I've been wanting a RB67 for quite a long time. Back in the day it was the Hasselblad 500cm. But just body alone was about the price of a complete Mamiya RB67 system. Also, the image ratio 6×7cm for me is aesthetically pleasing. Thank you for your time to put together this video.
@@michaelhorton4353 Thanks for watching! I would love a 500CM some day, but I prefer the 6X7 look and I own a couple Mamiya C330's, which fill in nicely to replace a 6X6 Hasselblad. The only real issue with the C330 is no removable backs. The quality is still excellent. I may get a Hasselblad one day, but they are still insanely expensive. Like $3000+ for one in good condition with a mint lens.
Jeezzz, man up. 😄 I shot weddings on an RB for years. Gigundo flash attached. No metering and bellows draw exposure compensation added to the experience. Really miss the days of being the guy who "knows things". Thanks for the video.
@@KevinDeal The standard technique was to clear your throat to mask the sound of the camera. The C330's were worse because advancing the film made a long tremendous racket. THEN......I got a Mamiya 6. Everything challenging about the RB just went away. Dead quiet, no mirror slap, whisper film advance, square format, easier to focus, hotshoe flash..bliss. I could go on, ha ha ha. Thanks for responding.
@@acattoir I'll have to keep that in mind (clearing my throat). That's about all you can do. And yes, I own the C330. No way to wind that thing quietly.
I just got a good deal i think on ebay....its a 1 owner rb67 with all this stuff for $550. Mamiya Rb67 Camera 90mm Lens 50mm Wide Angle Lens 180mm Lens Three Additional Film Backs 120 Prism Finder (Model 2) Macablitz 45CL-4 Flash Gun with Charger Carrying Case Everything is lightly used by the original owner. Lenses have their own cases/protectos as well.
Noted! And I agree. My You Tube channel was barely a month old when I launched this video and I was still learning how to put together a good presentation. I have since learned from that. I wish You Tube would let us upload edited versions of the video, but they don't. So I have to live with it.
Thanks for the video. I just inherited a major collection of cameras. Included is an RB67 and a C330. I'm trying to learn as much as possible before using them. I have no experience with medium format. Used 35mm and digital all my life. You've helped alot. Best wishes.
Thank you. If you enjoyed this video, i did another one on the C330. Feel free to check it out if you need further help with it. Great cameras. Once I started shooting medium format, I never really cared much for 35mm after that.
"This is the focal distance calculator... Go look up how to use one of these". Not rocket science! It's just a simple scale to show what range of the image will be in focus from your subjects distance for the given F-stop. Easy! I probably put 1000 rolls of film shooting weddings back in the 80's and 90's with my RB. It's sitting right here and I still use t for fun in 2024.
First off great video explaining this camera but I’m having trouble finding a tutorial on how to use this specific lens I have. I have the ProSD mamiya and I feel like every tutorial isn’t the lens I have which is the Mamiya SEIKO K/L 1:3.5 f=127 mm.I have absolutely no clue what any of that means😂so if anyone has the same lens and knows a good video on how to use it I’d greatly appreciate it.
Glad you got something out of this video. Sorry you're having issues. I think that lens works the same way as the other lenses. You have an aperture and a shutter speed selector, correct? If so, then you just move both dials until you have the f stop and shutter speed you desire.
I'm in. I subscribed to your channel because of how well and professionals you explained the rb67. I just got one recently and I'm considering a digital back. Does anybody have any suggestions of what abs where to search for a digital back fit the rb67 😅.
Great video Kevin! I think you finally touched upon the much overlooked comment about this camera and that is the lenses. The lenses are truly amazing. How they capture the subject with amazing sharpness and great fall off is like no other glass out there. I prefer the earlier lenses without the coatings that the C lenses have. My taste runs more towards the rawness of the image with all of it imperfections that un - coated lenses give you. I've yet to shoot flash but that will be my next adventure with the camera. Keep shooting! Liked and subscribed.
First of all, thank you for the like and subscribe! I agree with you that these lenses are gems. I plan to get them all before someone finds out and the prices shoot through the roof! I agree with you on older and uncoated lenses. Sometimes the quirks are what give the lenses such great character. I'm learning this on my adventure I am on using old Minolta glass (those videos are coming down the road). The flash thing is inconsistent but when you nail it, you can get some jaw-dropping images, so it's worth it.
I have had much better experiences buying from Japan rather than buying from the US. It’s amazing that it usually even arrives quicker buying off from Japan ( I live in Canada )
My RB just arrived yesterday from Japan! I wasn’t sure about ordering off eBay, let alone from overseas, but your video like yours certainly made me feel better about doing so! Thank you for the in-depth tutorial, I can’t wait to get familiar with this camera!
Enjoy the RB and thanks for the watch! I’ve had great luck with buying from Japan. I find that most of these sellers fear bad reviews so in the unlikely event something is wrong with your RB they will likely try to make it right. The last thing they want is for you to leave them a bad review. A lot of these sellers take pride in their EBay seller rating.
@@glannewehr I've purchased an RB67, four lenses and got a film back. No issues at all. I've also purchased a C330, a lens, as well as several Minolta lenses. Not once have I been hit with taxes or duties. BUT.....others have. It's luck of the draw. But the odds aren't high.
@@glannewehr No additional fees, no issues with customs. As a matter of fact, the camera showed up earlier than I the anticipated arrival date! Between shipping, tax and the camera I paid $603 total.
When I made this video, an Epson V600. But I have recently moved over to the Valoi system with a copy table and a macro lens. I am planning to make a video about it soon.
In the early 70s, I was using Honeywell Strobonar flashes with my RB67. Later on, I added the fantastic Vivitar 283 flashes to my arsenal. I learned to carry extra sync cords the hard way. One of my RBs (I was able to pick up a Pro S body at a good price and grabbed it) had spent 32 years as a studio camera. The studio was sold, but I still have both camras and most of the lenses. An excellent video on an incredible camera.
