Mamiya RB67 Pro SD Medium Format

Mamiya RB67 Pro SD Medium Format 

DESCRIPTION

Out-of-production 6x7 SLR system.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 26  
[Mar 06, 2024]
cupcake


Strength:

The focusing needs getting use to as its a knob like in TLRs and focusing is done through a bellow. Its quite precise and can be focused by both hands. The down part is that the bellow looses light if extended too long and needs to be compensated. drywall repair Aldo’s Drywall Contracting Services

Weakness:

None so far.

OVERALL
RATING
5
[Oct 11, 2021]
Janwil


Strength:

Love the quality! Keep it up | Floor Refinishers

Weakness:

None so far

OVERALL
RATING
5
[May 05, 2021]
katelinx


Strength:

It is my first to buy a camera and I must say that I did the right decision. I makes you think and expand your creativity. | Residential Dumpster

Weakness:

Absolutely nothing to say.

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Feb 16, 2019]
Monday317


Strength:

Mamiya RB67 is THE best manual 6 x 7 film camera system available period. Bellows focusing of lens eliminates optical issues with helicoid focusing, and the lenses render subjects with clarity and realism. Plenty of lens choices and accessories for every conceivable need. Pro SD eliminates light leaks at film backs, used quality resin (OK, plastic) body parts to reduce weight, but frame still built from solid metal. Built like a tank, good for any MF use, other than covert detective work...

Weakness:

Built like a tank; lighter than heavier models. Should use a tripod where possible, handheld only for lumberjacks. Some compatibility issues for some Pro SD components if mating with older models desired.

Purchased:
Used  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Jan 29, 2009]
hudi82
Intermediate

Strength:

- good format
- rotatable back
- complete system
- good lenses
- high sync speed

Weakness:

- big and heavy
- hard to use in the field
- dark lenses
- not very well balanced in the hand
- no 6x6 back, no 35mm panoramic back

I bought this camera out of curiosity because I was kinda bored with 6x6 and heard wonders about 6x7 and out of Bronica and Mamiya I went with Mamiya because there were simply more of it on the market.

This is a seriously BIG camera, 2x bigger and heavier than my Kiev. I was totally surprised by this. I'm a quite strong person but I have problems holding it still with the metering prism thats why I don't use it :-)

The best think I like about this camera is the rotating back, its so easy to use and is very handy something I'd never give up for. The film backs are kinda delicate, the 2 that I own have old seals that I need to replace and have some platic parts broken off and the winding isn't perfect etc, but the biggest problme with them (at least 1) is that the film counter doesn't trigger after exposure and I often inadvertantly get double exposures which are horrible considering there are only 10 exposures per roll.

The lenses are pretty big and heavy, optically are very good (my 50mm and 127mm are quite dirty inside and one has even water mark after some dude badly cleaned it). I can see quite a lot of details on my slides. The only problem that I see is that the lenses are quite dark 3.5 the brightest. Compared to my Carl Zeiss Lenses for Pentacon, Mamiya lenses are much darker (2 stops) but optically are at least comparable. They have built in Seiko leaf shutters that can sync with flash at any speed and are the reasons I bought them. Also they all have the same filter size of 77mm (except 50 and 65mm lenses I think) which is great.

The focusing needs getting use to as its a knob like in TLRs and focusing is done through a bellow. Its quite precise and can be focused by both hands. The down part is that the bellow looses light if extended too long and needs to be compensated.

The view finder is bright and large with lines for both verticle and horizontal positions. However the standard ground glass doesn't have a split prism for focusing and it might take some time to get a perfect focus with the dark lenses. The waist level finder is what I use and it has a large lens that makes the focusing a lot easier. The Prism is VERY heavy and I think its rather dark and the metering is rather cumbersome so a external meter is required.

All in all, its a very nice system with many lenses and possibilities.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 03, 2007]
Tony
Professional

Strength:

Robust feal, the lense, it's fun, fun , fun to use. Makes you think and expand your creativity.

Weakness:

Nothing.

