deevoe21's Full Review: Mamiya RZ67 ProII Medium Format Film Camera
The MAMIYA RZ67 Professional II is the medium format SLR camera of my choice. It is a versatile, reliable camera for sophisticated and demanding professional photographers. Although it tends to be pretty expensive I do believe that it is well worth the expense. I am impressed with the camera features, and I would definitely recommend this camera although it is pricey. The lenses get very expensive in which they range from 870.00 to 6200.00 for the highly advanced lenses. The AE prism finder II runs for 1300.00, and the winder 2 runs for 549.00. These prices are for brand new equipment, it is possible to buy good quality used equipment or find packages in which you can get a good deal on a few accessories at one time.
This 6 x 7cm format is known as an "ideal format" camera because it enlarges to the standard 8 x 10 paper size without cropping. This utilizes the entire image area. The actual image size is 56 x 69.5mm. This is 5 times larger than a 35mm frame. This offers superior image quality for enlargements and viewing transparencies. It is also excellent for showing intricate detail within an image. This format size is useful to me when photographing fashion shots due to its ability to provide extreme sharpness.
The RZ67 is equipped with a revolving back with automatic finder masking. This allows for horizontal or vertical positioning within seconds, eliminating having to twist or turn the camera angle, or tripod positioning. This is convenient in portrait situations where you would want to change the optical axis quickly and accurately, you are able to do so effectively.
Similar to other Mamiya 6 x 7 format cameras the RZ 67 Professional II has a rack and pinion bellows focusing system. With a 46mm lens rack, the bellows assures pinpoint focusing over the widest possible range. For example, the standard 110mm lens can focus down to a distance as close as 31.3cm, while the wide-angle 65mm lens focuses to 8.5cm and the tele lens 180mm to 82.9cm. This results in extremely satisfying crispness at minimum focusing distances. In addition to this, the RZ67 is equipped with a large focusing knob for fast action focusing, and also a fine focus feature for critical precision focusing. This feature is extremely useful in my opinion. It allows for fast focusing when needed to do fashion or possible action shots, and it also allows for precise focusing when dealing with commercial shots.
Another extraordinary feature of this RZ67 is its interchangeable film holders. This camera accepts the complete range of Mamiya 120/220 roll-film backs, including Polaroid Pack film holders. The RB67 film backs can also be used when using a G-adapter. These features are great when you want to shoot black and white, along with color in a quick fashion. When doing a portrait photo shoot I can have my individual posed in a certain position in which I wanted B & W, along with color shots it would be much easier to use the interchangeable backs instead of going through the entire roll of one, or having to stop in the middle of the film and wasting time and money.
The RZ67 has many more features to it, including interchangeable finders and focusing screens. The waist level finder FW702 with self-erecting focusing hood and magnifier is factory supplied with each camera. The eye-level AE prism finder FE701 is an important accessory. Most of the time this is not supplied although recommended. It offers three-way metering (average, spot or auto shift) and computerized, aperture-priority shutter control, compatible with the RZ67 Professional IIs intermediate shutter speeds. It can also be operated manually. Exposure compensation to + or - 3EV and AE lock are other features. Also, an interchangeable power winder 2 is energized by batteries or an AC adapter, it advances the film, cocks the shutter and resets the mirror automatically. It produces single or sequence exposures at about one frame per second. It can be remote controlled with radio or infrared transmitters. This remote control feature allows for the photographer to move around and have eye contact with his/her subject.
In my opinion, all of these features and many more are combined to provide the ideal medium format camera. Its system compatibility with all existing lenses and most accessories, along with its professional qualities make this a highly respected camera in my opinion. This Mamiya RZ67 Professional II medium format camera is a worthwhile investment.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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