Mamiya's electronic 6x7 studio SLR — leaf-shutter lenses, rotating back, bellows focus, 1982.
The Mamiya RZ67 Professional is a 1982 medium-format SLR that succeeded the RB67 as Mamiya's electronic 6x7 studio system. It kept the rotating back and bellows focusing of the RB but added electronic shutter control and electrical coupling between body, lens, and back, modernising the studio platform.
It is a medium-format (6x7) SLR producing a 56x67mm frame on 120 or 220 film through interchangeable rotating film backs. It uses electronically controlled leaf shutters built into the lenses for flash sync at all speeds and focuses by a bellows. The body is battery-dependent for its electronic shutter, takes interchangeable waist-level or prism finders and focusing screens, and mounts Mamiya RZ67 lenses; RB lenses can be used with a mechanical setting via adapter. Metering is external or via a metered prism.
The electronic shutter and coupling made the RZ67 quicker and more precise to work with than the mechanical RB, and it became a studio standard for portrait and product photography. The large 6x7 frame, rotating back, and bellows keep it suited to controlled, tripod-based shooting.
Because the shutter is electronic, confirm the body and each lens fire correctly on a fresh battery, as a dead cell stops it. Test each leaf shutter for accurate speeds, check the bellows for leaks, and inspect the rotating back, its seals, and the dark slide. Check the mirror, screen, and finder mirror, and verify foam seals and electrical contacts.