Topic: RB or RZ67?

[Nigel]

For a couple of years on and off I've been hankering after a 6 x 7 camera. I bought and sold a Pentax 67, for some reason I just couldn't get on with it. The other contender on my shortlist is the Mamiya 7, but I'm afraid it's a little out of my budget. So it brings me to the RB and RZ67.

My natural instinct is to go for the RB67, the lower price and lack of battery are both attractive. But the accuracy and age of the newer electronic shutter on the RZ are also appealing.

I've never shot with either so if you have I would appreciate your views, on the cameras in general and whether there are benefits of one over the other?

[thatguychad]

Well they're both massive beasts (they make the Pentax 67 looks downright medium-sized) and from what I've been able to gather, there's not much difference except that all RZ lenses are multicoated and only *some* of the RB lenses are multicoated. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

I got my RB in a trade for a FujiFilm GA645Zi, but if I was buying I think I'd have a hard time paying the premium that RZs are getting right now.

[Sandeha Lynch]

I've seen good shots taken with them, but for the most part they have that "I'm on a tripod" look about them.

One guy I know did a book of handheld Polaroids shot on an RB67, but he was an authentic giant - if you can wave a brick-shaped half ton of pig iron about like it was a Sharpie pen, then maybe it's for you. Shame it's no longer in print:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sandeha/11564333124/in/photostream/

I can't comment on the lenses.  Did you consider the Bronica_GS-1 or the Makina 6x7?

[Nigel]

Well they're both massive beasts (they make the Pentax 67 looks downright medium-sized) and from what I've been able to gather, there's not much difference except that all RZ lenses are multicoated and only *some* of the RB lenses are multicoated. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

I got my RB in a trade for a FujiFilm GA645Zi, but if I was buying I think I'd have a hard time paying the premium that RZs are getting right now.

Thanks Chad, that’s one vote for the RB.

Hi Sandela, I think the Makina is a wonderful camera, but out of my price range I’m afraid. The Bronica I don’t know, I’ll have to google.

[Kai-san]

The RB67 weighs in at 2.7 kg with the normal lens, about the same as my Contax 645 with a 140mm lens. I don't find that a problem because the Contax is totally in balance, just like the RB67 will be. I once tried out a Pentax 67 and it felt like a lump of iron, it is totally out of balance. It's a pity that Hasselblad didn't make a 6x7, the 500 series are very light. I love the 6x7 format, it's feels more natural than 6x9.

[thatguychad]

Oh, and the Bronica GS-1 is on my list. I already own several Bronicas and find them to be great cameras. Plus, I think the GS-1 is one of the smaller 6x7 cameras that you can get for a reasonable price. Please don’t buy one and post everywhere about how great it is until after I’ve bought mine, though. 

[Francois]

I'm really following this as I've been lusting for a Mamiya for ages.
From what I remember reading, the RZ is supposed to be able to handle the RB lenses but not vice versa.
Here's something about them
http://web.archive.org/web/20040808221745/http://www.ozdoba.net/mamiya/mamiya_67_home_e.html#allg
http://web.archive.org/web/20060508231206/http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/mamiyarb67.html
http://web.archive.org/web/20060507191647if_/http://www.photoethnography.com:80/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?MamiyaRB67.html~mainFrame

[Nigel]

I'm really following this as I've been lusting for a Mamiya for ages.
From what I remember reading, the RZ is supposed to be able to handle the RB lenses but not vice versa.
Here's something about them
http://web.archive.org/web/20040808221745/http://www.ozdoba.net/mamiya/mamiya_67_home_e.html#allg
http://web.archive.org/web/20060508231206/http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/mamiyarb67.html
http://web.archive.org/web/20060507191647if_/http://www.photoethnography.com:80/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?MamiyaRB67.html~mainFrame

Thanks François. The more I read the less significant the differences seem.

[Francois]

To me, the RZ is essentially an RB with electronic control.

[Sandeha Lynch]

One extra thought - when I was looking into them myself I remember reading that the RZ has a few extra components made of plastic, which previously were metal. To save weight of course. But from that I would expect a beat up RB to soldier on for a lot longer than a beat up RZ.

[astrobeck]

I have and use an RB. I love it, it's a tank to haul around, but it always performs as needed and there is great satisfaction when the shutter trips because you "KNOW' something has happened. Like Holey crap, I just made a photo!
The 6 x 7 format is especially nice as it fits a lot of scenes just right. I have used mine hand held, (get your breathing rhythm settled) and also on a tripod. Using it on a tripod is kind of gawky for me, so I normally pick scenes that can be hand held.
It's a lovely beast, and I think mine weighs in at around 6 pounds, but after five...who cares! People smile at it, and then want to talk about it which is always kind of cool because you get to see how many people think film is gone.
I say get one. You can always re sell it if its not a good fit for you.


Good luck. 

[Nigel]

Hi Becky!

Thanks everyone, it seems like there isn't much to choose between them. I'm stalking the usual sites, I'm not in a hurry so I'll wait till a reasonable bargain shows up. Meantime I can get the dumbells out!

[Francois]

Something to consider: get a good monopod for it.
I'm pretty sure it's all it needs to be easier to handle without moving.

[thatguychad]

Nigel, they come up quite frequently on the Film Photo Gear Facebook group for fair prices.

