Mamiya RZ Quadra-back

[miles_feigenbaum___dallas_]

Good morning friends,

 

Do any of you have any experience, cheers, jeers , with the quadra

back pola 545i for 4 by 5 sheet film for the RZ?

 

see the following:

 

Maximize your RZ advantage with professional 4" x 5" sheet films from

Kodak and Polaroid for the ultimate in image size and quality! The

Quadra 72 offers the largest scannable image in medium format.

 

Larger Image Size:

 

The new 72mm x 72mm Super Square Format is over 60% larger than

ordinary 2-1/4" square!

 

 

Instant Proofing:

 

Take the guesswork out of exposure and lighting. The Quadra Back,

with Polaroid film, provides instant proofs to save you time and

money.

 

 

Uses 4 x 5 Sheet Film - Kodak or Polaroid:

 

Get huge images on Kodak Professional Readyload film. Choose from

chrome and black & white materials.

 

 

Use 4x5 sheet films including the latest Polaroid Polacolor PRO 100,

Polapan PRO 100 Instant Black & White, as well as type 55 P/N for

instant black and white positive prints and negatives. Or use Kodak

Readyload Ektachrome 100 PLUS Professional, Ektachrome 64T

Professional, Pro 100 Color Negative and T-MAX 100 Professional Sheet

Films.

 

 

thanks for your time.

[eric friedemann]

Miles-

 

I have not used the RZ back in particular, but have used two other "enlarging" Polaroid backs over the years. My experience with those backs was:

 

1. The images were not critically sharp. They did not provide the quality of using a Polaroid 4x5 back on a 4x5 camera.

 

2. I have never used a Polaroid back to check precise exposure- that is to say that Polacolor with an ISO of 100 isn't exactly the same as Fuji Reala with an ISO of 100. I have used Polaroid backs to check gross details, like positioning of lights.

 

Even given that, I found the enlarging backs lost a significant amount of light. This made exposures grossly different as between a film back and the Polaroid enlarging back.

 

Long story short, I'd try to rent one or test one at a Mamiya demo before investing in one.

[eric friedemann]

Hold the phone. I'm thinking of something different.

 

This new Quadra back gives you an image area of 72x72mm, whereas the regular 3.25x4.25" pack film backs give you an image area of 70x70mm. So, as a Polaroid back the Quadra back is overpriced- $600 v. $200 for a standard NPC polaroid back.

 

On the other hand, you can shoot "Readyload" 4x5 sheet film in an RZ. So on that basis, it could be worthwhile.

 

My reaction would be that I would shoot an RZ and 120 film to avoid sheet film. Also, there wouldn't be a dramatic enough difference between 56x66mm and 72x72mm to make the Quadra back appealing to me.

 

That having been said, there is a mint RZ/Polaroid Quadra back on eBay right now for $185. For that price, if I were still shooting RZ, I might just give it a try:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2939168329&category=3352

[jonathan brewer]

NPC makes pretty much the same thing, a 'Quadra' style back based on a polaroid holder for the RB/RZ, I have one for my RB, is is simple, dependable, and my 55 pos/neg stuff is sharp.

 

These backs from NPC are way cheaper than the Quadra new or used, and I beleive you are getting the same workmanship from NPC for a lot less money.

[miles_feigenbaum___dallas_]

Thank you guys! After thinking about the expense involved with the back and the not so inexpensive readyloads and the LF processing, I desided to pass on this one. Didn't want to cut into my whiskey budget...

[bill_dewberry]

I have the quadra back, the image is a tad larger, but not that you would

recognize. Only reason to have the back is to shoot type 55 film, or its color

version.