Rob MacKillop
Edinburgh Correspondent
I recently bought a secondhand Mamiya RB67 Pro SD, and thought it might be of interest to share my experience of and thoughts about the camera. I'm not a technically minded photographer, so I will be seeking guidance here and there, and, at the moment of writing, have not seen any of the shots I've taken. I will of course upload images to this thread once I have any worth uploading...
First, the name: Mamiya are respected specialists in Medium Format photography, and many of their products can be purchased on ebay or from specialist shops. "RB" refers to the Revolving Back - the back of the camera, which houses the film, can swivel around from landscape to portrait views. The Pro SD refers to the fact that the lens mount diameter has increased slightly from previous models (54mm to 61mm) and can now accommodate a wider range of lenses. The 6x7cm format is 4.5 times as large as 35mm.
The first thing you'll notice about this camera is that it is a MONSTA!
My poor Fuji X100 looks overwhelmed...
The back unit houses a 120 roll film, which produces 10 exposures. I found installing film very simple - although that might mean all images come back blank! We shall see. Thankfully there is a useful video on youtube for the installation process.
Note the red mark covering half the shot number - this mark disappears when the shot has been taken. This is helpful if you have forgotten whether you have cocked the shutter for the next shot.
The viewfinder is generous and clear, and quite an eye opener, so to speak, when coming from a small 35mm viewfinder. There is a real 3D quality to the image. Meet Wally...
This shot shows the X and B connections, f-stop ring and shutter speed, including T for long exposures.
Pinpoint focus can be achieved with the help of the Floating System - a feature which I'm going to need some tuition in using...
I believe it should be used in conjunction with the side scale and a light meter. This is one whole area where I need some advice, as I find it all a little confusing.
This shot shows the viewfinder in up position, but also an M UP switch on the lens. The mirror movement when firing can create a little shudder, something this switch bypasses. Not sure why the option is there, and I'm told that most people leave it in the UP position permanently.
Inside the viewfinder there is a flick-up magnifying glass to aid focussing. There are large focussing dials on either side of the camera (seen clearly in the above image) which operate a bellows system (viewable in the Side Scale shot above). The shutter release can also be seen below the side scale.
One other helpful video shows how to dismantle and reassemble all the parts.
There is an extractable Dark Slide which prevents light reaching the film
The backs are interchangeable - 6x7, 6x4.5, as well as 6x7 and 6x8 Power Drives (whatever they are), and a 70mm holder and sheet film holders. All this and more can be found in the online original instruction booklet, which, evidently, I need to reread a few more times.
Yes, it's heavy, but not excessively so, and the weight helps promote a more thoughtful setting up of a shot. Not for street snappers, probably. I used a tripod designed for a much lighter camera, so might invest in a stronger one. I also bought off ebay a holder for the left hand, but it doesn't seem to fit. Either the guy mis-sold it to me, or I'm not seeing something.
I'm very excited about getting my films returned. I'll be sending them off to Joan at http://www.wedevelopfilms.co.uk tomorrow. I do fear that as I am not yet in full control of the beast, my first batch might well be a disaster...we shall see. Chris mentioned I should make a note of my settings for each shot, a very sensible idea, which I forgot all about until this exact moment! I also forgot about the Mirror Up switch...Next time I will do it properly! Maybe...
First, the name: Mamiya are respected specialists in Medium Format photography, and many of their products can be purchased on ebay or from specialist shops. "RB" refers to the Revolving Back - the back of the camera, which houses the film, can swivel around from landscape to portrait views. The Pro SD refers to the fact that the lens mount diameter has increased slightly from previous models (54mm to 61mm) and can now accommodate a wider range of lenses. The 6x7cm format is 4.5 times as large as 35mm.
The first thing you'll notice about this camera is that it is a MONSTA!
My poor Fuji X100 looks overwhelmed...
The back unit houses a 120 roll film, which produces 10 exposures. I found installing film very simple - although that might mean all images come back blank! We shall see. Thankfully there is a useful video on youtube for the installation process.
Note the red mark covering half the shot number - this mark disappears when the shot has been taken. This is helpful if you have forgotten whether you have cocked the shutter for the next shot.
The viewfinder is generous and clear, and quite an eye opener, so to speak, when coming from a small 35mm viewfinder. There is a real 3D quality to the image. Meet Wally...
This shot shows the X and B connections, f-stop ring and shutter speed, including T for long exposures.
Pinpoint focus can be achieved with the help of the Floating System - a feature which I'm going to need some tuition in using...
I believe it should be used in conjunction with the side scale and a light meter. This is one whole area where I need some advice, as I find it all a little confusing.
This shot shows the viewfinder in up position, but also an M UP switch on the lens. The mirror movement when firing can create a little shudder, something this switch bypasses. Not sure why the option is there, and I'm told that most people leave it in the UP position permanently.
Inside the viewfinder there is a flick-up magnifying glass to aid focussing. There are large focussing dials on either side of the camera (seen clearly in the above image) which operate a bellows system (viewable in the Side Scale shot above). The shutter release can also be seen below the side scale.
One other helpful video shows how to dismantle and reassemble all the parts.
There is an extractable Dark Slide which prevents light reaching the film
The backs are interchangeable - 6x7, 6x4.5, as well as 6x7 and 6x8 Power Drives (whatever they are), and a 70mm holder and sheet film holders. All this and more can be found in the online original instruction booklet, which, evidently, I need to reread a few more times.
Yes, it's heavy, but not excessively so, and the weight helps promote a more thoughtful setting up of a shot. Not for street snappers, probably. I used a tripod designed for a much lighter camera, so might invest in a stronger one. I also bought off ebay a holder for the left hand, but it doesn't seem to fit. Either the guy mis-sold it to me, or I'm not seeing something.
I'm very excited about getting my films returned. I'll be sending them off to Joan at http://www.wedevelopfilms.co.uk tomorrow. I do fear that as I am not yet in full control of the beast, my first batch might well be a disaster...we shall see. Chris mentioned I should make a note of my settings for each shot, a very sensible idea, which I forgot all about until this exact moment! I also forgot about the Mirror Up switch...Next time I will do it properly! Maybe...
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