The RB67 is a medium format SLR that was first produced in the 1970s. Since this time there have been many different versions and actually there are still models being produced under the model RZ67. The Mamiya RB67 is a fully modular camera system that is also fully mechanical. You can choose from a variety of different viewfinders, film backs, lenses, and bodies with this system. This allows for a tremendous amount of customization for the photographer. I have used this camera throughout college, and as a result I have become quite comfortable with it, but it can be fairly intimidating especially if you have never used a medium format camera before.
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The Mamiya RB67 has 3 different models that are all completely interchangeable. The earliest model was the Professional series; later the Pro S model was released which added a focus lock, a mechanism that prevented multiple exposures, and a portrait indicator in the viewfinder that will show when your RB67 back is in portrait orientation. In 1990 Mamiya produced the last version of the RB67, and this model was the Pro SD. This model supported K/L and L series lenses and 6x8 film backs. The SD had a slightly large mount which would allow you to use a new series of lenses that could expose a 6x8 negative adequately. If you do purchase a Pro SD model you will have to use an adapter when using older original Mamiya RB67 and C lenses. The other difference between the Pro SD and Pro S models is the build quality. The Mamiya Pro SD use a lot more plastic compared to its predecessor, and this allows for the SD to be much lighter as a result. Unfortunately, this does mean that it is sacrificing some durability, but another benefit is that it no longer uses the old light seal method that disintegrates within a few years. This means you will never have to worry about a light leak unless you camera is physically
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There are a large variety of different viewfinders for these cameras. If you are looking for something lightweight to keep your RB67 relatively compact, you can use a standard waist-level viewfinder. There are 2 models, one was for the original RB67 Professional which had a magnifier that pops up but does not block the entire hood from outside light, and the version made for the Pro S and SD which when the magnifier is opened blocks the rest of the viewfinder to prevent any stray light. This makes focusing precisely much easier without stray light getting in the way. There are also a variety of prism finders as well, the standard versions are simply prism finders for people who don’t like the inverted image that comes with the waist level viewfinder. There is also a few different metering prism finders that allow you to meter within the camera’s prism instead of using an external hand light meter. There are few different types with various different metering types like spotmeter or center weight. There are also different viewfinders with varying amounts of magnification to make focusing easier. I use a waist level viewfinder on my model because it reduces the size and weight of my Mamiya
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The Mamya RB67 camera system have a variety of different film backs, and they are all interchangeable, with the exception of the 6X8 film backs made for the Pro SD body. There are film backs made for 220 film, 120 film, and even 35mm film. Many photographers purchase multiple film backs to quickly switch rolls, or to have a back loaded with color film and one loaded with black and white. You could also have them loaded with faster or slower speed films for certain situations. This really opens up a lot of possibilities when shooting and I could imagine this was a really popular camera for professional.
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These camera models are certainly built to last, especially the Pro and Pro S models, and the only thing that may need to be replaced on these cameras are the light seals. The Pro SD versions don’t require light seals, but they do have a more plastic build quality as a result. This is not to say they feel cheap; Mamiya used high quality plastics when producing this model and it still feels great. The lenses for these cameras are all metal and glass, and the only plastic parts on the Pro and Pro S models are the knobs and advance levers. These cameras are quite heavy, my Mamiya with a lens weighs around 6lb 1oz, and is about 9 ¼ inches long from the rear of the film back to the front of lens, and 5 ½ inches tall from bottom to the top of the closed viewfinder. You can see in the comparison of this camera next to my Nikon FM, that this is a very large camera. This camera is by far the largest and heaviest camera I own. As a result you most likely won’t want to be hand holding this camera very often. My Mamiya RB67 is always on a tripod when I am using it. This makes using the waist-level viewfinder a lot easier to use and allows me to shoot without straining myself. This
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