Difference between revisions of "Mamiya RB67"
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== Cameras == | == Cameras == | ||
=== RB67 Professional === | === RB67 Professional === | ||
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The first camera released was the '''RB67 Professional''' in 1970. The system comprise of a camera body, viewfinder, back adapter, film back, and lens. The camera body itself is quite simple and fully mechanical. It does not require any battery power. The shutter button is located on the front bottom right of the camera. It can be locked with a twist of the collar. The shutter is cocked manually by pressing down a leaver on the right hand side of the body. The mirror in the camera and shutter in the lens are cocked at the same time. There are two focusing knobs on each side of the camera body similar to the Mamiya C series TLR's. The focusing screens are also interchangeable. The most common back adapter included in the system is the rotating back. The naming of the camera RB67 stood for '''R'''otating '''B'''ack '''6''' × '''7'''. | The first camera released was the '''RB67 Professional''' in 1970. The system comprise of a camera body, viewfinder, back adapter, film back, and lens. The camera body itself is quite simple and fully mechanical. It does not require any battery power. The shutter button is located on the front bottom right of the camera. It can be locked with a twist of the collar. The shutter is cocked manually by pressing down a leaver on the right hand side of the body. The mirror in the camera and shutter in the lens are cocked at the same time. There are two focusing knobs on each side of the camera body similar to the Mamiya C series TLR's. The focusing screens are also interchangeable. The most common back adapter included in the system is the rotating back. The naming of the camera RB67 stood for '''R'''otating '''B'''ack '''6''' × '''7'''. | ||
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The RB67 was originally designed to supplement the [[Mamiya C]] series 6 × 6 [[TLR]] system and the multi-format [[Mamiya Press]] [[rangefinder]] system, but has surpassed them in popularity. Back adapters for using Mamiya Press roll film and instant film backs are also available. Due to its heavy weight (almost 2kg for the body alone) the RB67 is often said to be unsuitable for use hand-held use. This isn't necessarily true - with a decent neckstrap the RB67 can easily be used on the move. The flexibility of the RB67 system made it one of the most popular studio cameras in the 1970's. | The RB67 was originally designed to supplement the [[Mamiya C]] series 6 × 6 [[TLR]] system and the multi-format [[Mamiya Press]] [[rangefinder]] system, but has surpassed them in popularity. Back adapters for using Mamiya Press roll film and instant film backs are also available. Due to its heavy weight (almost 2kg for the body alone) the RB67 is often said to be unsuitable for use hand-held use. This isn't necessarily true - with a decent neckstrap the RB67 can easily be used on the move. The flexibility of the RB67 system made it one of the most popular studio cameras in the 1970's. | ||
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=== RB67 Pro-SD === | === RB67 Pro-SD === | ||
This revision was released in 1990. It supports L series lenses along with 6x8 backs. | This revision was released in 1990. It supports L series lenses along with 6x8 backs. | ||
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| + | == Lenses == | ||
| + | It takes lenses with the RB mount which is a bayonet type system with a locking ring. Lenses are equipped with Seiko leaf shutters and focus is set on the body using a bellows arrangement with a 46mm extension. The click stops can be at half-stop aperture settings, but the shutter speeds can only be set at full stops. A [[depth of field]] preview leaver is also built-in to the lens. Since it's a leaf shutter based camera, electronic [[flash sync]] is available at all speeds. Since the system is synchronized, the camera body and lens must be cocked before attaching and removing the lens. A majority of the lenses use a screw on 77mm filter making it much easier to swap filters between lenses. | ||
== Backs == | == Backs == | ||
| − | The | + | The 6 × 7 format was chosen as it enlarges well to 8 × 10. The rotating back made it much easier to switch from [[portrait format]] to [[landscape format]] without having to re orientate the camera. It was most common for the system to use [[120 film|120]] or 220 roll film backs for 10/20 exposures. A 6 × 4.5 back was also produced. The roll film back would attach to the rotating adapter which connect to the camera body. The roll film backs used a single stroke film advance, with an automatic resetting exposure counter. The dark slide system allows the film backs to be exchanged without loosing an exposure. As a safety measure the shutter does not fire if the dark slide is not removed. |
Mamiya backs from the [[Mamiya Press|Press]] system are compatible with the RB67 with the use of the P-adapter. The P-adapter converts the RB67 back into a Press back similar to the one on the Mamiya Press Universal camera system. | Mamiya backs from the [[Mamiya Press|Press]] system are compatible with the RB67 with the use of the P-adapter. The P-adapter converts the RB67 back into a Press back similar to the one on the Mamiya Press Universal camera system. | ||
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Use of Polaroid instant film is also supported. Mamiya did not originally have a dedicated Polaroid packfilm back designed for the RB67. It required the use of a separate P-adapter to mount the instant back that was designed for the Mamiya Press. Later; dedicated RB67 Polaroid backs are introduced that mounted directly to the RB67 instead of through a P-adapter. | Use of Polaroid instant film is also supported. Mamiya did not originally have a dedicated Polaroid packfilm back designed for the RB67. It required the use of a separate P-adapter to mount the instant back that was designed for the Mamiya Press. Later; dedicated RB67 Polaroid backs are introduced that mounted directly to the RB67 instead of through a P-adapter. | ||
| − | + | Backs from other manufacturers that have the Graflok fitting may be used. | |
| + | == System == | ||
| + | ===Lens=== | ||
'''Original''' | '''Original''' | ||
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The L lenses are compatible with the Pro-SD '''only''', due to the fact they need a larger "throat" to mount on the camera. The only L lenses are the 75mm Shift lens and 500mm APO lens. | The L lenses are compatible with the Pro-SD '''only''', due to the fact they need a larger "throat" to mount on the camera. The only L lenses are the 75mm Shift lens and 500mm APO lens. | ||
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* 100-200mm f/5.2 zoom lens (14 elements in 12 groups) 77mm filter | * 100-200mm f/5.2 zoom lens (14 elements in 12 groups) 77mm filter | ||
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{|width=100% | {|width=100% | ||
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|valign="top"| | |valign="top"| | ||
| − | '''Lens''' | + | '''Lens accessory''' |
* Lens Hood 80mm slip | * Lens Hood 80mm slip | ||
* Lens Hood 77mm screw | * Lens Hood 77mm screw | ||
Revision as of 14:09, 14 April 2012
The RB67 is a series of 6 × 7 professional medium format SLR camera system by Mamiya.
