Mamiya RB67 Pro SD Review - First Impressions From A Pentax 67 Owner
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- Опубліковано 3 лип 2024
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I've always been intrigued by the Mamiya RB67. When I was shopping for my first 6x7 camera I ultimately decided on the Pentax, which I love, but I've still been interested in trying out the RB67 as it offers some unique features. In this video, I shoot my first roll of film with the Mamiya and talk about my initial thoughts and how I like it when compared to the Pentax 67ii.
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Im obsessed with this videos man. Sooo good
Lol me too, been waiting for the new video.
Thanks, man!
You're starting to be the go-to medium format channel. Keep it up!
cant wait for the indepth review!!!!
Got a Pro SD with a 127 KL for studio work because of this video on top of my 645AFD which is now my on location camera. Love your videos!
finally i just bought mamiya rb67 pro sd with 90mm K/L lens for $230 with good condition and the results very very satisfied. looking forward to another lens
This video is absolutely perfect! Thanks, will be buying the 67 S version 🤙🏼
Very good videos. Watched every one today. Can't wait to see some more.
Thanks, Derin! Glad you're enjoying them!
Rocking review- really appreciate this!
Thanks!
Waiting for that in depth review!
Beautiful! I got one recently as well, love the KL lenses. I got one of theses after owning the Pentax 67, because the bellows. I couldn’t get close enough with the Pentax.
Awesome video, awesome camera. Also, the music is perfect every time and never annoying. I use a Pentax LX and MX but I've been looking at getting into different formats. Thanks for making these videos.
Glad you enjoyed!
Your videos are definitely some of the best out there!
Thanks, man! Really appreciate that.
Your videos are so good. Thank you.
Thanks!
RB is one of my favourite cameras. It has an amazing close focus distance. I’s all mechanical. Handling takes some getting used to. It’s a keeper for me.
Kyle, great contend man! Just bought a RB67 Pro S a couple of days ago and stumbled upon your channel today. I love the exosure videos! Im looking forward to your in depth overview/review of the RB. An in depth video about metering with a light meter would be amazing as I have always used an internal light meter and have to use an external one now, because of the RB67
Really great video. Helped me consider a few things I hadn't before. :)
Great review as usual!
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed!
Another great video Kyle. I love the Mamiya system personally. They are a great deal and while heavy they perform beautifully.
Thanks, Bill. Definitely enjoying it so far!
I love the style of your videos!
Thank you!
Love the channel and these videos!
Thanks, Tyler. Really appreciate that!
That Mamiya is mint! Still one of my favorite cameras.
Thanks! Really enjoying it.
the Mamiya RB67 Pro SD is an amazing camera
thanks for the review
really enjoyed watching this, thanks for sharing this with us
Amazing camera, indeed! Thanks for watching!
My favorite camera, ever.
Please do a exposure/lightmeter video next. Show using the light meter in different situations, would be so useful. Thanks
I have the 65mm & 127mm too
yes please
I have plans to do some light meter content very soon.
If you are using a spot meter an easy tip I can give you to start with. Is to Meter off the shadows and then under expose 1 stop from that reading. It works very good.
yeah hes a metering champ!
+Kyle McDougall, Thumb up for future video about exposure
Wow great video
I used an RB67 in the past, I ended up using the Pentax 67 more. For me it was easier to handle. The switching out the backs makes things easier but I just liked handling the Pentax better
I’ve found a huge affinity with the Mamiya, bellies focusing and the waist level viewfinder just fits my shooting style. Having the prism is great for professional shoots but it stays on my shelf for most of the time because it almost doubles he weight of the system, and the magnifier works almost just as well.
Wow that portrait of the man with the beard is a killer! Hats off
Love my 6x7’s. Mamiya RZ, 7 and Pentax 67II
Great video ❤
Thank you for selecting 2 of the best in the business. It is impossible to choose between them. I have both. In fact I have 3 of each with 3 lenses. These babies shoot film which resolves 200lpmm. What this means that these 2 gives images equal to 350MP. The quality is breathtaking. Hopefully you will show this in future videos.
