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

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

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.

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

See above

None

Mamiya RB67 Pro-S Want one? Heres the rub... This camera has been called the workhorse of the photographic industry for many years with good reason. It has often been linked as guilty by assumption, with studio work, product and commercial photography only; due to it's robust size and weight. The idea that this camera is unweildly outside the studio invironment is only true for those perhaps not prepared to utilize this baby to it's fullest potential. That and they might lack moral fibre and upper body strength! This particular review relates to the RB67 Pro-S specifically. I bought this beast as new a few years back from a Studio Portrait photographer with 40 years in the business. The camera came with a f3.8 127mm Mamiya Sekor lens, 120 roll film holder, pop up view finder with a 2+ diopter and a speed grip for hand holding with top mounted hotshoe. My 35mm outfit barely gets a look in anymore because I always hike this beast everywhere I go. The big neg in 6x7 is so impressive that I have become totally absorbed by the MF culture and approach. I had a vision for larger formats that my 35mm images were not able to provide in results. So when I took my RB into the mountains and rainsforests shooting waterfalls and coastal scenics, what I got back in E6 jumped off the light box in a way I had never seen before. I was sold! Don't be told that this camera isn't meant for outdoor work or landscapes, this camera is a standard in the Landscape and Scenic photographic culture. If weight is an issue for you and you can't stomach anything heavier than a 35mm camera then the Rb may not be for you. The RZ is a little lighter but then you have other issues of a non mechanical nature to deal with. The RB67 Pro-S has a series of locking features which prevent you from making accidental exposures. You have a bellows system for focussing which allows a macro function with nearly all lenses. For more details on these features I recommend you go to www.mamiya.com and download a manual in PDF. This camera was ten years old when I bought it and it has behaved flawlessly since then, with nary a hickup. Shutter speeds may be a little on the slow side for some at 1/400th to 1 sec; but I have never needed anything above 1/125 for what I do anyway. If you are buying a new RB67 in the Pro-SD area then you are in for some fine lenses. In the past there were some manufacture tolerance issues with a couple of the old C and non C lenses. Some people called them soft and others got a sharp optic. Those days are over and the new lenses, particularly the 50mm, which suffered the worst reputation over the years are now top quality and in line with the new design KL lenses. Some people still complain about lack of edge to edge sharpness regarding 50mm 4.5 lenses, but many have failed to understand over even operate the fine focus ring which controls critical DOF. ...Getting the most out of your 50mm... There are a couple of lens' in the Mamiya RB family which require you to manually adjust the select focus ring on the lens itself to correct for critical depth of field. As with a standard lens, adjust focussing by turning the focussing knob on the camera body. Merely turning the floating ring will not produce accurate focussing. Next, read the distance to subject, set the distance scale of the floating ring to the cener index mark (red dot), and then take a picture. Floating ring may be set either before or after focussing. When turning the floating ring, a portion of the lens system is shifted to the front and rear; however, no variations can be observed on the ground glass focussing screen. When placing emphasis on spur of the moment snaps, set the infinity mark (red) of the floating ring to the center index mark (red)when the distance to subject is from infinity to 7ft (2 metres).If the distance to subject is less than the above a sufficiently sharp image can be attained merely by setting 3.3ft/1m (red) to the index. In the case of close up photography nearer than 3.3ft, set the floating ring to 3.3ft then stop down the lens as much as possible. Distance to subject implies the distance from film place to subject. Notes for those looking to buy with the aim of Studio and Commercial work... RB67 Pro-S and 127mm f3.8C You can easily shoot portraits with this lens but if you want to go for a longer focal length then you can. There are some lenses that are softer than others so depending on your purposes, when buying, be aware and try them out first as this could be just what you want or not the thing at all. I would suggest two lenses to begin with, but if you can only afford one, then you can't go wrong with the 127mm which ought to come stock with an Rb. You have a choice of view finders which range from the pop up viewer or the PD Prism. With the pop up finder you have a choice of plastic diopters which serve to magnify the image on the glass. If you are mainly doing commercial and portr

Similar Products Used:

Various MF

Logical (to me) controls, durability, versatility, built in bellows focusing makes shooting close-up a breeze, and the new-formula KL lenses are easily as sharp as current offerings from the likes of Zeiss, Bronica, etc. The leaf shutters make working with mixed lighting a breeze. A complete system that allows you to do just about anything. The rotating back is a Godsend.

It's heavy. Honestly, I don't find the weight too oppressive in most situations, even with the prism finder attatched, but people should take this into consideration before buying. There are much lighter cameras out there. Also, bulb and time exposures could be a lot more convenient, though things are pretty managable, particularly if you use two shutter releases. Not a camera issue, but some of the older C and even older non-C lenses could be sharper (not the case with the KL offerings).

There are two reasons this camera is oft-referred to as the workhorse of the photo industry. First off and most importantly, it takes a complete beating and keeps turning in superior results day after day after day. Second, its sheer mass makes it quite similar to an actual horse.

Customer Service

Mamiya is a great company to do business with and I've found them quite helpful in the two instances I've needed their help.

Similar Products Used:

Hasselblad, Bronica, Mamiya 645, Mamiya C220f, various Russian copies.

The true workhorse of the photographic industry, builds muscle tone, too!

No 35mm panoramic back, they don't make Kodachrome in 120 anymore(not really the camera's fault), not heavy enough.

