Monthly Archives: October 2025

The RZ67 series cameras were developed as complete modular system cameras, with a very high degree of interchangeability in lenses, finders, focusing screens, film holders and backs, plus a full range of other valuable accessories which permitted their use in many other day-to-day assignments. Moreover, the RZ67 series cameras could use many of the RB67 components, such as backs (with adapters) and lenses (mounted directly, however, the bellows must be extended 7mm in order to focus the lens at infinity). No wonder the Mamiya RZ67 series cameras became the industry standard used by many most renowed photographers and artists.

A wide range of lenses from the 37mm fisheye to the 500mm medium telephoto were available in the system, including special application lenses for PC shift, Variable Flat Field Macro, Zoom, and an unparalleled series of RZ APO telephotos. The lens designs incorporated a Seiko #1 between-lens shutter, with the electronic control mechanism in the main camera body, which

Initially, Mamiya-Sekor Z-series lenses were produced with an aperture ring with full stops only. Later, Mamiya modified these lenses by adding half stops, after which the lens names were supplemented with the letter "W". Optically, Non-W and W lenses were the same. The newer Mamiya APO-Sekor series and Mamiya M-series lenses had half stops from the very beginning of their production.

The lenses for the RB67 system can be divided into five series:

The Mamiya-Sekor Non-C series - the first generation, single-coated, released along with the RB67 Professional in 1970;

The Mamiya-Sekor NB series - the transition series produced in 1973-1974, optically identical to the Non-C series but with a new barrel design that matched the later C series;

The Mamiya-Sekor C series - the second generation, multi-coated, released with the RB67 Professional S in 1974;

The Mamiya K/L series - newer designs optically identical to the RZ67 series lenses, compatible both with RB67 Professional / RB67 Professional S cameras (code "K") and later RB67 Professional SD camera (code "L"). These lenses mounted directly to RB67 Professional / RB67 Professional S cameras without an adapter. Mounting on the RB67 Professional SD camera required removing a ring adapter from the back of the lens;

The Mamiya L series - compatible with the RB67 Professional SD only. Only two models were released: SHIFT L 75/4.5

The lenses for the RB67 system can be divided into five series:

The Mamiya-Sekor Non-C series - the first generation, single-coated, released along with the RB67 Professional in 1970;

The Mamiya-Sekor NB series - the transition series produced in 1973-1974, optically identical to the Non-C series but with a new barrel design that matched the later C series;

The Mamiya-Sekor C series - the second generation, multi-coated, released with the RB67 Professional S in 1974;

Design emphasis was placed on high resolving power and excellent color balance justifying the 6x7cm format. A multi-coating process made the Mamiya-Sekor lenses among the sharpest in the world. It eliminated reflection over a wide range of frequencies, making images clearer and tones crystal clear. In color work this was especially valuable as color rendition was vastly improved.

The Mamiya RZ67 is a series of medium format system cameras primarily designed for using 120/220 film. It consists of three models: (a) the original Mamiya RZ67, introduced in 1982; (b) the Mamiya RZ67 Pro II, introduced in 1995; and (c) the Mamiya RZ67 Pro IID, introduced in 2004. The original RZ67 design was by Tsuneaki Munakata, who also designed the Mamiya ZM and Mamiya M645 Super.

The name "RZ" was derived from the RB67, where "RB" stands for revolving back. It was expected that the RZ series might replace the RB series, but this did not happen: at least until 2010, the RB67 Pro SD and the RZ67 Pro IID were both still being sold new. The RZ models can use many of the RB components, such as lenses and backs, but with limitations, as the RB series cameras are completely mechanical, while the RZ lenses have Seiko #1 electronic shutters and electronic components are used throughout the camera. Being completely modular, the camera can be configured in many ways. Lenses, viewfinders and

The first camera released was the RB67 Professional in 1970. The system comprise of a camera body, viewfinder, back adapter, film back, and lens. The camera body itself is quite simple and fully mechanical. It does not require any battery power. The shutter button is located on the front bottom right of the camera. It can be locked with a twist of the collar. The shutter is cocked manually by pressing down the large lever on the right hand side of the body. The mirror within the camera and shutter in the lens are cocked at the same time. There are two focusing knobs on each side of the camera body similar to the Mamiya C series TLRs. The focusing screens are also interchangeable. The most common back adapter included in the system is the rotating back. The naming of the camera RB67 stood for Rotating Back 6 × 7.

The RB67 was originally designed to supplement the Mamiya C series 6 × 6 TLR system and the multi-format Mamiya Press rangefinder camera system (6 × 4.5, 6 × 7, 6 × 9, others) but