I just put the sleeves in a three ring binder that I bought at my local grocery store. I'm sure any three ring binder on Amazon will do. Here is a link to the sleeves I use. www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1019210-REG/print_file_020_0208_120_9hb_archival_storage_page.html?ap=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=CjwKCAiA_vKeBhAdEiwAFb_nrfkzzx6r8PTfXMxGw4vQE-xvwHqvzjg458QGBgGExlURFNZTPTPQYRoCEm8QAvD_BwE
I’m about to pull the trigger on one of these very soon. I use to have 2 of them when I had my portrait studio back in the mid ‘90’s. Had (2) Pro S’s, (2) 180mm and (2) 90mm lenses. Closed my studio and sold all of my cameras to purchase all digital. After 20 years I still remember everything about them, how they feel, how they work and how they sound.
I lusted after the pro SD in HS photography class in the mid-seventies. It was a hell of a lot cheaper than the Hasselblad. My first Pro SD arrived today from Japan. Thanks for your videos!
As someone who owns both the Hasselblad and RB67, I don't see much of a different at all in glass quality. Thus making the RB67 a way better value. Thank you for the kind words!
Have you ever toured with a band? That is part of my background. I had been into photography since 1960 when I was 8. In 1997 I started producing a band and video taping the shows. Some of these are on my channel jmoss99. I don't hang my instrument on the wall though. This is California.
It all depends on who the bandmates are. I also did lots of console work in studios, but to sell what we recorded it took touring. Planes to get into an area. Then rental SUVs from there out. When we were driving, we rehearsed, working out vocal stacks. Being a Silicon Valley engineer and programmer helped when it came to designing my own gear. I learned multitrack recording on a NEVE 8036. A great console. I was involved with studios beginning in about 1968. I was involved with cameras beginning in 1960. I think recording and photography are very similar, only for different mediums.
I shoot with two RB67 bodies and the following lenses: 250mm (use for tight portraits) 180mm (use for head & shoulder portraits, half-length portraits, weddings) 150mm soft focus (use for head & shoulder portraits) 140mm macro (use for macro, close-ups, still life, products) 90mm (use for general subjects, full-length portraits, 3/4 length portraits, weddings) 50mm (use for landscapes, panoramas, architecture, group portraits, environmental portraits, weddings) 100-200mm zoom (use as backup lens) My favorite lens kit is: 50mm f/4.5 wide-angle 90mm f/3.8 normal 180mm f/4.5 telephoto With these three lenses, I am able to capture 80% of the images I need.
Cool. I love the way your have mastered this older tech. I love to do that with digicams, though I haven't posted on here yet. I am dipping my toe into Instagam.
one other note, to my last comment about the 'T' setting, there is ONLY one other way of shutting an open shutter on the T mode, that is, to turn the shutter ring, OFF t setting, this is acceptable under the manual instructions, for the RB lenses, NOT, as I explained earlier, for the RZ or K/L lenses for the RB camera ( you CAN, but it is not the PRIMARY method suggested in the manual, it is SAFE to do it, though, but the B cable socket is the safest bet, not touching the camera) .
So, you say that there is a shutter and or a iris in the lens? If one would were to use one of these lenses on a Sony A7R2 is this going to be an issue? Can you lock these out of the way?
Yes. It's a leaf shutter. So the shutter is in the lens. When you adapt a large 6X7 lens to your Sony the lens will go to whichever aperture you set it to on the lens. Then you use the shutter in your Sony to take pictures.
OK. Thanks. Actually, all of my vintage lenses have this kind of iris in them, but once set, they are motionless. So, the RB67 camera, the lens leaf shutter must not be getting a signal to snap the picture. Since there are no electronics on this lens that couple to the camera, this shutter trigger to take the photo must be a funtion of the two posts sticking out of the rear of the lens. Is that right?
You asked about the "exposure simulator" ... the lever on the right downside of the lens is for closing the aperture down to the chosen value - so you can see the depth of field you will get at that aperture (and it will get darker accordingly ...) although i also own a pretty decent Hasselblad 500CM System i also love my RB67proSD a lot, it is totally different from the Habla and the 6x7 format is often better for me than the square 6x6 ( - which i also love, anyway ;-) ).
Great no nonsense approach, straight-to-the-point delivery. This is how you write content for the noise era. I'm buying my first MF Mamiya thanks to one of these reviews. Keep it up!
I just got handed an Rb67 Pro S and I love this instructional one thing I can help contribute as someone who shot Mamiya C330 with newer flashes and triggers is that you can skip the cold to hot shoe adapter by getting a Male PC to 2.5mm cable instead of PC to PC. your new trigger has the 2.5 Directly inside it and the vintage cameras of Course use PC, thus skipping at lease one whole piece of gear!
Yo I've wanted a medium format camera for almost 10 years. Today I some-what impulsively purchased a Mamiya RB67 pro s (after dropping off some 35mm to be processed) and had no idea how the thing worked. The guy kinda showed me, but I'm pretty sure I messed up a bit on the film loading process. lol. I know it's at least facing the right way. But didn't set it to S or line up the arrows. But anyway, thank you so much for this video! Really thorough and detailed, love your pros and cons list and your honesty with everything. I can't wait to get out and shoot.
Great video! I just came into possession of an RB67, 3 film backs and 50 and 127mm lenses. I am excited to lug this boat anchor out to the woods and lakeside, getting my exercise as I go! Thanks
Quite a haul. You're going to take some amazing pictures. Run a roll through all the film backs to check for light leaks. If there are none, go have fun!
XLNT video on the camera & lenses. I am waiting delivery from Japan on my RB & Prism Finder. My RB will come with the Grid/Checker focusing screen which seems it will be distracting to use? Any comments on this screen or suggest a better screen for portrait indoor work? Thanks, and again a super video on the RB67.
Not sure the grid checker is really a distraction but the MAMIYA viewfinders are not bright. So if you shoot with strobes, I recommend using either a bright modeling lamp or keep the house lights on. There’s no shutter synch speed like with DSLR and mirrorless, so you can shoot st 1/400 all day long with the house lights on. Of course, it’s film, so you can’t see your results until later. I always keep a mirrorless camera around to take test shots with. Thanks for the kind words. I’m about to embark on a tour of the southwest US and plan to run about 30 rolls through my RB67. I’m sure I’ll make a video on it.
