The Mamiya RB 67 is it worth to buy?

[Spider67]

The 6x7 Format is very tempting and right now there are several RB 67's available for about 300 €. The difference in pricing between the RZ 67 and the RB 67 also makes me hesitate. Does the RB 67 has massive quirks, so that there are so many for sale right now? What are your experiences with that model?
Best Regards from Vienna
Des

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

There's 3 models of Mamiya RB67's. RB67, RB67 Pro-S, RB67 Pro-SD. Its hard to remember the specifics but they are easy to find. I think the Pro-S comes with a back that helps prevent double exposure and the Pro-SD comes with a larger lens mount to accommodate a newer lenses.

Massive quirks? None come to mind with this camera other than its really heavy and cumbersome to carry around. The strap lugs are in a square which makes the strap attachments stay in one position, I find it difficult to carry and operate sometimes. Ok so there is one personal quirk...

 

[sevo]

The most important practical differences to the RZ are that shutter/mirror and film transport are two different levers on the RB (unless you use the motorized film holder on the Pro-S or later models), and that the RZ has electronic shutter control from the body, while you have to set the time on the RB lenses themselves.

Besides that, RB lenses are mountable on the RZ (at the price of a considerable loss in comfort and with one or two exceptions for mechanical reasons), while RZ lenses cannot be used on the RB at all (the RB lacking of any way to control the RZ system shutters).

The RZ is more comfortable, feels more familiar to 35mm SLR users, and has a few newer and better lenses - on the other hand, RBs and their accessories are massively widespread, more rugged and quite considerably more affordable.

 

[Roger Hicks]

The most important practical differences to the RZ are that shutter/mirror and film transport are two different levers on the RB (unless you use the motorized film holder on the Pro-S or later models), and that the RZ has electronic shutter control from the body, while you have to set the time on the RB lenses themselves.

Besides that, RB lenses are mountable on the RZ (at the price of a considerable loss in comfort and with one or two exceptions for mechanical reasons), while RZ lenses cannot be used on the RB at all (the RB lacking of any way to control the RZ system shutters).

The RZ is more comfortable, feels more familiar to 35mm SLR users, and has a few newer and better lenses - on the other hand, RBs and their accessories are massively widespread, more rugged and quite considerably more affordable.

I'll second all of that, along with the point that the RB is a huge, heavy brute. Many received hard professional use and are all but worn out, but plenty are still excellent cameras.

I got rid of mine because I prefer 'baby' Linhofs: RFs when you're in a hurry, view cameras when you're not. But at 300€ even I'd be tempted to get another RB. I've never liked/wanted an RZ.

Cheers,

R.

 

[trev2401]

I would get the RB/RZ system mainly because of the wonderful lenses that mamiya has, namely the 65 LA and the 50 ULD.

Personally, the RZ's easier to use, smaller and as mentioned, closer to an SLR. However, i've seen people lug their RBs up to Half-dome in yosemite, shooting in 20-30deg F weather, without it missing a beat.

 

[aniMal]

I got myself a full set of RZ gear very cheap, just by watching ads and being quick. I would not want to get into the RB, the RZ is really enough to handle. That being said, when you get into the use of an RZ, it is actually quite OK to work with handheld. I often attach a remote release to the lens, which then makes it easy to first release the mirror with my right hand, then the shutter with my left. This is also very useful with a light tripod, I use one with a ball lock.

If you use the RZ in the right way, it is a very affordable and relatively easy way to get really good quality. The only downside is really the weight of the thing...

 

[thetooth]

i have a rb pro-s with the more recent kl lenses . great camera for the money . it is a little cumbersome but not bad enough that you can't had hold it . i like the fully mechanical ability over the rz , but if digital is in your future the rz would be the route to go .

 

[Nate Butler]

I have an RB67, and I think it's a great camera. Being able to rotate the film magazine is a clever idea. The quirk of advancing the frame and cocking the shutter independently isn't much of a hassle-- up there with cutting film leaders for Barnack Leicas, and it makes double exposures very easy 🙂 . Indeed, it's heavy (7 pounds with the 180 attached), but I feel that the weight and the advance/cocking quirk make me think more about what/where/how I'm going to shoot compared to an M2.

Disclosure: although I like the RB67, I am selling mine. I posted this thinking that the OP isn't going to buy an RB from the USA. Mods, if this comes across as a plug for my camera, please delete my message. Thanks.

 

[jke]

The problem is not buying an RB - there are tons (no joke intended) of them everywhere - or keeping one fit & working - lots of parts and qualified repairers - but reselling one if you buy it and don't want/like it any longer. But conveniently, RB/RZ cameras are pretty standardly available as rentals, so perhaps rent one for a couple turns to see how you like it. If you like it, buy it with the possibility that reselling it may either require a hit on the price or even be unsuccessful as medium format slowly but surely slips in value.

