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Mamiya RB67
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Laurence wrote:
Kram wrote:
Go look at Herb Ritz's work. He shot an RZ but same dif. It's the monkey behind the machine that is the big difference.
Smile


Hey Mark: You calling yourself a monkey? Laughing After all, you shot with it. And...I'm betting more than a dollar that you
produced your usual outstanding imagery.


Laurence, of course I am a monkey! Twisted Evil

I love the RB, started back with it in early 2010. In the end, since I was using as a walk-around camera with the 140 macro and tubes, it became too heavy. I opted for the tiny Hasselblad. I do kind of miss 6x7 format.

Last edited by Kram on Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:36 am; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Katastrofo wrote:
Wow, that really pops, even at this file size! Shocked


That's because the 65 is a "popper" of the first order! Laughing

I think the file size at 4800dpi was something like 108 megabytes. Shocked

The final image was only 140 lpi on the printer, but that was enough.


PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Katastrofo wrote:
Kram wrote:
Go look at Herb Ritz's work. He shot an RZ but same dif. It's the monkey behind the machine that is the big difference.
Smile


Mark, I'm hip. Wink I started a thread of the Herb Ritts' exhibit at Huntsville's MOA in the art section. Yes, it is ALL about who is
behind the camera, and of course I'm intimidated. Laughing Have to say, looking thru the main flickr RB67 group, the good pics are few
and far between.


Bill, good to know that you're hip to Hoib! Looking forward to seeing you pix! Very Happy


PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Mark, thanks, and should add, I always enjoy seeing your work!


PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Laurence wrote:
Katastrofo wrote:
Wow, that really pops, even at this file size! Shocked


That's because the 65 is a "popper" of the first order! Laughing

I think the file size at 4800dpi was something like 108 megabytes. Shocked

The final image was only 140 lpi on the printer, but that was enough.


I'm fairly certain that would give my computer a big hiccup, 108MB! Shocked

The 65 isn't offered much with RB67 kits on the bay, I knew this auction would have some bidding. Smile


PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Katastrofo wrote:
Laurence wrote:
Katastrofo wrote:
Wow, that really pops, even at this file size! Shocked


That's because the 65 is a "popper" of the first order! Laughing

I think the file size at 4800dpi was something like 108 megabytes. Shocked

The final image was only 140 lpi on the printer, but that was enough.


I'm fairly certain that would give my computer a big hiccup, 108MB! Shocked

The 65 isn't offered much with RB67 kits on the bay, I knew this auction would have some bidding. Smile


Yeah, that's pretty big. It was slow work, but this old Pentium-Class computer handled it eventually. Patience is
the virtue with files of that size and a computer with only moderate processing power like this one.
Luckily, I didn't have to do much. After cropping, I think I only pumped up the saturation maybe 10-15 points
and applied Unsharp Mask for the print. If I would have had to do some more intensive adjustments such as
Curves, Levels, etc. it would have been really slow...but do-able.

I think you really did well just getting the 65 in the kit, let alone the camera and beautiful 90. Shocked I always
LOVED the sound of the shutter. It just plain-ass SOUNDED solid. (Sorry to make the wait all that much more
agonizing, Bill). Confused Laughing


PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 4:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Laurence, the auction included the Polaroid back, but doubt I'll ever use it. Rolling Eyes

This first one is using the 50:


and another from the same photog from the first page using the 180:


Last edited by Katastrofo on Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:34 am; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 4:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Amazing!


PostPosted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yes, impressive results, I dug through some of the back pages of the one flickr group for
these, same photog did both:

Velvia 50 using the 90mm






PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 9:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Finally got one of these monsters then Bill, I see. Laughing

I'm still bashing away with my RB67 Pro S by the way...

I've a fleeting suspicion that you'll use the 65mm more than the 50mm as 50mm on 6x7 is fairly wide. I know that out of the two, I tend to use the 65 more than the 50. A wee thing for you by the way - divide the FL of RB lenses by 2 for a rough approximation of the FL in 35mm. That'll give you an idea of which FLs to go for if you want to expand the RB kit.


PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Bob thanks for the advice, was thinking the 180 would be the next addition.

Camera arrived today:



Thinking of throwing the Polaroid back, on ebay.

Last edited by Katastrofo on Fri Jan 20, 2012 7:33 am; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
The 180 is utterly stunning Bill. I'd maybe also think about adding another film back - once I got into the system, I ended up with 3... Laughing

Talking of backs, I don't know if the later Pro-SD backs fit (they have various interlocks unlike the earlier), but if they do, try and get them as they don't have the foam light seals that the earlier ones have and which rot and go sticky and are also meant to be fiddly to replace. I'd also check the rotating adapter as it has foam light seals which also rot and go sticky - these are much easier to deal with. I had to do this with my Pro-S.

There's also 127, 140 Macro, 150 Soft Focus, 250 and 360mm lenses still to go but I can't see you going to that extent. At least not without a semi-trailer as transport...

Mine came with the 127 and I added the 50, 65 and the 180 to that. I find the 127 a bit tight at times and considered replacing it with the 90. I also liked the idea of the 140 Macro but could never quite persuade myself to pony up for it or the 90. Your 65, 90 and 180 will likely cover most of what you shoot.

