Mamiya RB67 (and the MF rite of passage)

[Dawid Loubser]

Hello All,

Regardless of common sense, denial, and all other fruitless attempts at swaying one's intentions, why is it that so many of us (especially the younger photographers, who, once they had the money to purchase some decent photographic kit, did it all-digital) eventually find our way to medium format? Especially, old film-based medium format cameras.

I believe it's for two reasons: The one is to reduce ourselves to the photographic essentials, to reach a point where (usually) all earlier photographers started out with. In a way, to force ourselves to think about the image we want to produce.

The second reason may have to do with the tactile pleasure of working with a large, mechanical, imposing beast of a machine (or, in the case of a Rollei TLR, a rather smaller mechanical beast). To tame it, to make it function as a tool to express artistic intent.

There is precious little that I could not photograph with my Canon EOS 1D MkIIN, especially with the EF 50mm f/1.2L lens that is usually glued to it.

Yet, when the opportunity arose, I purchased a full Mamiya RB67 camera + lens kit - four lenses (50mm C, 127mm, 140mm Macro C, 250mm) and a whole range of accessories (different viewfinders, two film backs, extension tubes, etc). These kits are available for next to nothing these days, cheaper than a single middle-range Canon EF lens.



No disrespect to users of the wonderfully capable modern Medium Format cameras - the Sinars and the Rolleis - but these modern cameras often look like plastic toys! (as do so many modern devices). There is something wonderfully old-school and often-cantankerous about a first-generation Mamiya RB67 - it does not quite have the refinement of a Hasselblad from the same period; it has a more robust, industrial quality about it. It is solid, (very) heavy, and precise. The breech-lock lenses are adequately named, because the mount seems to have been designed to withstand the back-pressure of a gun. This stuff seems to be severely over-engineered - but may that's why this 38-year old camera still looks and feels so good. Though the mirror-slap (this is one of the biggest mirrors you'll find in any SLR) is very loud, it is well-damped, but when you decouple them (via cable release as in my photo), the gentle tick of the in-lens leaf shutters more than make up for it.

The Hasselblad is the finely-crafted (and perhaps finicky) Bentley or Rolls-Royce, whereas the Mamiya is the clunky, solid 1960s Mercedes-Benz that just keeps on going and going. That is the impression it creates, in anyway.

I have shot one test roll of Velvia slide film, and another roll of Monochrome. I unfortunately do not have a scanner, and furthermore - when I'm playing with analogue photography, wish do so fully! (the whole darkroom experience, analogue printing etc) so I currently have no means of posting any images here, but once I do so I will.

I can only say that the results - when looking at the huge 6x7 slides under a loupe - look wonderful. I fear that it indeed looks better than what I am used to seeing from my Canon Pro gear. I believe that one day I will be able to put a digital back on this machine, even if it requires a bit of hacking. But that day will come when digital backs' prices drop by a factor of five or so :-) Macro and close-up seems to be something this camera does uniquely well for its era.

So - this will not replace a Canon EOS 1D-series. I do still maintain that *no* other camera is made with the same fine craftsmanship, solidity, "tightness" and sheer functionality. (despite certain notorious german cameras giving the impression that they are, in fact!)

However, when a shot calls for some forethought, and when I just want to have a bit of good ol' fun, I can't think of anything I could buy for the same price as this Mamiya that will deliver to the same extent. I am hoping that I could do shots like these (currently limited maximum print size due to containing about 6million [very sharp] pixels) with a bit more resolution, depth, and sheer old-fashioned-ness :-) Whether I will be able to capture the same dynamic range with good B&W film remains to be seen - this was a very bright day, and I really pushed the sensor output to the max to flatten the image's tonality a bit (the dark areas are rather noisy).

"Fleeting Memory"

EOS 1D MkIIN @ ISO100, 50mm f/1.2L @ f/10

Just to be clear, the shot above was not made with the Mamiya, but it is the sort of thing I hope to achieve with it - if it could do this better than my Canon, it will have proven itself. Of course, with the Mamiya, one would have to had expected the train to come through, whereas the shot above was completely unplanned and a pleasant surprise. I don't think I'm going to go to breakfast (where the above shot was taken) with a RB67 over my one shoulder, and a tripod over the other!!

I believe different experiences are good - nay, that they are the very essence of a fruitful life - and I figured that since I regularly contribute to the Canon EOS camera and lens forums, I could add some experiences to the MF/LF forum also. I am especially interested if anybody else here also shoots a Mamiya RB or RZ 6x7 camera. Let's see some images!

