Mamiya RB67 Pro SD Medium Format

Mamiya RB67 Pro SD Medium Format 

DESCRIPTION

Out-of-production 6x7 SLR system.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 21-26 of 26  
[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.

(For just a shot or two, we sometimes us this camera with 6x9cm sheet film in old-style standard [e.g., for baby Speed Graphics, not a Mamiya-made accessory] film holders that fit perfectly on the film plane held by the back-lock prongs, though there's no reason to expect that they should!)

The only downsides with this camera are the sheer weight and ungainliness, making a tripod utterly essential, and the bewildering series of safety interlocks (dark slide out, shutter release, film advance, etc.) that make casual use after some time away impossible without first reacquainting yourself with the camera's quirks.

But overall, a great camera...

Customer Service

no clue

Similar Products Used:

No SLRs, but TLRs like Mamiya C330

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[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

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[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

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[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.

Oh yeah the T setting is really annoying, you fire the shutter release to open the shutter and you turn the shutter speed dial to close it, this makes it almost impossible to do 2 seconds without shaking it.

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

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[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.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[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.
Lenses are the best feature.

Similar Products Used:

Bronica

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 21-26 of 26  

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