Loved the portraits!
Thanks, Jake.
Love the presentation and content of your videos..you've won me over...subscribed :-)
Great scans!
Great video, my friend! Making another about my RB soon.
Thanks, man! Glad you enjoyed. Look forward to seeing what you put together!
Ive tried a number of 6x7 cameras and nothing compares to the RB in my opinion. Great channel, just found it. 👍🏻
Thanks, George!
I used the RB67 years ago for portraits great camera.
I've shot 8 rolls through mine now and first few were a little strange coming from SLR's in 35mm but now I am fully in love with both the way I shoot with it and of course the image quality of both my 90mm and 50mm lenses.
Right on. I'm looking forward to shooting with this more. It will be interesting to see how it feels after a few months of use.
Really like your channel, keep it up!
Thanks!
I shot the RB67 for a couple decades it was my studio portrait camera. Now I shoot and love my Hasselblad but I do miss the Bellows focusing on the RB67. It allows such close focusing with any lens.
Wow Kyle! Awesome video! Agree 100% with everything you said on the video. I own one for 10 years and I'm so happy with this camera that I hardly use my full frame digital camera. Is really heavy to carry, but like you said I use it all the time on the tripod. Looking forward for more videos on any equipment . Thanks!
Thanks, Sammy. Glad you enjoyed the vid!
People keep commenting that the RB67 is a heavy camera but when I picked one up at a camera market, I was surprised how light it was.
Precisely the medium format camera I have in my wish list to jump to from 35mm. I'll be looking forward to more in depth review on this camera. Yours looks like new, looks like you got a good deal on it. Having to use a tripod 90% of the time wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, specially since I'm planning on shooting portraits in studio with it. I love how you can just flip the back to change from portrait mode to landscape.
I was in the exact situation a couple of weeks ago.. After some extensive researching, I ended up buying a used RB67 Pro S along with the 90mm 3.8 from eBay.. I took it for a test shoot few days back, and enjoyed using it, though heavy.. But it's a joy to use!! I've also been told by a friend: once you go 120, there's no going back XD
Literally just Bought one!
Lovely video, and some great shots! I love mine, just need to shoot with it more often :). I just got a Polaroid back for it, it came with a motorised 6x8 back. I love this camera!
Thanks! Hoping to pick up a Polaroid back at some point.
Great content! not toooo long, not to Short .. nice Informations and good feelings ! Love it ! :-)
Glad you enjoyed.
I just bought a Pro S! So excited to start using it. Came bundled with the 50mm and 180mm, 2 macro tubes and 20 Cokin filters for £460
Awesome! Great camera. Enjoy!
This really is my all time favourite medium format camera. I prefer it above all other mf cameras I own (Pentax 67s, 500CM, Rolleiflex...). The viewfinder is nice and bright and I love the bellows focusing. I literally took it everywhere for about a year. It's been sitting on the shelf for a few weeks now because there's too many cameras coming in to test, but it still is and probably always will be my favourite.
I’m lookin to get one. Did you find it too large to handhold? That’s almost exclusively how I’ll use it
Great video and location. I have two RB67's that I got from a US based photographer. The results from the 65mm have been exceptional.
Thanks! The 65 seems like a great lens. Looking forward to using it more.
Great video! Thank you for sharing, always loved the rb67 results but the weight scares me from pulling the trigger
Thanks, Aaron. I don't find the weight bad at all. Very similar to the Pentax. Just a bit more awkward for me from a handling standpoint.
When I moved from a 6x6cm medium format TLR camera to a 6x7cm medium format SLR camera, I chose the Mamiya RB67 SLR instead of the Pentax 67 SLR because I preferred the waist-level viewing of the RB67.
