Uturn Loc: Snellville, GA

I am considering the purchase of a Mamiya RB 67 film camera system.
I sold my system to KEH when I thought that film was on the way out.
Lost my dark room when we moved and don’t plan on building a new one in our home

I would appreciate some advice about the availability of 120 roll films and processing labs.

My intent is to scan negatives (color and b&w) to my computer and print thru my computer.

Thanks for you consideration
Bill

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I’d look for a PRO S version of the RB67. Unless you own a separate light meter, you may want to consider the meter finder. Regarding film backs, there are 6x4.5, 6x6 and 6x7 120 backs. I’d suggest Pro SD backs as they don’t have the foam seals of the Pro and Pro S backs. If you get either of those, plan on replacing the foam seals. Forget 220 backs as there is no film. Kodak, Fuji, Ilford and Agfa all make 120 roll film in both B&W and color. Personally, I like Fuji Velvia and NPS for color and Ilford HP5 and Kodak TMAX for B&W, but there are lots of other choices

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

"I would appreciate some advice..."

Mine would be that film and darkrooms go together. Digital is different. To scan film so that processing can be digital makes no sense to me. If you can't, or don't want to, build a darkroom, skip the film.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Film is available at most stores. Be prepared for the expenses associated with film and I agree with bsprague, for the best of your negatives you want a darkroom.
I also agree with him that it makes no sense to scan negatives to edit digitally. If medium format is what you want then there are medium format digital bodies and backs. You will be better off.

Consider also that if the camera needs adjustments or repairs of some other kind it will not be very easy to find parts. I really do not know if Mamiya still exists.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

DON'T DO IT.
Bill

Uturn Loc: Snellville, GA

Thank you for your responce and advice
I will check with KEH about the in camera meter. My first RB did not have that option so purchased good meter that I still have

Uturn Loc: Snellville, GA

Thanks to all who replied to this thread……you have given me a better understanding of this.
Looks like Will abandon this project
Bill

A. T.

I have read other's suggestions and I have a totally different attitude. I have five of Nikon's flagship DSLRs that I love to shoot with and they will always be my go to cameras; however, I recently purchased a Hasselblad in mint condition that I intend to use and have loads of fun with. I'll have the film developed and I might scan some of the negatives myself and I might have some of the negatives scanned by the company that developed the negatives. I'm saying all of this to tell you that if you're heart's desire is to shoot film, then purchase the film camera that you want and have fun. You are ALWAYS going to find those who will disagree with something that you want to do for whatever the reason. I just read a post right here where one of our Hedgehogers was involved in a life threatening accident who is making a remarkable recovery and is slowly getting back into his passion....photography. My friend, life is way too short not to do what you can afford if that's your desire.

Peteso Loc: Blacks Hills

120 roll film is readily available. I am looking forward to enjoying my “new” Hasselblad 501 CM for a nostalgic change of pace. I am certainly not going to mess with a darkroom again. I will have the negatives digitized and Photoshop (a noun; not a verb) it.

Peteso Loc: Blacks Hills

Oops. I meant a verb, not a noun. Senior moment perhaps?! I left Adobe years ago and use ON1.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

As others have noted, film is readily available as is developing / processing. It will likely be all online / mail order. To me, the issue is the pixel resolution of the scans, where you should be targeting at least 30MP+ for these large format negatives. Here, you might consider your own dedicated scanner as the prices I've researched online are shocking, much more shocking than the film cost and developing.

photon-collector Loc: Tampa Bay Area, Florida

Ahhh, film. Shooting film is like smoking a pipe. It is a slow, deliberate, fulfilling enterprise. If you want to go slow, think, plan, anticipate, and wait, then film is for you.

Many varieties (manufacturers, ASAs, negative/positive, color/b&w) of 120 films are currently being sold. You may want to look at the B&H site for examples. The film is not cheap. Neither is the professional development and scanning. But then, what hobby is cheap?

As mentioned above, neither 220 films nor "Polaroid film" are currently available. So save your money by not buying a 220 film-back or a Polaroid back.

Several excellent US photofinishers will process, scan, and deliver the negatives back to you. Two of my favorites are, "The Darkroom.com", and "Indie Film Lab - indiefilmlab.com). You can go online to see their prices, resolution of scans, etc.

I find the RB 67 very heavy and awkward to use. I personally use a Bronica GS-1, which produces a 6x7cm image. Once called the "Japanese Hasselblad," used copies of this camera in near-mint condition can be found on eBay from Japanese vendors. With a speed grip attached, the Bronica handles much like a 35mm camera. A variety of lenses, film backs, finders, and other accessories are readily available. Bronica optics are outstanding.

Hope this helps. Happy shooting!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

It IS a heavy camera, but only marginally so than my FF Canon with a battery grip and a 70-200 f2.8. It’s best used on a tripod, but I have a grip with a built in shutter release trigger/cable that screws into the tripod threaded insert. As to whether it makes sense to shoot film and scan/post process, I can’t say as I still have a darkroom and print silver when I shoot (B&W film), but I will add that some B&W films can resolve 100 line pairs per mm. I’ll leave it to others to convert this to equivalent MP, but if high resolution is your thing and aren’t ready to spring for MF digital, MF format film will deliver.

Peteso Loc: Blacks Hills

Since weight is an issue, I would suggest you consider some lighter options using 120 medium format roll film. If you want to stick with Mamiya, think about the M645 or C330. Then there are the Hasselblad 500 Series and Rollei TLR options, which would be my picks over Mamiya. You don't have to spend a lot of money for any of these if you look around (under 2k for the Hasselblad and under 1K for the Rollei, from my recent experience). Also, for maintenance and repairs, an old time and respected camera repair specialist in downtown Chicago is Bill Park, Chicago Camera Specialists, 5 S. Wabash, Ste 1017, (312) 332-5538. Last, whatever you buy, I would stick with US-based sellers. I don't understand why there is a plethora of EBay sellers of Hasselblad and Rollei cameras based in Japan, but there are risks and costs associated with buying from overseas that can be easily avoided.

gwilliams6