Got this monster (I mean this in a good way) from Ebay for a super price as a whole kit and I am still buying accessories for it. I love the weight, I love the film size and I love the fact that this camera is allowing me to get back to thinking about how I photograph instead of shooting from the hip and looking at my view finder. I love digital, but this is so much more fun. I have 2 other medium format camera's, this actually is the easiest to use.

Customer Service

Mamiya's website only. Great website and easy to use.

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya C330, Yashica 124G

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 22, 2005]
magoo
Intermediate

Strength:

Cheap, durable, reliable, and it has never let me down

Weakness:

Heavy

Love this camera. It is much bigger than most mf cameras but it is solid. Once you get everything down pat it becomes second nature. cock the shutter, then advance the film then push the shutter and repeat. The pictures I take are tack sharp depending on the lens. You hear all the time, I have a hasselblad, the hasselblad takes the best pictures, but you know what? Try and tell the difference between plus accessories and lenses won't break the bank. Also if you have the opportunity to get the 150mm sf lens, get it. I love that lens, some beautiful shots were made with that lens.

Customer Service

never needed it.

Similar Products Used:

mamiya c33

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 18, 2005]
DaveKasdan
Expert

Strength:

Presence--absolute, imposing presence of a real photography rig. Crystal clear images and no limits to creating great photographs.

Weakness:

Parts and accessories are getting rare. Forget having it fixed--just look for replacements save the costly repair expense.

From the second I looked through the pop-up view finder...in love with this camera! It took me about 2 rolls to work out the mechanical processes and be comfortable with the controls. I feel like a macho adventure photographer using this tank out in the field. The image quality is outstanding--the straight contact prints are gorgeous. If you want to think about your shots and really practice "previsualization" and Zone work, then this is the kit to use. Was fortunate enough to get the 90mm and 180mm lenses for free from a retired pro and friend, then filled out the kit with a second body and accessories. Now I have one whole RB67 with the 90mm lens and a speed grip, the other body sports the 180mm lens and is worn with the neck strap. Carry it all with 3 different film backs, filters, etc. in a big bag and nobody stands in my way.

Customer Service

Emailed a question to corporate and had a response in 24 hours! Excellent!

Similar Products Used:

No other MF cameras. Plenty of 35mm, from full manual to P&S.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 15, 2003]
peguin
Expert

Strength:

every thing looks amazing too the rotating back is its greatest asset

Weakness:

the cocking levers (only a tiny thing)

the rb67 pro sd is amazing i was told to definatly get another rz pro2 after mine was stolen but i didnt and am so glad. i am only young (17) but i have had alot of experiance with possibly every current pro camera and have grown around fashion shoots and had a play with any camera i have ever come into contact with and this is the best nothing comes close except an rz. but this will last longer than a rz ever could the quality of the images it has always produced for me are inceadible and it stands up to any abuse thrown at it. buy it if you can

Customer Service

never needed

Similar Products Used:

mamiya rz67 pro , mamiya rz67 pro2 , hassenbald 500

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 18, 2003]
Todd Walker
Professional

Strength:

Big negatives!, sharp lenses, very affordable to buy it and accessories on the used market. Rotating back. No batteries or electronics to worry about. Fairly quite operation. Good solid construction and very reliable.

Weakness:

One of the most heavy cameras made (when prism is attached), but not bad with a monopod for support. No problem when using tripod. Much light in weight if using waist level finder instead of prism. Top shutter speed of only 1/400 sec.

This review is actually for the Pro-s which I purchased used. Great camera! Produces awesome results when big enlargments are needed from prints. I also love the rotating back, never have to turn camera sideways for vertical shots. Bellows mounted lens allows for close focusing. Lots of accessories available for this camera. Very quick and easy to change focusing screen. Big camera that produces excellent results when used for it's intended purpose. Don't try using for fast action style shooting (use a smaller lighter camera for that).

Customer Service

not needed, but excellent user forum on website.

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya 645 Pro-tl, 6451000s, Pentax 6x7, Bronica GS-1, Bronica ETRS, Hasselblad 500C

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 26  

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