RB67 users -- how big IS this thing really?

'you cannot attempt 1/15,'

Ok let me try 'Ive tried it and I cannot get it to work at 1/15, I prelease if I need 1/15.' I accept you may do better. I use a single cable and the release on the grip...

Noel
 
RObert Budding said:
It's much easier to hand-hold a Crown Graphic. And you get 4x5 negs.
Click to expand...

Thanks -- however, I posted this thread because I wanted some information on the RB67, not opinions on what I should have gotten instead.

Sorry if this comes across as rude, but this is about the third time I've heard it. I decided on an RB67 because it fits my needs (macros, fine art, landscape) and now I wanted to know if it was workable as a handheld unit because of its impressive girth. I didn't pick one up hoping I could swing it around like a Leica, this is more a case of curiousity as to how well it would work in such a scenario. I have plenty other gear to use for handheld shooting.
 
cmedin

It works real well as a hand held, strap, grip, and cable release optional.
It is a bit slow without the motor option, and 220 film is preferred, as you will be swapping backs pretty frequent otherwise.
If you are going to do posters then you will be amazed by the lens quality, I always do a sequence to avoid any film flatness problems. Load a 220 into one back shoot it all off.
It will work in zero conditions it does not get real cold here.

Noel
 
Hither, these are wonderfull pictures, and I am amazed that you shoot them with a 1/30. I use the 127 Kl lens (just bought the 50 but it is not here yet...) but my attempts below 125 are somehow shaky. You really encouraged me to work on my technique.
Can the damping of the Mirror go sloppy? If you've got the magic trick let us know, please!
Maybe i should try the 90 for handholding...
Tommorow will be rangefinder day, I promise😉
Michael
 
The RB has a large mirror, but the camera has a lot of mass and therefore inertia. It is well designed and I could believe slow shutter speeds are possible. I used one 20 years ago or so and I had no problems holding it - I don't really remember the exposure times then.

I don't have one because it is simply too big and heavy. Not because it was a bad camera.
 
Looking through the manual Mamiya is bragging about a centrifugal braking system for the mirror that virtually eliminates the problem of mirror slap... then they go on to explain how you use the mirror lockup to reduce vibration. 🙂
 
cmedin
It is an option, you can get their double remote release as well.
The mirror is big and it is pretty good, the vibration problem on my shots does not seem to be much worse then with a OM1, it is not bad.
It depende what sort of shots you are doing, e.g. if you are waiting for a bird to land on a feeding table, you can prerelease, after you focus and the bird may stay for a second shot cause the mirror makes a zing thwack.
Noel
 
Xmas said:
cmedin
It is an option, you can get their double remote release as well.
The mirror is big and it is pretty good, the vibration problem on my shots does not seem to be much worse then with a OM1, it is not bad.
It depende what sort of shots you are doing, e.g. if you are waiting for a bird to land on a feeding table, you can prerelease, after you focus and the bird may stay for a second shot cause the mirror makes a zing thwack.
Noel
Click to expand...

Thanks! Would somebody mind explaining the double release? I was reading through the manual and noticed that you have to use a cable release on the lens shutter if you use MLU, but didn't see anything about the double one...
 
The double release allows you to lock up the mirror , and then after all vibration has ceased to fire the shutter. I use the single (regular) release because it is much cheaper.

DL the manual from Mamiya.

I just weighed my RZ II, with the AE Prism II attached, 7 pounds even.

Oh yeah, you already have a manual. I saw those double releases on ebay and places like BHphoto. They cost much more than the normal cable release.
 
Last edited:
Roger Vadim said:
Hither, these are wonderfull pictures, and I am amazed that you shoot them with a 1/30. I use the 127 Kl lens (just bought the 50 but it is not here yet...) but my attempts below 125 are somehow shaky. You really encouraged me to work on my technique.
Can the damping of the Mirror go sloppy? If you've got the magic trick let us know, please!
Maybe i should try the 90 for handholding...
Tommorow will be rangefinder day, I promise😉
Michael
Click to expand...


Michael,

Nothing fancy to my technique. I hold the camera firmly, but not so firmly I provoke muscle-fatigue, and then shake. I basically apply just enough elbowgrease to counter the camera's weight, and I squeeeeze of the shot using the body release. I do not pop the shutter, or otherwise strongarm the shot, and that further reduces movement. I think, ultimately, one learns to relax. I can hold 1-sec exposure on 35mm F4s, another heavy rig, most of the time, with good results. I never use straps. I never use grips.

I shoot Acros, rated 200.

Craig
 
Xmas said:
'you cannot attempt 1/15,'

Ok let me try 'Ive tried it and I cannot get it to work at 1/15, I prelease if I need 1/15.' I accept you may do better. I use a single cable and the release on the grip...

Noel
Click to expand...

Fair enough.

Cheers!

C.
 
I just bought a Mamiya m645 1000s (UPS delivered it last Friday) with a 80mm 1.9 and then added a 150mm 3.5 lens...
The size/style of these cameras take some getting used to...The 645 is smaller than the RB67 so I can only imagine what that's like...I have shot two rolls so far and everything looks good so far...I just resealed the rear door today (no light leaks just very gummy and falling apart) so it's all ready to go...
You do tend to shoot slower with this format so a tripod isn't a bad thing here...
 
I had a 645E with the rapid grip some years ago, and I found it to act pretty much like a slightly oversized 35mm SLR camera. It was really nice to shoot, but the mirror slap was pretty rough on it if memory serves... the 80/2.8 lens on it was incredible though, I was absolutely blown away by the prints I made from those negs. 🙂
 
I thought this might be of interest.

From Mamiya Medium Format Systems by Bob Shell 😀
 

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I was at the Pasadena camera show yesterday and there was a RB67 with lens sitting on the table...I picked it up to see for myself how heavy it was...
That thing should come with its own tripod...heavy would be one word to describe it...
 
It is a majic camera it doubles it weight after about 1 mile.

The tripod seems to do the same as well.

Noel
 
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