Bronica ETRS or Mamiya RB67 Pro SD

[crotograph]

Well, OK, I purchased the Mamiya RB67 Pro SD. Under $500.00 by a good margin and this camera is an 8+++. The reason I mention the price is because I am floored by how inexpensive. I will have to buy a 180 mm lens for it as it comes with the 90mm and that won't work well enough for portraits. While I'm at it I will probably get a wide angle also.

I have to say that I don't get it. I know that digital is popular and, in some ways, easier, but, I cannot see the market dump of really nice film cameras. This camera should have cost around $2000.00 +/-. I'm not complaining, mind you, just don't understand how film is being so under rated in what only seems like a year or two. Ahhh, but then, I may be showing my age!

[Franglais]

Well, OK, I purchased the Mamiya RB67 Pro SD. Under $500.00 by a good margin and this camera is an 8+++. The reason I mention the price is because I am floored by how inexpensive. I will have to buy a 180 mm lens for it as it comes with the 90mm and that won't work well enough for portraits. While I'm at it I will probably get a wide angle also.

I have to say that I don't get it. I know that digital is popular and, in some ways, easier, but, I cannot see the market dump of really nice film cameras. This camera should have cost around $2000.00 +/-. I'm not complaining, mind you, just don't understand how film is being so under rated in what only seems like a year or two. Ahhh, but then, I may be showing my age!

Bronica went out of business recently. This means that not only there will be no new cameras but repairs may become difficult one day.

Charles

[another view]

I'm sure you'll get your money's worth out of it! Prices of pro-grade film gear have been dropping for a few years now - you could get a Nikon F5 for not much more than that too. Nothing wrong with shooting film, as long as you've got a good lab (or that lab is you). I'm guessing that there is still a decent demand for medium format film, because at the price of the equipment there will be a lot of new users of it out there.

If you ever do need repairs, you might be best to just replace the body. This has been true of many good cameras for a couple of years - Nikon FM, for example.

[crotograph]

Bronica went out of business recently. This means that not only there will be no new cameras but repairs may become difficult one day.

Charles

That was the reason I didn't purchase a GS-1, although I did peruse them. I also downloaded the RB manual from Mamiya and see that I have some study and familiarization to learn the camera. The first thing I did was take it for a check up and, if needed, a cleaning. End of next week I will have it and start learning the idiosyncracies of a new system. Any experienced RB users that would like to fill me in on peculiarities of said camera I would enjoy hearing from.

[crotograph]

Replacing the body is a great point, AV. Far in the future I hope............................>;)

[AntLockyer]

Good buy. The Mamiya is in my top cameras list.

[crotograph]

I have toted 25 lbs of Mamiya and Nikon around for years. Not to mention Linhof and Bogen/Manfrotto tripods and heads. Seems to me that 5.5-6 lbs of MF camera are light in comparison. And I'm 57. What gives with all the complaints concerning how "heavy" the RB is? Every review I read was a negative concerning the weight of this camera. I look towards the one key positive: the photos. It seems a winning trade-off to carry a bit more weight and get beautifully focused and exposed photos than to carry around a pound and a half 35mm and pray they come out. That's just me though.

[fschifano]

I'm going to come in on the side of the 6x7 supporters. 645, while undeniably better than 35 mm for making fine prints, just isn't that much bigger than 35mm to make the effort worthwhile unless size and weight considerations are paramount. If the argument were between the 6x6 square and 645, and you normally print a rectangular format, then it's a good choice because the usable area of a 6x6 negative when printing a standard 8x10,11x14, 16x20, etc.rectangle is essentially the same as 645. But if you're going for maximum image quality from medium format then 6x7 is the way to go. The format allows one to use almost all of the negative for the composition when the intention is to print the standard rectangular sizes.

[Photo-John]

Welcome to PhotographyREVIEW.com. fschifano! I just wanted to point out that you've posted a reply in a discussion that hasn't been active since 2005. It's a good one, though

I don't know what brought you to the site but you should introduce yourself on the ViewFinder forum - it's sort of our online community center. And if you're interested in film photography you should take a look at our dedicated Film Photography forum.

Looking forward to seeing some of your photos and getting to know you!

[freygr]

That was the reason I didn't purchase a GS-1, although I did peruse them. I also downloaded the RB manual from Mamiya and see that I have some study and familiarization to learn the camera. The first thing I did was take it for a check up and, if needed, a cleaning. End of next week I will have it and start learning the idiosyncracies of a new system. Any experienced RB users that would like to fill me in on peculiarities of said camera I would enjoy hearing from.

It has a dark slide! So do not forget to remove the darkslide before taking photos or installing the dark slide before changing the film back. Remember that there are 120 and 220 film backs and there are not interchangeable when loading the film.