RZ Pro II and Pro IID cameras, however, should hold value because they can be used with digital backs, but of course these cameras are not inexpensive like the earlier RB and RZ models.

 

[Steve M.]

The images, from what I've seen on the web from these cameras, are great. But since I'm someone that doesn't even like to lug a Rolleiflex around I can't see shooting one, unless you're talking about solely using it on a tripod, in which case I'd say go for it at that price. My other quibble is the 6x7 format, which doesn't work for me. If it were 6x6 there'd be no need to rotate the back/camera, and I find I get tighter compositions w/ square format.

In the end you'll have to try the camera to see if it works for you, and if you buy at a good price the trial will cost a minimal amount of money if you decide to sell it.

 

[Spider67]

Thanks for your input folks!
Your infos helped me a lot as no red flag came up except the weight...but I've handled it often and just today I used a Voigtländer Avus (6x9) with an MF-Back for portraits (I#ll have to ask the ,model if she would allow me to post results) . So compared to it an RB seems to provide luxuriosly easy handling

 

[Andrew Howes]

I recently bought another RB67 pro s I forgot how great those things are. The lenses are lovely as are pretty much any mamiya MF lens. Not as loud as I remember. I spent some time talking to a specialised repairer. He said avoid the really old lenses with the bluish shutter blades. Service can be costly (well, as much as a cheap kit) so it would be worth buying one that has proof of recent service. The pro s is probably worth it over the older one too. Lok out for perished seals and lenses that are heavy to cock.

I used to have an RZ67 and I prefered that in use and prefered the 110 2.8 over the90 3.5.
Get a proII if you get an RZ because the internal mechanisms are much stronger and parts are hard to get.

I am loving my new RB67. It really is a very nice camera.

 

[35mmdelux]

The Mamiya RB 67 is it worth to buy? NO

Get the RZ 67 PRO II. Better camera IMO, more streamlined for same amount of rupees.

 

[David Murphy]

You want the RB67 because it has a mechanical shutter and no automation - all desirable features for serious photography. It's a good system medium format camera, much cheaper than Hasselblad, and nearly as capable. All medium format cameras with interchangeable lenses are bulky with respect to any 35mm camera or a TLR - that just goes with the territory. Even though I don't own an RB67 at present, I can endorse them.

 

[Tracnac]

Hi,

Just jump into this boat !!! The lenses are great/incredible, this camera is unbreakable, very easy to focus and lenses and back are easy to find... But I agree very heavy, and very slow (But who care this a MF...).

If you want something more attractive you can buy a ROLLEI 6xxx or 8xxx great camera too.

Yvan

 

[acheyj]

Magic camera !.
I prefer the RB over the RZ (no batteries). Since I got back to photography after 30 years I have not yet rebuilt my darkroom and most probably wont. I scan my negs with a Epson 4870 and the 35mm neg is marginal at best the 6x7 or 6x9 is superb, so much so in fact I hardly now use 35mm film (sigh) use Canon 20d/40d with L glass much faster than my RF's sadly resting on the shelf. I learnt years ago the 35mm M2 was crap for large prints, spent hours with fine grain film and all sorts of magic developers to get 20x16 prints, got an old 6x9 Bertram RF and it became SO EASY !.
My rb67 cost AU$ 250 and I now have the 90mm, 50mm and 250mm lens + Prism viewfinder and 2 backs.
Hey a warning -- DONT drop the camera it wont get damaged at all it WILL break your foot.
Good luck
Ronald K. Johnson

ron

 

[hans voralberg]

The only thing undesirable is the RB/RZ is heavy as hell, it should be tripod work only otherwise you'll get arm cramp in no time hand holding it

 

[Avotius]

I have used an RB67 on a trip through Sichuan province and yes....tripod camera. It is big, heavy, and those lenses are top notch. I would have no hesitations about buying their lenses, the cameras.....well Mamiya cameras sometimes can be spotty on the build quality. Watch those handles and cranks for pieces that could fall off.

 

[ruby.monkey]

The only thing undesirable is the RB/RZ is heavy as hell, it should be tripod work only otherwise you'll get arm cramp in no time hand holding it

An RZ67 with L-grip, waist-level finder and 110mm f/2.8, is light enough and handy enough to be a walkabout camera (as long as one remembers the shoulder strap). Add a prism finder or longer lens and all bets are off. 😉

 

[hans voralberg]

An RZ67 with L-grip, waist-level finder and 110mm f/2.8, is light enough and handy enough to be a walkabout camera (as long as one remembers the shoulder strap). Add a prism finder or longer lens and all bets are off. 😉

You probably go to the gym more than I do then mate 😀