I have this camera. I had to add the side grip with shutter button and prism finder to make it useful for me. The prism finder also adds a light meter. In that configuration it is like a really big slr. It is meant to bridge the gap between 4x5 large format and medium format, hence the bellows. If speed is not a consideration, it is my favorite camera to use
The RB67 was my first pro camera and I am nostalgic about the beast. I have used Hasselblad FCM2000, 500CM, Rollei SL66 and some East German cameras and each camera did something better than the rest. For street work the RZ is a conversation starter and that's how you snag a subject. The Mamiya C330f (or other models) is even better for this. Or, you could dress like Pinky Lee and use a Holga.
When I jumped into film photography I went for the Pentax 67 and really enjoy the ergonomics of it. However as I started shooting more I’ve started to see all the bumper outs benefits the Mamiya 67 camera lines have over it. Being able to swap backs depending on what type of shot I want to do and having leaf shutter lenses as a standard really opens up the flexibility that a Mamiya kit can only really provide(at least in the medium format space). Either way I try not to resist the fomo because at the end of the day part of the fun of creating photos is working within the confines we are given. After many spent rolls I’ve finally created some photos that I am extremely proud of with my 67.
@@sterioma I would love to own a hassey setup but that was a bit out of my budget when I made the jump to the Pentax 67. It was my first film camera so I couldn't justify going too crazy haha. On the bright side I managed to snag a bunch of lens for cheap(still would love to experience leaf shutter lens with a hassey or mamiya one day)
Generally agreed. The Mamiya RB/RZ are studio, tripod mounted, cameras. Hand-held, they are clumsy and non-ergonomic. The primary reason they are relatively available is that the professional photographers who were their first buyers dumped them in the rush to digital about 25 years ago. The reason that so many end up hung around the necks of mid-20s guys making YT videos is that their current owners don't know any better. Also, in the past, they were cheap for what they do. Not so much these days. Frankly, most the uses they are put to these days do not require, and often do not benefit, from their larger medium format film size. Once that Gold or Portra goes into the scanner or digital copy rig, the technical limitations on that part of the imaging process level all boats.
Ribsy, love your content. I have never been a fan of the RB/RZ because they are not really handholdable. They are studio cameras. I personally think the only handholdable 6x7's are the rangefinders (Mamiya, Fuji). I think the Pentax 67 is just unwieldy. I use a GA645, Rolleicord and a Rolleiflex 6003 and 6001. I honestly prefer 645 and square because I think the quality/size/performance ratio suits me best. If I'm using a tripod I'm going 4x5 or bigger. Check out the Rolleiflex 6000 series. I know all the young guys think a camera with electronics is a problem...A rolleiflex 6000 gets you the most sophisitcated medium format cameras ever made with amazing ergonomics. Mt 6003 with a 45 degree prism is a great street camera (though not discreet) with modern Zeiss lenses and flash sync up to 1/1000s. Now that you're in Brooklyn (I'm in North Jersey), if you wanted to try one out, I'd be glad to loan it to you!
I have a Fuji GW690 II and I would say it’s honestly pretty handleable out and about, also helps it’s a rangefinder design. To get a 6x9 negative in a package as “small” as the 690 is it’s a great option to get massive negatives.
The Hasselblad is an elegant medium format camera. And always priced at a premium, with good reason. Not only for its exceptional build quality, and high quality glass, and superb ergonomics. But, the ecosystem of parts and accessories is second to none. So happy to have invested in mine way before prices went insane. Yes, you pay more for it. But it’s a purchase you’ll never lose money on. And make superb images with. The 6x6 format seems to be love or hate- I think it’s perfect. But I’m sure the RZ is good, too.
I have done lots of research and made comparisons. No 6x7 camera or even 6x9 cameras produce sharper images than the Zeiss lenses on the Hasselblad. The Hasselblad lenses look much sharper.--razor sharp. The RZ/rb lenses are good . Yeah, but in a different way. They produce sharp, smooth, "liquidy" images, not razor sharp like the Zeiss lenses on a hassy. And the lenses for the latter has much more character.
Two cameras on my list for 2023: a Fujifilm GFX 100s and a Mamiya RB67. I hear the electronics crap out on the RZ67 a little too often. I can't really mess with it. Mamiya killed it with that system though. The lenses are SICK and adding bellows to the camera body was genius. Dope video as always. Appreciate ya.
I wouldn't exchange my Rolleiflex 3.5F for the Mamyia exactly for the points you mentioned - size and weight. It's a very nice camera, no doubt, but one that'd stay more and home than on my small bag. Hard to beat the Rollei system for travel with medium format. Ok, its lenses are fixed but I believe that challenges you to do it better and don't be a zoom photographer :) If I were a pro, had assistants to help me carry things around, no way I'd go for a Mamyia, just like Herb Ritts did. But, since I'm not, I'll stay with my Rolleiflex. VERY happy with it and the images I make with it
Yet another great video. Since you’re across the pond and they’re likely more readily available, I’d be curious to know if you like the Rolleiflex 6008 Integral 2. It’s somewhat of an upgrade over the Hasselblad 500 series and shares many of the same lenses.
