Comparison between the Hasselblad vs Mamiya RZ67. Which camera is better?! Article includes information on each camera system + portrait sample photos with each camera +YouTube video reviews for each system.
Mamiya RZ67 6×7 – Camera gear
Over the last two years I have done Mamiya RZ67 fashion photography, Mamiya RZ67 wedding photography and Mamiya RZ67 Polaroid photos. I have a selection of Mamiya Sekor lenses for the RZ; 65mm f4, 90mm f3.5, 110mm f2.8 (my favourite lens on the RZ) and the 180mm f4.5. I also bought different film backs for the Mamiya; RZ 645 film back, RZ 6×6 film back, standard 6×7 film backs and lastly a Polaroid film back. To focus the RZ67 I use the big and bright waist level viewfinder and until this experiment I have only shot the RZ handheld.
Hasselblad 501C 6×6 – Camera gear
If you have read my recent blog posts you will be aware of my Hasselblad v-system camera equipment but to recap I use the following Hasselblad lenses; Zeiss Distagon 50mm f4 CF, Zeiss Planar 80mm f2.8 CF, Zeiss Makro-Planar 120mm f4 CF, Zeiss Sonnar 150mm f4 CF and I use two 6×6 Hasselblad A12 film back. To focus I use a Hasselblad 45 degree prism finder and try to use the Hasselblad on a monopod for the sharpest possible photos. I have a waist level viewfinder but found it very difficult to focus with the acute matte screen (without split prism). In the last few months since purchase I have already done a Hasselblad wedding and Hasselblad fashion photography. I absolutely love the Hasselblad portraits with the 6×6 crop factor and can honestly say that I think the Hasselblad has had more beneficial impact on my photography than any other camera.
Mamiya RZ67 6×7 – User experience
I have always loved the big bright RZ viewfinder and 6×7 rotating film back. The 110mm f2.8 lens give both sharpness and a shallow depth of field. The size and weight of the Mamiya RZ has not deterred me but that said I have not used it a huge amount and it has never been overseas on model photography trips. I have always been happy with image sharpness and camera handling. One of the features I like the most on the RZ is the bellows focusing system as I can get as close as I want to my subject without the need of additional extension tubes. Perhaps my only complaint is the fact that the Mamiya RZ requires a battery. I found I used the RZ more without a battery and at the 1/400 fixed shutter speed. The Mamiya RZ is great for 6×6 Polaroid photos and I like how the image is captured in the centre of the film rather than being offset. I have used the Mamiya RZ with Polaroid back for events and the Polaroid photos produced are great. I always used the RZ handheld and never really thought to do any different despite the weight.
Hasselblad 501C 6×6 – User experience
From my recent blog posts and the rave reviews you may have noticed that I am a huge fan of the Hasselblad camera. I really struggled to focus with the original waist level viewfinder but now I am happy using the 45 degree prism finder. My favourite lens is the super sharp Zeiss Makro-Planar 120mm f4 CF lens as it lets me focus closer than the 80mm Planar kit lens and is incredibly sharp. As such I have hardly used the 80mm kit lens that most people seem to keep on their Hasselblad 500 series cameras. The Hasselblad is smaller (lighter and more compact) than the Mamiya RZ and as such it has already been overseas with me to Poland for model photography location shoots. The Hasselblad is 100% mechanical so requires no batteries which I love and the build quality is on a par with my Leica M3 film cameras (I think). It is a very rewarding camera to use!
Hasselblad vs Mamiya RZ67 Shoot Out
As I own both cameras I was interested to compare the Hasselblad vs Mamiya RZ67 Pro II. Here are a few images from each camera from my shoot with Julie in the studio. All photos werer shot on expired 120 Ilford Delta 100 film and developed in Kodak Xtol developer. Film negatives were scanned with a Epson v800 scanner and finished in Photoshop. Both cameras were used on monopods to make it a fair test. I fitted the Mamiya RZ with a 6×6 film back so both cameras were 6×6 format. Click on any photo to see the lens used and additional information.
