A Beginner's Guide To The Mamiya RB67

In this video, I will show you some of the basics of the Mamiya RB67. We will explore the good, bad and the ugly of this classic 120 modular medium format camera system. This video contains numerous picture examples of different film stocks with settings.

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Special thanks to Kaitlyn Covington for modeling for this video.

Additional Videography by Karen Lawlor Photography

0:00 Intro
0:26 Overview of the Mamiya RB67
1:27 The Modular Layout of the RB67
1:46 Considerations About Size and Weight
2:22 Film Backs | Different Types and Benefits of the Detachable Film Back
3:27 How To Use, Attach and Swap Film Backs | Dark Slide Operation
4:20 Leaf Shutter
4:38 How To Take a Picture | How To Practice Taking Shots Without Film
5:08 Multiple Exposure Switch
5:33 Lens Operation
7:49 View Finders How To Attach and Use a Viewfinder
8:16 How To Change Film
10:01 Cons of the RB67
12:48 Pros of the RB67
15:52 Takeaways

Mamiya RB67 Pro
Mamiya RB67 Pro S
Mamiya RB67 Pro SD
Mamiya RB67 Film Backs
Mamiya View Finder

[KevinDeal]

What do you think about the RB67? Share your experiences with the good, bad and ugly here.

[acattoir]

Jeezzz, man up. 😄 I shot weddings on an RB for years. Gigundo flash attached. No metering and bellows draw exposure compensation added to the experience. Really miss the days of being the guy who "knows things". Thanks for the video.

[aidenmelo]

probably the best video i've seen for a perfect in-depth tutorial on this camera!!!! thank you

[aristoioannidis]

Outstanding representation of the RB67.

[ghw]

In the early 70s, I was using Honeywell Strobonar flashes with my RB67. Later on, I added the fantastic Vivitar 283 flashes to my arsenal. I learned to carry extra sync cords the hard way. One of my RBs (I was able to pick up a Pro S body at a good price and grabbed it) had spent 32 years as a studio camera.

The studio was sold, but I still have both camras and most of the lenses. An excellent video on an incredible camera.

[christianluna]

Overall excellent work on the tutorial !!

[glannewehr]

I’m about to pull the trigger on one of these very soon. I use to have 2 of them when I had my portrait studio back in the mid ‘90’s. Had (2) Pro S’s, (2) 180mm and (2) 90mm lenses. Closed my studio and sold all of my cameras to purchase all digital.

After 20 years I still remember everything about them, how they feel, how they work and how they sound.

[zahngoodard]

I think the exposure simulation does help
I feel it helps with the confidence of taking the shot with the right settings

[jplum]

Thanks for the video. I just inherited a major collection of cameras. Included is an RB67 and a C330. I'm trying to learn as much as possible before using them. I have no experience with medium format. Used 35mm and digital all my life. You've helped alot. Best wishes.

[kunwulf]

I just got handed an Rb67 Pro S and I love this instructional
one thing I can help contribute as someone who shot Mamiya C330 with newer flashes and triggers is that you can skip the cold to hot shoe adapter by getting a Male PC to 2.5mm cable instead of PC to PC. your new trigger has the 2.5 Directly inside it and the vintage cameras of Course use PC, thus skipping at lease one whole piece of gear!

[markglore]

I got my RB67 Pro-S a little over 20 years ago and still love it. RB stands for Roast Beef! I call it the dump truck of cameras.

[dcrccs]

Great no nonsense approach, straight-to-the-point delivery. This is how you write content for the noise era. I'm buying my first MF Mamiya thanks to one of these reviews. Keep it up!

Thank you ! I bought a rb67 and loaded my first film. Let’s go !

[dedalus]

I lusted after the pro SD in HS photography class in the mid-seventies. It was a hell of a lot cheaper than the Hasselblad. My first Pro SD arrived today from Japan. Thanks for your videos!

[travishikeslakemi]

My RB just arrived yesterday from Japan! I wasn’t sure about ordering off eBay, let alone from overseas, but your video like yours certainly made me feel better about doing so! Thank you for the in-depth tutorial, I can’t wait to get familiar with this camera!

[RollTheFootage]

Thank you for this breakdown, I’m really intrigued in getting one for my self!

[thisguy]

Just got mine a few days ago!! Only taken like 3 shots so super stoked to really utilize it when i drive across thw country😎☺️

[Narsuitus]

I shoot with two RB67 bodies and the following lenses:
250mm (use for tight portraits)
180mm (use for head & shoulder portraits, half-length portraits, weddings)
150mm soft focus (use for head & shoulder portraits)
140mm macro (use for macro, close-ups, still life, products)
90mm (use for general subjects, full-length portraits, 3/4 length portraits, weddings)
50mm (use for landscapes, panoramas, architecture, group portraits, environmental portraits, weddings)
100-200mm zoom (use as backup lens)

My favorite lens kit is:
50mm f/4.5 wide-angle
90mm f/3.8 normal
180mm f/4.5 telephoto

With these three lenses, I am able to capture 80% of the images I need.

[jensritchie]

Thank you I just picked up one today. And I eager to work with it. I’ll be back to finish this video soon

[Larpy]

Yikes! Your production values are off the charts. This was a delight to watch and learn from. Thanks for making this.