Handholding an RZ/RB aka Am I just cack-handed?

[Chris L]

Just wondering if anyone with experience of shooting a Mamiya RB or RZ handheld could offer their experiences to help me find the best way of shooting with a Mamiya RZ.

At the moment I support it underneath using my left hand and use my right hand to focus and cock the shutter but it doesn't feel stable. As the bellows starts to extend it feels unstable in my hand and even with the 110mm mounted it gives the impression that it's going to tip forward out of my hand. I know there's a dedicated, righthand, powered grip but the only ones I've seen are out of my league at £70+

Cheers,
Chris

 

[robhooley167]

The RB/RZ werent really made for handheld shooting so i would guess that your method is about as good as you are going to get, when i use my RB hand-held i have my left hand under the body but my thumb wrapped around the left focus knob, fingers spread across as much of the base as possible. I also stabilise by pushing the film back into my chest/stomach. Right hand, when im not focussing goes under the body in the same was as my left.
Does the job for me but i don't shoot it hand-held much

 

[Chris L]

The RB/RZ werent really made for handheld shooting so i would guess that your method is about as good as you are going to get, when i use my RB hand-held i have my left hand under the body but my thumb wrapped around the left focus knob, fingers spread across as much of the base as possible. I also stabilise by pushing the film back into my chest/stomach. Right hand, when im not focussing goes under the body in the same was as my left.
Does the job for me but i don't shoot it hand-held much

Cheers Rob, I've just tried your method and it definitely works pretty well for me. It'll just take a little getting used to the focusing ring moving under my thumb. I know the 150mm isn't a particularly large or heavy lens in the RB/RZ range but that also feels more stable now

 

[mustanir]

I hang it from my neck using the strap, really helps! I also hold it like I do a TLR, my right hand supporting from underneath with my index finger on the shutter release. Focus with left hand. Not had any issues and am pretty good at getting long-ish exposures hand held.

 

[Chris L]

I hang it from my neck using the strap, really helps!

There's a strap fitted to it so that I can carry it around but I find that the strap is too long to be of any use in supporting the camera when shooting.

I also hold it like I do a TLR, my right hand supporting from underneath with my index finger on the shutter release. Focus with left hand. Not had any issues and am pretty good at getting long-ish exposures hand held.

Maybe it's just a hangover from shooting using a modern dslr that I'm used to supporting the camera with my left hand though logically the RZ is set up for focusing using the right hand as the fine focus wheel is on the right hand side?

I also use a Rolleicord IV which I also find it easier to support, cock and fire the shutter using my left hand as it has the focusing knob, shutter and aperture levers on the right hand side. I haven't really found a problem with either camera on longer exposures yet thanks the the leaf shutters

 

[Mahoneyd187]

I've always shot my RZ handheld. I have an L-grip which helps and am happy shooting it down to 1/15 with an 180mm lens for portraits, the weight helps me rather than hinders. I'm going to sell the L-grip as I'm dropping photography, so hit me up if you're interested.

 

[Chris L]

I've always shot my RZ handheld. I have an L-grip which helps and am happy shooting it down to 1/15 with an 180mm lens for portraits, the weight helps me rather than hinders. I'm going to sell the L-grip as I'm dropping photography, so hit me up if you're interested.

Thanks for commenting Danny and for the offer though it's sad to see that you're dropping photography

 

[timreeves]

get a short strap on it with it sitting infront of your chest, frame with your mind, shoot more.

if you have a wlf and use it, then your strap should be at the right height that your hands need hold nothing.

 

[Chris L]

get a short strap on it with it sitting infront of your chest, frame with your mind, shoot more.

if you have a wlf and use it, then your strap should be at the right height that your hands need hold nothing.

Thanks for commenting.

The problem for me with your suggested technique is that I find the RZ isn't a balanced camera (at least with the lenses I use) and will tilt either nose up or down if unsupported, plus, having 2.5-2.7kg hanging from my neck all the time just doesn't work for me. I do appreciate you taking the time to offer advice though

 

[CT]

The best answer is a 45 or 90 degree prism finder which enables you to lift the camera up to eye level as you would any other camera. You can then support the weight of the camera with your elbows on your chest as you would normally. It also helps framing and composition with the image not being laterally flipped in the viewfinder.

