1st thoughts on RB67


ecarlson - Posted on 30 June 2009

I just got my RB67 yesterday and so far really like it!  I just took it for a spin w/ some Ilford Delta 3200 shot at 800 and really enjoyed shooting.  First impression was how heavy it was, but at the same time, it's also built like a tank.  You can also tell how well made it is - all of the dials and knobs and everything feel extremely fluid and smooth, and the rotating back just feels nice to use.  The view finder is great, although it really gets washed out if there's sunlight on it - may need to look into a chimney finder or prism at some point.  One thing I'd gotten this camera for was macro - the twin lens is fantastic for that w/ its long bellows, but the parallex error is really killer.  Unfortunately, the bellows on this is pretty small so it can't get quite as close, but you can find extension tubes pretty cheaply, so I may get one of those at some point, too.  The lens I got (90mm, non-C) is pretty good, but flares a bit so I'll have to watch for sun on it.  Also, I think that one of the backs I got may have a light leak - several of the photos had a partially exposed/fogged rectangular area in the same spot... I may have to get a light seal kit:

http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/Mamiya-RB67/Light-seal/index.php

Overall, I really like the camera - it's heavy, but with a decent strap should be fine for hiking, and I really like being able to have several backs preloaded, so no loading 120 film in the woods :-D

mamiya_roll020_001

mamiya_roll020_006

mamiya_roll020_009