The Mamiya RB67 is a fully mechanical, modular, medium format SLR camera system renowned for its robust, "tank-like" build, outstanding image quality, and unique features like a rotating film back and bellows focusing. It is highly regarded as a professional workhorse, primarily for studio and landscape photography.
Key Features and Description
Format and Quality: The camera shoots a large 6x7 cm negative on 120 film, often called the "ideal format" because the negatives require minimal cropping to fit standard print sizes. This large film area results in exceptional detail and shallow depth of field.
Fully Mechanical Operation: The RB67 is a entirely mechanical device, requiring no batteries to fire the shutter, which makes it highly reliable in all conditions and easy to maintain/repair.
Rotating Back (RB): The "RB" in the name stands for Rotating Back. This innovative feature allows the user to switch between horizontal (landscape) and vertical (portrait) orientations by simply rotating the film back, without moving the camera body (especially useful when mounted on a tripod).
Bellows Focusing: Instead of a focusing ring on the lens, the camera uses a bellows system that moves the entire lens to achieve focus. This provides built-in, precise close-up and macro capabilities without the need for extension tubes.
Modular System: The camera is a system camera with interchangeable components, including lenses (which have built-in leaf shutters), viewfinders (waist-level, prism, metered), and film backs for different formats (6x7, 6x4.5, Polaroid, etc.).
Build Quality & Ergonomics: It is notoriously large and heavy, earning it affectionate nicknames like "the Brick" or a "fancy-looking anchor". This weight, however, contributes to its stability and incredible durability.
Manual and Deliberate: Using the RB67 is a slow, intentional process that forces the photographer to think carefully about each shot. The shutter must be manually cocked, and the film advanced via separate levers.
In summary, the Mamiya RB67 is a professional-grade, highly versatile, and durable camera that delivers outstanding results for patient photographers who value a fully manual, mechanical shooting experience and large-negative quality
The Mamiya RZ67 is a professional medium format single-lens reflex (SLR) camera renowned as a versatile "workhorse" for its exceptional image quality and modular design. Primarily designed for studio, portrait, and landscape photography, it produces large 6x7 cm negatives that can be printed on standard 8x10 paper with little to no cropping.
Key Features
Modular System: The RZ67 features an entirely modular design, allowing photographers to interchange lenses, film backs (for different formats like 6x7, 6x6, or 6x4.5 cm, and even digital backs with the Pro IID model), and viewfinders.
Revolving Back (RB): A standout feature inherited from its predecessor (the RB67) is the rotating film back, which allows seamless switching between horizontal and vertical orientations without moving the heavy camera body.
Superb Lenses: The RZ system offers a wide array of high-quality, sharp Mamiya Sekor lenses, all featuring a built-in electronic leaf shutter. This design enables flash synchronization at all shutter speeds up to 1/400s, making it a favorite for studio work.
Bellows Focusing: The camera uses a built-in bellows system for focusing, which provides excellent close-up and macro capabilities with every lens without the need for additional extension tubes.
Tactile and Deliberate Experience: The RZ67 is large and heavy, encouraging a slow, thoughtful, and manual shooting process. This deliberate pace, combined with the large, bright waist-level viewfinder (the standard option), provides a deeply engaging and satisfying photographic experience.
Electronic Operation: Unlike the fully mechanical RB67, the RZ67 relies on a 4LR44 battery to power its electronic shutter and functions. (It does have an emergency mechanical speed of 1/400s if the battery dies).
In essence, the Mamiya RZ67 is a highly capable and robust professional tool that, despite its bulk, is cherished by photographers for its versatility and ability to produce stunningly detailed, high-resolution images with a unique aesthetic