[Faintandfuzzy]

I had the RB67 for years.  Sold it.  Regret it.  Looking for a new one.  Something about the way it felt in hand....magic.

[ManuelL]

I had no problems shooting the RZ67 handheld. But for longer hikes I found it quite heavy. So it stayed in the cupboard a lot of the time. A few times I had some issues with the electromics and it wouldn't let me take a picture. I had to take the lens off and put it back on or things like this until all the circuits were happy. At some point I sold the RZ for a lighter camera. Still regret it sometimes.

[Cadha13]

I got my RB67 after selling off my A900 in 2013, and took it out to a anime convention.

My issue was originally the plain focusing screen was a bit weird to use and got a lot of vibration. I had to add some foam bits to the WLF and resealed the adapter. Got a split prism focusing screen and got myself sharp ever since.

Got four lenses, the 90mm Sekor, the 90mm KL(The best normal lens), the 180mm and the 65mm Sekor C lenses. For easier use, I got the handle with the remote shutter to further reduce vibrations and steadiness while out and about.

I guess I am odd for taking it out to Dallas for a walk around with my kit and a NPC Polaroid Back for obvious reasons.

It's a fantastic system, further enhanced with my C3 and Universal Press for all sizes.

There's two upsides for the RZ system, better lenses (you can find the K/L lenses for the RB, but more expensive) and prism metering capabilities that are far beyond what was available for the RB.

RB67 if you need a mechanical tank that will be useful almost anywhere, in any climate and no electronic parts to burn out. Or the RZ for "faster" shooting and newer parts availability.

[Nigel]

Thanks Cadha13, I quite enjoy the process of using the light meter, so the lack of AE doesn't bother me too much. I've decided to look for an RB, but if I see a good deal on an RZ, I won't be too disappointed. 

[KevinAllan]

I had no problems shooting the RZ67 handheld. But for longer hikes I found it quite heavy. So it stayed in the cupboard a lot of the time. A few times I had some issues with the electromics and it wouldn't let me take a picture. I had to take the lens off and put it back on or things like this until all the circuits were happy. At some point I sold the RZ for a lighter camera. Still regret it sometimes.

I've had an RZ67 for about seven years and although I love the camera, I have had similar issues with the electronics and if I started over I'd be tempted to get an RB for that reason.

On the weight issue, the idea that you can only use the RZ on a tripod is much exaggerated. Last weekend I took the RZ with a 65mm lens and two film backs for a six mile walk in the Yorkshire Dales and used a monopod to steady the camera and double up as a walking stick. I can shoot down to 1/30s using the monopod. On the other hand, my 4*5 outfit (an Intrepid Mk 3) is actually lighter than the RZ.

Examples of my RZ images here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/landscapepics/albums/72157633532052645

[Late Developer]

Nigel, I wish I could remember where but - probably about a year ago - I read an article which said that the RB was a better option for the same reason as Kevin mentioned; e.g. possibility of electronic issues as the kit gets older. I've only briefly had a play with an RB but it seemed a fine camera and, if I didn't have the 'Blad, that'd probably be a main contender (or a Pentax 67).

[tkmedia]

a few things on the RZ: i like the dual knob focus on the right side of the body, there is a inner ring for fine focus. Cocking the shutter also winds the film back, one less step compared to the RB, so a bit quicker to get the next frame ready. Hot shoe instead of cold shoe. All film backs have a dark card holder, instead of the awkward side body. I also find it slightly less cumbersome to load film.

[Nigel]

@latedeveloper - Thanks Paul, the electronics in the RZ had almost got me to settle on the RB. Additionally, from some initial searching online there seem to be more RBs to choose from.

@tkmedia - Thanks, also persuasive arguments. In reality what's likely to happen is, I'll see a camera I look the look of and all logic will go out the window. The big take away seems to be I'm not going to end up with a lemon either way.

Thanks guys.

[astrobeck]

a sample photo from earlier this year... shot on Acros
The other thing I really like about the RB 67 is for some reason I shoot subjects that are a little bit different than my normal style yet still look like my style if that makes any sense at all.

this is a flea market door signage from one town over from me on route 66.

[Sandeha Lynch]

I have to say, outside of the square, 6x7 is my fave format.

[tkmedia]

I had the RB initially, but prefer all the little smoother shooting refinements as listed above of the RZ.

[Pete_R]

I know you like portraits Nigel so I think worth mentioning that I found the RB a problem for portraits. The issue was the flipping mirror makes so much noise the subject would blink or move in response and around 50% of the pictures would be ruined as a result. The only way I could guarantee a good result was to use a tripod, focus, lock up the mirror then take the shot.

As others have noted, it weighs a ton but it's also the bulk. Because it has a rotating back, the body needs to be able to cope with both vertical and horizontal formats so it's just BIG. The Bronny GS-1 doesn't have the rotating back so doesn't need to be as big (never used one though so can't comment further).

Another option is the Mamiya Press. But, again, portraits can be a problem because the lenses don't focus that closely. That's the reason I switched to an RB.

The choice probably depends on what subjects you are looking to use the format for.

[thatguychad]

FYI, someone just posted one in the Film Photo Gear Facebook group for $350 with 2 6x7 backs, a 645 back, and a 127mm lens. No affiliation, just letting you know one came up. Even if you’re not a regular Facebook user, that group is a pretty good source for gear.