Hasselblad vs Mamiya RZ67? Both camera systems are capable of producing very sharp images and I cannot call a clear winner here. As such I think it comes down to what camera I enjoy using more. The Hasselblad is smaller, lighter, arguably better built but also more expensive than the RZ. If you are on a tight budget I would say you can capture equally good photos with a Mamiya RZ but if you want a camera system for life I would get a Hasselblad everytime. The Hasselblad 501C will still be with me together with the Leica M3s for years to come where as I think the Mamiyas will come and go. That is my rose tinted 2 cents worth anyway.
YouTube: Review Including Hasselblad vs Mamiya RZ67
Related Links:
How to Process Film through to Digital (Develop, Scan, Edit)
> Hasselblad Links:
Hasselblad vs Mamiya 6!
Hasselblad Love – Intro
Hasselblad Model Portraits
Hasselblad Fashion Poland
Hasselblad Wedding
Hasselblad vs Kiev 88
Hasselblad vs Other MF Cameras
Hasselblad Camera Café London
You may also like… What Gear I Use for Portraits!
See full details of my portrait photography lighting kit –HERE
See full detailsof my portrait photography equipment kit –HERE
Coventry, UK studio based Model and Wedding Photographer offering both Medium Format Film and Digital Images. 1-2-1 Photography and Lighting Tuition also available.View all posts by matthewosbornephotography
The Mamiya RB67 sets the standard for an affordable 6x7 medium format film camera. If you've never shot 120, it's an incredible experience. Think of it like an all manual 35mm film camera that has so much more perceived resolution when viewing two photos at the same size, you'll never want to go back.
The biggest difference between RB67 and RZ67 is that the RB67 is completely mechanical. The RZ67 has also mechanical couplings between the parts, but the shutter is electronic, and parts are able to transmit exposure information with electronic couplings.
The Hasselblad 500C series of medium format film cameras is one of the jewels in the film photography crown. The Hasselblad 500C series of medium format film cameras was undoubtedly one of the best film cameras and certainly the most revolutionary cameras for Hasselblad and for the industry as a whole.
I recommend the Mamiya RZ67 to anyone looking to get into medium format and is looking for a different shooting experience than your standard SLR style camera. It is so easy to fall in love with and won't let you down!
3. The RB67 is a pound or two heavier than the RZ67. 4. The RB67 is considered to be reliable in studios where the mechanical features are not bothersome, while the RZ67 does better in fast shooting applications.
The CMOS sensors built inside Hasselblad medium format cameras deliver the best in image quality, resolution, and detail capture possible. More importantly, it's the size of the pixels that makes the biggest difference in image quality. The bigger a pixel is, the more light-gathering capability it possesses.
The 500CM is newer (better parts availability should it be necessary) and is more likely to come with a CF (Prontor shutter) or newer lens. The older C lenses with Compur shutters are harder (more expensive if parts are even available) to get repaired.
120 film is still a very popular medium format film, especially with the recent popularity of the Holga. The 120 film format was originally introduced by Eastman Kodak for its Brownie No. 2 in 1901. The 620 roll film was the same size, but didn't have a spool and is discontinued.
There are even plenty of people who consider this beast to be the best film camera that money can buy. The Mamiya 7II is a portable rangefinder shooting in the 6×7 format.
Focusing and metering are just like any other rangefinder with a built-in light meter. The framelines move to adjust for parallax, and it's extremely bright (later versions only improved).
Phase One, a specialist in medium-format cameras, has designed the XT IQ4 field system especially for landscape photography. It costs $58,990, which buys you the camera and the 32 mm F/4 lens, and there's a new 90 mm F/5.6 lens available for just under $13,000 more.
The RZ is the better body; the shutters are electronic, the shutter speed can be set in 1/2 stops up to 8 seconds, the film advance lever co*cks the shutter & advances the film in one stroke, as opposed to two with the RB. The 110 lens is much better than the 90, no question.
