"Accidently" Bought Mamiya RZ Pro II

<p>Oh boy! My wife is going to kill me - not because of the money, but because of how many MF camera systems I have already (RB, 645 Super, Hassy 500CM). I placed a very low-ball bid on the auction site for a RZ Pro II with the Pro II 120 back and Pro II AE Finder thinking that I'd never win...but you have to buy a ticket if you want to win the lottery, right? Well, I was surprised to find out that I won--got it for only $364.99 too! Along with the Hassy, this has been my dream camera for years and years.<br>

I went ahead and read the manual from Mamiya's site and still have a couple of questions. It mentions some sort of adapter to put on the back of your RB lenses when fitting them to the RZ Pro II (no, not the RB SD adapter)--I have never heard of this adapter in all my readings on the RB/RZ--everything just says that you can use the RB lenses. If I do need the adapter...where in the world can I find one? I would think I could use my favorite RB 180mm straight on the body of the RZ Pro II--am I wrong??<br>

I also have a NPS polaroid back for the RB--can that be used on the RZ Pro II without any adapters?<br>

William Markey<br>

Birmingham, Alabama</p>

<p>Well ... as for your wife's reaction ... I've long theroized that you reach a stage in a marriage where given you've been away for long hours and ask by your wife of your whereabouts the answer is "I was at a unsavory parlor playing pool, drinking, flirting, and telling tall tales" You wife may respond "Fine. But you haven't been around any camera stores have you?" ;D </p>

<p>Joe</p>

<p>http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/33435-REG/Mamiya_301_245_Lens_Mount_Adapter_Ring.html</p>

<p>http://www.photo.net/medium-format-photography-forum/00RiHJ</p>

<p>http://www.photo.net/medium-format-photography-forum/00TBQi</p>

<p>Nice deal on the Cam! Darn :)<br>

Jim M</p>

<p>Well, I'm sure you could sell it for more than you got it for, so the wife should be happy you're <em>making</em> money as opposed to blowing it on this photo stuff. Especially in <em>this</em> economy. I'd go for the "investment" approach. You could throw in a promise to share the profit 50% with her when you sell it and she could use that money toward a diamond...</p>

<p>William, I'm so glad it's not just me! Fortunately my wife's so confused about cameras she doesn't know what I have and haven't got, sneaking another one through the door is easy.<br>

I used to have an RZ PROII, and it's truly a sweet camera, but I'm fairly sure you can't put RB lenses on it, I may be wrong, but you're gonna have to do some Googling on it</p>

<p>When I bought my RZ67 it came with the standard 110/2.8 (that is permanently attached to the RZ67) and a RB180/4.5 that have never used myself. The previous owner, a pro photographer, bought it second hand and used it without any adapter and, as far as I know, he never had a problem.<br>

Cheers<br>

Alfonso</p>

<p>Sorry, I mis-read.<br>

From the Mamiya USA site -<br>

" Using RB Series Lenses and Accessories Lenses<br /> 1. Focusing<br /> RB67 lenses are mounted directly onto the RZ PRO II ; however,<br /> the bellows must be extended 7 mm in order to focus the lens at<br /> infinity. Therefore, even when photographing distant subjects, be<br /> sure to use the Focusing Screen.<br /> CAUTION: Because of the differences in flange back between the<br /> two series of lenses, the Distance Scale of the RZ PRO II body<br /> does not apply when using RB67 lenses.<br>

<br /> 2. Shutter Speed Selection<br /> When a RB67 lens is mounted on the RZ PRO II body, use the<br /> Shutter Speed Ring of the lens for shutter speed selection.<br /> Be sure to set to the "RBL" position. Once this done all the other<br /> speed dial settings are immobilized.<br /> The shutter is cocked and released in the same manner as RZ<br /> series lenses.<br /> When using a Mamiya Sekor C lens for the RB series on the RZ<br /> PRO II body, be sure to insert an optional interchange mounting<br /> ring into the lens rear mount to assure correct coupling with the<br /> camera body.<br /> • Older RB Lenses should be checked before use, to determine if<br /> their shutter torque is compatible with the RZ PRO II. Before try<br /> ing, please send such lenses to the service department of your<br /> country's Mamiya distributor. "</p>

<p>http://www.mamiya.com/assets/pdfs/RZ/RZ67PROII_Instr.pdf<br>

See page 40.</p>

<p>Jim</p>

<p>Jim--that is what I was talking about from the Mamiya site instruction book:</p>

<p>"When using a Mamiya Sekor C lens for the RB series on the RZ<br /> PRO II body, be sure to insert an optional interchange mounting<br /> ring into the lens rear mount to assure correct coupling with the<br /> camera body."</p>

<p>What is the "optional interchange mounting ring" mentioned?? COULD it be the same thing as the adapter ring for using non-75mm/500mm RB lenses on the RB SD?? Anyone know for sure??</p>

<p>Thanks everyone for the replies thusfar--the wife jokes made for a good laugh! Alphonso--that's kinda what I thought--that I can use the RB 180mm with no adapter...the instruction manual quote just made me a little nervous at first.</p>

<p>The difference between the RB67 Pro S and the Pro SD is the wider lens throat. The RZ has ALWAYS had the wider throat.<br>

<br /> Bob Shell's book on Mamiya cameras states the new wider throat lenses are fitted with a removable adapter ring. Taking it off allows these lenses to be used on the older cameras. Put a ring on an older lens and use it on a newer camera.<br /> <br /> Exceptions are the 75mm shift and the 500mm APO (wide throat only).<br>

The actual bayonet mount is exactly the same.<br>

One other comment is the 'Winder RZ' won't work as it's looking for some info back from the lens.<br>

Obviously the shutter dial on the body does not do anything as it cannot communicate with the older lens, so you use the shutter ring on the older lens.<br /> <br>

The Mamiya part number for the ring is 301-254.<br>

BH or Adorama usually have these for $33 each!</p>

<p>http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=search&A=search&Q=&shs=mamiya+sd+ring&ci=0</p>

<p>Personally, blah. It's only a spacer to keep the lens from clanking around while changing it in the larger throat and it is also a light baffle to prevent light leaks. I use cheapie, speciality o-rings I got from my industrial supply company that do the same for $8.14 + shipping for 25 pieces. But then I'm one cheap mofo.</p>

<p>Jim the cheap bum<br /> </p>

<p><br /> </p>

<p>I've used Rb 65mm on my Rz with no issues.</p>

<p>Thanks everyone for your answers! I will use my RB lenses with no worries until I get some rings or RZ lenses.</p>

<p>But Jim, can you post the contact info for your industrial supply company and what size/name of ring to ask for? $8.14 sounds a LOT better than $33!!</p>

<p>William, I sent you a private email.<br>

happy 6x7-ing.<br>

Jim</p>

<p>Ugggh what a sweat deal Its on my dream list also.<br>

What is the condition of the camera ? The AEII prisim alone goes for $400 on KEH ex condition. Post some photos maybe so I can drooll...lol</p>

<p>Hey David--they posted photos of it at all angles and it seems in really good to excellent condition. I should get it Thursday...yeah, I'll have to post some photos of it.</p>

<p>Funny how I NEVER thought I'd win it with that bid...thus the "accidental" in the title. BTW, the wife ended up being fine with it after all...but kiddingly told me to stay off e-bay to prevent any more "accidents". LOL</p>