I have the Pro-SD with a 50, 90 and 250mm lots of fun. Real monster with the right hand grip and prism finder. Most important accessory is a strap. Main reason for the finder is that you're not always able to look down into the waist finder.
I ended up getting the RZ67 Proii because I figured it was the final evolution of the original camera I wanted, the RB. I love my RZ to death but man, something about the RB is still so appealing. I might have to get an RB after watching this.
Thank you for the tip on buying one from Japan on eBay, I think that is the route I will go, for me I just want to try landscapes so I will be looking for a body and only a 50MM lens for it, Great video here and super good explanation. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼.
Enjoy it! I am taking my 50mm and about 10 boxes of Kodak Ektar along with me to the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and a bunch of other cool spots in the American Southwest. The Japanese sellers tend to be pretty easy to deal with and dread bad reviews, so in the off chance something doesn't arrive as described, they will typically take care of you.
Thank you for this information! The Mamiya RB67 will definitely be my first film camera, I’ve been stalking this thing for some time! Cheers from Kaua’i!
I guess thanks! You convinced me to move up from my Mamiya 645 setup and get the 6x7. I was looking through some old 6x9 that I did with an old Russian camera and thought my God I want a larger negative and stumbled on your channel. LongLiveFilm!
Glad I could help! I'll never apologize for helping people get deeper into the film rabbit hole. The nice thing is that there are 6X9 film backs out there for the RB67. Enjoy!
I’ve been digging and searching through videos for the RB67 for a while now - as if I need any other reason to convince myself - but this video really sold it for me. I’m not proficient with a flash anyway, so I’ll navigate to that realm when the time comes. But yeah, subscribed and super appreciate your insight and knowledge.
Hi Kevin, thanks for the really nice video.a couple of years ago, my friend gifted me his dads old RB67 pro. It had sat for many many years before I got it. The bellows are totally destroyed and the lens is stuck, also, the windier is stuck in forward position. Do you have any pointers as to how I can DIY restore this lovely piece of history. I'm a Nikon D800 shooter (and I'm kinda bored with digital photography). I'd love to explore portraiture with a medium format. Any pointers would help. e.g. where tomcat replacement bellows, how to release the winder and lens, etc
Many years ago, my father was a photographer/printer/graphic artist and had quite the collection of camera gear. Last week I was helping clean out my mother's basement after she passed, and immediately pounced on his old RB67 Pro. It's been sitting in pretty unprotected in very dry, but rather dusty conditions, so I have no idea what shape it's in. While it would look fantastic sitting on a shelf, and that might be its ultimate fate, I'd really like to get it working. For reasons, my hands aren't really up for small, detailed repairs, so we'll see if I can fix it. I've always loved manual exposure and focus (mine has a split prism finder), so I think it would be a pleasure to work with. A very bulky, very heavy, very expensive pleasure
@@KevinDeal I'm hoping so. Even if it does end up sitting on a shelf, I will get it working eventually. Honestly, compared to the price of a mid-tier mirrorless, I think this will be a bargain. And a lot more satisfying
Have you ever considered getting a nice Sony A7R something ? Must less work and it can use the same lenses as you are using. Shutter in the lens? Aah WHY? I have been doing photography since 1960. Digital sensor have come a long long ways.
OK. I get it. This is more like flying WWII fighters in 2023. As impractical as they are there is a certain beauty to them. I just accidently purchased a RB67 180mm lens. I was trying to purchase a 645 lens, but misunderstood the posting. I have 3 645 lenses and they are big, but not ridiculously so. I use these on my Sony A7Rii as part of my collection of 39 vintage lenses. There are adaptors for these RB67 lenses, but I think I will let that go for now.
Great video Kevin, Can you please tell me once & for all, should the RED DOT be visible or covered by lever if only shooting SINGLE exposures? Thanks a TON!!!
@@KevinDeal Kevin, Thank you! Every RB67 using Pro-S film backs on UA-cam the RED DOT is always displayed, which tells me the switch is forward making the RED fully visible. So I will use this setting doing my Single exposure shooting. The switch will be moved forward in the Black, and RED dot will be fully visible. Thanks a ton!!!
@@anoxlTUBE absolutely. I am using an Epson V600. The free software that comes with it was used for all the images I shared in the video. However, I did just recently switched to a program called Siverfast, which does a better job of working with the Epson scanner than Epson's own software does.
Thank you for the kind words! I ran into this issue with my film backs as well. I ordered a kit online from a site called USCAMERA.COM (maybe $15), used some 91% Isopropyl alcohol and some tweezers and replaced them. The whole process took about an hour, but I was up and running again. Of course you can aways buy another film back. You can never have enough of those!
If buying new film backs is an option, I would highly recommend getting the SD version for three reasons. First, they don’t have the foam light seals so no worries about deteriorating foam. Second, they have the dark slide keeper built in. It’s a slot at the rear of the cassette. Very convenient! Third, they’re newer. If they’ve been taken care of, they will last for years. The SD backs fit the Pro-S just fine… I have two myself along with two Pro-S backs and the motorized as well.
Just got this camera and im totally new to this, so thank you! One request, when you show how to work this thing, your closeups are too extreme and the angles change randomly, which makes it confusing to follow, unless we are constantly pausing video and checking on the camera. It would make the viewing experience much easier to follow, if closeups are a bit zoomed out, to register where you are going to go further in to perform that action and the extreme closeup has to follow eye movement, that keeps our sense of direction normal. As you know film-making, the camera angles have to be easy on the eye so we follow correctly where each part of the camera is, as you move in in a direction, either straight or curved. The random change of angles is what distorts our perception, especially with fast narration and change of scenes.
Great feedback. I released this episode when I just launched my you tube channel. I agree with your assessment and I’ve worked to improve. I wish you tube allowed us to upload edited versions of our videos. I hope you enjoy your new camera!
@@KevinDeal Yeah i would love UA-cam to give us that editing option, it would really help. I cant wait to buy 120 film and start shooting this thing, its massive. Thankfully, they sold me with a tripod. But sadly, didn't come with a lens cap, arghhhh
@@DethronerX the lens caps I think are usually just a standard 77mm. I think you can even get some grey market ones that say "Mamiya" on them on Amazon sometimes.
