This 40 Year Old Camera Takes The Best Photos Ever!

[@acecreates]

Crisp video mate, and what a beautiful camera!

[@Reason-fg4ik]

I bought mine in 2010 and it's my favorite camera.

[@jaimeduncan6167]

Love the examples. Very good work. And quality shines.

[@rudermanphoto]

Thank you!

[@doctorstrobe]

Last comment, i swear: your pictures are awesome!

[@rudermanphoto]

Thank you! 💖

[@aristoioannidis7490]

Hey Matt. Great update. I invested in the RB67 Pro SD with a host of lenses. I took my Pro SD on a cruising holiday to NZ in 2019. What a production! It was worth it. Kudos.

[@garethwilliams976]

Just a quick add on. Have you noticed the way prices are going? Top condition bodies now are nearly double what they cost ten years ago and some of the rarer lenses have rocketed. If buying backs get those for RZ2 which work on the Pro as well although the inserts are not interchangeable. The original backs used rubber light seals which do fail with age although you can replace them but it is a fiddly job as nobody seems to make a kit these days. I use a Brightscreen in my WL Finder and it helps a lot in low light although you need to adjust the metering on the AE finder.

[@rudermanphoto]

Not even 10 years, I remember you could get a Pro2 with a 110 for like $800 a few years ago, good luck finding that again! One of my backs has had its seals replaced, but overall I haven’t noticed too many light leak issues with the other back. I’ve looked into the Brightscreen, I really want to get one as well, but I found adding a -1.5 diopter onto the magnifier really helped with nailing focus for me.

[@doctorstrobe]

you may want to invest in the 645 back, as it's a way to get 2 different focal length equivalents for each lens you get. And a way to get 15 images on each roll to test film. There are 3D printable schematics of the 645 mask for the focusing glass.

[@rudermanphoto]

Yeah I’ve seen the 645 back, it’s probably a wise investment, will need to track one down!

[@garethwilliams976]

I have ben using my two PZs for 20 years now and love them as portrait and landscape cameras. I have a range of 9 lenses from 50-500mm and all are good but the standouts are the 65mm L-A, the 110 and the 140 macro. The 180 W-N is also very good and I like using the 180 VSF. I hardly ever use the AE prism as it really does add weight as you know and although it is pretty accurate I would rather use a spot meter. If you like to go handheld the left hand grip works really well.

[@rudermanphoto]

I need to get a left hand grip for it! The 65 L-A has the floating lens element right? I’ve wanted to try that lens out although I do love my RB 65mm, i got it for so cheap and it’s remarkably sharp and well detailed too.

[@matskay1971]

You got some awesome shots with this camera . Amazing clarity and dynamic range . Simply gorgeous and inspiring.

[@rudermanphoto]

Thank you!!

[@bvaccaro2959]

Love it, great images too! Just cracked out my RZ after watching this:) Have a 50mm, 90mm, and 180 with it in the metal Mamiya case. Also have the AE Prism Finder which is probably the best built in Light meter I've ever used, fyi. You might want to hunt down the lugs and strap for the body. For me it really makes walking around with it totally doable. I do also have a Mamiya 7ii(love 6x7), and it gives a different look to the RZ. The RZ lenses give a dimensionality to the images that the Rangefinder doesn't.

[@rudermanphoto]

I really want to get the 50mm! I’ve heard great things. I have some strap lugs for it which I added peak design anchors to, I just removed them for the video because they look a bit funny dangling off the camera haha. Have always wanted to try the 7ii out but it’s just prohibitively expensive nowadays sadly!

[@GordonbProductions]

Who is developing and scanning for you mate? Terrific shots all round. Gordo

[@rudermanphoto]

I get most of my film developed in the city at Halide Supply here in Melbourne, but the shots from Bali were all done in Bali at Ojisan film lab, can’t speak highly enough of that place, $65 aud to get 13 rolls of 120 developed and scanned, SAME day, in high res!

[@MrXxjugernautxx]

Good content! Keep going brother

[@rudermanphoto]

Thank you!