[leonardobarreto.com]

May be because we old photographers have done extensive experimentation with Twin lens reflex, RB, RZ, Graflex, Bronica, built our own 8x10, cut b&w film to fit a Minolta 16mm casette, developed Polaroid b&w negatives and more.

After all that's the idea of being old, no?

It is very coincidental that I am looking with interest to this

http://www.mamiya.com/assets/adapter/RB67_Adapter.jpg

piece of equipment soon to be sold by Mamiya.

RB is a very interesting camera, it was built by the Japanes inspired in the Graflex SLR's 4x5 of Burke White and the problem with earlier models was that you had to wind the camera AND then wind the film holder since this where basically 4x5 cameras with a mirror mechanism.

This is probably a good thing in the time of the Digital Back.

It could be the perfect studio solution. The only remaining thing to do is to see if it would be possible to adapt a tilt shift view camera lens in front.

Or... what about a non-reflex body (same as Hasselblad's ) that would accept the digital back adapter in the back and RB lenses in the front with a mechanical focusing plus tilt/shift mechanism using the space of the reflex box...

... or just put some 120 film on the old RB and go shoot some photos ...

[Dawid Loubser]

Leonardo, I have also with great interest been looking at the Mamiya adaptor to put the ZD on the back of an RB67. But I would long for a full-frame coverage though, the digital sensor is comparatively tiny compared to the large 6cmx7cm film area! (4.8x3.6cm). On the other hand, it may introduce a rangefinder-like shooting experience, the RB's huge focusing area with a smaller frame that indicates the capture area.

Separately cocking the shutter and winding the film does not seem to be a huge problem for the type of shooting the RB seems to have been designed to do. But it is quirky, yes.

But I will certainly be keeping my eye open. In the meantime, I will (and have been) put some film in the RB, and shoot and enjoy. Am steadily scraping together some darkroom equipment (especially with the help of my colleague, who will be having some old-time fun with me with his beautiful Rollei TLR) and will sometime in the future 'upgrade' to the digital age, when it becomes affordable.

[David Robertson]

Its funny that you started this thread today. I've just brought my RB out of retirement and earlier today bought a brace of brand new lenses at very silly prices.

I just love this camera and I've only just realised how much I've missed it these last four years whilst working with a Canon 1Ds. I can't wait to load a roll and start winding levers and listen to that flipping mirror again. And the WLF and reversed image, all magic and a bit primeval really, but a breath of fresh air after the buttons, menus and batteries of the 1Ds.

Don't get me wrong, I've had a lot of fun with digital photography and I shall continue to use the 1Ds, but, for me, photography is a bit more than just the finished image, it's about how I get there. Why it's taken me so long to realise that, I do not know. For the first time in quite a while I am excited about photography again.

Have fun with yours.

Now, where did I put my Weston lightmeter?

David

[Erie Patsellis]

MIne gets more of a workout than any other camera I own, in fact I finally sold my Hassy, as Ijust never used it, here's some shots from the RB friday:







and for those architectural shots:



erie

[Dawid Loubser]

Originally Posted by Erie Patsellis

and for those architectural shots:

Erie, could you tell us a bit more about that interesting-looking mount that allows for camera movements? Where did you get it? And how do you focus? (do you put ground glass in the back?)

It might be the best of both worlds - LF versatility and shooting experience... with a roll of film!

[Erie Patsellis]

it's a Toyo 4x5 with custom (self hacked up..) lensboard to take RB lenses, as well as what amounts to a revolving back mounted on a panel that replaces the back on the camera. I have some info on making your own RB lensboard for the diy'ers on my website.



erie

[leonardobarreto.com]

It is interesting possible solution to use a DB on studio. The 6x7 lenses are prefect since the have a large image circle in relation to the 6x4.5 sensors, they focus using bellows and have leaf shutters with T/F settings -- not the RZ where the T is set on camera--

An now they have the digital camera adapter.

I have only one question and I will post it with the satisfaction of having found the person with the exact same idea -- only my brother Samuel regularly does that-- and is: How do you make the lens work, how do you cock the shutter etc.

I could do the same with my Sinar and just get one or two RB lenses ... and the RB-PhaseOne adapter...

nice !

[Erie Patsellis]

Leonard, go to my website, www.eriepatsellis.com and go to the information link, all will be answered.


erie

[leonardobarreto.com]

Erie:

Looks like the perfect project to do, specially since you figured out the important parts.

I don't know why Mamiya or other manufacturer don't produce something like this for the digital back. All solutions available are priced in the thousands of dollars...

I will try to get an RB and lens to do the conversion ... thanks !