@@KevinDeal Logo would be perfect otherwise ill get what i can find for the diameter. It has the regular window on top, so i do need the eye extension to see it normally and without flipped image
Great video. I've had my RB67 for about a year, a late-model ProS with the 6x8 rear baffle. I love the photos it takes and the sound of cocking it and firing the shutter are just so satisfying. I started out with the 6x8 motorized back (it came with the camera) and it's nice if you shoot a whole roll at once but it's heavy, even by Rb67 standards. If you let it sit for too long, it seems to forget where it is and I end up having to lose a frame. Oh, and the batteries drain all the time they're in, so make sure you pop them out when you're not using it. I ended up with a traditional 6x7 back and I'm a lot happier with that.
Thanks for the watch! I haven't tried 6X8 or motorized. I'm happy with 6X7. I've been kicking around the idea of getting a 645 back for some more shots every now and then.
@@tompaste387 the 180mm might be the best bargain of any lens I've ever used. You can get them cheap all day long. And it's cray because they are sharp, fantastic headshot lenses.
Great news! I have hours of footage I need to edit where I am using it on shoots and describe my process. A specific topic I explore is doing test shots on a digital camera and finishing in film. This is on my agenda for one of my upcoming episodes. Thank you for watching and do look out for that episode in the next month or so.
Thank you! I am glad it was super helpful for you! I’m about to release a video here in a few hours where I document a portrait session on the MAMIYA RB67 with newly-released Kodak Gold 200 120. Be sure to check that out! I am grateful for the subscribe and kind compliments! Thanks for watching!
What do you think about the RB67? Share your experiences with the good, bad and ugly here.
I've been wanting a RB67 for quite a long time. Back in the day it was the Hasselblad 500cm. But just body alone was about the price of a complete Mamiya RB67 system. Also, the image ratio 6×7cm for me is aesthetically pleasing. Thank you for your time to put together this video.
@@michaelhorton4353 Thanks for watching! I would love a 500CM some day, but I prefer the 6X7 look and I own a couple Mamiya C330's, which fill in nicely to replace a 6X6 Hasselblad. The only real issue with the C330 is no removable backs. The quality is still excellent. I may get a Hasselblad one day, but they are still insanely expensive. Like $3000+ for one in good condition with a mint lens.
Jeezzz, man up. 😄 I shot weddings on an RB for years. Gigundo flash attached. No metering and bellows draw exposure compensation added to the experience. Really miss the days of being the guy who "knows things". Thanks for the video.
I’ll bet it would be fun to shoot at a wedding. Especially with that clunk of a shutter.
@@KevinDeal The standard technique was to clear your throat to mask the sound of the camera. The C330's were worse because advancing the film made a long tremendous racket. THEN......I got a Mamiya 6. Everything challenging about the RB just went away. Dead quiet, no mirror slap, whisper film advance, square format, easier to focus, hotshoe flash..bliss. I could go on, ha ha ha. Thanks for responding.
@@acattoir I'll have to keep that in mind (clearing my throat). That's about all you can do. And yes, I own the C330. No way to wind that thing quietly.
I just got a good deal i think on ebay....its a 1 owner rb67 with all this stuff for $550.
Mamiya Rb67 Camera
90mm Lens
50mm Wide Angle Lens
180mm Lens
Three Additional Film Backs 120
Prism Finder (Model 2)
Macablitz 45CL-4 Flash Gun with Charger
Carrying Case
Everything is lightly used by the original owner. Lenses have their own cases/protectos as well.
You got a killer deal!
thanks for the video. could do without the repeating background music though(or turn it down) it's a bit distracting. :)
Noted! And I agree. My You Tube channel was barely a month old when I launched this video and I was still learning how to put together a good presentation. I have since learned from that. I wish You Tube would let us upload edited versions of the video, but they don't. So I have to live with it.
Music WAYYY too loud
I agree. Wish you tube had an edit button to reupload videos.
I think the exposure simulation does help
I feel it helps with the confidence of taking the shot with the right settings
Thanks for the video. I just inherited a major collection of cameras. Included is an RB67 and a C330. I'm trying to learn as much as possible before using them. I have no experience with medium format. Used 35mm and digital all my life. You've helped alot. Best wishes.
Thank you. If you enjoyed this video, i did another one on the C330. Feel free to check it out if you need further help with it. Great cameras. Once I started shooting medium format, I never really cared much for 35mm after that.
probably the best video i've seen for a perfect in-depth tutorial on this camera!!!! thank you
Thank you. I’m going to keep workin for make these videos even better. I appreciate the kind words.
"This is the focal distance calculator... Go look up how to use one of these". Not rocket science! It's just a simple scale to show what range of the image will be in focus from your subjects distance for the given F-stop. Easy! I probably put 1000 rolls of film shooting weddings back in the 80's and 90's with my RB. It's sitting right here and I still use t for fun in 2024.
I was mainly trying to keep my video shorter.
First off great video explaining this camera but I’m having trouble finding a tutorial on how to use this specific lens I have. I have the ProSD mamiya and I feel like every tutorial isn’t the lens I have which is the Mamiya SEIKO K/L 1:3.5 f=127 mm.I have absolutely no clue what any of that means😂so if anyone has the same lens and knows a good video on how to use it I’d greatly appreciate it.
Glad you got something out of this video. Sorry you're having issues. I think that lens works the same way as the other lenses. You have an aperture and a shutter speed selector, correct? If so, then you just move both dials until you have the f stop and shutter speed you desire.
I'm in. I subscribed to your channel because of how well and professionals you explained the rb67. I just got one recently and I'm considering a digital back. Does anybody have any suggestions of what abs where to search for a digital back fit the rb67 😅.
Thank you! eBay is where most people find them.
You’re doing a tutorial… might as well help someone out by explaining all the features of a lens 😂
Probably true.
Great video Kevin! I think you finally touched upon the much overlooked comment about this camera and that is the lenses. The lenses are truly amazing. How they capture the subject with amazing sharpness and great fall off is like no other glass out there. I prefer the earlier lenses without the coatings that the C lenses have. My taste runs more towards the rawness of the image with all of it imperfections that un - coated lenses give you. I've yet to shoot flash but that will be my next adventure with the camera. Keep shooting! Liked and subscribed.
