Hand Held Mamiya RB

<p>Aside from weight, what are the issues hand-holding a Mamiya RB. I know that it's possible to find handles that fit the RB. In particular, how bad is mirror-shake for this camera? </p>

<p>The RB camera is a real 'gentle-giant'. The mirror movement is barely perceptible. Hand held operation is a realistic propostion with wide angle and standard lenses. Less so with longer focal lengths as the extension away from film plane starts to shift the cameras C of G (and disturb balance). Remember that DOF will be shallower than from tiny (35mm) cameras. This lack of depth of field often decides the need for a tripod - or fast film.</p>

<p>Handheld is doable, but even better for me is a stout neckstrap with the camera braced against my body and using a wlf. Sort of increases stability with its mock 3 point contact.</p>

<p>When using it with a prism I get OK results handheld using the standard handle grip. I get superb results on tripod.</p>

<p>I'm older now, and it takes a bit of attention to one's posture and body position to maximize sharpness with an RB, but also for 35mm too!</p>

<p>My 2 cents. Jim</p>

<p>This is interesting. I appreciate the insights.</p>

<p>I'm coming from a Bronical S2a (kerrr-PLOP) as my previous medium format camera. At the same time, I saw a video of Annie Leibovitz photographing the Rolling Stones hand-held with an RB. (I recall that the lens was probably a moderate wide-angle.) So I was wondering. Plus, I was aware that Mamiya made a special trigger release cable that pre-releases the mirror. <br>

<br>

The more that I learn about this camera (a new acquisition) and its excellent lenses, the more impressed I becomes.<br /></p>

<p>Neil:<br>

Annie usually works with strobes, so that alone takes care of most of the problems associated with hand held cameras. If you're doing still life, certain types of portraiture, or landscapes, the tripod becomes more of an asset. I love my tripod, but for certain situations, it gets in the way. Especially with things that move while I'm shooting them......</p>

<p>I have experience with the Bronica ETRS and the Mamiya RB67. IMO the latter is a behemoth and not easily hand-held for long intervals. The revolving back makes it, in actuality, a 7x7 camera. Both the camera & lenses are hefty.<br>

That said IMO it's a great system but comparing 8x10 and 11x14 prints of the same subject shot under the same lighting with the same exposure using lenses of analogous focal lengths, the differences were minimal. YMMV</p>

<p>Henry Posner<br /><strong>B&H Photo-Video</strong></p>

<p>I used a Rolleiflex by hand for news work, but the pictures weren't all that sharp, nor did they need to be with an 80 dpi press. Pictures printer three columns wide or larger were rare. Even at 1/500 second, you won't get gallery sized enlargements from a medium format camera. Big prints = sturdy tripods. Or you can use strobes, which provide 1/10,000 or faster.</p>

Henry, the RB is even bigger than you are inferring from the rotating back - with the right magazine it's possible to do 6x8 cm - so if

anything it's actually an 8x8 camera! It's just a pity the viewfinder can't display the full field with one of these mags - it would be quite a

sight. No doubt the original poster is familiar with the relatively shallow DOF associated with medium format.

<p>I use my RB handheld probably 90% of the time, it takes a slow speed or very heavy lens to make me consider a tripod for the RB or anything else. The RB handles well, is nicely balanced and has no noticeable shake when I release the shutter. In short, you don't need a tripod for this camera but those who tend to prefer a tripod for most of their work will certainly use one with this camera.</p>

<p>Rick H.</p>

<p>>>- so if anything it's actually an 8x8 camera! </p>

<p>Not sure if you guys are joking, but of course you have the same size image circle using 6 x 8 horizontal as you do with 8 x 6 vertical-- about 10cm. The projected image doesn't know what orientation you have the back in. A true 8 x 8 camera would need a lens with a bigger image circle. Sorry to be a pedant.</p>

<p>That said, we all have our reasons for using medium format, because it means we put up with the bigger camera and expensive processing. IMHO there's not much point in using 120 if you're not going to go the extra mile for image quality. To me, that means a support, either a tripod or monopod. Your mileage, of course, may vary.</p>

<p><em>Neil:</em><br /><em> Annie usually works with strobes, so that alone takes care of most of the problems associated with hand held cameras. If you're doing still life, certain types of portraiture, or landscapes, the tripod becomes more of an asset. I love my tripod, but for certain situations, it gets in the way. Especially with things that move while I'm shooting them......</em><br>

<em><br /></em>Of course; that explains her choice of hand-held. </p>

<p>Thanks for the responses. I'm feeling pretty encouraged about hand-holding my RB. I also have a monopod that I can use. But in particular, I think that I may purchase an RB pistol grip that I've been eying. </p>

<p>Get a good neck strap. It makes a lot of difference in handling the camera. I have an RZ which is a bit lighter I think, but since I got a neck strap, the handling improved very much.</p>

<p>"Not sure if you guys are joking, but of course you have the same size image circle using 6 x 8 horizontal as you do with 8 x 6 vertical-- about 10cm. The projected image doesn't know what orientation you have the back in. A true 8 x 8 camera would need a lens with a bigger image circle. Sorry to be a pedant."<br>

<br />I find the lenses cover the 6x8 format - though with the 37mm fishyeye the 'petals' cause a little vignetting. I imagine the oversize body of the RB helps reduce camera flare.</p>

<p>Consider a mono pod. Camera shake at slow shutter speeds is a real issue HH-ing an RB. I've done it but mostly with flash.<br>

Not as much of an issue if you shoot fast film, wide-ish lenses or at large apertures or a combo of all three.<br>

I have shot landscapes with an RB HH, but always found something solid to brace against. This helps a lot. Have fun and enjoy your beast. The reward are huge "chromes" that don't require a lupe to view!</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Not sure if you guys are joking, but of course you have the same size image circle using 6 x 8 horizontal as you do with 8 x 6 vertical-- about 10cm. The projected image doesn't know what orientation you have the back in. A true 8 x 8 camera would need a lens with a bigger image circle. Sorry to be a pedant.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>This is true, but what I think what the others meant, in calling it an "8 x 8 camera", is that everything ahead of the revolving back has to be large enough to view and project an image of effectively 8 x 8 dimensions. The reflex mirror, the focusing screen, the rear baffle, and the box that holds it all - all bigger than would be the case in a fixed-orientation camera like the Pentax 67 or Bronica GS1. </p>

<p>Neil Poulsen</p>

<p>Show us some of the work you've done with that wonderful camera. Would love to see it...... :-)</p>

<p>I have used my RB ad RZ cameras for hand held shooting but I find them uncomfortable to use that way. If I know I want to shoot hand held with a 6X7 camera I prefer one of my Bronica GS-1s with a prism finder and a Speed Grip. This probably wouldn't work as well for someone who is left handed. A left handed person might not mind the left side bracket of an RB.</p>

<p>I use a tripod with my RB67 but I shoot landscapes mainly. Shooting by hand is too iffy for me but you can try it and see how it works for you. Don't forget to blow up the results or look with a loupe. Small prints and viewing the chromes without a loupe may not show the shake that only becomes noticeable when you enlarge.</p>

<p>I also shoot mirror up but you can do this with a cheap single cable release. The expensive Mamiya dual release is not required. </p>

<p>Thanks for the memories. I still have my Pro S, that I used in the 70's, along with my 50mm wide angle, 150 macro, and 360 telephoto. It's in a nice, but heavy, pack next to my much newer digital gear so I can use it for strength conditioning. (humor) I used to hand hold it with any of the lenses all the time and I'm only 150 pounds. </p>