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| Anatomy of an RB67 image by Raphael Borges (Image rights) |
Contents
Cameras
RB67 Professional
The first camera released was the RB67 Professional in 1970. The system comprise of a camera body, viewfinder, back adapter, film back, and lens. The camera body itself is quite simple and fully mechanical. It does not require any battery power. The shutter button is located on the front bottom right of the camera. It can be locked with a twist of the collar. The shutter is cocked manually by pressing down a leaver on the right hand side of the body. The mirror in the camera and shutter in the lens are cocked at the same time. There are two focusing knobs on each side of the camera body similar to the Mamiya C series TLR's. The focusing screens are also interchangeable. The most common back adapter included in the system is the rotating back. The naming of the camera RB67 stood for Rotating Back 6 × 7.
The RB67 was originally designed to supplement the Mamiya C series 6 × 6 TLR system and the multi-format Mamiya Press rangefinder system, but has surpassed them in popularity. Back adapters for using Mamiya Press roll film and instant film backs are also available. Due to its heavy weight (almost 2kg for the body alone) the RB67 is often said to be unsuitable for use hand-held use. This isn't necessarily true - with a decent neckstrap the RB67 can easily be used on the move. The flexibility of the RB67 system made it one of the most popular studio cameras in the 1970's.
RB67 Pro-S
The RB67 Pro-S was released in 1974. It improved upon the previous model by having an orientation indicator for portrait or landscape mode on the rotating back. Multi exposure control is now possible on the Pro-S roll film back.
RB67 Pro-SD
This revision was released in 1990. It supports L series lenses along with 6x8 backs.
Lenses
It takes lenses with the RB mount which is a bayonet type system with a locking ring. Lenses are equipped with Seiko leaf shutters and focus is set on the body using a bellows arrangement with a 46mm extension. The click stops can be at half-stop aperture settings, but the shutter speeds can only be set at full stops. A depth of field preview leaver is also built-in to the lens. Since it's a leaf shutter based camera, electronic flash sync is available at all speeds. Since the system is synchronized, the camera body and lens must be cocked before attaching and removing the lens. A majority of the lenses use a screw on 77mm filter making it much easier to swap filters between lenses.
Backs
The 6 × 7 format was chosen as it enlarges well to 8 × 10. The rotating back made it much easier to switch from portrait format to landscape format without having to re orientate the camera. It was most common for the system to use 120 or 220 roll film backs for 10/20 exposures. A 6 × 4.5 back was also produced. The roll film back would attach to the rotating adapter which connect to the camera body. The roll film backs used a single stroke film advance, with an automatic resetting exposure counter. The dark slide system allows the film backs to be exchanged without loosing an exposure. As a safety measure the shutter does not fire if the dark slide is not removed.
Mamiya backs from the Press system are compatible with the RB67 with the use of the P-adapter. The P-adapter converts the RB67 back into a Press back similar to the one on the Mamiya Press Universal camera system.
Use of Polaroid instant film is also supported. Mamiya did not originally have a dedicated Polaroid packfilm back designed for the RB67. It required the use of a separate P-adapter to mount the instant back that was designed for the Mamiya Press. Later; dedicated RB67 Polaroid backs are introduced that mounted directly to the RB67 instead of through a P-adapter.
Backs from other manufacturers that have the Graflok fitting may be used.
System
Lens
Original
The original lenses were released along with the RB67 Pro in 1970. They only have a single anti-reflective coating.
C
The C lenses were released with the RB67 Pro-S in 1974. These lenses are multi-coated.
K/L
The K/L lenses are a slightly newer design with better coatings than the C lenses. The K/L is a code to indicate which bodies the lenses are compatible with. K indicates the Pro/Pro-S bodies and L indicates the Pro-SD bodies.
L
The L lenses are compatible with the Pro-SD only, due to the fact they need a larger "throat" to mount on the camera. The only L lenses are the 75mm Shift lens and 500mm APO lens.
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Zoom
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Lens accessory
Focusing screens
Finder
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Body
Film backs
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Adapters
Instant
Mamiya Press backs
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Bibliography
- Kamera no ayumi. Zen nihon shashin renmei sōritsu 50-shūnen kinen (カメラのあゆみ・全日本写真連盟創立五〇周年記念, History of cameras, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the All Japan Association of Photographic Societies). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1976. No ISBN number. P.107.
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). Pp.133 and 169.
- McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). P.648.
- Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Item 2171.
Links
In English:
- Mamiya RB67 at medfmt
- Mamiya RB67 at photoethnography.com by Karen Nakamura
- Mamiya Cameras Instruction Manuals - English at Mike Butkus Orphan Cameras
- Mamiya RB67 Guide
In French:
- Mamiya RB67, RB67 Pro S on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
In Japanese:
- The 6×4.5 and 6×7 SLRs in the Camera Museum of the Mamiya official website, covers the RB67 Professional, RB67 Professional S and RB67 Professional GL
