In the world of analog photography, there aren’t that many cameras that command as much presence, in both the physical and creative ways, as the Mamiya RZ67. If you are a photographer who prioritizes image quality over everything else, this camera is the legend you have been looking for.
The Mamiya RZ67 has resolution for days, with its medium-format film being almost five times larger than a full-frame digital sensor. The sharp images it captures make it a prime choice for anyone into landscape photography.
If you are looking for a camera to capture the world in stunning 6×7 precision and detail, the Mamiya RZ67 might be the camera for you.
From Studio to the Street: The Ultimate Guide to Shooting Urban Landscapes with the Mamiya RZ67
I picked up my Mamiya RZ67 almost accidentally at the end of 2024. Although I wasn’t planning to buy this particular camera, I felt compelled to do so when the chance came up. It came with different lenses and film backs, and it belonged to someone who wasn’t using it as much anymore. Everything that I could hope for.
It took me a few weeks to read all that I could about the camera and go out with it for some photo walks around Berlin, as illustrated by the pictures here. When I was reviewing my favorite pictures from 2025, I realized that most of the ones I liked most were taken with the Mamiya RZ67.
Since those first few weeks carrying it around the city, I have been in love with this camera. This is why I’m writing about it here. This is not a review; this is a love letter of sorts.
But let me try to review it as well since I imagine that this might be interesting for many people.
The Mamiya RZ67 is the younger brother of the Mamiya RB67. And both cameras share a similar box-like silhouette and a modular approach to photography. I never used an RB67 before, and my only experience with another Mamiya comes from the world of twin-lens reflex cameras since I have owned a Mamiya C330 since 2022. Comparing the C330 and the RZ67 isn’t what I’m trying to do here, so I won’t mention it again.
The RZ67 is a modular camera in the truest sense. From the lenses to the viewfinders, passing by the film backs, everything is interchangeable. Whenever I go out with this camera, I bring two film backs with me as a way to take pictures in both black and white and color, another great feature that this camera has.
The “RB” in the name of the camera that came before the Mamiya RZ67 stands for “Rotating Back,” and this is one of my favorite features that these cameras have. It allows you to switch from landscape to portrait orientation with a simple move. All of this without having to lift the camera from the tripod. That makes composition so much easier.
The Mamiya RZ67 is not an effortless camera to operate, and this is one of the things that draws me to it. Whenever I use it, I have to focus on what I’m doing. It has a deliberate, slow-moving pace that feels to me like it was designed for those who find joy in the photography process.
It feels bulky in the best way possible, largely due to the revolving back construction. When you think about the fact that this camera was intended for studios, you get why it might feel a bit stupid to carry it around the city with you. Through time, the used camera market placed this camera into the hands of people like me. And these landscape and travel enthusiasts are more than willing to carry the weight and pay the price for the quality that it brings with the 6×7 negatives.
If you liked what you learned so far, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to buy one and pack it for a photo walk.
The Mamiya RZ67 is not a fully mechanical camera, unlike the RB67. It relies on a 6V PX28 battery to power the electronic shutter. But it can still work without a battery if you’d like to, but I’m not going to explain it here since I never needed to use it like this before.
Due to the electronic system behind the Mamiya RZ67, I read that the camera might get temperamental. Especially when it gets too cold. Another thing that I never had to deal with was it. Maybe because I have the Mamiya RZ67 Professional II, and it’s not as old as the first generation of this camera that was introduced back in 1982.
Besides that, another thing that you have to keep in mind is that the Mamiya RZ67 is a heavy camera. There is no way around it. You might need to carry it with a monopod or a tripod if you want to go on a longer walk. Furthermore, a dedicated camera bag might be needed. I used a Savotta Kahakka backpack that works perfectly for what I had in mind.
Whenever you find a Mamiya RZ67 for sale, pay attention to the integrity of the bellows since even a tiny light leak there might ruin your medium-format film. Also, don’t forget to look for any signs of corrosion on the battery chamber.
The Mamiya RZ67 Advantage: Why Every Film Enthusiast Needs This 6×7 Powerhouse
For me, the Mamiya RZ67 is a masterpiece of Japanese engineering. It provides a level of quality and detail that rivals digital systems that cost way more than what I can afford.
While it might be slow and heavy for street photography, this camera can be the perfect tool for those who like architecture and landscape photography, like me. I’m not sure how it would go for travel photography, but I’ll have to try it in the future. I’ll update here whenever this happens!