😀 you made the correct point and then bypassed it - the RB/RZ IS the ideal medium format if you use it for what it was meant for - studio work - The Hasseblad is somewhat lighter, and a great camera but still heavier than a TLR, but most TLRs have fixed lenses - so none are perfect (if I am just walking about and may or may not shoot - I'll take a 35mm) You may as well say an Kentworth 18 wheeler is a bad vehicle because you tried to drive it in town for quick errands Thar's why I don't take my Century 9A with its cast iron stand out for large format field work - that's what folding field cameras are for - Like every other endeavor there are correct tools for the job, That can be part of the fun with shooting film, lots of great cameras to choose from depending on what subject you are shooting
I own this camera for many years until a couple of days ago. The best camera system I ever had regarding IQ, some of the best MF lenses are here (50mm ULD, 110mm, any 210mm or 250mm APO), and the body is very well desinged with some unique features like the rotating back. I don't find it heavy or difficult to handle with the waist level finder, besides the film advance that I found a bit cumbersome, but it is not my shooting style. I am used to 35mm SLR cameras, so I added the L-Grip and 90º AE prism finder... That's heavy! I could stand the weight of the camera just a couple of hours before my back started complaining. I ended buying a Pentax 67II, much lighter and usable handheld for my style, and let RZ67 go with sorrow after years of very little use (just some short handheld shootings or landscape with tripod). But I would reccomend it for handheld photography with the waist level finder and a couple of lenses like the 110mm f/2.8 and the standard 65mm f/4 with no floating element (much lighter than the L-A version one Ribsy uses on the video).
i have a 503cw and RZII/ I find myself going to the RZ for any kind of magazine work. The format is perfect and rendition and quality outstanding. The hassy has been in a bag for th elast 5 years.
If you buy this camera - I own a RB 67 - you know that it is going to be a beast to lug around. I can agree that this is not the best camera to take on a hiking trip. However, I use it for street from time to time, and although you know what you've done carrying it around, I love the mechanic, haptic and robustness of it. Personally, I do not feel that it is overly front heavy in "normal" situations as you usually hold it with two hands anyway. But there is a camera for everyone 😉
Nice vid Ribsy, thanks! One of my very favorite photographers is Herb Ritts, who used the RZ67 for much of his work. Photos of him at work show he often used the eye level/prism finder and the speed grip. I have this setup on my Bronica SQ-A with which I shot weddings and portraits for nine years back in the day before things went fully digital, and can say it really handled nicely. I’ve never shot the RZ, I know it’s bigger and heavier than the Bronica, but wondered if your friends had those two accessories that you could borrow and give it another try at some point. It seems like the grip would allow firm control of the camera and easier access and control of the focusing knob. I also wondered if the drag on the focus mechanism was adjustable (without fully locking) on the RZ to keep it from creeping when tilted. Stay well…
Most folks approach the RB and RZ wrongly: they are really more like small large format cameras - in fact my RB is heavier than my MPP 5x4. However RB/RZs are massively versatile compared to a folder or a rangefinder, able to do macro with extension tubes, take lenses up to 500mm, able to take a motor driven 6x8 back. Street photography from waist level with a 50mm wideangle is great fun 🙂
In my extensive 40+yr career I had 3 systems The RZ, the Hass500 and the Fujifilm GX680 - for my fashion work which often included catalogues where the straight to A4 format R was superb I reckon I put 10K+ rolls through it - didn't miss a beat - Hass on the other hand in the studio would often need repairs and 1 of them we had just fell apart - winders mainly, and also the light tight seals and the internal black stuff perished - not so with the RZ - I rest my case for the defence M'lud - and in summing up the 180 Diamond was the best portrait lens - and the 110mm standard is widely regarded as one of the sharpest across all apertures on the planet.
I agree. I think the Mamiya was conceived as a tripod mount studio camera. I have a Pentax 67ii and whilst it's not a light camera, it's much nicer to use hand held. There is a 165mm leaf shutter (LS) lens for it that gets around the flash sync problem for portraiture.
@@ribsy yup, the RB and RZ are def studio queens while the Pentax is designed like a more traditional SLR which is a little more friendly towards handheld shooting
I love my RB and I chose it over the RZ because I like the idea of an all mechanical camera. Yes it makes it a solid piece of metal but when something goes out, it doesn't just become a paper weight and it can probably be fixed a lot easier than an RZ could be.
My "number one camera" is a RB67. Yes, it's big and heavy but I love it for the versatility and the quality of the pictures it takes and I think it's worth the trouble of carrying it around. Of course I have smaller cameras for when I'm not out specifically to take pictures. I mostly use a strap and a left hand side grip, it makes the camera even bigger and slightly heavier but much more convenient to handle.
My 6x7 is a koni-omega rapid. it's a rangefinder press camera. the backs are the only problem I have had with them. I recently did some maintenance on it to fix the overlapping frame problem. Has limited lens options. A 90mm a wider angle i think 65mm and 180 mm.
As others have already noted, these heavy medium format cameras were designed to be used on a tripod, monopod or some kind of support system. In my opinion, every camera has pros and cons. I’m enjoying your channel sir!
I wish I never sold mine! And I sold right before the prices skyrocketed. I loved the bellows focus. The lenses are nice and sharp. Sold it for an slr type camera and that just collected dust. Now I have an RB. And yes I hand held more than tripod work
As a RZ67 user, I feel slightly disgruntled haha, no, valid points that you mention. I use it all the time outside in the field, though. But almost always with a tripod. It's more like a large format camera for me with the upsides of medium format film. It's a commitment for sure because of its weight. As someone who shoots a lot of cityscapes I love the fact that there is a shift lens for the RZ. As far as I know, only the Pentax 67 also offers a shift lens in this format. But that's actually quite a bit more expensive. And with the RZ you get the rotating back on top. I get that it's not for everybody, though.
It's coz of the rotating back. It's essentially a 7x7 camera. In fact, you can shoot 6x8 on it vertically so it is basically a 7x8 camera. Add on the fact that it uses bellows to focus, which makes the lenses big, too.
Hehe I guess this is a classic issue: square format or not. I'm okay with RB/RZ for studio work, well because it gives bigger frame (and don't forget there's the bigger, heavier Fuji GX680). For travelling... not so much. RB/RZ is a bit awkwardish for handhed shooting. I will add at least a prism finder, so the shooting experience still felt like 35mm. Of course, it's a bulkier setup. Or get a Pentax 67 instead, if you don't do studio work that often. BTW, I'm not a studio photographer, and still happy with 6x6. If I'm looking for 6x7 camera, definitely a Pentax 67. Or probably those Fuji rangefinders.
