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Submitted by
hudi82
a IntermediateDate Reviewed: January 29, 2009
Strengths: - good format
- rotatable back
- complete system
- good lenses
- high sync speedWeaknesses: - big and heavy
- hard to use in the field
- dark lenses
- not very well balanced in the hand
- no 6x6 back, no 35mm panoramic back
Bottom Line: I bought this camera out of curiosity because I was kinda bored with 6x6 and heard wonders about 6x7 and out of Bronica and Mamiya I went with Mamiya because there were simply more of it on the market.
This is a seriously BIG camera, 2x bigger and heavier than my Kiev. I was totally surprised by this. I'm a quite strong person but I have problems holding it still with the metering prism thats why I don't use it :-)
The best think I like about this camera is the rotating back, its so easy to use and is very handy something I'd never give up for. The film backs are kinda delicate, the 2 that I own have old seals that I need to replace and have some platic parts broken off and the winding isn't perfect etc, but the biggest problme with them (at least 1) is that the film counter doesn't trigger after exposure and I often inadvertantly get double exposures which are horrible considering there are only 10 exposures per roll.
The lenses are pretty big and heavy, optically are very good (my 50mm and 127mm are quite dirty inside and one has even water mark after some dude badly cleaned it). I can see quite a lot of details on my slides. The only problem that I see is that the lenses are quite dark 3.5 the brightest. Compared to my Carl Zeiss Lenses for Pentacon, Mamiya lenses are much darker (2 stops) but optically are at least comparable. They have built in Seiko leaf shutters that can sync with flash at any speed and are the reasons I bought them. Also they all have the same filter size of 77mm (except 50 and 65mm lenses I think) which is great.
The focusing needs getting use to as its a knob like in TLRs and focusing is done through a bellow. Its quite precise and can be focused by both hands. The down part is that the bellow looses light if extended too long and needs to be compensated.
The view finder is bright and large with lines for both verticle and horizontal positions. However the standard ground glass doesn't have a split prism for focusing and it might take some time to get a perfect focus with the dark lenses. The waist level finder is what I use and it has a large lens that makes the focusing a lot easier. The Prism is VERY heavy and I think its rather dark and the metering is rather cumbersome so a external meter is required.
All in all, its a very nice system with many lenses and possibilities.
Duration Product Used: 6-10 years
Price Paid:
$600.00
Type of photography: People
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tony
a ProfessionalDate Reviewed: March 3, 2007
Strengths: Robust feal, the lense, it's fun, fun , fun to use. Makes you think and expand your creativity.
Weaknesses: Nothing.Bottom Line: Got this monster (I mean this in a good way) from Ebay for a super price as a whole kit and I am still buying accessories for it. I love the weight, I love the film size and I love the fact that this camera is allowing me to get back to thinking about how I photograph instead of shooting from the hip and looking at my view finder. I love digital, but this is so much more fun. I have 2 other medium format camera's, this actually is the easiest to use.
Duration Product Used: 6-10 years
Price Paid:
$255.00
Purchased At: Ebay
Similar Products Used: Mamiya C330, Yashica 124G
Type of photography: People
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
magoo
a IntermediateDate Reviewed: December 22, 2005
Strengths: Cheap, durable, reliable, and it has never let me downWeaknesses: HeavyBottom Line: Love this camera. It is much bigger than most mf cameras but it is solid. Once you get everything down pat it becomes second nature. cock the shutter, then advance the film then push the shutter and repeat. The pictures I take are tack sharp depending on the lens. You hear all the time, I have a hasselblad, the hasselblad takes the best pictures, but you know what? Try and tell the difference between plus accessories and lenses won't break the bank. Also if you have the opportunity to get the 150mm sf lens, get it. I love that lens, some beautiful shots were made with that lens.
Duration Product Used: 2-5 years
Purchased At: ebay
Similar Products Used: mamiya c33
Type of photography: People
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
DaveKasdan
a ExpertDate Reviewed: April 18, 2005
Strengths: Presence--absolute, imposing presence of a real photography rig. Crystal clear images and no limits to creating great photographs.Weaknesses: Parts and accessories are getting rare. Forget having it fixed--just look for replacements save the costly repair expense.Bottom Line: From the second I looked through the pop-up view finder...in love with this camera! It took me about 2 rolls to work out the mechanical processes and be comfortable with the controls. I feel like a macho adventure photographer using this tank out in the field. The image quality is outstanding--the straight contact prints are gorgeous. If you want to think about your shots and really practice "previsualization" and Zone work, then this is the kit to use.
Was fortunate enough to get the 90mm and 180mm lenses for free from a retired pro and friend, then filled out the kit with a second body and accessories. Now I have one whole RB67 with the 90mm lens and a speed grip, the other body sports the 180mm lens and is worn with the neck strap. Carry it all with 3 different film backs, filters, etc. in a big bag and nobody stands in my way.
Duration Product Used: 6-10 years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At: eBay
Similar Products Used: No other MF cameras.
Plenty of 35mm, from full manual to P&S.
Type of photography: Fine Art
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
peguin
a ExpertDate Reviewed: September 15, 2003
Strengths: every thing looks amazing too
the rotating back is its greatest assetWeaknesses: the cocking levers (only a tiny thing)Bottom Line: the rb67 pro sd is amazing i was told to definatly get another rz pro2 after mine was stolen but i didnt and am so glad. i am only young (17) but i have had alot of experiance with possibly every current pro camera and have grown around fashion shoots and had a play with any camera i have ever come into contact with and this is the best nothing comes close except an rz. but this will last longer than a rz ever could the quality of the images it has always produced for me are inceadible and it stands up to any abuse thrown at it. buy it if you can
Duration Product Used: 6-10 years
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At: jacobs photographic
Similar Products Used: mamiya rz67 pro , mamiya rz67 pro2 , hassenbald 500
Type of photography: People
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