Mamiya 645 or Mamiya RB67 Pro SD


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jonne

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Will be buying either one at CS so, need to know which is better?

1-weight, 2-lens performance, 3-friendly functions, 4-metering, 5-can upgrade upwards etc...
 

They are both good in quality. But RB67 Pro SD is to bulky to carry around, also
you'll need to have a good heavy tripod to stablized it. Hand held shoot is limited.

1. Weight - 645 is better

2. Lens performance - both are good

3. Friendly functions - is about the same (if u owned 1, u know both)

4. Metering - RB67 Pro SD don't have any. (optional and is not link to the camera system)

5. can upgrade upwards - RB67 Pro SD you can't go any further in term of digital but RZ67 can.

And why are you going for a brand new set? There are so many used in the market which are still in tip top condition. No digital cameras can beat both the quality of these cam.
I am using both Canon DSLR and RB67 system. Cheers:)
 

Will be buying either one at CS so, need to know which is better?

1-weight, 2-lens performance, 3-friendly functions, 4-metering, 5-can upgrade upwards etc...

Depends what you are shooting and how you like to shoot.

The RB is very hard to handhold because of its weight and will almost certainly require a tripod in most instances. It also has no way to have a built in meter, I'm not sure what you want to upgrade to, but if you mean to digital then no, not worth it.

That said 6x7 is really a beautiful format, much nicer than 645 in my opinion.
 

RB67 is very impractical to handhold. Your hands will get cramps by the end of the day. It's mostly used on tripods. 645 can be handheld for portrait shooting or more spontaneous shooting. If you like 67, the handheld choice will be Mamiya 7-light and easy.
 

most guys who use these cameras would prefer the external meters.. i wouldn't want to meter with a brick :bsmilie:
 

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The Mamiya site lists the RB has being compatible with digital backs.
There is also a prism with meter, but that'll just add to the weight.
The RB is a really nice camera with good lenses. Prices are low for the amount of film negative you get too.
But if you plan to shoot handheld, 6x4.5 may be a better option.


They are both good in quality. But RB67 Pro SD is to bulky to carry around, also
you'll need to have a good heavy tripod to stablized it. Hand held shoot is limited.

1. Weight - 645 is better

2. Lens performance - both are good

3. Friendly functions - is about the same (if u owned 1, u know both)

4. Metering - RB67 Pro SD don't have any. (optional and is not link to the camera system)

5. can upgrade upwards - RB67 Pro SD you can't go any further in term of digital but RZ67 can.

And why are you going for a brand new set? There are so many used in the market which are still in tip top condition. No digital cameras can beat both the quality of these cam.
I am using both Canon DSLR and RB67 system. Cheers:)
 

Are you meaning the M645/M645 TL/PRO, or the AFD 645 series? they are sort of apples and oranges so i'm assuming you mean a m645, since it's very similar to the RB 67 in concept - an SLR 'box' which you add a prism/finder, lens, and film back. i'll mention the AFD briefly at the end.

one of the big things no one has yet mentioned is the difference in shutter/lens types. the m645 is a traditional focal plane shutter, contained in the body directly in front of the film. there are many very good lenses for this format, including one of my favourites - the 80mm f/1.9 sekor c. the lenses need very little care as they're just optics + aperture blades.

the rb67 (including pro and pro sd) uses a leaf shutter system. the shutter is encased in the lens, rather than the body. one benefit is a flash will sync at all speeds. if something happens with the body, replacement bodies are pretty cheap these days, and i have had 3 bodies that have had mirror mechanism failures over the years. one other thing you need to consider is the rb67 focusses by moving the lens back and forth connected by a paper bellows. over time, the bellows can develop leaks/holes in the corners and they are quite fragile if you accidentally drop or spill something on them. they aren't something that you can find at your local shop to replace so you may be without the camera for awhile in the even of a hole. black electrical tape does work well for emergency repairs.

btw there is an older, but hard to find meter for the rb67 (including pro & pro-sd). it is a chimney finder. i have one and it works pretty well. provided there is enough light for it to work. yes size is a factor, but i don't mind carrying it around. it is hard to find straps, so you will likely be hand holding or carrying in a bag the whole time.

the 645 AFD/AFDii/AFDiii is like a traditional SLR, with a film back. it has a fixed finder and much higher shutter speeds than the above cameras. it uses the same m645 lenses as the older changeable finder 'box' slr above.

what sorts of things do you foresee yourself shooting with the body? are you shooting fashion in a studio, landscapes, or as a walkaround camera?
 

jonne,
Buy the cam bcoz u "really" need it instead of want or cheap.Yes very cheap now as used cam,but dun forget u r dealing with film.I think u know how to use slide otherwise u won't be thinking of buying this beast.Forget about digital back unless u r in professional biz where u can gain back ur investment in two mths time.Another concern,if u want the best scanning results,u gotta buy another beast, Nikon Coolscan 9000ED. U will scream looking at the results,tht's y some fashion photographer fr Nashua still shooting slides.Spot on exposure.If u wana save $ buying Epson V700 then forget about buying this cam.Just my two cents worth... ;)
 

thanks for the great info.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

i intend to do big format shooting for a try
(after shooting film for so long on 35mm SLRs).