Nice! I would recommend getting a grip if you want to use it hand held. For me the grip improved the handling of my RZ67 significantly. I could just hold it by the grip with my left hand and had the right hand free to turn the focus knob.
Same reason I got one for mine as well. and the grip will also fit the C330 and M645's too.
nice work bro !
Thank you!
I find the Mamiya and the Pentax are a pretty interesting comparison in that they share so many similarities but manage to excel in different areas. I'm a Pentax 67 user as well and while I think I'm overall more happy with that system, I can't help but feel a bit jealous of the rotating back. I wear glasses and have never found the Pentax to be usable with the prism finder even with a rubber eye cup, so I end up shooting 99% of my shots in landscape with the WLVF. But even then there'd be so many things I'd miss about the Pentax if I were ever to switch. If only one could combine the best of both worlds.
I agree. They're both great systems, and both have minor but unique feature differences. I really enjoy both, but still prefer the handling of the Pentax 67 better.
I am about to pull the trigger on an RB myself.
Weight is the one factor that should not be underestimated. There is no way I will use a prism on the RB - the main reason is weight.
If(!) my experience from the smaller Mamiya 645 system translates to their 6x7 systems, the prism would be almost as heavy as the camera body itself (about 2 kilograms / just under 4.5 lbs, without a lens attached) - and that's some weight to schlepp around. Oh, and I recommend getting the speed grip. It is worth its weight in gold when carrying it around outside any sort of backpack. Your mileage may vary. But give the kind of behemoth the RB is anyway, the speed grip isn't that big of a deal.
For anyone looking into the RB or RZ, just keep this in the back of your head: the RB is primarily a studio camera that lives happily on tripods and rail systems. It was never intended to be a "run and gun" type of camera. You can carry it about and use it to good effect, but you probably won't enjoy it for entire days unless you appreciate a thorough workout in one arm. (insert low hanging fruit joke here).
The mirror assembly is also loud. Very loud. So if you plan on taking one of those cute pictures of your cat sleeping - and I know some of you will - be prepared not to get more than this one shot. After that, chances are the cat has taken off in a dust cloud.
It is also probably not ideal for starting out in medium format - if you are shooting 35 mm and want to have a crack at MF, get a 6x6 TLR or a Mamiya 645.
Nice you toting your RB out in the field. A lot of these cameras were permanently parked in studios.
incredible video.
Thank you!
realy good video, one point about these cameras, and why I got one myself, unlike a hasselblad, they are not as fussy or delicate when lens sync to the camera is considered, ie the mamiya has a "slip" mechanism ( the sync pins are spring loaded) so if the lens is mounted with a non-synchronised camera body, you just pull the darkslide out to the triangle hole in it, then fire the lens, or just crank the lever, hey presto the camera is re-synced again.
HASSELBLADS on the other hand have NO slip mechanism, you MUST take the back off and fire the shutter of the body ( two coloured dots on the side of the camera MUST be in same colour), then connect lens, back and body, all cocked, then you can fire away. also these cameras(hassy's) jam if you cock the shutter too quickly, use the mirror-up function or miss handle anything, requiring a screwdriver in the lens or camera back to "unjam" things- if you are brave enough!
In some bodies there are fitted a titanium shutter curtain which is like tin foil, so NEVER touch or damage it, very delicate indeed, mainly on the 2000 series of V bodies.
whoa, your copy looks brand new...stunning.
the rz67 in the end was too big for my tastes...switched to the mamiya 645 super with the wlf.
Yeah thats what I was thinking. This one looks mint.
This is my goto medium format Kyle. I love this 120mm film camera. I actually took it with me on my LA trip and took it with me downtown Santa Monica! Hahaha! Great review as per usual!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
They're great cameras. I personally have a hard time deciding which of my three Mamiya MF cameras (645 Pro TL, RZ67, and 645 AFD) is my favourite. Just to be accurate, 120 film is not 120mm film. In fact, it's just about 61mm wide.