You'll also likely get 'WTF' comments when out with the thing... Laughing

I need to post a pic of mine with the 180 + hood and prism finder - it looks epically OTT. Laughing


PostPosted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Wait until you start burning some film with it Bill. You are going to love it.


PostPosted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 1:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Bob and Ron, thanks, hope to have a couple rolls through it by the weekend.

The VF is indeed bright, rather mesmerizing! Laughing


PostPosted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 5:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Bill,

I'm looking forward to your results. This camera has always stoked my interest. Very Happy


Regards


PostPosted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 12:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Kathmandu wrote:
Bill,

I'm looking forward to your results. This camera has always stoked my interest. Very Happy


Regards


+1

Klaus


PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 5:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Kathmandu and Klaus, thanks. The light was heavy overcast pissing-grey today, but I still
wanted to try the camera. This is pushing Shanghai 100 to 400, Rodinal 1+100, semi-stand
for 2 hours. Probably will try something else for overcast days:


f8, 1/30sec handheld in a courtyard of a big Catholic church (didn't check the name)



This is with the 65mm lens, close focuses to 3 and 7/32" from subject.


PostPosted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Nice shot Bill.

By the way, be aware that both the 50 and 65mm lenses have a floating element for close-up photography. It's the ring in front of the shutter speed ring.

Set it to the same distance as whatever your focus scale on the side of the camera ends up at, or guesstimate it if you can't be bothered trying to decipher the focus scale... Laughing

Not adjusting the floating element means you won't get the absolute sharpness the system is capable of.

Now get some Velvia 50 in the damn thing. Cool Laughing


PostPosted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Bob, thanks for the tips, this my first baby steps grappling with the beast and due to the lousy
light, most shots were at f8 and either 1/30 or 1/60, handheld. This was at 1/30 and not sharp,
figured it was due to mirror slam at slow shutter speed:



I read somewhere if shutter speed is slower than 1/60, mirror lockup is a good idea.

This pic isn't at minimum distance (she's 5'11" and I'm 5'6" so she had to crouch down for the shot, yeah,
waist level viewfinder. Laughing What distance is considered close-up to where you start to adjust the floating
element?

Hummm, Velvia 50, this would mean the sun is shining, if that ever happens again Laughing


PostPosted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Well, I looked at the ring, it adjusts from 10 meters (30 feet) down to 0.5 meters, so
I guess if you're doing extreme close-ups that are closer than that, just leave it at the
0.5 meter setting. With bellows fully extended, lens is close to the 3 and 7/32" as
advertised.


PostPosted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 12:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
The mirror on these guys is damped by a governor mechanism so as long as the mirror foam is OK, you shouldn't get much in the way of an earthquake when firing the shutter.

Katastrofo wrote:
Well, I looked at the ring, it adjusts from 10 meters (30 feet) down to 0.5 meters, so
I guess if you're doing extreme close-ups that are closer than that, just leave it at the
0.5 meter setting. With bellows fully extended, lens is close to the 3 and 7/32" as
advertised.


Yes, so if your subject is at that distance or less, set the ring to it and stop the lens down - you might need to stop it down a bit more if you have the bellows at full extension.

Your shot looks more OOF than shaky Bill but in any case, if you're going to do portraits, I'd plant the thing on a tripod and get yourself that 180. The weight of the RB tends to make it easier to hand-hold at fairly low speeds like 1/60 or even 1/30 but for more critical stuff I tend to either mount it on a tripod or even a monopod. There is a flash bracket for them though that makes them look a bit like a press camera and which would likely improve the hand-held handling if you wanted to go down that route.

Sounds a lot of mucking about but once you get everything dialled in, you'll love it.


PostPosted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 12:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Bob, thanks again, need to buy a heavy duty tripod for the camera. I was going to sell the Polaroid back, but
not so sure, now:

Click here to see on Ebay

and this flickr set using the RZ67:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davisayer/sets/72157627479092705/


PostPosted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 12:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
On my RB67 I found a cheap bracket that was useful as a grip and esp for holding a flashgun:-



PostPosted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 12:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'd use the Pola back to find your way with the RB Bill and once you've got that sorted, punt it on the 'Bay. Won't take you long. Cool

Another thing is you don't need the dual release gizmo for MLU - a standard cable release screwed into the lens is sufficient. Fire the mirror using the body release and then fire the shutter with the cable.

There is also one idiosyncrasy regarding the 'T' setting - you need to either rotate the shutter speed ring to close the shutter, put a lens cap on, or cover the lens in some way to stop exposure. When you fire the shutter in 'T' mode, and this applies for both normal use or MLU, releasing the shutter release does not close the shutter - it remains open.

If your lens shutter closes, it is faulty.

The RZ is essentially an updated RB - more plastic and needs batteries though...

One of those brackets that Excalibur has on his would do nicely as the Mamiya one is kind of expensive and only fits one way so no right or left handed malarkey.


PostPosted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 4:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I would invest in a good tripod Bill. I use one all the time with mine. I have handheld down to 1/16 and got good results, but I was always setting down with the camera on my lap.

I use ektar 100 with mine almost all the time and love it. I know you and Jussi don't care for ektar but its worth a roll to try in the camera.
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