Excellent no nonsense review. Totally different genre but love my Mamiya 7ii, small and light for a 6x7 and amazing lenses. Can put in my backpack and cart around all day long. Fortunately bought it a few years ago with three lenses before prices went through the stratosphere.
I think the windows xp desktop background image was shot on this camera too which gives it a little bit of nostalgia for those of us who remember those times
I think you needed a bit more time to get to know the camera. It’s very different to a slr style camera. I’ve had my rz67 for near a decade. For me it’s hands down the most complete project,portrait and studio setup. I’ve carried this camera along with me Al day and done candid shots no problem. It’s not the weight but the shape what some may find awkward. The lenses are amazing. I have 65, 110,140 macro and 180. It’s a mini large format camera. The process you take for a picture is similar to large format. The rotating back and multiple exposure function is priceless. The bellows is great for getting tight on a subject. I say if you want a fast functioning camera then the mamiya 7 rangefinder is better suited. Even then I class the mamiya 7 as a documentary camera. The process can be longer but once you learn your tools it’s much faster. For projects,studio and portraits I prefer this camera. The hassle, Pentax and mamiya 7 all didn’t deliver like the Rz imo. Lastly this system is very modular.
@@ribsy I feel you bro. You know what’s funny. This camera and basically 6x7 doesn’t agree with me in landscape orientation. Even with the 65mm which is around 29mm 35mm equivalent it still don’t sit right for me. Portrait orientation and that mindset turns to 🤩 lol
I have the RB67 and while it isn’t my favorite medium format it is nice. For me since it is all mechanical it is a better choice than the RZ. It is a tripod camera as hand holding it is a trick. Just for giggles though there is a video out there of a guy in Singapore that used a Fuji GX680 while riding his bicycle around town. Now that is a huge camera.
I have a first generation rb67. It’s like darth vaders camera. Big and clunky like his suit…. It’s a beast. It sits on the shelf most of the time playing second fiddle to my rolleiflex 2.8c
RZ67 with a 90mm almost 2000$ US in 2023 dollar, Hasselblad 500 CM with 80mm 2400$ US, and Mamiya 645 PRO TL also with an 80mm 1000$ US money all in 2023 pricing…. We are almost back at the same original level of prices when these cameras came to the market… Anybody out there with any type of medium format camera, just keep them, long gone are the cheap days! * Pricing seen on eBay, might vary a bit, but not that much for a good working camera. Long gone are cheap anything in film these days… take note and shop hard around for the best prices!
I'm not much of a handheld person and generally shoot on a tripod, especially if I'm in a studio environment, so the weight isn't much of an issue for me, but I can see your position for sure and would probably say the same thing if I mostly shot handheld.
I think you summed this camera up pretty well, but you tried to use it differently to how it was intended to be used ie: hand held. I'm pretty sure that the majority of fahion and portrait photographers very rarely took their cameras off the tripod (in the studio, back-in-the-day). My trusty Hasselblad 500 CM is equally a pain in thes arse to use hand held, but worth the effort if that's how I want to shoot. As for hiking - my Ensign 6x9 or Super Ikonta 6x6 will do the trick in medium format, but I only hike for fun, and take "holiday snaps" so my Pentax Spotmatic f is much more convenient for that.
Just think folks like Ben Horne take long hikes in Zion and Death Valley with 8X10 view cameras, sheet film holders, and lenses. That is heavier than my RB67 when doing short hikes. However, my intrepid 4x5 is lighter if you don't carry too many lenses and film holders. But I agree at 76 I'm not doing much climbing or 50mile hikes with my RB67 and lenses. 🙂
I have done lots of research and made comparisons. No 6x7 camera or even 6x9 cameras produce sharper images than the Zeiss lenses on the Hasselblad. The Hasselblad lenses look much sharper.--razor sharp. The RZ/rb lenses are good . Yeah, but in a different way. They produce sharp, smooth, "liquidy" images, not razor sharp like the Zeiss lenses on a hassy. And the lenses for the latter has much more character.
I owned this camera since 2009. It is a heavy camera, and if you want to carry it around, you have to install the dedicated handheld grip. It is too unwieldy without it.
Ha, I’ve had my two hasselblads for a while and two weeks ago bought an rz67 while in Japan and I have to say I’m not digging it. I bought it because I wanted that sweet automatic exposure and it turns out I’ve just gotten used to shooting without a light sensor… hmmm maybe my first camera I’ve considered selling (it’s also 4 times the price for a a pro2 in Europe on eBay compared to what I paid)
The RZ67 is really more of a studio/tripod camera. It is not a great hand held camera. It absolutely needs the Mamiya grip to allow it to be handheld. You're still going to get quite a workout carrying this around.
Item a big *ss camera! Like the RB. If I’ve to choose I’d rather pick their TLRs. The lenses’ quality and contrast are no match with Hasselblad. And heavy. It’s a good weight lifting weight from work out; one on each hand.
I always thought it was wild seeing these UA-cam photographers doing street portrait shoots with these heavy beasts (RB/RZ) handheld. It was definitely a fad a few years back. A lot of them aren't around anymore. I wonder why... 😅 As Ken Wheeler/The Angry Photographer said...shooting hot chicks for YT videos makes no money. Boy, was he right... A lot of these guys thought they could buy a RZ & a Yashica T4 or a Contax & get a huge online following making videos & shooting models for free & for the exposure. Exposure doesn't pay the bills, bruv...
I have the older one, the RB67 and it really is only a studio camera on a tripod type of camera ... I don't understand why people feel they are street cameras or handheld ... I have many other medium format cameras for running the streets!!! A better big negatib=ve camera for street shooing is the Texas Leica ... Fuji 6x9!!!