The final shot is damn good! The headshot of the biker also really stood out with the quality of the photo itself - very organic and clean.
Cheers, Nick!
some tips and warnings, just got the K\L 90 lens, and in the leaflet it states that the Timer mode MUST be stopped (lens shutter closed) by the B button only, if you have been imersed in the mamiya RB 'culture' for a while you will be familiar with a 'lever trick', that is, to get "out" of T, you either put the shutter speed ring OFF t setting, OR begin to use the cocking lever ( first 1-2 Cm trips the lens); BUT NOT with the K\L series, you use the button or the shutter speed ring!! also for Mirror_up mode, there is NO knurled collar for it, you turn the function on\off by inserting a cable release, and the last 1/4 turn after the cable is tight, turns a helix, this raises the sleive, and a RED ring appears, SHUTTER BUTTON in the body now is mirror release ONLY the mechanical sync is disconnected, use the cable in the sleive to trip the shutter, this also works in T mode, for long exposures; to return this to NORMAL, you undo the cable, CAUTION: if the thread comes loose too early, the cable unscrews WITHOUT operating the helix of the sleive, this is on certain releases only, but to remedy this, tug LIGHTLY at the cable whilst turning, this should remove the friction stopping the helix from turning.
ALSO any long (and flexible) cable release should NOT be used in the B socket, as there is a risk of cable flexing, and NOT closing the shutter, these work fine everywhere else, just a caution as THIS is a vital step to exposure timing!!
one last tip, as these are LEAF shuttered lenses, every time one goes into 'storage', you must 'fire' the shutter, a pin and the two rotating pins in the slot (in the manual, and covered in many youtube reviews and tutorials), this de-tensions the shutter springs, prolonging their life, and keeping the shutter WORKING, at the right speed, and opening/closing normally, ( NO lagging response time to the button being pressed); this is also a signal that the lens needs servicing, as these springs are worn out.
I've had my RB67 for about 5 years now. Love it (nicknamed it Burtha), a little bit of a pain having to use a light meter, but the results are worth it. For a more speedy MF setup I also have a Mamiya 645 with the prism viewfinder, which at least has a crude meter, and isn't awkward to aim like the 67's left & right being backwards. I just wish I could adapt that f/1.9 to the 67. But one is helix focus, and the other is bellows. So sad.
Lol, I call my RB67 Godzilla, because its Japanese and a beast...but a beautiful camera when results do count, as Kyle said.
Ugh! So on the fence on which 67 to buy! RB67 or Pentax 67... Thanks for making this vid. Def. gives me more info on both platforms!
Such a hard decision! They're both great cams though, and you can't really go wrong.
I bought an RB last year and have yet to use it. It's so heavy and I'm not that strong. But this video may have inspired me to give it a go.
Love your videos man.. My RB67 just arrived a few days back.. Took it for a test yesterday, and it seems a bit heavy for street photography if you're shooting for more than 2 or 3 hours, as many have already said.. But, it's a cool camera to have and the quality out of this beast is most definitely fantastic!!!!
Thanks, man! Glad you're enjoying the RB.
The left had grip improves the handling. You won't be cradling the camera like that anymore. I modified my left hand grip by epoxying a nut to the bottom of the knob that attaches the grip, so I could use a monopod to relieve me of the weight while shooting. If you ever get the L-Grip, and want it modified, I'd be happy to do it for you. It can be tricky to get the (1/2-20 flanged nut) centered in the recess of the knob (there's a cover to the recess that can be popped off).
OTOH, cradling the camera like you are is going to do a lot to stop camera shake, and with that big mirror slapping around, that can be an issue at slower shutter speeds if you're not using a tripod or monopod.
Great channel. Keep up the good work!
Thank you! Since this video I've gotten the left hand grip, which I do like quite a bit and has made the camera less awkward.
