Mamiya RB67 Pro SD Medium Format
Mamiya RB67 Pro SD Medium Format
USER REVIEWS
[May 22, 2000]
Michael Goldfarb
Expert
Model Reviewed:
RB67 Pro SD Body
Strength:
Sharp glass, bellows focusing, solid construction
Weakness:
Heavy weight, assorted safety interlocks can be confusing I believe the one we have is the older, original Pro model... A fabulous studio camera with extremely sharp lenses; the bellows focusing makes it excellent for close-up work. The big negatives are VERY sharp and VERY detailed. Rotating 6x7 film format is definitely convenient. CdS Pentaprism head, while inaccurate as a meter, is a pleasure to use for its sharp focusing and pleasing non-mirrored view. Customer Service no clue Similar Products Used: No SLRs, but TLRs like Mamiya C330 |
[Mar 16, 2000]
Elijah Berry
Professional
Model Reviewed:
RB67 Pro SD Body
Strength:
Large Negative, Extension bellows allow extremely close shots, durable constuction.
Weakness:
Heavy, complicated exposure index when shooting close-ups, slow film advancement. The RB67 is a dependable camera with a huge negative, for a medium format,that primarily appeals to studio photographers. A little bit bulky and slow for weddings, but excellent for comercial jobs, because of sharpness and grain quality. I enjoy shooting with this camera. The larger negative allows me to mahe larger prints. This camera is often referred to as "the workhorse of the pros", and it is just that, for the pros. This camera and its equipment are too expensive and processing too hard to find to appeal to amatuers. Also, if you are not in shape it can become heavy quite quickly. Customer Service Mamiya has a website that details new information about your mamiya camera. You can also join the Mamiya Owner's group FREE, online, and recieve a newsletter. Similar Products Used: Shot with the Mamiya 645 for a year. It was also a quality product, but I prefer the larger negative offered by the RB6 |
[Feb 24, 2000]
Robert Torrence
Professional
Model Reviewed:
RB67 Pro SD Body
Strength:
Easy to use, Great Photographs, very sharp lenes and the best wedding Camera on the market. Perfect 8x10 format. Great for double exposures
Weakness:
kind of heavy If you shoot weddings the best camera to have is an RB 6x7 but carry along a mono pod for the weak at heart Customer Service Real good coustomer service Similar Products Used: Hasselblad ELM,Pentax 6x7 |
[Jan 29, 2000]
John Smith
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
RB67 Pro SD Body
Strength:
The negs are absolutely HUGE!!! After photographing someone's face with it, I was amazed at the amount of detail it captured. Every single wrinkle was resolved!!! And this is no exaggeration I actually mean you could see every wrinkle!!! Also with the standard 90mm lens you can do macro up to 1:2 half life size without extension tubes
Weakness:
If you are buying one used try to get the Pro-S or Pro-SD. The Original Pro model stopped production in 1974 so there are no parts for from Mamiya. Although you may be able to get some from outside mamiya. The Camera is very heavy at 2.6kg, you'll also need a new tripod if you don't have a particularly strong one. A heavy piece of camera which belongs in the studio, built like a tank. Also functions as a weapon! Customer Service Mamiya have a great discussion forum where you can ask a question and people discuss it, including a Mamiya technician. Similar Products Used: None |
[Dec 14, 2000]
Edward Bulken
Professional
Strength:
extremely durable. I have used the RB as my main platform in a very busy Executive Photo onsite service. I put an average of 50-60 rolls of 220 through it in a typical week. I've only had it 'down' for perhaps two days in 4 years of service. Even when the main body was in the shop, I had a backup and was shooting again in about five minutes. The clarity and ease of use of the controls are excellent.
Weakness:
Heavy weight makes it married to a tripod or shooting stand, primarily an in-studio camera for my uses. That being said, however it is superb in its element. On occasion the synch on a lens may go but that is a field fix item, and quickly repaired, normall it is a matter of the contact spring needing replacement. I kept one on hand after it went on one of my lenses, and haven't had to replace it since (of course, now that I had a spare it stubbornly won't break) If you need a reliable, day in day out performer, the RB is tough to overlook. I have the 127 and the 180 lenses which are excellent for solo and small group portaiture. This is not a hobbyist camera, but rather geared for a working serious studio. Price tag reflects durability in this case. Customer Service RBs when they rarely break, are readily repaired, and most decent sized cities have a technician or camera repair shop who will get the repair done quickly. Similar Products Used: 'Blad 500C. square format is fine for some uses, but I Prefer the rectangular 6x7 or 6x 4.5 for most efficient use of film. |
[Dec 15, 1999]
June Parlett
Professional
Model Reviewed:
RB67 Pro SD Body
Strength:
It is so solid, and I like the durability of it.
Weakness:
None It is an excellent workhorse of a camera. I have taken it on shoots outside the studio. It builds endurance. It is a trifle heavy. But so reliable. Similar Products Used: Bronica |