Mamiya medium-format camera with 6×7cm film, bellows extension for macro focusing up to 1:1, electronic exposure control, and interchangeable backs for studio still photography.
Technical Details
The camera system weighs 2.1 kg without a lens and features a built-in bellows extension system with up to 140mm extension for macro shots up to 1:1 magnification. The camera uses interchangeable film backs for 10 exposures (120 film) or 20 exposures (220 film) in the 6x7cm format. The lens system comprises over 20 focal lengths from 37mm to 500mm, all with leaf shutters and automatic preset aperture. The RZ67 Pro and Pro II feature TTL flash metering and multi-zone exposure metering with three metering zones.
History & Development
Mamiya introduced the RZ67 in 1982 as the successor to the mechanical RB67, integrating electronic exposure control into a 6x7 camera for the first time. In 1990, the RZ67 Pro followed with improved electronics and TTL flash metering, and in 1999, the RZ67 Pro II with digital back connections. Production ended in 2012 after 30 years, with the system still valued today by studio photographers and filmmakers for still photography.
Practical Use in Film
Film productions primarily use the RZ67 for high-resolution set photography and promotional material. The camera is particularly suitable for product shots and detail shots in studio environments due to its bellows adjustment system. The square viewfinder image and waist-level viewing allow for precise image composition, even at low camera positions. Many film posters from the 1980s and 1990s were created with RZ67 shots due to the exceptional image quality of the 6x7cm format.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to the mechanical Mamiya RB67, the RZ67 offers automatic exposure and more precise exposure metering with the same image quality. The Pentax 67 is more handheld-friendly but lacks interchangeable backs and bellows adjustment. Modern digital medium format cameras like the Fujifilm GFX series achieve comparable image quality in significantly more compact dimensions, but cannot reproduce the specific aesthetic of roll film. For contemporary film productions, digital full-frame and medium format cameras have largely replaced the system.