MF newbie with some questions

sprewell · 17th October 2007

Hello all.

I am very interested in shooting with MF and i plan to buy my lecturer's unused Mamiya RZ67 2nd hand.

However, he did not maintain the RZ67 and it sort turned mouldy and stuff.

Can i ask:

1) Roughly how much should i offer for his RZ67?
2) How much does it cost to service the moudly RZ67? In the first place should i even consider buying his?

I'm still not very familiar with MF cameras in general, hope you guys can help me out in future!

Thanks in advance.

Ps: Is there any diff between the film and the one with digital back? I'm a broke uni student so gonna shoot 120 film. hopefully can strike toto or 4D (wait a sec... 4D also not enough) then consider a digital back.

enivre · 17th October 2007

If it's not in good condition then forget it... there are many mamiyas out for sale every once in a while, go check with bro mattlock, he's selling his RZ. Alternatively go search the buy sell forum for one.

Get the RZ ProII if you intend to go digital in the future.

Also, if you are not familiar, why waste money on the RZ? Just get an old RB, they are a bargain nowadays.

sprewell · 18th October 2007

Oh its just that my lecturer so happens to own a RZ67 but he is no longer using it. So he left it there to collect dust and it caught my eye.

Honestly while i am interested in MF, i'm not too well versed in MF things like the accesories to go with the camera and things like that. But i'm hopeful that the CS pros will be here to help.

alvintang · 18th October 2007

Just do a check on the ebay or the buy/sell forum here to compare the current market rate, and see if its worth your dough for the one your tutor is selling.

The RZ, RZ PRO II as well as the RB PRO SD are all compatible with digital backs (leaf, phase one etc).
In fact mamiya will be releasing an adapter next year for all the 6x7 cameras (RB onwards) to fit onto their newly released ZD digital back.

I would say go get it if the price is within your budget, you wouldn't regret it. I have been using my RZs for a while now for both film and digital and they haven't let me down.

sprewell · 18th October 2007

Thanks!

But are there anything thing else i should look out for? Like accessories like the grip and viewfinder? My lecturer's only have a lens and body, nothing else.

Looks like i gotta pay Peninsula Plaza a visit.

catchlights · 18th October 2007

Originally Posted by sprewell

Thanks!

But are there anything thing else i should look out for? Like accessories like the grip and viewfinder? My lecturer's only have a lens and body, nothing else.

Looks like i gotta pay Peninsula Plaza a visit.

mamiya (RB or RZ) is so heavy, you want to shoot handheld??

sk.images · 18th October 2007

If the body is in good condition mechanically, i.e. light tight, shutter works as it should at all speeds and film winding mechanism works then it will do for a first cam - if any of the above are not 100% then don't even think about. If the lens has any mould on it, again don't go there.

Buying a dodgy camera then servicing it = trouble (not for certain but likely). So it's not a good investment in your photography career. You would much better served with a cam that you can trust mechanically and optically.

The other thing to consider is the type of shooting you plan to do. The RZ is a great camera, but it is big, heavy and unweildy for hand-held use - much better suited to the studio or tripod work, e.g. landscape, architecture, etc... For more portability look for a 6x6 (Hasselblad) or 645 (Mamiya, et al)...

enivre · 18th October 2007

Originally Posted by cyber_m0nkey

The other thing to consider is the type of shooting you plan to do. The RZ is a great camera, but it is big, heavy and unweildy for hand-held use - much better suited to the studio or tripod work, e.g. landscape, architecture, etc...

Trust me.. it's not joke carrying an RZ or RB around...

alvintang · 18th October 2007

Originally Posted by sprewell

Thanks!

But are there anything thing else i should look out for? Like accessories like the grip and viewfinder? My lecturer's only have a lens and body, nothing else.

Looks like i gotta pay Peninsula Plaza a visit.

you wouldn't really need the grip. If your tutor only has the lens and body, then you must go get the 120/220 film back (does singapore uses 220?) and a waist level finder or a 45 degree prism for a start.

Another important thing, since its an RZ that you looking at, do check the battery compartment to see if theres any battery leak. But if you only plan to use RB lenses and normal waist level finder, then everything will just work mechanically without the battery.

sexalicious · 20th October 2007

how about thinking to buy over my MF camera which is mantained?

it's light with top of the range T* carl zeiss lens.

p.s but i'm selling a hasselblad

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=319398

sprewell · 29th October 2007

My lecturer has agreed to lend me his RZ67 for as long as I want to!