20 something's and hipsters don't know any better. It is all about gear & sharpness & bokeh for them. Who cares about bokeh. Their photos are generally terrible and they think they're photographers😂True art photography comes from the heart and from people who are more occupied with creating something with substance than creating sharp, bokehish photos for their sake. Look at the work of photographers like Anders Petersen, Michael Ackerman, Robert Mapplethorpe, Bruce Gilden, Nan Goldin, Helmut newton. They don't talk about bokeh and sharpness. They create images with meaning and substance. The new generation of "photographers" coming up have no clue what photography is. And those who come on UA-cam with their reviews are so silly. All they do is talk talk, talk talk about gear and share their boring photos that don't mean Jack.
Not every camera is gonna be for everyone and I commend you for going against the grain here. It’s for this reason I actually purchased the Mamiya 645 Pro TL and not this one. Just seems so unwieldy.
This is not a snapshot camera! It's normally used for high enlargement commercial photography on a tripod or in the studio. Whoever advised you to use this was an idiot! get a Fuji XPro-2 for a true film style street shooting experience but with digital output! Do you still want to shoot film? How is your knowledge of chemical film processing and darkroom printing processes and do you have all the analogue gear?
Kind of a silly review. Buy a $25 op tech strap and it solves all your complaints. It’s still a brick of a camera but focus, holding, and stabilizing are all solved. This isn’t meant to be a portable camera. The RZ is meant to be a studio camera, UA-camrs have just been pushing it’s a fine camera to travel with. I never mind bringing it to portrait sessions or neighborhood walks.
@@ribsy I don’t disagree with you. It’s a function over form thing in this case. I have a couple leather straps and actually think the op one is more comfortable.
Totally agree. I had an RZ that died too, which I was able to repair which was a minor miracle. These days I use entirely mechanical - GW680, C220 w/ prism, S2A... Great stuff...
Tired of 20 somethings, 30 somethings and hipsters talk about gear on youtube and on their blogs. They worship cameras. It is all about gear & sharpness & bokeh for them. Who cares about bokeh. Their photos are generally terrible and they think they're photographers😂True art photography comes from the heart and from people who are more occupied with creating something with substance than creating sharp, bokehish photos for their sake. Look at the work of photographers like Anders Petersen, Nobuyoshi Araki, Daido Moriyama (check out his book "71--New York" all shot on a simple Olympus pen camera), Michael Ackerman, Robert Mapplethorpe, Bruce Gilden, Nan Goldin, Helmut newton. They don't talk about bokeh and sharpness. They create images with meaning and substance. The new generation of "photographers" coming up have no clue what photography is. They all think it's all about gear, bokeh & sharpness, And those who come on UA-cam with their reviews are so silly. All they do is talk talk talk talk talk about gear and share their boring photos that don't mean anything. They shoot anything and everything. Even the established young pro photographers today produce work that has no substance and they don't have a style. The work of photographers today reminds me of socialisn. Everything looks the same. Sorry for being off topic
Barcelona? How to alienate hundreds of thousands of people. It could be worse however, it could have been a Man City shirt … we’re talking dirty oil money cheats then.
as a portrait photographer I absolutely love having the rz67 and bellows system. allows for me to get such tight and sharp photos
yea makes sense!
I have this camera. I had to add the side grip with shutter button and prism finder to make it useful for me. The prism finder also adds a light meter. In that configuration it is like a really big slr. It is meant to bridge the gap between 4x5 large format and medium format, hence the bellows. If speed is not a consideration, it is my favorite camera to use
yea perhaps the side grip might change things for me
The RB67 was my first pro camera and I am nostalgic about the beast. I have used Hasselblad FCM2000, 500CM, Rollei SL66 and some East German cameras and each camera did something better than the rest. For street work the RZ is a conversation starter and that's how you snag a subject. The Mamiya C330f (or other models) is even better for this. Or, you could dress like Pinky Lee and use a Holga.
you just listed lots of great cameras!
When I jumped into film photography I went for the Pentax 67 and really enjoy the ergonomics of it. However as I started shooting more I’ve started to see all the bumper outs benefits the Mamiya 67 camera lines have over it. Being able to swap backs depending on what type of shot I want to do and having leaf shutter lenses as a standard really opens up the flexibility that a Mamiya kit can only really provide(at least in the medium format space). Either way I try not to resist the fomo because at the end of the day part of the fun of creating photos is working within the confines we are given. After many spent rolls I’ve finally created some photos that I am extremely proud of with my 67.
yea the RZ shines as a studio camera, i still don't prefer it tho
A Hasselblad also has interchangeable backs and leaf shutter lens in a smaller package.
@@sterioma I would love to own a hassey setup but that was a bit out of my budget when I made the jump to the Pentax 67. It was my first film camera so I couldn't justify going too crazy haha. On the bright side I managed to snag a bunch of lens for cheap(still would love to experience leaf shutter lens with a hassey or mamiya one day)
Generally agreed. The Mamiya RB/RZ are studio, tripod mounted, cameras. Hand-held, they are clumsy and non-ergonomic. The primary reason they are relatively available is that the professional photographers who were their first buyers dumped them in the rush to digital about 25 years ago. The reason that so many end up hung around the necks of mid-20s guys making YT videos is that their current owners don't know any better. Also, in the past, they were cheap for what they do. Not so much these days. Frankly, most the uses they are put to these days do not require, and often do not benefit, from their larger medium format film size. Once that Gold or Portra goes into the scanner or digital copy rig, the technical limitations on that part of the imaging process level all boats.
yea this camera def blew up! haha
Ribsy, love your content. I have never been a fan of the RB/RZ because they are not really handholdable. They are studio cameras. I personally think the only handholdable 6x7's are the rangefinders (Mamiya, Fuji). I think the Pentax 67 is just unwieldy. I use a GA645, Rolleicord and a Rolleiflex 6003 and 6001. I honestly prefer 645 and square because I think the quality/size/performance ratio suits me best. If I'm using a tripod I'm going 4x5 or bigger. Check out the Rolleiflex 6000 series. I know all the young guys think a camera with electronics is a problem...A rolleiflex 6000 gets you the most sophisitcated medium format cameras ever made with amazing ergonomics. Mt 6003 with a 45 degree prism is a great street camera (though not discreet) with modern Zeiss lenses and flash sync up to 1/1000s. Now that you're in Brooklyn (I'm in North Jersey), if you wanted to try one out, I'd be glad to loan it to you!
