Mamiya RB67 vs. RZ67

RB67 on ebay is around 300-400GBP. RZ67 is over 700GBP.<br>

What would be the reason to pay more that twice to get RZ67.<br>

I own ARAX-60 and have some medium format experience.<br>

The primary use is for studio.

main difference is, that the RZ has an electronical shutter and the RB is fully mechanical. The newest RB lenses (KL) are of the same quality as the RZ lenses.

Gees, I just saw a nice RB67 pro body with a 120 back and 90mm C lens go on fleabay for less than $250. The RZ is nice, single action and all, electronic, etc. Nothing wrong with either really. If I was headed towards a digital back I would go for an RZ.

There are some good RZ Pro (not Pro II) bodies going for much, much less at www.keh.com--a store I strongly recommend for its conservative ratings and liberal return policy. I would not hesitate to buy a "bargain" rated item from KEH.

 

One of the most important benefits of the RZ line is the one-motion movement from frame to frame. It takes only the single swipe of the wind lever for the RZ, while it takes two motions (the shutter cocking lever and the film wind lever on the back) with an RB.

 

The beauty of the ergonometry of the RZ release and wind can't be overstated--it's as fast and easy as any non-motorized 35mm camera, keeping your fingers on the focusing knob and the shutter release. The accessory motor winder is superfluous and even slower than manual. Going from the RZ to the RB truly feels like retrogression in that respect.

 

The second significant benefit of the RZ is the interlock system that prevents nearly every "bozo no-no" that otherwise lies in wait for people who use modular cameras. It's nearly impossible to remove a dark slide at the wrong time, or fail to remove it when necessary, or remove a lens or back at the wrong time, et cetera. If you want to do something and the camera won't let you, the camera is most likely right.

 

I also appreciate the electronically controlled shutter. Even the best medium format leaf shutters had always been notorious for inaccuracy, but that is a thing of the past with the RZ.

 

Finally, although it's a small matter, I like the automatic vertical and horizontal framing blinds that activate as you revolve the RZ back. The RB has engraved lines on the screen to help composition, but you have to remember whether you're in horizontal or vertical mode. The automatic blinds on the RZ are a nice touch.

 

I'd recommend combing the Mamiya RB/RZ archive here and also go to www.mamiya.com and go through their users forum archives as well.

The RZ is much more intuitive and easier to use. It's viewfinder masks are real black masks rather than lines in the viewfinder. Optics wise the RZ has much better lenses and the KL lenses which are supposed to be their equivalent hardly very come up on the used marked, 90% of used RB lenses that you see for sale are older inferior optics. It's also a lot easier to set the shutter on the RZ with it's electronically controlled shutter dial on the body, the lenses are a lot simpler and cleaner barrels as a result with only a aperture ring. I picked up a RZ67 Pro body in near mint condition for under $200 on ebay recently.

IMHO, there's a big difference between use PRIMARILY in a studio, or EXCLUSIVELY in a studio. In a studio, they are basically equal, and the RB might even be just slightly better - due to the LACK of interlocks, so long as the camera will only be used with film (The RZ is much more easily hooked to a digital back).

 

But in the field, and particularly if you ever need to hand-hold, the RZ is an order of magnitude better handling camera, and noticeably lighter.

 

I should point out that the price you are seeing for the RB is too high. You should be able to get a fully useable RB67 outfit with 90mm or 127mm lens for under $400. I paid under $300 for mine, including a 120 back and 90mm C lens. An RZ outfit, with the GREAT 110mm lens, would cost around twice as much as the RB.

I was having the same debate, and I didn't really care which system I got. I bid on both in ebay, and I ended up with a beautiful RZ w/ two lenses a 220, 2 120 backs, a polaroid back, a wl and ae prism (RB prism) a lens hood, and the motor winder (which i probably won't use much, all in like new condition for $560. And I got it from a really, really nice guy to boot. Just gotta keep your eye out there, good setups will come up, just got to look consistantly. I played with the camera last night, and it is really a thing of beauty. It feels good in the hands. I am sure the RB feels just as good, and takes fine pictures. you can get used lenses for both cameras for relative bargains, at least compared to the Contax 645 that i sold a year ago (because i couldn't afford the lenses). I was almost hoping for the RB because the lenses are good, even if you don't get the newest ones, and you can put together a nice set of lenses without burning cash. The RZ lenses are a little more, so that might be something to think about depending on what you are getting the camera for, i.e. commercial work versus personal fulfillment. Because hundreds of dollars saved can be pretty fulfilling as well, especially if you satisfy your purpose and save at the same time. Alright, no more avoidig work for me. Best of luck.

Just to clear things up, the RB67 ProS and ProSD have all the interlocks you could want. They also have automatic cropping marks that tell you which orientation the film back is in. You can get the motorized film back for the RB and not have to worry about winding either, but for studio use, it never bothered me all that much.

 

I would say the biggest things are the electronic shutter, which is probably more accurate, and the potential for using a digital back.

 

That being said, Mamiya assumed the RZ would kill off the RB (the RB tooling was actually starting to wear out). It not only survived, but continues to be produced over a decade later. The newer ProS and ProSD's are a steal in the used market. Both are made to be USED and periodicly serviced. Assume you'll need to send off to a CLA, any used model you buy. I would probably stick to a ProSD model for parts availability, although there are tons of ProS's floating around to be parts donors if need be.

As Jim Feldman said. The only significant difference for me is the speed inaccuracy of the leaf shutters at higher speed (fine at lower speed), an issue if you are shooting transparencies for display or printing using wet process. There are digital backs for the Pro-SD as well. The two action shooting also becomes second nature very soon. Other than that an RZ body is noticeably lighter, but not an issue on a tripod. Personally, I prefer the full mechanical operation of a RB, for no good reason�

<p>I just got, 2 week ago, a Mamiya RB Pro SD from Japan wih a 90 mm KL, 127 KL and 180 KL<br>

almost Mint for $400.<br>

It will be used exclusively for fine art nude in studio in B&W.<br>

So far it is very easy and pleasant to use, nice result (film : Fomapan 100 developed in rodinal)<br>

I think a 100% mechanical film camera will be more valuable in the futur.</p>