Mamiya RB67 Pro SD - Long Term Review

It's been almost a year since I purchased my Mamiya RB67 Pro SD, and also since I posted up my first review—talking about my initial impressions using the camera. Since then, I've become very familiar with the RB67, and I wanted to post up this review talking about what I like and also don't like about this camera, in hopes of helping anyone who is thinking of picking one of these up.

►*DISCLAIMER*
Some of the links below are affiliate links, where I earn a small commission if you click on the link and purchase an item. The money I earn helps me make this type of content consistently.

GEAR USED IN THIS VID(*these are affiliate links):

►FILM PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR (*these are affiliate links):

[mattdayphoto]

Made my evening to see this pop up in my subscription feed. Your videos have been missed, my man.

[mattjamesbenson]

Lately, it's felt like YouTubers assume people will watch anything film-related, and consequently camera reviews have gotten pretty boring. So hats off to you for finding that perfect balance between entertaining, informational and engaging. Really great review! Glad you're back.

[patrickhargrove]

For anyone shooting handheld without the optional hand grip and eye level viewfinder, it helps a lot to use a camera strap. If you look in the camera manual there's a unique explanation of how to actually wrap (yes, wrap) your camera strap around your left wrist. It brings the waist level viewfinder all the way up to your eye and greatly stabilizes the camera.

[dslrvideoshooter]

Two things:
1) Do you like the couch? Been looking at that one...
2) I’m not a photographer, but I love your videos. They look amazing and I appreciate your hard work on them!!! Lighting is gold 👍

[andysandner]

I just got one. It is heavy, but still ok to handle it. I love that it is full mechanical, no batteries needed. And ist is easy to switch between the setting allowing multiple exposures or avoiding (accidental) them. Can't wait to see how my first roll of Film turned out.

[Hmmmook]

Good lord boy this video is dripping quality all over the place.

[williamclintonogbebor]

To be honest the RZ has been my dream camera for a while but you absolutely sold me on the RB, I bought it and I have been using it for about a 2 weeks now and I love it. I have never bought a camera because of review before, thank you Kyle you really sold me on this one. 🙏🏿

[dominey]

The prism viewfinder makes all the difference in the world. It's bulky and adds more weight to an already heavy camera, but viewing subjects naturally instead of backward is a huge improvement.

[mattosj.berger]

Man, I love the way you lit the room with that additional lamp behind you and the colors are just perfect. The location at 1:20 is just mindblowing!! Love your content.

[Aaron_Smith_OM]

I got the Mamiya RB67 Pro SD after many people told me not to, I did. And I love it. I have the 90mm f/3.8 and 180mm f/4 Sekor C lenses and I mostly shoot with Ektar 100 and Portra 400 and I gotta say, I'm glad I didn't listen to those folks. It's changing my whole workflow. Making me more present with my work, more intentional and patient. Super great camera. Thanks for posting and sharing your thoughts.

[aristoioannidis]

Thanks for your review. I entered medium format about 12 months ago with the RB67 Pro SD. I added a few accessories included a Sekonic light meter which made the whole experience much more rewarding. My family and I are heading to NZ soon together with my RB67 and loaded with an array of 120 film.
Appreciate your hard work. Great stuff.

[ScottymanPhoto]

When it comes to reviewing cameras, you have to be the best I’ve ever seen! You have a gift, so keep up the reviews. Thanks a lot!

[millerviz]

I have an RB with the accessories you describe. I use a neck strap and shoot waist level almost all the time. The viewfinder is gorgeous and the bellows focusing lets me get as close as a foot from my subject. It's my most versatile and most used medium format camera. I found the grip and prism finder to be just too heavy. The prism finder feels like it's made of cast iron!

[TankDude]

Just got my RB67 Pro S, and your videos made choose this model.
Your videos about the RB67 are amazing!

[TheBigNegative-PhotoChannel]

YES. Thank you Kyle for this new video. 🤗

[atxrich]

Happy to see another vid! I’ve owned the RZ67 for a little over a year and echo all of your sentiments. I’d prefer the Pentax but the Mamiya is a much lower entry to anyone wanting to try out 6x7 format.

[benjaminbreslin]

Just picked one up for my first medium format, crazy excited

[Doellimann]

I’m using an RB67 for many years now and love it but it comes at an cost... this thing is build like a tank but it’s weight reflects this.

I’ve taken this behemoth to South Africa on an photo-safari and yeah it worked but an RB with two lenses, two backs, an exposure meter and an 2x Tele converter is a Ton of equipment if you fly commercially! (I’ve also brought my Minolta x700 with its gear along so screw weight limitations anyway)

The pictures this thing takes are awesome and it’s fun to use but working in landscape photography it’s a huge pain in the ass to carry all of this gear to the location.

And one thing to consider: the Morris in this thing is huge and very heavy (it’s weights more than some compact cameras itself). If you’re shooting with long focal lengths from an tripod, make sure this thing is solid like a rock!
And get at least one additional back for this baby, it just changes everything to switch between films as you like!


To sum it up; this thing is just to big to be practical but on the other side it’s super fun to work with...
I’ve once set up my gear on the top of a hill, just ready to shoot and a snowstorm started right before I was ready. The only options were to pack it all up or stay there hoping the weather gets better... I’ve stayed, got an incredible shot and the experience of this moment up there.

[Dan-jgzl]

I like hand holding it. I bought the left hand grip and a strap and it makes shooting handheld pretty easy. I shoot on the streets with it using the 180/4.5 K/L. It's a big setup but it's so worth it when you see the final images from a 6x7. The detail is insane. In terms of Sekor C and K/L lenses I don't see any optical difference, none that are obvious to me. I older Sekor C I have read are made better, more metal parts. The newer K/L lenses have newer glass coatings, but have read are made from more plastic parts. Both feel great lenses to use.

[travelingtriathlete]

I wanted to get into medium format specifically for the waist level viewfinder, but I went with the RB67 because of the rotating back, the option to switch backs and even use a 6x4.5 back, and the lack of electronics meaning I don't need to keep a spare battery to use the camera