carry it around using it hand held. I think it's a fantastic camera, and definitely the best buy in medium format cameras. Lenses are downright cheap, even the latest K/L lenses. Quality and reliability is top notch, and the lenses are great.

Trond