Mamiya RB Vs RZ

[Eddy]

I am going to add a medium format and was wondering which is a better
choice if I do not plan on using the AE control and prism.
Are the lens of same quality?
Any other recommendations?

Mainly for portrait, group portrait, product and interior shot.
plan to get soft focus and Shift lens.

Thanks for sharing your experience with me.

[David Grabowski]

THe RB KL lenses are basically the same formula lenses as the RZ
lenses, the C lenses are just a bit less contrasty in adverse light
but a better bargain in the used market. Only kL lenses are available
new for the RB, the Cs no longer being made and some parts no longer
available for some C lenses. The older non C lenses are said to be
softer than Cs, you can't prove it to me by the one non C I own but
there is a difference in the coating being single coated for the non C
/ non KL.

As to the soft lens, I passed on this since I have a fairly diverse
selection of Lindahl accessories plus PhotoShop anyway. I suggest a
pro hood arrangement over the soft lens be that from Lindahl or Lee or
whom ever. The 180 mm. lenses are available ( especially non C) at
very reasonable prices, it's a great head and shoulders lens. The 127
is a great couples or small group lens, is slightly short of normal
and the standard 90 gives you a slight wide angle view for groups of
10-20 people or so. The 65 makes a good scenic or so called
envoironmental portrait lens.

The bodies are are bit different, the RZ reported to be a bit lighter
and having more electronic features. The RB is all mechanical leaf
shutter operation. If you go with a used RB I suggest at least the
ProS version for its lockout functions ( less chance for double
exposure and other errors, the lockouts won't let you remove the back
without a darkslide and so on).

For studio operation or portraiture in general it's mighty hard to
beat either camera. I love my RBPro S for formal H+S portraiture and
also use it for other forms of shooting ( wedding formals, family
portraits, some personal scenic shooting). If compactness is your
desire look to another system, this is a real tank of a camera and I
highly recommend handling any system before you buy. Large photo shows
are a good place to go see all this stuff under one roof.

Speaking of photo shows Hunts Photo and Video is having their annual
show this weekend starting today at Bostons World Trade Center.

David Grabowski

[TW406]

I recommend the prism viewer over the waist level. I have an RB, great camera.
Just got some 11 x 14 prints of some portraits cropped from about 1/2 a frame,
and was amazed at the sharpness; 140 macro and strobes.

[Heavysteam]

<<Mainly for portrait, group portrait, product and interior shot.
plan to get soft focus and Shift lens>>

The 180 SF for the RZ is probably the coolest soft focus lens in the business.
A real money-maker, the ladies over 40 love it. I looked very closely at
the shift lens last year but I urge you to rent and try it first. I bought a
whole Horseman 985 field camera system for the price of the shift lens (after
Mamiya rebates). That gives me 6X7, 6X9, 75mm lens, 105mm lens, 150mm lens,
polaroid back, and all the tilt, shift and swing I could want. The lenses are
outstanding. I use it all the time for architectural stuff, and use the RZ
for portrait and closeup work, or anything that requires movements. When I
look back on what I've done with the Horseman, a large percentage of the shots
could not have been done with the shift lens or the tilt/shift adapter.