I did my research and found that a basic servicing of MF body and lens cost about 200 bucks (he might even be willing to pay for that).

Hopefully MF pros can guide me in future...

One question to kickstart though, how much does it cost to develop one roll of MF negs? I most prob scan using my uni facilities..

*edit: my lecturer said he has not used his RZ67 for 20 yrs! Does that mean it cannot be used anymore? given that it has been left to gather mould for 20 years...

plsoong · 30th October 2007

THE RZ is a workhorse for many many of the professionals out there till today...

even if its been 20 years, i bet it still works as well..just need some usage and slight lubrication....

fyi, i'm also using a RZ 67..... yes its a PAIN to carry out.....let alone handheld....but i believe the quality shows....

the other thing about RZ's are that with any lens, it can be used as a "macro" so to speak thanx to its bellows. so in terms of trying out all forms of photography , well, its almost complete....

now now after all that, can i borrow your lecturer's unused digital back and the wide angles?

sprewell · 31st October 2007

I wished he had a digital back sia. Unfortunately no...
Oh I have yet to check out his lens collection! Muahahaha

But he is one of the rare few dudes whom Nikon will send their latest Cams to him for testing and feedback.

Sadly I'm a Canon user.

plsoong · 1st November 2007

Originally Posted by sprewell

I wished he had a digital back sia. Unfortunately no...
Oh I have yet to check out his lens collection! Muahahaha

But he is one of the rare few dudes whom Nikon will send their latest Cams to him for testing and feedback.

Sadly I'm a Canon user.

thats okay, i'm a nikon user...link us up!

LOL!

hahahahah

sprewell · 7th November 2007

I finally got my RZ67!

The problem is...

1. Shutter is not working (20 years of MIA)
2. 120 Back got spider web!! OMG
3. Lens is mouldy

Looks like i really need to send it for servicing asap. Any nice (not to mention affordable) shops at Peninsula Plaza to recommend?

Spectrum · 9th November 2007

Go to this website to search for things you need to know about MF camera's & their pros & cons. Just google 'Photo.Net' & hope it helps.

Spectrum · 9th November 2007

Originally Posted by sprewell

I finally got my RZ67!

The problem is...

1. Shutter is not working (20 years of MIA)
2. 120 Back got spider web!! OMG
3. Lens is mouldy

Looks like i really need to send it for servicing asap. Any nice (not to mention affordable) shops at Peninsula Plaza to recommend?

In the case you described above. I think you better forget about purchasing that already. No point due to repair cost will be high. Especially the lens that turn mouldy.

sk.images · 9th November 2007

If you really want to get into MF cheaply - find a russian built camera, cheap and great value.

Spectrum · 10th November 2007

Originally Posted by cyber_m0nkey

If you really want to get into MF cheaply - find a russian built camera, cheap and great value.

Can advise the TS where to locate for such item. Do you mean local or on Ebay?

sk.images · 12th November 2007

Originally Posted by Spectrum

Can advise the TS where to locate for such item. Do you mean local or on Ebay?

Both. Doesn't have to be specifically Russian, I meant it generically to mean East European.

A number of second hand stores here will have something in stock, check out Peninsula, TCW and basement in Adelphi. Plenty on Ebay and I few being sold here in CS.

Here you go ---> http://photography.search.ebay.com/m...lcZ2QQsbrsrtZd

17th October 2007	#1
sprewell Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Serangoon Central Posts: 784	MF newbie with some questions Hello all. I am very interested in shooting with MF and i plan to buy my lecturer's unused Mamiya RZ67 2nd hand. However, he did not maintain the RZ67 and it sort turned mouldy and stuff. Can i ask: 1) Roughly how much should i offer for his RZ67? 2) How much does it cost to service the moudly RZ67? In the first place should i even consider buying his? I'm still not very familiar with MF cameras in general, hope you guys can help me out in future! Thanks in advance. Ps: Is there any diff between the film and the one with digital back? I'm a broke uni student so gonna shoot 120 film. hopefully can strike toto or 4D (wait a sec... 4D also not enough) then consider a digital back. Last edited by sprewell; 17th October 2007 at 11:16 PM.

17th October 2007	#2
enivre Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,687	Re: MF newbie with some questions If it's not in good condition then forget it... there are many mamiyas out for sale every once in a while, go check with bro mattlock, he's selling his RZ. Alternatively go search the buy sell forum for one. Get the RZ ProII if you intend to go digital in the future. Also, if you are not familiar, why waste money on the RZ? Just get an old RB, they are a bargain nowadays.

