cmedin
Well-known
It looks like I might be trading some unwanted gear for an RB67 with the 90mm Sekor-C and a 250/4.5 The guy I'm trading with sent me a picture of the beast. I knew the RB67 was big, but 
Is a rig like this even REMOTELY possible to use off a tripod? Would it possiby be useable on a monopod? I gather handheld is right out
Either way, hope the trade works out... I'll probably ebay the C330 I picked up for cheap since this monster is more suitable for what I want to do.
Is a rig like this even REMOTELY possible to use off a tripod? Would it possiby be useable on a monopod? I gather handheld is right out
Either way, hope the trade works out... I'll probably ebay the C330 I picked up for cheap since this monster is more suitable for what I want to do.

Thardy
Veteran
Well, if you could mount a lens on an anvil......
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MartinP
Veteran
I had a Mamiya C3 (r.i.p.) and sort of assumed that the RB67 was around the same size as a horizontal one of those. But the lens, and hood, does stick out a bit too . . .
Do you need to look for a small crane ?
Alternatively, there is still a lot of information about these things on the Mamiya website. I would have a look for the specifications link, but it is after 01:15 here and I have to get up early, sorry.
Do you need to look for a small crane ?
Alternatively, there is still a lot of information about these things on the Mamiya website. I would have a look for the specifications link, but it is after 01:15 here and I have to get up early, sorry.
FrankS
Registered User
stealthy street shooter it's not! 
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
I've used mine handheld several times. A leaf shutter and no instant return mirror helps reduce shake, as does the weight of it. Craig Nelson, who owns the nelsonfoto forum, has taken a number of excellent handheld street portraits that he's posted there recently. But you need to heft it yourself to decide if you can tote it around OK.
cmedin
Well-known
FrankS said:stealthy street shooter it's not!![]()
I thought about it for street shooting and just had this vision of wielding it like a Gatling gun, with people screaming "TERRORIST" and running for the hills.
FrankS
Registered User
Looks a bit like a bazooka or grenade-launcher. 
Roger Vadim
Well-known
It is massive! The main problem is the weight. (around 6 pounds without the prism) you can handhold it, but because of the massive mirror slap you'll need at least 1/125 sec. - better more.
My advice is to look for a L-grip, made for the c-series which you can also use for the RB. It helps a lot. You also need the strap. Rest the thing on your belly and shoot... works nice, but gets heavy after a while. I also have the prism, and that combination is really too heavy.
So handholding is dev. possible, to me the annoing thing is to lug the gear around without an assistant, because of size and weight...
it is a very nice camera. tack sharp. For grown ups... you'll like it!
My advice is to look for a L-grip, made for the c-series which you can also use for the RB. It helps a lot. You also need the strap. Rest the thing on your belly and shoot... works nice, but gets heavy after a while. I also have the prism, and that combination is really too heavy.
So handholding is dev. possible, to me the annoing thing is to lug the gear around without an assistant, because of size and weight...
it is a very nice camera. tack sharp. For grown ups... you'll like it!
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Ronald M
Veteran
It is a tripod camera unless situation is dire. Prerelease the mirror.
PICS ARE GREAT if you can control the beast
PICS ARE GREAT if you can control the beast
JOE1951
Established
I've used RB67 with a 90mm mounted on it. I had a motor-winder and mounted flash and prism finder. I'm average to slight build, and I found it got heavy pretty quickly.
I wouldn't consider hand holding based on that picture!!
As I recall the RB67 required cocking the shutter with the side lever and advancing the film with the lever on the back. Both are separate actions that have to be preformed, thus a film advance winder is handy for any fast work
This was because the back revolves to switch between horizontal and vertical frames and the shutter/film advance linkage was probably tricky to design.
The RZ67 did film advance and shutter cocking in one action with the revolving back
Although the images it produces are excellent. The camera itself can be a bit of a pig to use. I have known people who have used them hand held on a daily basis doing weddings and other commercial work, but I wasn't one of them!!
I wouldn't consider hand holding based on that picture!!
As I recall the RB67 required cocking the shutter with the side lever and advancing the film with the lever on the back. Both are separate actions that have to be preformed, thus a film advance winder is handy for any fast work
This was because the back revolves to switch between horizontal and vertical frames and the shutter/film advance linkage was probably tricky to design.
The RZ67 did film advance and shutter cocking in one action with the revolving back
Although the images it produces are excellent. The camera itself can be a bit of a pig to use. I have known people who have used them hand held on a daily basis doing weddings and other commercial work, but I wasn't one of them!!
PaulEv
Newbie
I have one with the L shape handgrip, yes you can hand hold it, but preferably with the 90 lens. The picture shows the 250, you probably will struggle with that lens on it. The shutter speed needs to be up at 1/125 or above, although I have got a couple of reasonable shots at slower speeds to work, resting against my body.
Just remember not to hand hold for too long, as the muscle tremors it induces will prevent you from holding it at all. IT is heavy to lug around.
Just remember not to hand hold for too long, as the muscle tremors it induces will prevent you from holding it at all. IT is heavy to lug around.
cmedin
Well-known
Thanks all.
I think I'll probably just drag a tripod around. Hoping I'll get it pretty quick so I can go shoot some chromes when the leaves turn here in GA... 6x7 chromes....hoo boy
erikhaugsby
killer of threads
With something like that you may as well go for large format. It'd probably be cheaper, too (equipment-wise, not film-wise). 
cmedin
Well-known
erikhaugsby said:With something like that you may as well go for large format. It'd probably be cheaper, too (equipment-wise, not film-wise).![]()
Not for what I'm getting this guy for
I did use 4x5 in the past, and while I enjoyed it greatly I'd just rather shoot 120 for now... maybe in the future I'll get back to sheets.
BrianPhotog
Well-known
I used to have a RB67 Pro-S with a couple of lenses (90, 180, and 250). I switched to large format (4x5) because I could get larger negs for less weight. 
rogue_designer
Reciprocity Failure
I split the difference and got a Horseman VHR, 120 + movements.
We used to call the RB67 the cinderblock. Never really used it off tripod for my uses didn't need to.
We used to call the RB67 the cinderblock. Never really used it off tripod for my uses didn't need to.
N
NelsonFoto
Guest
I love my RB. With 90mm and a bit of extension, it's a lovely beast! Even hand-held. Samples of the latter, below.
And on a tri-pod? Next to godliness.




And on a tri-pod? Next to godliness.



biomed
Veteran
The RB is an amazing beast. Great landscape camera. I packed one with a 127 and a 65 around Yellowstone. I ended up selling it to the owner of a studio I worked for. It financed my F2 system. Get the L grip and a good strap and you shouldn't have too much of a problem. I also used this setup for weddings sans tripod with a Graflex strobe. What a work out!
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