its def unwieldy - not good outside the studio
I have a Fuji GW690 II and I would say it’s honestly pretty handleable out and about, also helps it’s a rangefinder design. To get a 6x9 negative in a package as “small” as the 690 is it’s a great option to get massive negatives.
the fuji medium format cameras great
Out of all the photographers on youtube, you’re my def my fav music selector🔥Section 80!
hah thanks
The Hasselblad is an elegant medium format camera. And always priced at a premium, with good reason. Not only for its exceptional build quality, and high quality glass, and superb ergonomics. But, the ecosystem of parts and accessories is second to none. So happy to have invested in mine way before prices went insane. Yes, you pay more for it. But it’s a purchase you’ll never lose money on. And make superb images with. The 6x6 format seems to be love or hate- I think it’s perfect. But I’m sure the RZ is good, too.
love the hasselblad
I have done lots of research and made comparisons. No 6x7 camera or even 6x9 cameras produce sharper images than the Zeiss lenses on the Hasselblad. The Hasselblad lenses look much sharper.--razor sharp. The RZ/rb lenses are good . Yeah, but in a different way. They produce sharp, smooth, "liquidy" images, not razor sharp like the Zeiss lenses on a hassy. And the lenses for the latter has much more character.
Thanks for this video. I hadn't realised RZ67 was a studio camera, I wondered why it was so clunky when using it in the landscape.
for sure! def can be clunky out in the wild! haha
Two cameras on my list for 2023: a Fujifilm GFX 100s and a Mamiya RB67. I hear the electronics crap out on the RZ67 a little too often. I can't really mess with it. Mamiya killed it with that system though. The lenses are SICK and adding bellows to the camera body was genius. Dope video as always. Appreciate ya.
bellows are def fun but challenging to use on this particular camera
I wouldn't exchange my Rolleiflex 3.5F for the Mamyia exactly for the points you mentioned - size and weight. It's a very nice camera, no doubt, but one that'd stay more and home than on my small bag. Hard to beat the Rollei system for travel with medium format. Ok, its lenses are fixed but I believe that challenges you to do it better and don't be a zoom photographer :)
If I were a pro, had assistants to help me carry things around, no way I'd go for a Mamyia, just like Herb Ritts did. But, since I'm not, I'll stay with my Rolleiflex. VERY happy with it and the images I make with it
rolleiflex is king!
Yet another great video. Since you’re across the pond and they’re likely more readily available, I’d be curious to know if you like the Rolleiflex 6008 Integral 2. It’s somewhat of an upgrade over the Hasselblad 500 series and shares many of the same lenses.
that rollei camera is very cool
😀 you made the correct point and then bypassed it - the RB/RZ IS the ideal medium format if you use it for what it was meant for - studio work - The Hasseblad is somewhat lighter, and a great camera but still heavier than a TLR, but most TLRs have fixed lenses - so none are perfect (if I am just walking about and may or may not shoot - I'll take a 35mm)
You may as well say an Kentworth 18 wheeler is a bad vehicle because you tried to drive it in town for quick errands Thar's why I don't take my Century 9A with its cast iron stand out for large format field work - that's what folding field cameras are for -
Like every other endeavor there are correct tools for the job, That can be part of the fun with shooting film, lots of great cameras to choose from depending on what subject you are shooting
not for me!
I agree with you on this😊 it make sense as to why out of all the medium format cameras in a camera store this one is always plentiful.😅
haha yea so many of these!
I own this camera for many years until a couple of days ago. The best camera system I ever had regarding IQ, some of the best MF lenses are here (50mm ULD, 110mm, any 210mm or 250mm APO), and the body is very well desinged with some unique features like the rotating back. I don't find it heavy or difficult to handle with the waist level finder, besides the film advance that I found a bit cumbersome, but it is not my shooting style. I am used to 35mm SLR cameras, so I added the L-Grip and 90º AE prism finder... That's heavy! I could stand the weight of the camera just a couple of hours before my back started complaining. I ended buying a Pentax 67II, much lighter and usable handheld for my style, and let RZ67 go with sorrow after years of very little use (just some short handheld shootings or landscape with tripod). But I would reccomend it for handheld photography with the waist level finder and a couple of lenses like the 110mm f/2.8 and the standard 65mm f/4 with no floating element (much lighter than the L-A version one Ribsy uses on the video).
its def a great system
i have a 503cw and RZII/ I find myself going to the RZ for any kind of magazine work. The format is perfect and rendition and quality outstanding. The hassy has been in a bag for th elast 5 years.
def outstanding quality
If you buy this camera - I own a RB 67 - you know that it is going to be a beast to lug around. I can agree that this is not the best camera to take on a hiking trip. However, I use it for street from time to time, and although you know what you've done carrying it around, I love the mechanic, haptic and robustness of it. Personally, I do not feel that it is overly front heavy in "normal" situations as you usually hold it with two hands anyway. But there is a camera for everyone 😉
thats impressive that you use it on the street
Nice vid Ribsy, thanks! One of my very favorite photographers is Herb Ritts, who used the RZ67 for much of his work. Photos of him at work show he often used the eye level/prism finder and the speed grip. I have this setup on my Bronica SQ-A with which I shot weddings and portraits for nine years back in the day before things went fully digital, and can say it really handled nicely. I’ve never shot the RZ, I know it’s bigger and heavier than the Bronica, but wondered if your friends had those two accessories that you could borrow and give it another try at some point. It seems like the grip would allow firm control of the camera and easier access and control of the focusing knob. I also wondered if the drag on the focus mechanism was adjustable (without fully locking) on the RZ to keep it from creeping when tilted. Stay well…
yea im curious if some of the accessories would help with the size
Most folks approach the RB and RZ wrongly: they are really more like small large format cameras - in fact my RB is heavier than my MPP 5x4. However RB/RZs are massively versatile compared to a folder or a rangefinder, able to do macro with extension tubes, take lenses up to 500mm, able to take a motor driven 6x8 back. Street photography from waist level with a 50mm wideangle is great fun 🙂
its def built to be more hand holdable than a 4x5, which typically is going on a tripod
@@ribsy Hand held 5x4 Speed Graphic anyone?