An unstoppable beast, lumbering but nimble and a vast array of dependable, affordable accessories made this system the perfect setup for me. Although it is not petite like the 'blads, I find I can shoot weddings journalisticly with little effort.(other than actually carring the camera!) The revolving back can't be beat for portraits, landscapes and commercial applications...a good marriage of 35mm and 4x5 with out the tilts and shifts.

Customer Service

Never needed any.

Similar Products Used:

Hasselblad, Pentax 67, Mamiya 7, Bronica GS-1, Contax 645AF, Nikon 35mm, Various 4x5 & 8x10 view cameras

I really appreciate the fact that Mamiya took the time and effort to produce something that is very durable and reliable. The bellows focusing has come in handy on several occasions. I have nothing but praises for this camera.

I have no complaints regarding this camera but my assistants have complained about its weight. In fact, they feel so strongly about the excessive weight of the system that they all ended up buying either a Bronica or a Mamiya 645. Wimps!

This was the first brand new camera I''ve ever owned. I''ve always tried to buy my camera bodies second hand because of budget concerns. But since this was going to be my firstmedium format camera, I decided to splurge and buy a brand new one. The set I bought came with a 127mm lens and one 120 back. When people describe the Mamiya Pro-SD as a workhorse, they aren''t kidding. My has soldiered on faithfully for the past four years. It had some down time when the cocking lever for the mirror started to jam after three years of heavy use. I had to buy a spare body (a Pro-S) just so I could continue shooting (I was in the middle of shooting three corporate annual reports). I got the body back after a week, and it hasn''t failed me since.

Customer Service

Only needed it once.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax 67 and Mamiya C330

Reliability, sharp images. Easy to use, if you can tolerate the weight, controls are logical and easy to master. Good used value for your money. Lens range is very wide, parts/servicing widely available.

Purchased mine a number of years ago, used, very used ! Just recently had to have the "seals" replaced..camera was still taking tack sharp images with badly perished seals ! Shutter speeds were a little off, but I guess I''d subconciously learned to compensate ! Viewfinder could be a little brighter (127 lens) Weight is a mixed blessing..steadys the camera, but its very heavy after a days work lugging it around.

RB67 delivers what it promises, and provides excellent images. Simple operation,no battery makes its very reliable. Lens are sharp, with easy to read controls. Instructions are available for downloading from Mamiya (USA)

Customer Service

Mamiya sets the example for others to follow. Camera is ultra reliable,despite heavy use, shows very little wear. Most repair facilities can perform at least the routine service chores.

Similar Products Used:

C330, Hasselblads

Despite what others have said this camera is nowhere near as heavy as they make out! I use the grip with mine and even without the eye level prism finder to give me the image, right way round, I find the entire experience a pleasure. The revolving back is lovely when the last thing you need is to adjust everything for vertical shots. The series of interlocking checks and whatnot that others might complain about I actually find important and very useful. There are any number of ways that you can safely avoid firing the shutter by accident, you can lock the focus for repeated shots, you have mirror up option for T exposures and any number of other useful and supportive options which make this outfit ooze class, performance and thoughtful design. The image through the finder demands that you admit 35mm can''t begin to compare with this format, though it has it''s place like other formats. This is camera which makes me feel like I''m standing on the shoulders of giants, and there you can see for miles

All of the traditional weaknesses associated with this outfit I have found perfectly useful and within the bounds of standard plausability in design. I can''t really say that having to wind on and cock the shutter before firing slows me down or delays me in any way. Photographers are always going to miss shots no matter what system they are using, if speed is your main concern then this may be an issue for you. That said I have found it to be no more of a delay than perhaps 2 seconds! If you have a bad back or don''t like carrying equiptment or perhaps want something less conspicuous, then perhaps you could find a smaller looking MF camera, but then you''d miss out on using THIS camera. I really can''t say that I''ve found any weaknesses with this system because I made sure I bought the right system for me

This is actually a review for the RB67 Pro-S because I cannot review it elsewhere. A superlative camera from top to bottom. Right from the moment I picked it up and gazed through the view finder I was seduced. I got mine with the 127mm lens which is a beautiful lens for general photography. This is a serious camera for serious photographers, not necessarily just the pro''s, but it will demand much more of the artist in you than the standard format. Total classy design and not just for the studio either

Customer Service

I have heard great things and am sure the service is there if and when needed.

Similar Products Used:

Various TLR''s

The camera is VERY sturdy, a real workhorse. Despite its size, it wasn't hard to handhold... but others have that comlaint. It uses leaf shutters, so it will sync at any shutter speed. Bellows focusing for closer focusing than normal. Rotating back allows you to shoot vertical or horizontal, no need to tilt camera (and with its size, that's no easy feat!)

I'm spoiled by autofocus and metering, so it takes some time to get used to. It also takes some getting used to having to cock the shutter AND advance the film with two different levers!

The camera is a truly awesome studio camera! I love the large neg size and rotating back! I can honestly say this is a great camera, and if you want to go medium format, this might very well be the camera to get! (BTW -- I use a ProS model, but from what I understand the differences are minimal).

Customer Service

Haven't needed it yet.

Similar Products Used:

None

Good negative size, revolving back.

Extremely complex, easy to jam

I lasted a week with this camera. In the first roll of film the wind-on jammed, so I had to take it to the darkroom to get the remaining shots out. Got some beautiful pictures of my school photography group the following week, gave it to one of the boys to try and he touched a button, the back sprung open and the insides fell into the bushes. Ruined film, result next day was an exchange for a Bronica SQB, which is a delight by comparison: reliable, quick to use.

Customer Service

No experience

Similar Products Used:

Bronica ETRS
Bronica SQB
Fuji GSW690