RB67 users -- how big IS this thing really?

[spyder2000]

The rb is a great camera and really best used on a tripod. You do know the picture is the camera with the 250 lens on it, right? That combination isn't very hand holdable but the 90 is. It's heavy, a little ungainly, and not very quick due to the separate body/film mechanisms.

 

[cmedin]

Yeah, I know the 90 is a little more "compact" though that is clearly a relative term when dealing with these things.

Likely I will use it for macros and nature stuff, but was curious as to if it was even possible to try hand holding such a monster. 🙂 Sounds like with a little effort and a good strap it might be... was reading up on the progressive mirror braking system which is supposed to reduce vibrations from mirror slap; no idea how much of a difference it makes though some claim it is outstanding.

 

[NelsonFoto]

I can tell you how well that mirror performs.... all the handheld shots, above, are shot at f5,6 and 1/15th to 1/30th of a second.

 

[sharpf8]

It's big and heavy, is all what I can say. A couple of friends used to shoot with an RB--they were the strong and the brave.🙂

 

[Xmas]

Are you saying I ought to look for a caddy? 🙂

The case I used was impossible to move when you load the camera and lenses, into it, without a hand trolly (sack barrow). You load in to in the trunk (boot) ofauto empty and then load the equipment into case.

Noel

 

[cmedin]

I can tell you how well that mirror performs.... all the handheld shots, above, are shot at f5,6 and 1/15th to 1/30th of a second.

That's plain amazing. The shots are gorgeous, and handholding that monster at 1/15 blows my mind. 🙂 Thanks!

 

[NelsonFoto]

It bears mentioning that I am big fellow, can easily palm the RB67, focus it, and fire it, in one hand. Wouldn't be worth doing with the 90mm, but I have a 50mm on loan that would work nicely under such conditions, hyperfocal'd and sweeping the streets.

 

[Xmas]

Well you can use it hand held, or supported with the strap or with a grip, but the camera is designed for f/32 or f/45 off a solid tripod, with the twin release, and sloooow speeds... the mirror does not seem to cause much of a problem for snaps

It is not like stuffing a leicia II into jacket pocket.

Noel

 

[NelsonFoto]

Indeed, it's not a Leica.

As for the design intent, I would respectfully disagree with that point. Even if there was clear evidence that engineering intended for the camera to be shot as you have suggested, I can't think of any reason why such a design philosophy would be employed.

True, the lenses are superb throughout the aperture range. The 50mm is, as I am told, legendary for its ability to focus at what... 1/2' to infinity?, at f32? But for the longer lenses, I'm going after portraits and bokeh, and I need nothing beyond f5.6, and that supplies me all the sharpness I need, where I need it, for effect, which in my case means an inch or so of DOF, if that.

The shots of the sisters and the children, done with a tripod, were f8-f11, but I needed increased DOF based on the compositions.

I think the RB is quite versatile. I can easily hump a large Lowes bag with the body (1 back) and two lenses, a Luna Pro meter (I take incident reads for all scenes) and 10 rolls of Acros 120. It's a heavy pack, but I can't complain for the output. No pain, no gain.

🙂

Nuts is when I pack my Besseler backpack with the F4s, the D70s, the Tamron 28-75, a Nikon AF 18-35, all in the bottom section, the RB67 with the 90mm on it in the top section, and side pockets full of film, meter in the front pouch along with whatever else I need. Nuts, I say. Nuts. But it works.

C.

 

[NelsonFoto]

Speaking of the 50mm...

 

[Finder]

I disagree with the design intent. Certainly the lenses were not designed to only be use at f/32 or smaller. Yes it is a big camera, but it can easily be used handheld. Too big and heavy for me, but not for everyone.

 

[cmedin]

Anybody have any samples from the 250mm lens? I was looking at the DOF calculators and it looks like it could make an awesome landscape lens as long as your subject isn't too close. 🙂

 

[Xmas]

Hey we are agreeing with one another

If you want to use it like a 35mm you can use it slow like a OM1, the mirror is not all that bad!
If you want a poster out of doors from 1ft to infinity, then you do need a tripod and the lens stopped down, note only the longs have f/45? Sometimes a landscape needs a long for the perspective.

It is a real challenge to take one hill walking, Barnack designed the leica prototype for his hill walking. Some times I take my c330 for a walk, never the 6x7.

Noel

 

[Graham Line]

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?

How much weight can you curl? With the right prism a monopod would be possible, but top-heavy. You'll need a sturdy tripod and a pretty good head for the best results. The controls aren't really set up for hand-holding.

 

[Xmas]

It works ok hand held, it is moving it to the next shot that is a problem. the whole 9 yards is easy a few miles on foot will be more difficult.

It is bigger then a C330, noisier and you cannot attempt 1/15, unless you prerelease, the simple hood/finder is easy to use.

Noel

 

[RObert Budding]

It's much easier to hand-hold a Crown Graphic. And you get 4x5 negs.

 

[Xmas]

And it must be lighter as well but the SLR is a lot faster, the 6x7 with the motor is not a video camera but you can keep up with the Hindenburg landing.

Noel

 

[Thardy]

Annie Leibovitz uses an RZ handheld at times.

 

[NelsonFoto]

It works ok hand held, it is moving it to the next shot that is a problem. the whole 9 yards is easy a few miles on foot will be more difficult.

It is bigger then a C330, noisier and you cannot attempt 1/15, unless you prerelease, the simple hood/finder is easy to use.

Noel

The 1/15th bit is positively false. I have and will shoot mine with the 90mm at 1/15th with nice results. If one has the beef to handle the camera, it is doable. The mirror is well-designed, and I am duly impressed by it.

 

[NelsonFoto]

Annie Leibovitz uses an RZ handheld at times.

The RZ is large, but from what I understand, not nearly as heavy as the RB, which apparently - like the Nikon F4S - was built to survive Armageddon.

🙂