In my extensive 40+yr career I had 3 systems The RZ, the Hass500 and the Fujifilm GX680 - for my fashion work which often included catalogues where the straight to A4 format R was superb I reckon I put 10K+ rolls through it - didn't miss a beat - Hass on the other hand in the studio would often need repairs and 1 of them we had just fell apart - winders mainly, and also the light tight seals and the internal black stuff perished - not so with the RZ - I rest my case for the defence M'lud - and in summing up the 180 Diamond was the best portrait lens - and the 110mm standard is widely regarded as one of the sharpest across all apertures on the planet.
the rz is a great camera! but just not for me
I agree. I think the Mamiya was conceived as a tripod mount studio camera. I have a Pentax 67ii and whilst it's not a light camera, it's much nicer to use hand held. There is a 165mm leaf shutter (LS) lens for it that gets around the flash sync problem for portraiture.
yea makes sense. pentax is def more ergonomically friendly
@@ribsy yup, the RB and RZ are def studio queens while the Pentax is designed like a more traditional SLR which is a little more friendly towards handheld shooting
I love my RB and I chose it over the RZ because I like the idea of an all mechanical camera. Yes it makes it a solid piece of metal but when something goes out, it doesn't just become a paper weight and it can probably be fixed a lot easier than an RZ could be.
yea i am now learning people have issues with their RZs
My "number one camera" is a RB67. Yes, it's big and heavy but I love it for the versatility and the quality of the pictures it takes and I think it's worth the trouble of carrying it around. Of course I have smaller cameras for when I'm not out specifically to take pictures. I mostly use a strap and a left hand side grip, it makes the camera even bigger and slightly heavier but much more convenient to handle.
and all mechanical I love mine too !
yea the RB sounds intriguing but also too big haha
@@cents2mp yes, to me film is not about speed or ease, for that there's digital. I like my film cameras mechanical and manual.
My 6x7 is a koni-omega rapid. it's a rangefinder press camera. the backs are the only problem I have had with them. I recently did some maintenance on it to fix the overlapping frame problem. Has limited lens options. A 90mm a wider angle i think 65mm and 180 mm.
i don't know it! gotta look it up
As others have already noted, these heavy medium format cameras were designed to be used on a tripod, monopod or some kind of support system.
In my opinion, every camera has pros and cons. I’m enjoying your channel sir!
every camera def has pros and cons
I wish I never sold mine! And I sold right before the prices skyrocketed. I loved the bellows focus. The lenses are nice and sharp. Sold it for an slr type camera and that just collected dust. Now I have an RB. And yes I hand held more than tripod work
bellows focus is def a great tool
As a RZ67 user, I feel slightly disgruntled haha, no, valid points that you mention. I use it all the time outside in the field, though. But almost always with a tripod. It's more like a large format camera for me with the upsides of medium format film. It's a commitment for sure because of its weight. As someone who shoots a lot of cityscapes I love the fact that there is a shift lens for the RZ. As far as I know, only the Pentax 67 also offers a shift lens in this format. But that's actually quite a bit more expensive. And with the RZ you get the rotating back on top. I get that it's not for everybody, though.
no shade to you! just sharing my experience - def a tripod camera
Hopefully this review , make the prices on them drop so I can get another one 😅 I loved my RZ tremendously helped better me as a photographer
haha lets see what happens
What do you mean you say compensating for the light when close focussing using the bellows?
I have an RZ but curious, thanks
if you extend the bellows past a certain point, you have to add on exposure time
I never understood why the RZ67 is so much bigger and heavier than a 6x6 Hasselblad despite the film format being just a little bit bigger
It's coz of the rotating back. It's essentially a 7x7 camera. In fact, you can shoot 6x8 on it vertically so it is basically a 7x8 camera. Add on the fact that it uses bellows to focus, which makes the lenses big, too.
ill stick to the hassy 😁
Hehe I guess this is a classic issue: square format or not.
I'm okay with RB/RZ for studio work, well because it gives bigger frame (and don't forget there's the bigger, heavier Fuji GX680).
For travelling... not so much. RB/RZ is a bit awkwardish for handhed shooting. I will add at least a prism finder, so the shooting experience still felt like 35mm. Of course, it's a bulkier setup. Or get a Pentax 67 instead, if you don't do studio work that often.
BTW, I'm not a studio photographer, and still happy with 6x6. If I'm looking for 6x7 camera, definitely a Pentax 67. Or probably those Fuji rangefinders.
yea def not a travel camera imo
One of the best cameras! Great review as well!
its a classic
Excellent no nonsense review. Totally different genre but love my Mamiya 7ii, small and light for a 6x7 and amazing lenses. Can put in my backpack and cart around all day long. Fortunately bought it a few years ago with three lenses before prices went through the stratosphere.
lets hope the prices go down! haha
I hike all the time with the rz67 + 110, contax 645 + 80mm/45mm/140mm, a minolta hi-af2, and a nikon z6 with a lens or 2. It's like 25-35lbs.
thats alot of weight!
@@ribsy That is what going to the gym is for!
I think the windows xp desktop background image was shot on this camera too which gives it a little bit of nostalgia for those of us who remember those times
yup that photo was an RZ pic!