18th October 2007	#3
sprewell Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Serangoon Central Posts: 784	Re: MF newbie with some questions Oh its just that my lecturer so happens to own a RZ67 but he is no longer using it. So he left it there to collect dust and it caught my eye. Honestly while i am interested in MF, i'm not too well versed in MF things like the accesories to go with the camera and things like that. But i'm hopeful that the CS pros will be here to help.

18th October 2007	#4
alvintang Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 124	Re: MF newbie with some questions Just do a check on the ebay or the buy/sell forum here to compare the current market rate, and see if its worth your dough for the one your tutor is selling. The RZ, RZ PRO II as well as the RB PRO SD are all compatible with digital backs (leaf, phase one etc). In fact mamiya will be releasing an adapter next year for all the 6x7 cameras (RB onwards) to fit onto their newly released ZD digital back. I would say go get it if the price is within your budget, you wouldn't regret it. I have been using my RZs for a while now for both film and digital and they haven't let me down.

18th October 2007	#5
sprewell Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Serangoon Central Posts: 784	Re: MF newbie with some questions Thanks! But are there anything thing else i should look out for? Like accessories like the grip and viewfinder? My lecturer's only have a lens and body, nothing else. Looks like i gotta pay Peninsula Plaza a visit.

18th October 2007	#7
sk.images Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,253	Re: MF newbie with some questions If the body is in good condition mechanically, i.e. light tight, shutter works as it should at all speeds and film winding mechanism works then it will do for a first cam - if any of the above are not 100% then don't even think about. If the lens has any mould on it, again don't go there. Buying a dodgy camera then servicing it = trouble (not for certain but likely). So it's not a good investment in your photography career. You would much better served with a cam that you can trust mechanically and optically. The other thing to consider is the type of shooting you plan to do. The RZ is a great camera, but it is big, heavy and unweildy for hand-held use - much better suited to the studio or tripod work, e.g. landscape, architecture, etc... For more portability look for a 6x6 (Hasselblad) or 645 (Mamiya, et al)...

20th October 2007	#10
sexalicious Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: northeast Posts: 975	Re: MF newbie with some questions how about thinking to buy over my MF camera which is mantained? it's light with top of the range T* carl zeiss lens. p.s but i'm selling a hasselblad http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=319398 __________________ http://www.flickr.com/photos/sexalicious/ Life starts at the speed of 240km/h

29th October 2007	#11
sprewell Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Serangoon Central Posts: 784	Re: MF newbie with some questions My lecturer has agreed to lend me his RZ67 for as long as I want to! I did my research and found that a basic servicing of MF body and lens cost about 200 bucks (he might even be willing to pay for that). Hopefully MF pros can guide me in future... One question to kickstart though, how much does it cost to develop one roll of MF negs? I most prob scan using my uni facilities.. edit: my lecturer said he has not used his RZ67 for 20 yrs! Does that mean it cannot be used anymore? given that it has been left to gather mould for 20 years... Last edited by sprewell; 30th October 2007 at 02:49 AM.*

30th October 2007	#12
plsoong Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,658	Re: MF newbie with some questions THE RZ is a workhorse for many many of the professionals out there till today... even if its been 20 years, i bet it still works as well..just need some usage and slight lubrication.... fyi, i'm also using a RZ 67..... yes its a PAIN to carry out.....let alone handheld....but i believe the quality shows.... the other thing about RZ's are that with any lens, it can be used as a "macro" so to speak thanx to its bellows. so in terms of trying out all forms of photography , well, its almost complete.... now now after all that, can i borrow your lecturer's unused digital back and the wide angles?

31st October 2007	#13
sprewell Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Serangoon Central Posts: 784	Re: MF newbie with some questions I wished he had a digital back sia. Unfortunately no... Oh I have yet to check out his lens collection! Muahahaha But he is one of the rare few dudes whom Nikon will send their latest Cams to him for testing and feedback. Sadly I'm a Canon user.

7th November 2007	#15
sprewell Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Serangoon Central Posts: 784	Re: MF newbie with some questions I finally got my RZ67! The problem is... 1. Shutter is not working (20 years of MIA) 2. 120 Back got spider web!! OMG 3. Lens is mouldy Looks like i really need to send it for servicing asap. Any nice (not to mention affordable) shops at Peninsula Plaza to recommend?

9th November 2007	#16
Spectrum Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Here Posts: 3,685	Re: MF newbie with some questions Go to this website to search for things you need to know about MF camera's & their pros & cons. Just google 'Photo.Net' & hope it helps.