First of all, thank you for the like and subscribe!
I agree with you that these lenses are gems. I plan to get them all before someone finds out and the prices shoot through the roof! I agree with you on older and uncoated lenses. Sometimes the quirks are what give the lenses such great character. I'm learning this on my adventure I am on using old Minolta glass (those videos are coming down the road).
The flash thing is inconsistent but when you nail it, you can get some jaw-dropping images, so it's worth it.
I have had much better experiences buying from Japan rather than buying from the US. It’s amazing that it usually even arrives quicker buying off from Japan ( I live in Canada )
My RB just arrived yesterday from Japan! I wasn’t sure about ordering off eBay, let alone from overseas, but your video like yours certainly made me feel better about doing so! Thank you for the in-depth tutorial, I can’t wait to get familiar with this camera!
Enjoy the RB and thanks for the watch! I’ve had great luck with buying from Japan. I find that most of these sellers fear bad reviews so in the unlikely event something is wrong with your RB they will likely try to make it right. The last thing they want is for you to leave them a bad review. A lot of these sellers take pride in their EBay seller rating.
@@KevinDeal Japanese in general take pride in all they do. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I’m about to do the same. Have you had to pay any additional fees/taxes, I.e., duty taxes or deal with customs? If so, how much?
@@glannewehr I've purchased an RB67, four lenses and got a film back. No issues at all.
I've also purchased a C330, a lens, as well as several Minolta lenses.
Not once have I been hit with taxes or duties. BUT.....others have. It's luck of the draw. But the odds aren't high.
@@glannewehr No additional fees, no issues with customs. As a matter of fact, the camera showed up earlier than I the anticipated arrival date! Between shipping, tax and the camera I paid $603 total.
I just got the pro s will this tutorial work as well?
Yes it will. The model I am using in this episode is the Pro S.
Overall excellent work on the tutorial !!
Glad you liked it!
what do you use to scan all your negatives?
When I made this video, an Epson V600. But I have recently moved over to the Valoi system with a copy table and a macro lens. I am planning to make a video about it soon.
What type of view finder do you have? Looks more ergonomic lol
I think it’s the mark II prism finder. A little lighter.
In the early 70s, I was using Honeywell Strobonar flashes with my RB67. Later on, I added the fantastic Vivitar 283 flashes to my arsenal. I learned to carry extra sync cords the hard way. One of my RBs (I was able to pick up a Pro S body at a good price and grabbed it) had spent 32 years as a studio camera.
The studio was sold, but I still have both camras and most of the lenses. An excellent video on an incredible camera.
Thank you! I’ll bet you took some amazing shots with them.
Could you please send links to the negatives album and sleeves you're using.
I just put the sleeves in a three ring binder that I bought at my local grocery store. I'm sure any three ring binder on Amazon will do. Here is a link to the sleeves I use.
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1019210-REG/print_file_020_0208_120_9hb_archival_storage_page.html?ap=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=CjwKCAiA_vKeBhAdEiwAFb_nrfkzzx6r8PTfXMxGw4vQE-xvwHqvzjg458QGBgGExlURFNZTPTPQYRoCEm8QAvD_BwE
I’m about to pull the trigger on one of these very soon. I use to have 2 of them when I had my portrait studio back in the mid ‘90’s. Had (2) Pro S’s, (2) 180mm and (2) 90mm lenses. Closed my studio and sold all of my cameras to purchase all digital.
After 20 years I still remember everything about them, how they feel, how they work and how they sound.
Congrats. The sound of an RB67 is one of my favorite sounds in the entire world.
I love how they feel. It runs like a machine with a capable operator.
I lusted after the pro SD in HS photography class in the mid-seventies. It was a hell of a lot cheaper than the Hasselblad. My first Pro SD arrived today from Japan. Thanks for your videos!
As someone who owns both the Hasselblad and RB67, I don't see much of a different at all in glass quality. Thus making the RB67 a way better value.
Thank you for the kind words!
So it looks like you are a musician, guitar player, electric... and a camera guy too.
You are correct.
Have you ever toured with a band?
That is part of my background.
I had been into photography since 1960 when I was 8.
In 1997 I started producing a band and video taping the shows.
Some of these are on my channel jmoss99.
I don't hang my instrument on the wall though. This is California.
@@jmoss99 I toured a little but mainly did studio production. I prefer to sit in front of a console over being in a van. lol
It all depends on who the bandmates are. I also did lots of console work in studios, but to sell what we recorded it took touring. Planes to get into an area. Then rental SUVs from there out. When we were driving, we rehearsed, working out vocal stacks. Being a Silicon Valley engineer and programmer helped when it came to designing my own gear. I learned multitrack recording on a NEVE 8036. A great console. I was involved with studios beginning in about 1968. I was involved with cameras beginning in 1960. I think recording and photography are very similar, only for different mediums.
Outstanding representation of the RB67.
Thank you for the kind words and thanks for watching!
I shoot with two RB67 bodies and the following lenses:
250mm (use for tight portraits)
180mm (use for head & shoulder portraits, half-length portraits, weddings)
150mm soft focus (use for head & shoulder portraits)
140mm macro (use for macro, close-ups, still life, products)
90mm (use for general subjects, full-length portraits, 3/4 length portraits, weddings)
50mm (use for landscapes, panoramas, architecture, group portraits, environmental portraits, weddings)
100-200mm zoom (use as backup lens)
My favorite lens kit is:
50mm f/4.5 wide-angle
90mm f/3.8 normal
180mm f/4.5 telephoto
With these three lenses, I am able to capture 80% of the images I need.
Nice! Jealous of that collection!
one other con, the 'standard' lens is 90/127 mm and gets more tele from there, NO wides (
Thank you. I have Rb 67. Bye.
enjoy it
Hi Kevin are the rz parts compatible withe rb??eg film backs view hoods and eye level finder.
Outside of the older lenses being able to work on the RZ I am not aware of any other compatible parts.