[@doctorstrobe]

the shaky shutter button on your first body may just have been the lock switch on the shutter button moving without you noticing, it happens to me a lot.

[@rudermanphoto]

I don’t think so, unless it’s something internally, but often times unless you really hammered the shutter button down the shutter just wouldn’t fire, it all involves a lot of force to wind as well, almost like you had to slam the cocking lever down the last 15% of the way otherwise the shutter wouldn’t recock properly. It’s likely something a CLA would fix but that’s $550 and you can literally just buy a brand new core for that money - I believe the camera might have been dropped at one point because the bellows were a bit crooked too on my first camera. Mistakes I should have been smarter about when I bought it as it was advertised as faulty and thought it would be an easy fix but you live and you learn haha

[@Awayne429]

I have the Rb67 because it was the most affordable 67 camera out there about a year ago. I like the Pentax but it has a slow flash sync speed

[@rudermanphoto]

The RB definetly has its benefits over the RZ like no electronics to go wrong, but the 110 2.8 and only needing to cock the shutter and not both the shutter and back meant the RZ just edge out for me personally. But yeah all of these cameras could be found for dirt cheap 5 years ago and I am so sad I didn’t buy in back then haha

[@Awayne429]

@@rudermanphoto I got an rb67 with two lenses under $500 USD compared to the cheapest RZ for $1200 USD. I would like the RZ and that 110 lens. Another bonus point for Rb67 is that my local camera shop still repairs cameras and will fix the Rb67 if it breaks down. I had the other film cameras electronics fail on me already so that’s why I kind of stick to mechanical only for the more expensive medium format ones. I have the Arax CM 500 (Hassy knockoff), yashica 12, and the Mamiya Universal (Mamiya 7 older brother)

[@ashtongermain]

these photos are insane!!!

[@rudermanphoto]

Thank you so much!

[@karlweb1]

That was my first studio camera I still have one in my studio 110mm 180mm 50 mm I have an AE prism Is hot wedding with that thing Greet system

[@andrefelixstudio2833]

I’m sure this is a great camera for some people but for me if I’m shooting film it’s a Hasselblad!

[@rudermanphoto]

Square format isn’t for everyone! Hasselblad’s are great though.

[@leafsfan71]

Great photos!!!

[@rudermanphoto]

Thank you!

[@jaetok]

Top 5 best camera made.

[@votographindonesia850]

Did you visit Bali - Indonesia man ? Love your stuff

[@rudermanphoto]

Yes, I visited for the first time in May this year! I loved it, can’t wait to go back

[@huntrrams]

Amazing video!

[@rudermanphoto]

Thank you!!

[@johnjewell219]

How does the rz differ from the rb67?

[@rudermanphoto]

The RZ has some electronic components, the biggest differences are that it only requires one lever to advance the film and fire the shutter, on the RB it’s two levers, it also has a few safeguards in place in order to ensure you don’t fire it with a dark slide in place etc, but mostly the best thing is that 110 2.8 lens which is RZ exclusive! Both are great though you really can’t go wrong with either, they’re both gigantic and both take awesome photos. I know some people prefer the RB due to its all mechanical nature, I know the RZ can be a bit temperamental haha

[@AldermanFredCDavis]

What model/brand tripod and head is that at the beginning of the video?

[@rudermanphoto]

It’s the Ulanzi Zero Y carbon fibre travel tripod, tiny and yet supports the weight of the RZ67 fairly well! I used it when travelling with it

[@ace_pxl]

this is crazy my guy

[@rudermanphoto]

Thank you!!

[@ronaldmoravec2692]

Mine was great until I got to Door County and found myself with two backs and no darkslides. 75 mile drive to some drugstore/camera shop tp purchase 2.

[@roxikoko3744]

Wait until you see a contact sheet print shot on an 11x14 inch view camera. Don't die until you have seen the result.