You can definitively work with RB67 lenses on the RZ67 body, it's just that the setting of speed dial on the camera's body is irrelevant, because you set the shutter speeds on the lens itself (unlike the Sekor Z lenses, the RB's lenses have an extra ring where you set the shutter speed).
Although 220 film is no longer being produced, we are still happy to process any expired 220 film. Unlike 120, there is no backing paper behind the film itself, just a leader and a trailer.
In short: RM lever in the “R” position allows the film back to rotate (landscape to portrait or portrait to landscape). To return to “normal”, a little push on the co*cking lever will trigger a “click” sound and then you can shoot. Easy and fast.
These days, the most popular formats of ULF cameras are 11×14, 14×17, 16×20, and 20×24. There are also more panoramic sizes like 7×17, 8×20, and 12×20. (All of those dimensions are the inch measurements of the film for the camera; by comparison, a full-frame sensor is about 1×1.5 inches.)
A digital camera back is a device that attaches to the back of a camera in place of the traditional negative film holder and contains an electronic image sensor. This lets cameras that were designed to use film take digital photographs.
The new digital back, now funding on Kickstarter, will be compatible with cameras by Hasselblad, Bronica, Rolleiflex, Mamiya and others. It's designed to be low-cost and widely compatible, with a retail price tag of around $400.
In terms of ergonomics and design, Hasselblad cameras are some of the best out there. They are an SLR-style camera body that can be adapted to your shooting style. Out of the box, the camera is basically just an art deco square that fits mostly well (but still comfortably) in your hands.
Larger sensors capture more detail, and Hasselblad's is one of the biggest available. Its cameras are what's called medium format. Basically, it means the sensor is big, and it's what makes these cameras so expensive. Your smartphone camera sensor is around this big.
Leibovitz first used the Canon 5D and 1DX series digital cameras. She now primarily uses a Hasselblad with a phase-one digital back and occasionally a Mamiya RZ Pro. She has also used various 35mm digital cameras: Nikon, Sony, Leica, and Canon.
It's 100% manual and mechanical; batteries not required! This means there is no built in light meter, so you'll have to meter externally or use the old “Sunny 16” rule.
Hasselblad does offer the H System, which is technically listed as a digital camera. However, since it's a system camera and Hasselblad also still manufactures H System film backs, it can also be a medium format film camera if you want it to be. Hassleblad offers both 120/220 backs and Type 100 instant film backs.
The Hasselblad 500C was introduced in 1957 by the Victor Hasselblad AB, replacing the original focal plane shutter models 1600F and 1000F, which, despite the novel concept never got rid of the problems associated with the shutter.
Because it is a larger film, this means each roll contains only 16 shots instead of the 36 shots on a 35mm film. You know what that means – yep, it's way more expensive to shoot 120mm. You have to purchase more rolls to shoot the same amount of frames.
The Mamiya RB67 sets the standard for an affordable 6x7 medium format film camera. If you've never shot 120, it's an incredible experience. Think of it like an all manual 35mm film camera that has so much more perceived resolution when viewing two photos at the same size, you'll never want to go back.
The Mamiya RB67 PRO S is a high quality medium format 120mm film camera for 6x7 format photos. It's recommended to have a good understanding of photography and film photography before picking this camera up. However, if you know what you are doing, this camera will produce outstanding image quality.
The biggest difference between RB67 and RZ67 is that the RB67 is completely mechanical. The RZ67 has also mechanical couplings between the parts, but the shutter is electronic, and parts are able to transmit exposure information with electronic couplings.
The rule serves as a mnemonic for the camera settings obtained on a sunny day using the exposure value (EV) system. The basic rule is, "On a sunny day set aperture to f/16 and shutter speed to the [reciprocal of the] ISO film speed [or ISO setting] for a subject in direct sunlight."
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