@@KevinDeal thanks for the reply
John
Cool. I love the way your have mastered this older tech. I love to do that with digicams, though I haven't posted on here yet. I am dipping my toe into Instagam.
This camera used to be widely used by pros. It will take care of you if you know how to use it.
one other note, to my last comment about the 'T' setting, there is ONLY one other way of shutting an open shutter on the T mode, that is, to turn the shutter ring, OFF t setting, this is acceptable under the manual instructions, for the RB lenses, NOT, as I explained earlier, for the RZ or K/L lenses for the RB camera ( you CAN, but it is not the PRIMARY method suggested in the manual, it is SAFE to do it, though, but the B cable socket is the safest bet, not touching the camera) .
11:39 You really got to be into this… 😅so true
Yeah. A beast like that requires someone who really wants to operate it.
timecode 15:12
insanely beautiful photo
Thank you
So, you say that there is a shutter and or a iris in the lens? If one would were to use one of these lenses on a Sony A7R2 is this going to be an issue? Can you lock these out of the way?
Yes. It's a leaf shutter. So the shutter is in the lens. When you adapt a large 6X7 lens to your Sony the lens will go to whichever aperture you set it to on the lens. Then you use the shutter in your Sony to take pictures.
OK. Thanks.
Actually, all of my vintage lenses have this kind of iris in them, but once set, they are motionless. So, the RB67 camera, the lens leaf shutter must not be getting a signal to snap the picture. Since there are no electronics on this lens that couple to the camera, this shutter trigger to take the photo must be a funtion of the two posts sticking out of the rear of the lens. Is that right?
@@jimmoss9584 it's basically the same thing with the 6X7 lens.
Well, thanks for clearing this up for me.
@@jimmoss9584 I made a video where I use the 6X7 lenses on my Fuji GFX. I'm assuming the process is similar on Sony.
You asked about the "exposure simulator" ... the lever on the right downside of the lens is for closing the aperture down to the chosen value - so you can see the depth of field you will get at that aperture (and it will get darker accordingly ...) although i also own a pretty decent Hasselblad 500CM System i also love my RB67proSD a lot, it is totally different from the Habla and the 6x7 format is often better for me than the square 6x6 ( - which i also love, anyway ;-) ).
Excellent insight. Thanks for watching!
Great no nonsense approach, straight-to-the-point delivery. This is how you write content for the noise era. I'm buying my first MF Mamiya thanks to one of these reviews. Keep it up!
Glad it was helpful!
Well the knowledge amazing.
Thank you
I just got handed an Rb67 Pro S and I love this instructional
one thing I can help contribute as someone who shot Mamiya C330 with newer flashes and triggers is that you can skip the cold to hot shoe adapter by getting a Male PC to 2.5mm cable instead of PC to PC. your new trigger has the 2.5 Directly inside it and the vintage cameras of Course use PC, thus skipping at lease one whole piece of gear!
It's a studio camera
Definitely what most people use it for.
6x7 film are gorgeous 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
It’s my favorite! Thanks for the watch!
Thanks so much for the tutorial! Also, My brother in Christ, can we turn the mic up so you don’t have to hunch over the whole vid?
Fair enough. It was one of my first videos. I got that all sorted out.
Thanks for the kind words!
@@KevinDeal your channel is awesome thanks for all the tips. Getting my RB67 delivered this week!
Thanks for the compliment. Hope it works out well for you. It’s an awesome camera.
Cracking camera mine doesn't get many outings these days but always happy when I do use it.
It is a beast, for sure.
Yo I've wanted a medium format camera for almost 10 years. Today I some-what impulsively purchased a Mamiya RB67 pro s (after dropping off some 35mm to be processed) and had no idea how the thing worked. The guy kinda showed me, but I'm pretty sure I messed up a bit on the film loading process. lol. I know it's at least facing the right way. But didn't set it to S or line up the arrows. But anyway, thank you so much for this video! Really thorough and detailed, love your pros and cons list and your honesty with everything. I can't wait to get out and shoot.
Glad this video could help. You’re going to love the RB!
Great video! I just came into possession of an RB67, 3 film backs and 50 and 127mm lenses. I am excited to lug this boat anchor out to the woods and lakeside, getting my exercise as I go! Thanks
Quite a haul. You're going to take some amazing pictures. Run a roll through all the film backs to check for light leaks. If there are none, go have fun!
XLNT video on the camera & lenses. I am waiting delivery from Japan on my RB & Prism Finder. My RB will come with the Grid/Checker focusing screen which seems it will be distracting to use? Any comments on this screen or suggest a better screen for portrait indoor work? Thanks, and again a super video on the RB67.
Not sure the grid checker is really a distraction but the MAMIYA viewfinders are not bright. So if you shoot with strobes, I recommend using either a bright modeling lamp or keep the house lights on. There’s no shutter synch speed like with DSLR and mirrorless, so you can shoot st 1/400 all day long with the house lights on. Of course, it’s film, so you can’t see your results until later. I always keep a mirrorless camera around to take test shots with.
Thanks for the kind words. I’m about to embark on a tour of the southwest US and plan to run about 30 rolls through my RB67. I’m sure I’ll make a video on it.
I have the Pro-SD with a 50, 90 and 250mm lots of fun. Real monster with the right hand grip and prism finder. Most important accessory is a strap. Main reason for the finder is that you're not always able to look down into the waist finder.
Never tried the 250. Need to give it a go.
Just got mine a few days ago!! Only taken like 3 shots so super stoked to really utilize it when i drive across thw country😎☺️
Enjoy it!
I got my RB67 Pro-S a little over 20 years ago and still love it. RB stands for Roast Beef! I call it the dump truck of cameras.
I thought it stood for Root Beer. I guess I had it wrong all this time. Thanks for watching!
Nice ! Thanks getting my first RB good buy soon from a very trustworthy person getting it very soon
Congrats! Welcome to the club!
Thank you ! I bought a rb67 and loaded my first film. Let’s go !
Hope you enjoy it!
And i wanted to sell it... Not any more. Thank you for this video.
It’s a fun camera. Special, for sure. Thanks for the watch!
Thank you for this breakdown, I’m really intrigued in getting one for my self!