Also, I agree with what Tim is saying. Shorten that strap so that the camera hangs unsupported at chest level and you only have to drop your head down a little to the viewfinder. Takes all the stress out of holding and supporting the camera.

 

[Chris L]

The best answer is a 45 or 90 degree prism finder which enables you to lift the camera up to eye level as you would any other camera. You can then support the weight of the camera with your elbows on your chest as you would normally. It also helps framing and composition with the image not being laterally flipped in the viewfinder.

Hi Cedric,

I don't have a problem with using the wlf TBH. I took a little while to get used to the lateral flip but I find it easier to focus than using the AEII prism (Though that too is still easier than trying to manually focus using any 35mm camera IMO). I fitted the prism finder and tried your suggested technique and it is better than how I was holding the camera before I still couldn't really get my arms/hands into a properly comfortable position though that may be because I is fat

get a short strap on it with it sitting infront of your chest, frame with your mind, shoot more.

if you have a wlf and use it, then your strap should be at the right height that your hands need hold nothing.

Also, I agree with what Tim is saying. Shorten that strap so that the camera hangs unsupported at chest level and you only have to drop your head down a little to the viewfinder. Takes all the stress out of holding and supporting the camera.

OK, time for a little humble pie. I have shortened the strap as originally suggested by Tim so it is as short as it can be which makes it chest height on me and it is now much quicker and easier to focus and despite my initial concerns the camera actually moves about far less than before and so the feeling of weight on my neck actually feels less. It's a pain to try and carry it over my shoulder now but I'd rather it was easier to use than eaiser to carry

 

[JonathanRyan]

Have you tried a really light monopod? Then you can rest the camera on the ground while you fiddle.

 

[timreeves]

haha
yeh medium format = neck ache
I can go for about 4 hours before I have to pop it in my rucksack for a couple of hours whilst my neck recovers. it would be no fun if it were easy right?

 

[Chris L]

Have you tried a really light monopod? Then you can rest the camera on the ground while you fiddle.

Nah, can't get on with monopods at all. Thanks for the suggestion though

haha
yeh medium format = neck ache
I can go for about 4 hours before I have to pop it in my rucksack for a couple of hours whilst my neck recovers. it would be no fun if it were easy right?

True 4 hours shooting would be plenty long enough for me. I'm not into all day sessions

 

[excalibur2]

Hand holding the RB67 with CDS prism finder is a PITA...I had to put the L frame back on which made it even heavier and bulky.
If anybody wants to see a snap of it all let me know and I'll post it.

 

[CT]

Hand holding the RB67 with CDS prism finder is a PITA...I had to put the L frame back on which made it even heavier and bulky.
If anybody wants to see a snap of it all let me know and I'll post it.

Here's one I did earlier.


RB67 by tonky8203, on Flickr

I don't use an L grip, but I do sometimes use a big old hammer head flashgun which provides a similar grip on one side. The original prism shown in the pic does add significantly to the weight of the camera, but I still find no problem using it at eye level

What you don't want to be doing is trying to support the camera at eye level with one hand while you mess about trying to balance the viewfinder display with the other - that way lies madness!

For eye level shots I'll take a hand held meter reading (or use another camera for the reading) before I pick up the RB - then set the correct exposure on the RB at waist level.

Then it's quickly up to eye level supporting the camera with one hand cupped underneath- a quick focus adjust with the right hand, then take the shot.
Works for me.

The power winder fitted under the camera in the pic is hardly ever used I might add.

 

[excalibur2]

Nice shots, but would be better with a OM10 along side to compare
But I've put the "cheap no name" L grip on the left side (looking from the back) which works out quite nice as the base of the "L" grip extends out to and under the focus knob and shutter button and I can rest my R hand underneath for extra support and operate the controls (focus knob and shutter button).