645AF vs RZ67

[kauffman v36]

i too got rid of my 645 rig and use my RZ along with a 4x5 field camera. I handhold the RZ all the time, i actually walked around all of south beach this morning with it hanging from my neck and on my shoulder, not too big of a deal once you get used to it.

[EdSawyer]

I have both a full Mamiya 7 kit, and a pretty complete RZ67 kit. They are both great, the RZ is pretty doable as a walkaround/handheld camera too. As mentioned the lenses for both systems are great, though where there's overlap, the 7's glass is a little better I think. Still, the RZ excels for portraits, closeups, tele shots, fisheye and many other things that you can't do with the 7. I use and enjoy both systems a lot.

I agree, if you are going to do MF, 645 seems like a waste of time to me, I like it big, so 6x7 is the way to go in my case.

Looking at the results I get from the Mamiya 7, I think 4x5 is almost superfluous in many ways. 4x5 offers movements, which I think is the only real upside. The Mamiya 7 results equal 4x5 practially, in many ways, with much more convenience.

-Ed

[atlcruiser]

The decision has been made! I called KEH and have a RZ67 Pro II, 50mm lens, 110mm lens, AE Prism, 3 120 backs, 1 220 back, strap, and hoods all set aside for PU. I will meet the purchasing guys at 2:30 to trade in the 645 stuff and walk out by about 3 with the RZ kit.

Looks like I will be about $200 out of pocket. Of course I could do better if I sold the 645 piece by piece on e bay or uch but I am really tired of that stuff....seems SO much easier to jsut drop off and trade up

I paid $450 for the 645AF, 55mm, 80mm, 2 backs, Metz flash. added the Sekor C 35mm to the kit for $250. I think it will work out in my favor overall.

Thanks for all the opinions...we seems to be on the same page

[Policar]

Enjoy it! The rz67 is is a pretty nice camera for the money, especially if you've decided to stick with film (which I guess you have, seeing as you are posting here). It's just that it's kind of...huge.

I've noticed that my longer and shorter exposures (1/125th and less; 2 seconds and more) are usually my sharpest shots, so there might be something to this mirror lock-up thing, and the mirror slap might contribute to the rz67's reputation for mediocre glass. The 50mm uld and 65mm m-la (both of which do have some noticeable distortion, let's not kid ourselves) can be very sharp!

If you're not aching for lens movements, don't sweat large format too much. In terms of image quality, the difference between 135 and 6x7 is huge; the difference between 6x7 and 4x5 is zero in terms of sharpness, mostly just a reduction in graininess. Why my large format lenses are so much softer than my slr lenses when they cost so much more I'll never know.

[keithwms]

The RZ has a reputation for mediocre glass? Since when? Sorry but that is complete BS. There is no such reputation.

[EdSawyer]

Congrats! That's a great kit to start with. I started my RZ foray with something similar, basically the camera, PD prism, 50mm, 110mm and a couple backs. Later it got to be a slipperly slope and more lenses were acquired, etc. One of the best parts of the RZ system is the wide variety of glass available, it's really pretty complete. Much of it can be found for 10 cents on the dollar vs. original retail costs (which are/were insanely expensive, back in the day).

-Ed

[stradibarrius]

Hey David, I have a complete RB kit and I love using that camera more than any of my others. I have never heard anyone say the RZ glass was mediocre so I am going to cal BS too.
I have two M645 bodies and a complete Bronica ETRS kit as well. I actually like the 645 format but I think you came out on top of this deal!!!
The Mamiya 7 is next for me!!!
The KEH guys are great and easy to work with. I live in the ATL area too! I wish we could get a group together.

[atlcruiser]

Hey David, I have a complete RB kit and I love using that camera more than any of my others. I have never heard anyone say the RZ glass was mediocre so I am going to cal BS too.
I have two M645 bodies and a complete Bronica ETRS kit as well. I actually like the 645 format but I think you came out on top of this deal!!!
The Mamiya 7 is next for me!!!
The KEH guys are great and easy to work with. I live in the ATL area too! I wish we could get a group together.

KEH was very fair.....two of my 645 lenses are worth a bit but just not to KEH Fair enough! They will be on here and E bay later tonight.

Overall the kit will be about $300 out of pocket and and about $100 real money when I factor in what i paid for the 645AF.

It is a beast! With the AE finder on it I dont want to handhold it but W/O the finder it is OK...not much more than the 645.

KEH bargin is great for me....very good stuff at good prices.

Lets hook up! Hapy to let you play with my mamiya 7

[brucemuir]

the amazing thing is that Keh has BRAND NEW with warranty Mamiya glass for insanely cheap right now
I think 645 mostly but also maybe some RZ stuff.

[keithwms]

It's been true for some time, Bruce. Also, considering that you can mount the premium rb lenses on an rz, the deals are even better. I recommend the KLs highly.