You should!
I ended up getting the RZ67 Proii because I figured it was the final evolution of the original camera I wanted, the RB. I love my RZ to death but man, something about the RB is still so appealing. I might have to get an RB after watching this.
They are both amazing cameras. The RB lenses will work on the RZ
Yikes! Your production values are off the charts. This was a delight to watch and learn from. Thanks for making this.
Thank you.
Thank you for the tip on buying one from Japan on eBay, I think that is the route I will go, for me I just want to try landscapes so I will be looking for a body and only a 50MM lens for it, Great video here and super good explanation. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼.
Enjoy it! I am taking my 50mm and about 10 boxes of Kodak Ektar along with me to the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and a bunch of other cool spots in the American Southwest. The Japanese sellers tend to be pretty easy to deal with and dread bad reviews, so in the off chance something doesn't arrive as described, they will typically take care of you.
Thank you for this information! The Mamiya RB67 will definitely be my first film camera, I’ve been stalking this thing for some time! Cheers from Kaua’i!
You’re welcome. And thanks for the watch! It’s such a fun camera!
Thank you I just picked up one today. And I eager to work with it. I’ll be back to finish this video soon
Congrats! It’s such a fun camera!
How do you rewind the film? Do you take it out in a dark room and load it straight into the dev tank? I just purchased a Pro and it is growing on me.
Thanks for watching. The film doesn’t rewind. It transfers the film from the spool it is on to an empty spool. Or are you referring to something else?
I guess thanks! You convinced me to move up from my Mamiya 645 setup and get the 6x7. I was looking through some old 6x9 that I did with an old Russian camera and thought my God I want a larger negative and stumbled on your channel. LongLiveFilm!
Glad I could help! I'll never apologize for helping people get deeper into the film rabbit hole. The nice thing is that there are 6X9 film backs out there for the RB67. Enjoy!
@@KevinDeal Ugh I wish you hadn't said that!
@@llewdis RIP to the credit card. lol
I’ve been digging and searching through videos for the RB67 for a while now - as if I need any other reason to convince myself - but this video really sold it for me. I’m not proficient with a flash anyway, so I’ll navigate to that realm when the time comes. But yeah, subscribed and super appreciate your insight and knowledge.
Thanks! BTW, if you decide to get brave with the flash, I made a dedicated video for it on the RB67. Enjoy!
ua-cam.com/video/S3_9zpoKW6I/v-deo.html
Hi! What’s the film holder you’re using for scanning, please?
Thanks for watching!
The link you ordered is ready!
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07547NM7Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
@@KevinDeal Thank you!
Nothing comes close to the sound ob something like the RB67..... Well, maybe the RZ67....😜
RZ is a beast
@@KevinDeal I splurged for a mint edition from Japan..... it just looks awesome just sitting on my table.
@@DJ369-Miami that's great
Thank you! You are clearly the best.
Thank you for the kind compliments!
Hi Kevin, thanks for the really nice video.a couple of years ago, my friend gifted me his dads old RB67 pro. It had sat for many many years before I got it. The bellows are totally destroyed and the lens is stuck, also, the windier is stuck in forward position. Do you have any pointers as to how I can DIY restore this lovely piece of history. I'm a Nikon D800 shooter (and I'm kinda bored with digital photography). I'd love to explore portraiture with a medium format.
Any pointers would help. e.g. where tomcat replacement bellows, how to release the winder and lens, etc
I personally have never restored cameras, but occasionally I need a part. I go to Ebay to get camera parts. That's usually your best bet.
Thanks for the tip. I’ll explore eBay for parts.
Many years ago, my father was a photographer/printer/graphic artist and had quite the collection of camera gear. Last week I was helping clean out my mother's basement after she passed, and immediately pounced on his old RB67 Pro. It's been sitting in pretty unprotected in very dry, but rather dusty conditions, so I have no idea what shape it's in. While it would look fantastic sitting on a shelf, and that might be its ultimate fate, I'd really like to get it working. For reasons, my hands aren't really up for small, detailed repairs, so we'll see if I can fix it.
I've always loved manual exposure and focus (mine has a split prism finder), so I think it would be a pleasure to work with. A very bulky, very heavy, very expensive pleasure
It may very well work just fine. They're beasts.
@@KevinDeal I'm hoping so. Even if it does end up sitting on a shelf, I will get it working eventually. Honestly, compared to the price of a mid-tier mirrorless, I think this will be a bargain. And a lot more satisfying
@@RickLeMon You're right. It WILL get working if it has issues because it's a great machine with mechanical parts that can be fixed.
Thank you very much! This was helpfull!
You're kindly welcome! I'm glad it was helpful! Thanks for the watch!
Have you ever considered getting a nice Sony A7R something ? Must less work and it can use the same lenses as you are using.
Shutter in the lens? Aah WHY?
I have been doing photography since 1960. Digital sensor have come a long long ways.
I own plenty of digital cameras. I love shooting on film too.
OK. I get it. This is more like flying WWII fighters in 2023. As impractical as they are there is a certain beauty to them. I just accidently purchased a RB67 180mm lens. I was trying to purchase a 645 lens, but misunderstood the posting. I have 3 645 lenses and they are big, but not ridiculously so. I use these on my Sony A7Rii as part of my collection of 39 vintage lenses. There are adaptors for these RB67 lenses, but I think I will let that go for now.
Thank you for a wonderfully informative video
Glad it was helpful! Thank you for the kind words.
Great video Kevin, Can you please tell me once & for all, should the RED DOT be visible or covered by lever if only shooting SINGLE exposures? Thanks a TON!!!
Black means one exposure. Red means multiple. They make it red to warn you that you are about to take more than one shot.
Thanks for the watch!
@@KevinDeal Kevin, Thank you! Every RB67 using Pro-S film backs on UA-cam the RED DOT is always displayed, which tells me the switch is forward making the RED fully visible. So I will use this setting doing my Single exposure shooting. The switch will be moved forward in the Black, and RED dot will be fully visible. Thanks a ton!!!
@@jimcook3882 you're welcome. Sorry for the late reply.
just got an rb67 pro Sd and your tutorial by far was the informative … thanks!
thank you. Hope you're having a blast creating with it.
may i ask what kind of scanner you are using on your tutorial ?