Totally agree! The Hasselblad is smaller and better outside of a studio setting with stunning Zeiss glass.
Which Hasselblad setup?
501cm with a waist level finder, late 1990’s 80mm and older 1970’s 50mm lenses
yup yup yup
Hey brother. Can I send you some of my 1970s stock of Adox film and all I ask in return is a video review of the films?
send me a DM on IG @ribsy__
I think you needed a bit more time to get to know the camera. It’s very different to a slr style camera.
I’ve had my rz67 for near a decade. For me it’s hands down the most complete project,portrait and studio setup.
I’ve carried this camera along with me Al day and done candid shots no problem. It’s not the weight but the shape what some may find awkward.
The lenses are amazing. I have 65, 110,140 macro and 180. It’s a mini large format camera. The process you take for a picture is similar to large format. The rotating back and multiple exposure function is priceless. The bellows is great for getting tight on a subject.
I say if you want a fast functioning camera then the mamiya 7 rangefinder is better suited. Even then I class the mamiya 7 as a documentary camera.
The process can be longer but once you learn your tools it’s much faster.
For projects,studio and portraits I prefer this camera. The hassle, Pentax and mamiya 7 all didn’t deliver like the Rz imo.
Lastly this system is very modular.
its just too big for me. its a great cam tho
@@ribsy I feel you bro. You know what’s funny. This camera and basically 6x7 doesn’t agree with me in landscape orientation. Even with the 65mm which is around 29mm 35mm equivalent it still don’t sit right for me. Portrait orientation and that mindset turns to 🤩 lol
I used one on a cross country drive and it was awesome to just pull out of the trunk onto a tripod.
yea its a great camera
Ribsi!! Beautiful as always 🍭 🙋🍭
thanks 😀
It has leaf shutter. Because of the lenses so you can use any shutter speed with flash.
yup
I have the RB67 and while it isn’t my favorite medium format it is nice. For me since it is all mechanical it is a better choice than the RZ. It is a tripod camera as hand holding it is a trick. Just for giggles though there is a video out there of a guy in Singapore that used a Fuji GX680 while riding his bicycle around town. Now that is a huge camera.
its def a great camera, just not for me
Where do I find this video? Sounds like it would be pretty funny.
😅Yes, the RZ67 wants to sit on a tripod. That's why I sold mine and got a Zenza Bronica SQ-A.
yea makes sense
I have a first generation rb67. It’s like darth vaders camera. Big and clunky like his suit…. It’s a beast. It sits on the shelf most of the time playing second fiddle to my rolleiflex 2.8c
yup!
RZ67 with a 90mm almost 2000$ US in 2023 dollar, Hasselblad 500 CM with 80mm 2400$ US, and Mamiya 645 PRO TL also with an 80mm 1000$ US money all in 2023 pricing…. We are almost back at the same original level of prices when these cameras came to the market…
Anybody out there with any type of medium format camera, just keep them, long gone are the cheap days!
* Pricing seen on eBay, might vary a bit, but not that much for a good working camera.
Long gone are cheap anything in film these days… take note and shop hard around for the best prices!
The Hasselblad 500 cm was over 10 grand when it was released. So a bit left to that point. But I hear you.
lets hope all those prices come down!
I'm not much of a handheld person and generally shoot on a tripod, especially if I'm in a studio environment, so the weight isn't much of an issue for me, but I can see your position for sure and would probably say the same thing if I mostly shot handheld.
yea its def better on a tripod, but i don't like using a tripod for portraits
totally agree on all points, but if we talk about studio work- fuji gx 680 is the choice
interesting choice!
I think you summed this camera up pretty well, but you tried to use it differently to how it was intended to be used ie: hand held. I'm pretty sure that the majority of fahion and portrait photographers very rarely took their cameras off the tripod (in the studio, back-in-the-day). My trusty Hasselblad 500 CM is equally a pain in thes arse to use hand held, but worth the effort if that's how I want to shoot. As for hiking - my Ensign 6x9 or Super Ikonta 6x6 will do the trick in medium format, but I only hike for fun, and take "holiday snaps" so my Pentax Spotmatic f is much more convenient for that.
yea shooting portraits on a tripod is no fun tho
It might be interesting for cityscapes using the narrow DOF if you can get above street level. Very nice camera, and a great review. 2x👍
thanks!
Just think folks like Ben Horne take long hikes in Zion and Death Valley with 8X10 view cameras, sheet film holders, and lenses. That is heavier than my RB67 when doing short hikes. However, my intrepid 4x5 is lighter if you don't carry too many lenses and film holders. But I agree at 76 I'm not doing much climbing or 50mile hikes with my RB67 and lenses. 🙂
8x10 is at least differentiated enough where there are few alternatives -- RZ67 has many alternatives
I have done lots of research and made comparisons. No 6x7 camera or even 6x9 cameras produce sharper images than the Zeiss lenses on the Hasselblad. The Hasselblad lenses look much sharper.--razor sharp. The RZ/rb lenses are good . Yeah, but in a different way. They produce sharp, smooth, "liquidy" images, not razor sharp like the Zeiss lenses on a hassy. And the lenses for the latter has much more character.
section 80 fits the vibe of this Video so well
yup! such a great album
I would love to be using that camera when photographing Big Black Bear because when he comes to close to you you can throw it at him.
haha thats a really good point
I owned this camera since 2009. It is a heavy camera, and if you want to carry it around, you have to install the dedicated handheld grip. It is too unwieldy without it.
yea def
Rb67 for life !
no for me! haha
C330 is the jam
yup!