[@tombube49]

Does these type of camera have Autofocus? Sorry I’m too young to understand

[@rudermanphoto]

The RZ67 is all manual! But the magnifier in the viewfinder makes it easy to nail focus with a bit of practise!

[@jj-kf9wo]

who is that very photogenic model?

[@rudermanphoto]

It’s my girlfriend, she’s always happy to help me test cameras out haha

[@bernardlesperance742]

For film cameras, it's not the camera, it's the lens.

[@davidmurray5926]

And each time you press the shutter it’ll cost you about £2.50 😮

[@rudermanphoto]

Unfortunately! Just have to make each shot count!

[@austerepotato3159]

There’s nothing special about any film camera… it’s all about the film, and the lens..

[@mrca2004]

With 180 kl lens, back and strap, my RB weighs 6 lbs. Come on all you pencil necked, spagetti armed wimps. it's not that heavy. I carry it cross body for 4 hours at a time with zero problem at age 76. My 6545 pro tl with 180 mm and motor winder is 5 lbs. For years I gave up on walking about with the camera out. Around my neck it was discomforting in 10 minutes. Over the shoulder nearly as bad. I listened to all the you tube morons who said it had to be carried in a back pack. After doing 4 hour walkabouts with the 645 pr tl on a black rapid strap, I considered it on the RB but no attachment point for the safety strap. Decided to lengthen the op tech strap all the way and wear it cross chest, the foam on top of my L shoulder and the camera resting on my R hip held lighty or pressed against it. Yesterday did a 3 hr shoot with zero problem.with small bag over L shoulder with second back, and lens. Lesson from shooting this way, bring plenty of film. I sold my prism finder years ago. In studio I have an apple box or 3 step ladder/hand truck that gets me to eye level. Plus the elf magnifier allows for precise focusing in conjunction to my Rick Oleson split prism finder. WAnt eye level portraits? Stand on a chair, bench, wall in the field ir gave them sit on it. It makes amazing photos. Look how it almost feels you could walk into your photos. Watch the movie Oppenheimer to see what medium format looks like then watch the movie Fat man and Little boy shot on 35mm. Look at the skin tones and transitions, the gorgeous oof backgrounds from a large format film. Ah, if only kodak vision 3 film didn't have a remjet but a anti halation layer that was easily removed in processing! I would recommend following in the youtuber foot steps who abandoned the rz for the rb, wilhem and nico. Wilhem had TWO FAIL. I chuckle at the folks slobbering over the two fastest lenses in rb and 645. Crazy shallow dof and a length I rarely use. If I want oof background, I'll use the 180 or the 645 150 leaf shutter that gives that camera a 1/500 flash sync speed instead of 1/60. As for most digital mf cameras starting at about 10 grand they aren't even 645 much less 67. I can shoot one hell of a lot of film for 8 grand difference and long before then, the digital camera is obsolete. You have the right idea having 2 because there is a ticking time bomb on the electronics so at least you will have one functioning body when the other is a paper weight. Manwhile, an rb can be repaired since no electronics.

[@lensman5762]

Cameras don't take photos, people do. Camera is a just a tool, an instrument to record what you put in its viewfinder. If there is any hierarchy of influence exerted by the ' camera ', first and foremost is the film and then possibly, the lens.

[@HumayunQureshi]

Fellow Aussie here. Been in California the last 3 weeks and lugged my RZ67 Pro II with the 50mm ULD, 110mm and 180mm, with three film holders, AE prism finder, auto winder, shooting Velvia 50 and XP2 Super that expired 10 years ago, along with fresh Ektar, Portra 160/400 and Cinestill 800T. I’m looking forward to coming back home and processing it all, and giving my shoulder a rest. :D

[@rudermanphoto]

I’ve always wanted to try that 50mm out!! I hear it’s amazing! But damn that is one hell of a kit to lug with you, I thought I was crazy bringing the camera, 110 2.8 and an extra back with me to Bali haha I’m sure the photos will turn out unbelievable though!!