@@anoxlTUBE absolutely. I am using an Epson V600. The free software that comes with it was used for all the images I shared in the video. However, I did just recently switched to a program called Siverfast, which does a better job of working with the Epson scanner than Epson's own software does.
Great video. So helpful for a newbie.
Thanks. I’m glad it was helpful for you. It’s a fun camera.
This is pretty dope , makes me wanna use mine this weekend but my back has light leaks
Thank you for the kind words! I ran into this issue with my film backs as well. I ordered a kit online from a site called USCAMERA.COM (maybe $15), used some 91% Isopropyl alcohol and some tweezers and replaced them. The whole process took about an hour, but I was up and running again. Of course you can aways buy another film back. You can never have enough of those!
If buying new film backs is an option, I would highly recommend getting the SD version for three reasons.
First, they don’t have the foam light seals so no worries about deteriorating foam.
Second, they have the dark slide keeper built in. It’s a slot at the rear of the cassette. Very convenient!
Third, they’re newer. If they’ve been taken care of, they will last for years.
The SD backs fit the Pro-S just fine… I have two myself along with two Pro-S backs and the motorized as well.
@@douglasdahl6261 all great points
Great video I love my RB’s
Right on! It takes just as good of pictures as my Hasselblad.
What flash setup is that at 01:00?
Flashpoint / Godox AD100. Thanks for watching!
Just got this camera and im totally new to this, so thank you!
One request, when you show how to work this thing, your closeups are too extreme and the angles change randomly, which makes it confusing to follow, unless we are constantly pausing video and checking on the camera. It would make the viewing experience much easier to follow, if closeups are a bit zoomed out, to register where you are going to go further in to perform that action and the extreme closeup has to follow eye movement, that keeps our sense of direction normal. As you know film-making, the camera angles have to be easy on the eye so we follow correctly where each part of the camera is, as you move in in a direction, either straight or curved. The random change of angles is what distorts our perception, especially with fast narration and change of scenes.
Great feedback. I released this episode when I just launched my you tube channel. I agree with your assessment and I’ve worked to improve. I wish you tube allowed us to upload edited versions of our videos.
I hope you enjoy your new camera!
@@KevinDeal Yeah i would love UA-cam to give us that editing option, it would really help. I cant wait to buy 120 film and start shooting this thing, its massive. Thankfully, they sold me with a tripod. But sadly, didn't come with a lens cap, arghhhh
@@DethronerX the lens caps I think are usually just a standard 77mm. I think you can even get some grey market ones that say "Mamiya" on them on Amazon sometimes.
@@KevinDeal Logo would be perfect otherwise ill get what i can find for the diameter. It has the regular window on top, so i do need the eye extension to see it normally and without flipped image
@@DethronerX yes. The standard waist level finder is backwards. The prism finder sees the X axis normally.
alright, buying my RB67!! thank you for such a great video.
thank you! Glad my video helped! It's a fun camera. I am shooting a few rolls through mine tomorrow morning.
@@KevinDeal quick question, which lens do you recommend between the 65mm and 127mm?
@@jgonz1997 I don't own the 65mm. I love the 27mm. It seems like the perfect happy medium between the two is the 90m, which is my favorite.
@@KevinDeal got a Mint RB67 Pro with 65mm. gets here in a week.
@@jgonz1997 congratulations! The 65mm is on my to do list. I need to get around to buying one. I'm sure you will take some incredible shots with it!
Great video. I've had my RB67 for about a year, a late-model ProS with the 6x8 rear baffle. I love the photos it takes and the sound of cocking it and firing the shutter are just so satisfying.
I started out with the 6x8 motorized back (it came with the camera) and it's nice if you shoot a whole roll at once but it's heavy, even by Rb67 standards. If you let it sit for too long, it seems to forget where it is and I end up having to lose a frame. Oh, and the batteries drain all the time they're in, so make sure you pop them out when you're not using it. I ended up with a traditional 6x7 back and I'm a lot happier with that.
Thanks for the watch! I haven't tried 6X8 or motorized. I'm happy with 6X7. I've been kicking around the idea of getting a 645 back for some more shots every now and then.
Rip what? Thank you!
I'm not sure I understand your question.
@@KevinDeal haha on the film, you said to rip it.
@@ChasenElaine Yes. I rip the end of my film box off and attach it to my film back so I know which film stock I'm shooting.
@@KevinDeal Ah I thought you ripped a piece of the film during install!
@@KevinDeal 9:15 mark it comes up shortly
Great video.
Glad you enjoyed it
6x9? nope
Hey there. I've read that people have modded 6X9. I personally have only shot 6X7 on it. Thanks for watching.
Have Hasselblad 503cx... but I still want an RB67. had one a few years ago but didn't appreciate what I had and sold it
I have a 500CM. Love the size, but truth be told, like the pictures I take with my Mamiya more.
@@KevinDeal Looks like i'm on the hunt for my RB67 then 🤣
@@tompaste387 You can get them for like a quarter of the price of a Hasselblad.
@@KevinDeal Just bought a mamiya sekor c 180mm bargain price. haven't even got the body yet 🤣
@@tompaste387 the 180mm might be the best bargain of any lens I've ever used. You can get them cheap all day long. And it's cray because they are sharp, fantastic headshot lenses.
Great video. Would be interested to see some BTS videos from your shoots with the RB.
Great news! I have hours of footage I need to edit where I am using it on shoots and describe my process. A specific topic I explore is doing test shots on a digital camera and finishing in film. This is on my agenda for one of my upcoming episodes.
Thank you for watching and do look out for that episode in the next month or so.
LOVE THIS VIDEO! GREAT INFORMATION!!! SUBBED AND FOLLOWED YOU ON THE INSTA!
-THE BLACKMAN ARMED WITH A CAMERA
Thank you!
I am glad it was super helpful for you! I’m about to release a video here in a few hours where I document a portrait session on the MAMIYA RB67 with newly-released Kodak Gold 200 120. Be sure to check that out!
I am grateful for the subscribe and kind compliments! Thanks for watching!