Mamiya RB67

Spaced Out Toes

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Mamiya RB67 Pro-S, Mamiya-Sekor C 90mm/3.8, Ilford XP2 400 Super

Here is another image taken with my "new" Mamiya RB67 medium format film camera.

The level of detail captured in a 6×7 negative is absolutely astounding. You can't tell from this scaled image, but looking at the full resolution version you can actually see the individual rows of "toe prints"!

(I better not post the full image as it could be used as evidence against my son!)

There is something really special about looking through a large waist level viewfinder. I really feel more like I am seeing the image as it will be captured on the film for some reason.

That being said, it is pretty slow going using the RB67 due to its size, weight and bellows focusing. It's large negatives (with fewer frames per roll) are also overkill for family shots or just playing around.

While I could see myself trying more portrait and macro work, I don't think I am going to be running around with this as my day-to-day camera.

 

Beauty And The Beast

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taken with Mamiya RB67 Pro-S, Mamiya-Sekor C 90mm/3.8, Ilford XP2 400 Super

My last post contained a clue hidden within the negative I was examining: I received two additions to my camera collection for a recent birthday and both were involved in that shot.

One new camera was in the picture, and the other was used to take the picture.  Despite both being vintage film cameras, these two could not be any more different.

The "Beauty" is the above Rollei 35 S, one of the most compact 35mm film cameras ever.  There are others that may be a hair smaller, but none with the same kind of classic styling.

The "Beast" is a Mamiya RB67 Pro-S 6x7cm medium format camera.  This is about as large and heavy as a medium format camera gets, clocking in at over 5 lbs for a standard lens setup.

To put them more into perspective, the Mamiya weighs about 8 times as much as the Rollei, and you can virtually fit the whole Rollei inside of the Mamiya.

I have put several rolls of film through both cameras and they are in good shape.  I think the Mamiya needs some new light seals and perhaps a cleaning, but both cameras have taken up positions in my "active lineup" of shooting cameras.

A big thanks to both my DSW and my Father for the Rollei and Mamiya respectively.  Most of my cameras (whether in use or mothballed) have come from one of you!