I love shooting my RZ handheld where I can get a nice high shutter speed. For my shaky body sharpness suffers once I drop below about 1/100th. The RB and RZ are amazing tripod camera's but when the shutter speed is high enough they are also fine hand holding systems.
I managed to do half of a roll handheld and on my knee with 65mm while 1/30-1/15 :D RB/RZ are so well balanced ;)
🙏 thank you
I like RZII, definitely a tripod camera. With the Bellows focusing system, which enables you to focus close with all lenses! Nice, looking forward to your in-depth review.
Thanks. Looking forward to shooting more with this camera.
Yes, you should! It's a nice piece of kit. Very good lenses, flash sync at all speeds, polaroid back. Starting to get a little envious. No not really.. K don't forget to do the review on the zine. ;
Oh man, starting to covent a Mamiya... Damn.
Based upon this video, and a few others, (And, a lot of reading!), I have purchased a RB67 ProSD with a chimney CdS viewfinder. 90mm K/L and 127mm K/L lenses too. Oh yeah, and a factory shoulder strap! Thank you, Kyle!
That's awesome, Barry. Hope you enjoy the new camera!
where did you buy the lens from
I actually like this better than my Hassey 503cw. The hasselblads are great camera systems don't get me wrong but I love the 6X7 format.
maan! i miss my old one now :(
The RB is a super system!
Own a original RB. I believe the biggest upgrade in the SD model is a wider bayonetmount so you can use the KL-lenses.
Cool video!
You got it. Thanks!
Great vid. You’re a Brave man! The RB67 is a tank. Thing weighs 5 pounds easy. I’ve never put a roll through mine but I do love shooting Fuji FP-100 through it with the Polaroid back. Hopefully somebody will make a similar film soon (come on Impossible make it happen). Until then I’ll pick up the occasional pack and shot my reserves sparingly.
Thanks! I'd like to get my hands on a Polaroid back at some point for this.
You'll love the RB67 with instant film. It's really stunning!
I have a Fuji GX680 and its a monster of a camera!! Verrry similar to the RB67 but a much bigger camera. I'd love to shoot this without a tripod just as you are doing now. All I need is a waist level viewfinder to replace the focus prism that came with it..... And a month in the gym to strengthen my back! :-)
Great review by the way :-)
Glad you enjoyed. The GX680 looks like a very cool camera.
I was thinking about going on one of the Fuji street photography walks in London with it. So looking forward to see their faces when i pull this beast out ;-)
I have 2 Pentax 67s one with Portra 400 and the other with Tri X
I use a 55mm f4,, the newest version and a 75mm f4.5. I am looking for a folding rangefinder 6x6 now
I chose the Bronica GS-1 over the Mamiya. The trade off was a heavier focus mechanism on the GS-1 vs the bellows on the Mamiya, but the GS-1 body was as minimalist as an eggshell.
I've heard great things about the GS-1. Have always wanted to try one out.
@@KyleMcDougall I had a full GS1 system, but sold it. Also sold my Mamiya C-330 system. Greatest regret, selling my Speed Graphic. My only vintage system is a 6x7 Graflex XL with many lenses and accessories. I had a customized XLW pancake with a Schneider 47XL helical focus, but sold it for $1500 to a collector in China, of all places. I also have a Silvestri system, but that is so esoteric . . . Most of my shooting is done with a 4:3 Olympus and a 50mgpxl Pentax 645z.
Try the Mamiyapress 6X9 with the 50mm f6.3 lens.
it's a really nice review and nice picture tho
Thank you.
This is where I am right now. I have a Mamiya RB that I have never used. Didn't really think through the purchase. I don't mind heavy cameras, but the Mamiya is a lot and it is slower to operate than something like the Pentax 67. Debating trading towards a Pentax 67II. I do however have a preference for a waist level finder. Decisions. Decisions.
Go for the Pentax, and pick up a WLF for it. It would give you two options between a prism and the WLF.
Great video!
Wondering what kind of tri-pod you're using in the video or at the moment?