Ha, I’ve had my two hasselblads for a while and two weeks ago bought an rz67 while in Japan and I have to say I’m not digging it. I bought it because I wanted that sweet automatic exposure and it turns out I’ve just gotten used to shooting without a light sensor… hmmm maybe my first camera I’ve considered selling (it’s also 4 times the price for a a pro2 in Europe on eBay compared to what I paid)
gotcha! same
every big name from the 80s and 90s using the RZ apart from those using the Blad !!! :D
yea makes sense. both of these two cameras are studio champs
Another reason why people were big on this camera, because it took the Bliss Windows XP hills photo, that's also why I want it lol
Ha yes I learned this after the fact
The RZ67 is really more of a studio/tripod camera. It is not a great hand held camera. It absolutely needs the Mamiya grip to allow it to be handheld. You're still going to get quite a workout carrying this around.
totally true
Item a big *ss camera! Like the RB. If I’ve to choose I’d rather pick their TLRs. The lenses’ quality and contrast are no match with Hasselblad. And heavy. It’s a good weight lifting weight from work out; one on each hand.
its a good camera for sure
I'd rather have my Plaubel Makina 670, which has just been serviced/CLA'd. Uffff...amazing! 80mm 2.8 Nikon glass on 6x7. Perfection.
yea thats is very compact and easy to carry
HASSELBLAD 501CM👍👍👍
agreed!
I always thought it was wild seeing these UA-cam photographers doing street portrait shoots with these heavy beasts (RB/RZ) handheld. It was definitely a fad a few years back. A lot of them aren't around anymore. I wonder why... 😅
As Ken Wheeler/The Angry Photographer said...shooting hot chicks for YT videos makes no money. Boy, was he right...
A lot of these guys thought they could buy a RZ & a Yashica T4 or a Contax & get a huge online following making videos & shooting models for free & for the exposure. Exposure doesn't pay the bills, bruv...
i aint say all that
I have the older one, the RB67 and it really is only a studio camera on a tripod type of camera ... I don't understand why people feel they are street cameras or handheld ... I have many other medium format cameras for running the streets!!! A better big negatib=ve camera for street shooing is the Texas Leica ... Fuji 6x9!!!
its def not great handheld but because of the lens qualities its so popular
20 something's and hipsters don't know any better. It is all about gear & sharpness & bokeh for them. Who cares about bokeh. Their photos are generally terrible and they think they're photographers😂True art photography comes from the heart and from people who are more occupied with creating something with substance than creating sharp, bokehish photos for their sake. Look at the work of photographers like Anders Petersen, Michael Ackerman, Robert Mapplethorpe, Bruce Gilden, Nan Goldin, Helmut newton. They don't talk about bokeh and sharpness. They create images with meaning and substance. The new generation of "photographers" coming up have no clue what photography is. And those who come on UA-cam with their reviews are so silly. All they do is talk talk, talk talk about gear and share their boring photos that don't mean Jack.
I feel exactly the same about the Mamiya C330. They're just too damn big.
haha fair
I'll stick with my Hasselblad...😀
same!
I held one of those and I do not want to carry it as photowalk camera!
My rolleicord III or yashica mat 124g is alot more fun as a street camera!
Its more of a studio camera
lol yup! not for photowalks
For not liking it I think it resulted in some dope pics! 😂
agreed!!
Not every camera is gonna be for everyone and I commend you for going against the grain here. It’s for this reason I actually purchased the Mamiya 645 Pro TL and not this one. Just seems so unwieldy.
yea def! to each their own
Can't believe you don't like the RibZee 67 camera ???!!!!
haha sorry ...
Don't tell SFLAB!
hahaha shhhhhhh
K-Dot!!
yezzir!!
This is not a snapshot camera! It's normally used for high enlargement commercial photography on a tripod or in the studio. Whoever advised you to use this was an idiot! get a Fuji XPro-2 for a true film style street shooting experience but with digital output! Do you still want to shoot film? How is your knowledge of chemical film processing and darkroom printing processes and do you have all the analogue gear?
ok
Well if you dislike it that much you can always give it to me 😜
hahah fair
Kind of a silly review. Buy a $25 op tech strap and it solves all your complaints. It’s still a brick of a camera but focus, holding, and stabilizing are all solved. This isn’t meant to be a portable camera. The RZ is meant to be a studio camera, UA-camrs have just been pushing it’s a fine camera to travel with. I never mind bringing it to portrait sessions or neighborhood walks.
op tech straps are very ugly
@@ribsy I don’t disagree with you. It’s a function over form thing in this case. I have a couple leather straps and actually think the op one is more comfortable.
Totally agree. I had an RZ that died too, which I was able to repair which was a minor miracle. These days I use entirely mechanical - GW680, C220 w/ prism, S2A...
Great stuff...
mechanical is always better!
Tired of 20 somethings, 30 somethings and hipsters talk about gear on youtube and on their blogs. They worship cameras. It is all about gear & sharpness & bokeh for them. Who cares about bokeh. Their photos are generally terrible and they think they're photographers😂True art photography comes from the heart and from people who are more occupied with creating something with substance than creating sharp, bokehish photos for their sake. Look at the work of photographers like Anders Petersen, Nobuyoshi Araki, Daido Moriyama (check out his book "71--New York" all shot on a simple Olympus pen camera), Michael Ackerman, Robert Mapplethorpe, Bruce Gilden, Nan Goldin, Helmut newton. They don't talk about bokeh and sharpness. They create images with meaning and substance. The new generation of "photographers" coming up have no clue what photography is. They all think it's all about gear, bokeh & sharpness, And those who come on UA-cam with their reviews are so silly. All they do is talk talk talk talk talk about gear and share their boring photos that don't mean anything. They shoot anything and everything. Even the established young pro photographers today produce work that has no substance and they don't have a style. The work of photographers today reminds me of socialisn. Everything looks the same. Sorry for being off topic
Use a tripod lol
thats annoying for portraits
Barcelona? How to alienate hundreds of thousands of people.
It could be worse however, it could have been a Man City shirt … we’re talking dirty oil money cheats then.
Ok
Hey brother. Can I send you some of my 1970s stock of Adox film and all I ask in return is a video review of the films?
send me a DM on IG @ribsy__