Finding the right Mamiya RZ67 accessories is generally a transitional phase for anyone who's decided to lug this seven-pound animal into the industry. It's a famous camera, no question, but the bare-bones entire body only tells half the story. To really get the many from that massive 6x7 negative, you need a few bits and bobs that make the shooting process the little less such as a workout and a little more like a creative program.
Whether a person just picked up a professional II plus you're wondering the reason why your neck damages, or you've been shooting one for years and wish to expand your options, there's a lot of gear on the market. Let's break down what actually matters plus what's probably just going to sit down in your bag collecting dust.
The Viewfinders: Seeing the particular World in 6x7
The waist-level finder may be the traditional way to take an RZ67. It's light, it's well-known, and it can make you look like a "real" photographer. But let's be honest: shooting verticals with a waist-level finder is really a problem. Because the RZ has that wizard rotating back, you don't have in order to flip the camera, but seeing your image reversed left-to-right could trip a person up when you're seeking to track a moving subject.
If you're performing a lots of studio work or portraits exactly where you have to be precise, you might want to look into an AE Prism Finder . It's heavy—I lead to, really heavy—but it corrects the image so you see it simply like a regular SLR. Plus, the "AE" part appears for Auto Direct exposure. It adds the light meter towards the camera that communicates with the zoom lens, that is a lifesaver in the event that you're moving quick and don't need to pull out a handheld meter for every single chance. Just be prepared for the extra excess weight; it turns the camera into some thing resembling a little cinder block.
Obtaining the Best Glass
Technically, lenses are more compared to just "accessories, " but on a modular system such as this, they're everything. The 110mm f/2. 8 is the gold standard. If a person bought your camera and it also didn't come with this zoom lens, make it your first priority. It's equivalent to a 50mm upon full-frame, and the particular bokeh is rich and creamy, smooth, and simply plain beautiful.
If you're straight into landscapes, the 50mm or even 65mm lenses are your own best bets. They're sharp as a tack. On the particular other end, intended for portraits, the 140mm Macro is a sleeper hit. It's incredibly sharp and allows a person to get significantly closer than the standard lenses without needing additional tubes. Because the RZ uses a bellows system for concentrating, you can currently get pretty close up, however the 140mm requires it to one more level.
Movie Backs and Precisely why You Need Spares
One of the best reasons for the RZ67 is that you can mid-roll exchange. You're halfway via roll of Portra 400 but abruptly the light will get amazing and you want to shoot some Ektar a hundred? Just pop the dark slide within, swap the back again, and you're great to go.
Having a minimum of two or three 120 Power Drive Shells or the standard Pro II backs is really a game-changer. It's not merely about different movie stocks, though. It's about flow. There's nothing worse than being in the particular middle of an excellent shoot and needing to stop for three minutes to faff around with the new roll of film. If you have two backs pre-loaded, you simply click on and keep going.
Also, keep an eyesight out for the 645 backs . They're a bit cheaper to shoot since a person get 15 structures instead of ten, and they're great if you don't necessarily need that will massive 6x7 frame for each single task.
Making this Mobile: Grips plus Straps
Let's talk about the L-Grip . If a person plan on using this camera away of the facilities, you will need this point. It bolts on to the medial side and gives you a lot more secure way to support the camera. It also includes a "dead man's" trigger—a shutter discharge on the grip that will connects to the camera via wire. It makes the particular RZ67 feel like a (very large) point-and-shoot. It changes the weight straight into your left hands, leaving your right hand free to concentrate the bellows.
As for straps, don't use the particular original Mamiya a single unless you hate your own collarbone. Look intended for something which includes severe padding. A lot of RZ shooters recommend Op/Tech shoulder straps . They have got the bit of "bounce" for them which absorbs the shock associated with the camera because you walk. Trust me, after two hrs of hiking by having an RZ67, you'll appreciate yourself for investing the twenty dollars on a decent strap.
Modern Additions: The Instax Back
In the event that you want in order to have some enjoyable, you've got to check out the modern Instax backs . Back in the day time, pros used Polaroid backs to check their lighting before shooting the "real" film. Today, given that pack film will be basically dead and even incredibly expensive, companies like Zorkendorfer or even Bellows Pro have got created 3D-printed or modified backs that will let you take Instax Square or Instax Wide upon your RZ67.
It's a great time. There's something so pleasing about seeing a 6x7 image place out of the particular camera instantly. The lens quality of the Mamiya glass is so higher than anything on a standard Instax camera, so the pictures find yourself looking remarkably professional and razor-sharp.
Close-Up Function and Extension Tubes
Because the RZ67 uses a bellows system, it's currently better at macro than any medium format camera. You just crank all those knobs and the lens moves method out. When you want to get really tight—like, "individual eyelash" tight—you'll need extension tubes .
Mamiya produced two main types: No. 1 plus No. 2. They're basically just empty spacers that sit down between the body as well as the lens. They don't have any kind of glass in all of them, so they don't degrade the image quality, but they will do need you to do some "bellows compensation" math for your own exposure. Most RZ67 bodies have the handy little chart on the part to assist you figure away how many stops of light you're losing when you're racked out that far.
Maintenance and Small Necessities
Don't overlook the small stuff. A good mechanised cable release is important for tripod work. Since the RZ has a big hand mirror that swings up, it can result in a bit of gerüttel. Utilizing a cable release—and the mirror lock-up (MLU) feature on the lens—ensures your own shots stay tack-sharp at slow shutter speeds.
Also, keep a few spare 4LR44 6V batteries inside your bag. The RZ67 is usually electronically timed. When the battery passes away, the camera can still fire, yet only at the mechanical 1/400th of a second. That will can really ruin your day in case you're shooting from sunset and don't realize your shutter isn't actually remaining open for a full second.
Final Thoughts on Building Your Program
The beauty of Mamiya RZ67 accessories is that will you don't have to buy all of them at the same time. Start along with the basics—a great 110mm lens and a waist-level locater. As you figure out your look, you'll know if you need the L-Grip for that street or a Prism finder for the studio.
This camera will be a heavy, mechanised beast, but with the right add-ons, it is an extension associated with your eye. It's about making the particular process smoother so that you can focus on the light as well as the subject instead of fumbling with the gear. Take your time, hunt with regard to deals within the utilized market, and luxuriate in the process of developing a kit that will works for you. Happy shooting!