[@PhotoTrekr]

I never owned the RZ67, but I did have a Hassy 501 c/m. Whenever I see old medium format film cameras, I always wonder what they have seen and what photos they have taken. Lots of history there.

[@doctorstrobe]

I took this camera everywhere in NYC for a full month. It was exhausting but a monopod helped a lot!

[@rudermanphoto]

I bet the photos turned out amazing!

[@andrewthompson5609]

Awesome video! The RZ is by far my favorite camera. One thing I noticed though is there is no need for the PC synch cable. It works great just putting the remote on the hot shoe and you’re good to go. I shoot mine that way in the studio every time. If it’s not working you might need a new hotshoe mount. I saw this happen on an older / more beat up RZ that a friend of mine had and once he replaced it it worked.

[@rudermanphoto]

Maybe that was the issue with mine, but it never worked just on the hotshoe, always needed to keep the cable plugged in

[@cineforteartfilms9133]

You mention that your camera had a ‘sticky’ shutter. The RZ67 body does not have a shutter, the shutter is in the lens. Did you mean it had a problem with the mirror?

[@rudermanphoto]

Yes, that’s what I meant, sorry I got them mixed up haha

[@sneakingelephant]

I haven’t tried the mamiya 67s and had decided to get the Pentax 67 when I went down the medium format rabbit hole. I primarily went for the Pentax line because I wanted to go with a more traditional SLR type of body and the Pentax suited that better while still having the option for a waist level viewfinder. I do feel envious about the mamiyas leaf shutter across the whole system vs the Pentax which only has 2 lens options. Still I thoroughly enjoy the Pentax 67 and it’s provided me some fantastic memories as well as my first printed photos.

[@garethwilliams976]

A geat camera which works handheld better than the RZ which excels on a tripod.

[@1KMOMENTS]

Amazing Shots , makes me wanna switch from my Bronica to this.

[@blende5.693]

very nice video, but there is no doubt about the facts, that a digital camera has a better picture quality at all. That not a killing point against film photography, but the picture quality is not pro for film. My biggest pro for film photography are the beautiful cameras, the joy to use this cameras, the limit of 36 or 12 frames. My go to camera is a Leica M2 and a Hasselblad 503. By the way, very nice images.

[@rudermanphoto]

The highest theoretical resolution of film scanned on a drum scanner is higher then almost every modern digital medium format camera though, and it’s much cheaper too! I love my Leica M2 as well, and someday I hope to own a Hasselblad as well.

[@blende5.693]

yes it’s possible to scan your negatives so high, that the resolution is unbelievable. But that doesn’t push the level of image quality. The image quality of film is mostly limited from the grain. So it’s a fact, that digital photography products a much much better image quality. I used the Hasselblad scanner for some weeks, absolute amazing quality, but not as good like my Sony a7. So the image quality and also the amazing special look of film is not a pro for using film anymore. BUT, if you like to shoot film, if you like the look of the images, if you like the cool film cameras, if you like to develop film, … , go ahead, shoot film, so I do.

[@Narsuitus]

For portraits, landscapes, macro, close-ups, and still lifes, I use 50, 90, 140, 180, and 250mm lenses on my two RB67 bodies.

[@gerardneedham]

You took the RB67 to bali respect bro, Está is a great model to work with also. She’s great

[@rudermanphoto]

Esta is the best! Super lovely girl! And yeah Ojisan film lab developed 13 rolls of film for me for just $65 aud, will be bringing the RZ with me when I go back to Bali sometime soon!

[@khkenny2]

I have a Pentax 67 and my friend has a Mamiya RB67, in terms of the flexibility and functionality, Mamiya would definitely be the winner between them, and heres why (especially if shooting in a studio) 1. Flash sync speed, Pentax has a 1/30 flash sync speed on a curtain shutter, unless you get the leaf shutter series lenses, you be stuck with that. 2. Pentax does not have a revolving back, on a waist level finder, changing to a portrait orientation is quite the gymnastics move. But! In terms of shooting outdoors the pentax lenses would perform quite well and these downsides would not it affect you too much.