i got a few CS offering me their RB67 and Mamiya 645.
so i am considering either one...
but due to budget also , i have to reconsider
(and have even offer my nikon stuff for exchange, see how....):(


thnaks ! :)
 

yes, i shoot slide and film still.

digital results not that good...

yes, am considering the Nikon Coolscan 9000ED too
but my poor budget for th e last few months doesnt help me....:embrass:
 

I intend to use it for landscape only...

for portriat etc i can use my SLRS nikon stuffs
 

I intend to use it for landscape only...

for portriat etc i can use my SLRS nikon stuffs

if its landscape.. you might wanna look into large format :)
the setup might be lighter than the 645s or rbs
 

"digital results not that good..."
--I love slide & digital. I suppose u mean u "prefer" slide? Phase One already have 60.5mp medium format digital back for Mamiya 645 AFD tht will blow u away. So in a way,yes, digital back has catched up the slide resolution.Problem now is preference of working environment only. Visit http://www.phaseone.com/Digital-Backs/P65/P65-Tech-Specs.aspx

"I intend to use it for landscape only..."
--u can forget about RB67 if u wana shoot landscape.Unless if your "landscape" allows u to place the RB67 in a roller bag & roll it wherever u want, then by all means.Or if u have large biceps & triceps to carry on your muscular shoulder & climb mountain,by all means. If the above doesn't apply,u had better think twice of spending ur hard earn cash.Cash save u from hunger nt camera.Save up well & buy a damn good medium format tht u won't look back & say "what a stupid investment"...i never regret owning 5D mark I. Be wise with your $. Lots of ppl out there lost their jobs. God bless...;)
 

Lets not rule out a camera system based on your physique. For all you know, the TS may be some ironman who walks to his office in Tuas everyday carrying a server. Ie, it may not work for you, but it may for others. Different strokes for different folks. Quite a few folks hand hold the RB with satisfactory results. I've lugged it across north India and up and down Vietnam without a 'roller bag'and yes, its a sight heavier than a pns, but the negative real estate was worth it. Or at least, I thought so..
The RB is a nice mature system with a fair amount of fans. Prices have fallen a lot, and it is very possible to pick up a standard system for below 1k, which makes it a bargain IMO.

...
--u can forget about RB67 if u wana shoot landscape.Unless if your "landscape" allows u to place the RB67 in a roller bag & roll it wherever u want, then by all means.Or if u have large biceps & triceps to carry on your muscular shoulder & climb mountain,by all means. If the above doesn't apply,u had better think twice of spending ur hard earn cash.Cash save u from hunger nt camera.Save up well & buy a damn good medium format tht u won't look back & say "what a stupid investment"...i never regret owning 5D mark I. Be wise with your $. Lots of ppl out there lost their jobs. God bless...;)
 

I intend to use it for landscape only...

HMmm... again if weight wasn't an issue, I would say the RB's better because of more real estate on the neg, the ability to mirror up, and the rotating back (awesome). In fact I'm sure there were/are many photographers who have used the RB/RZ for landscape photographs before.

I too have quiet a few photographs with my RB shot handheld. POSSIBLE, but not always ideal.
 

The RB / RZ s are 6x7 cm , 645 is 6x4.5cm . If you want to try something more than 35mm ,
and weight is not a problem , than go 6x7 .
-The bigger format gives you much more shallow depth of field .
-Easier to fine focus and the rack bellow focusing goes to macro range .
-Optimum sharpness for 35mm is f5.6, f8.0 whereas it is f16 for 6x7.

But between the RB and the RZ , it is better to take the RZ ( they built it to improve on the RB ) .
- You have to double **** the RB - once on the camera and another on the magazine.
-The RB was designed during the BW days - the lens coating would also not as good.
- RZ has metering .
- RZ has a more accurate electronic shutter.
- RZ has improved mirror box damping .
- RB was discontinued 8 years ago . It cannot be new.

Hope this helps .:cool:
 

thanks for the great info.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

i intend to do big format shooting for a try
(after shooting film for so long on 35mm SLRs).

i got a few CS offering me their RB67 and Mamiya 645.
so i am considering either one...
but due to budget also , i have to reconsider
(and have even offer my nikon stuff for exchange, see how....):(


thnaks ! :)

You've been buying and selling stuffs so much in the markerplace but you've yet to produce a decent picture or even show the slightest knowledge of handling a camera. :rolleyes:
 

Isnt that pretty common? As in, folks buying and selling kit?
In anycase, there is the very strong possibility that the TS doesnt link his pix to CS. I know I dont and wont.

You've been buying and selling stuffs so much in the markerplace but you've yet to produce a decent picture or even show the slightest knowledge of handling a camera. :rolleyes:
 

I shoot with a RZ67 hand held for street, slowest I've tried is 1/15 at f2.8, still get fairly sharp results, controlling your breathing helps.

I don't have the left hand grip for it though, not sure if it will help with shooting hand held.

Shooting, and working out at the same time!
 

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