Thanks!
Amazing review!! Tomorrow I will get my first 6x7 camera and is the Mamiya RB67!!! :D So thank you for this so much. BTW what's the lightmeter are you using? Thanks in advance!
Glad you enjoyed it! I'm using a Sekonic L-558r
Love the video! What tripod was that????
I've had the RB67, a Pentax 67, and now the RZ67 and for me the Mamiyas and the Pentax are very different beasts. One thing you didn't note is the sync speed for anyone using flash, which is a slow 1/60 sec. on the Pentax, whilst the leaf shutters on the Mamiyas sync at any shutter speed. This is huge for studio flash photography.
I loved my RB67, but the main reason I prefer the RB is the better prism finders available as well as the fabulous 110mm f2.8 lens, which is about on par with the legendary Pentax 105/2.4. Can't go wrong with any of these great camera systems.
I've heard great things about the 110mm lens! Also, yes, sounds like the sync speed is an important one. I'm not a strobe guy, therefore not something that has affected my experience with either camera.
The 110 2.8 is only available on the RZ
You make the camera look smaller
Thanks a lot for this, would be interested in what you paid as i see so much variation online
It’s my #1 fashion photography set up. The hand grip makes life easier for hand held. Also leaf shutter you can shoot it hand held up to 15 of a second. Where you shooting portra or Fuji ?
Portra 400 for the first roll in this video.
The side grip is certainly an experience, but it's absolute murder on the wrist for longer shoots. Combined with a bright flash it makes for a surprisingly decent handheld-ish shooter.
do a review on the mamiya RZ67
Great stuff! Was wondering what lightmeter you were using in this video?
Thanks. Sekonic L-558R.
Could you test the Kodak Ektachrome ?
check out your close focusing with the bellows and grin. have 2 sd's and a pentax. can you use a 6x17 roll film back on your 4x5?
2 min in the video and I wanna buy that cam. WTF :) great vid
Thank you!
You forgot to mention the 6X8 film back when it comes to multi-format feature of this camera.
That's a big camera right there. Would you say it's easier to grip/handle than the pentax?
I have them both, the rb is a bit awkward when just hanging around the neck but I like how I could get my hands underneath if I'm doing handheld stuff for added stabilization, the Pentax is a lot like handling a 35mm slr but a whole lot longer and heavier. For me I like the RB better but just got the Pentax, my opinion might change in a couple of weeks
I found it more awkward than the Pentax, but the Pentax handles like an SLR, so it's quite a bit different. I'll see how it feels in a couple months from now once I've shot with it more.
Any updates on this. Just got one, but the film advance on the film back does not return to start position. Do I have to return the entire camera back to ebay
Hi, Kyle. I am a Chinese photography amateur. Your videos, I have to say that they are absoloutly stunning great job. I like' em so much.
I'd like to ask could I make the Chinese version subtitles for your videos? Cuz I want to share' em with some of my Chinese-speaker friends who are also photograph fan.
Hey Sebastian, glad you're enjoying the vids. Email me at info@kylemcdougallphoto.com and we can chat.
4:05 You got dee crabzzzz
Hi Kyle, I came across your video while researching medium format cameras, I'm looking forward to hearing how you get on with the camera. Could you also tell me which light meter you are using in this video? Thanks Matt
Hey Matt, I'm using a Sekonic L-558R.
Nice video! I bought one pro sd myself 2 months ago and I love every kilo of it:))). Strapped around your my neck turned me into Quasimodo in a day’s walk but I enjoyed every second of it. I am now looking for a scanner because scanning at a shop adds way too much cost per frame than needed. What do you recommend? Did you tried other than the v500? Tx and looking forward for the in depth review.
Thanks, Catalin. I'm currently using a V500 because I found it for a very good price used. I haven't used any other flatbeds so I can't really comment on the quality difference. For medium format, any of the Epsons will serve you well. Your best bet may be to look for a used 700/750.