[@jasp2003]

I have an RB67 with 3 lenses sitting in my cabinet! I brought it on a Japan trip like 3 years ago. I NEED TO USE IT MORE!!!

[@christophgordon6408]

Awesome video. Can someone explain the flash setup? Brand?

[@rudermanphoto]

Thank you! If you’re referring to the little flash I have on the camera it’s a Fujifilm EF-x20, they have sadly been discontinued and now cost far too much but it’s a great little flash with a surprising amount of power!

[@christophgordon6408]

@@rudermanphoto Cool, thanks.

[@jg_jgjg]

Shot this, a Mamiya 7, and 35mm in college. Very fun, but like you said a behemoth of a camera. I hope to shoot with a fuji GFX one day

[@algersonvincent]

5:56 so now you carry TWO around? lol jkjk...love this video and definitely looking into getting one.

[@rudermanphoto]

Haha I can’t imagine my back would like me very much if I threw TWO RZ’s in my backpack for a trip 🤣

[@algersonvincent]

@@rudermanphoto i've literally looked at this video 5 times. the images look so amazing. i have questions lol 1. what is the developing and scanning procedure? 2. how does "getting scans back" actually work? 3. is there anywhere we (and by we i mean me) can see what the images before editing etc look like? assuming they were edited before posting. ofcourse if there are videos or you have videos answering these i'd love to be directed to them.. sooooo about to get one

[@rudermanphoto]

@@algersonvincent to answer your questions, the development procedure shouldn’t be any different to regular 35mm film, most film labs that can develop 35mm can usually also do 120. While I do edit the film scans themselves: it’s not a huge shift, it’s usually just a little boost in contrast and shadows and maybe tweaking the white balance/tint to make the image look just right. I think the biggest thing to remember with this camera is that while it is incredible, it is also a massive pain in the ass to use and as such it really is best suited to being used in situations where it is required, not just casually taken out whenever hahahaha If you are up for it, go for it - you will not be disappointed, the rz67 truly is one of a kind - but it’s a camera that really makes you work for that incredible image you end up receiving!

[@jonhellerphotography]

I had the RZ67 Pro ii and I miss it every day. Same with the Mamiya 7ii

[@SamSilk]

I love this camera. I love it so much I took it from France for a once in a lifetime trip to NYC. Since it's quite heavy with all its accessories, I ran around NYC with a 24 pounds bag for one month in the streets of Manhattan. I took my best images ever with a combo RZ67/110mm/Provia100F. So happy with them that I upgraded the whole kit when I went back to France. I now have the 140mm Macro, the 180mm, the prism/viewfinder with the additional diopter, an extension tube and I sold a kidney to get the microprism/split focusing screen ($25 seem to be the original price of the item back in the days according to an old label on the box. I paid $700 on ebay to get my hands on it but I don't regret it for one second). I also have a hacked Instax Square back from a German guy. Nice gadget.

[@rudermanphoto]

It’s definitely a good workout taking this thing travelling! Ahh, the Zinstax right? I’ve wanted to get my hands on one for a while!

[@Edwin--]

Nice video! This is till date still the daily go-to camera for quite a few renowned portrait photographers, like Vincent Peters.

[@acupofcoffee2021]

Great video! The result looks so great!

[@robertsaunders5740]

Thanks, I have the RB67 along with an ariel viewfinder. Not used it for years. Great cameras.

[@WilliamWatt]

This video cost me $2k 😐

[@thetwilightzone2541]

So expensive too

[@nino8344]

When you mentioned that this camera can produce the highest resolution, I believe it's important to clarify here to newbies that the scanning process plays a crucial role, and the final image quality depends on the quality of the scan. Allow me to explain. The most critical factors are who is conducting the film scanning and the equipment used for scanning. I've had instances where 35mm film was scanned with more detail and better quality than 6x7 and 6x9 formats. For example, it's possible to achieve better scans with a budget medium format camera than with the Mamiya 7II if the Mamiya 7 films were scanned with a low-quality scanner or a lab technician who doesn't know how to handle film scanning. Another crucial aspect of obtaining high-quality scans is having an excellent lens. Apart from that, great video! Keep up the good work! I've just subbed.

[@rudermanphoto]

Yeah, I should have mentioned that figure is only with something like a drum scanner - but it’s not a lie that 120 has some absolutely unbelievable theoretical resolution, I believe I read somewhere it was close to 450 megapixels if you had a scanner capable of scanning it at that quality! I’ve used a Fuji Frontier and a Noritsu for all the scans in the video, I think the Noritsu scans at a slightly higher resolution but the frontier does produce slightly nicer colours. Thank you for watching!

[@Xenonic2]

Until it breaks… That being said, I’ve always wanted to shoot this camera or the RB67. However, feel that the Pentax 67 would work best for me since some models have waist finder viewfinder and it has that nice wooden grip. Great video!

[@rudermanphoto]

Haha yeah having dealt with one broken RZ I do worry that my second one eventually will go the same way - thankfully you can just buy the internal core of the camera itself for fairly reasonable prices, this is one of the upsides compared to the 67 which is all in one so if something breaks you can’t replace individual parts.

[@ruff1draft]

These photographs are impeccable you did an absolutely great job. Which Kodak roll did you use

[@rudermanphoto]

Thank you! The photos in this video are a mix of Kodak Gold 200, Portra 400 and there’s a handful of Cinestill 400d in there too

[@abchappell01]

Those photographs are absolutely beautiful 😊

[@rudermanphoto]

Thank you so much!

[@northof-62]

I had the RB back in my youth living in Dandenong VIC in the days of Holden Monaros and Toranas, but sold it going back to Norway. Now I have recently got my dream camera; Fujifilm's wonderful behemoth, the GX680III. (A steal at 825 USD eqv. with 3 lense, mintcond.) An absolute joy to work with, and surprisingly simple in use. But of course, I loved my Mamiya.

[@rudermanphoto]

The golden era of Aussie cars, love a Monaro! Damn the GX680 is even bigger than the RZ! Would love to try one out!

[@northof-62]

@@rudermanphoto Good times indeeed

[@WILMORENO]

great video, and photos

[@rudermanphoto]

Thank you so much!

[@alexheinonen3388]

Great video man! Hopefully we'll see more of this kind of content! I would love to know more about your process how you approach taking pictures in general -- your photos are stunning!

[@rudermanphoto]

Thank you so much! I’ve actually got a video dropping very soon which is a behind the scenes on how I do a portrait shoot where I explain a little about the shooting process, but I plan on making a bunch more of the behind the scenes process of my photos for sure!

[@alexbemanian]

Great video & epic camera!

[@rudermanphoto]

Thank you so much! Love your videos too 💖

[@drleok9629]

Intro is sooo dope

[@rudermanphoto]

Thank you!!

[@Will_i_art]

Great video mate and beautiful shots! The peak Design cube bag you showed is that the medium or the small one?

[@rudermanphoto]

Thank you! It’s the small one! I found it tough to find a sling that could actually fit the RZ but that cube is almost made for it, the fit is perfect haha

[@Will_i_art]

@@rudermanphoto I have been looking for the perfect bag for my RZ as well. Thank you so much for sharing. Can’t wait to follow your next videos 👍🏿

[@mejiavincee]

I wonder if the GFX would give you similar results.

[@rudermanphoto]

The GFX does not have the same sensor size as 6x7 film, it’s smaller, closer to 645 format so the depth of field still wouldn’t be as impressive. Much cheaper to shoot with though that’s for sure

[@mejiavincee]

Cheaper is the key word 😁@@rudermanphoto

[@westonsmith4572]

Great video. Thank you for posting. I am very impressed with the ocular that can be mounted onto the AE prism - really helps with exact focusing. The aspect ratio/dimensions that the camera is based on (rectangular) is pleasing for ready out of camera full frame shots. Cheers from Canada