How to Use the Mamiya RB67 Pro S: A Medium Format Guide

By Cute Camera Co. | Published: 2026-10-26

Category: How-to Guides

Learn to operate the Mamiya RB67 Pro S medium format SLR: loading film, setting exposure, composing, and shooting with confidence.

Quick Answer

To use the Mamiya RB67 Pro S, start by mounting the lens, loading 120 film, and advancing to frame one. Then set your shutter speed and aperture using a light meter, compose on the waist-level finder, and release the shutter after cocking it.

Why the RB67 Pro S Feels Different

The Mamiya RB67 Pro S is a fully mechanical medium format SLR that produces 6×7 cm negatives—about 4.5 times the area of 35mm film. That large negative is why portraits and landscapes shot on this camera have such rich detail and smooth tonal transitions.

Because it is a fully analog camera, every shot requires you to set exposure manually and to cock the shutter before releasing it. There is no battery dependency, but you will need a light meter (external or a phone app) to determine correct exposure.

What to Expect from the 6×7 Negative

The 6×7 format gives a nearly square-ish image (actually 6×7 cm) that suits portraits and landscape compositions. The large negative also means more resolution when scanning or printing, but it also means fewer shots per roll: 10 exposures on 120 film.

This camera is heavy and requires a tripod for best results, especially in low light. Handheld shooting is possible but you'll need to keep shutter speeds above 1/125s and brace the camera firmly.

Step-by-Step Operation

Mount the lens: Align the red dot on the lens with the red dot on the camera body, then rotate the lens clockwise until it clicks into place. Ensure the shutter release is cocked before mounting or removing the lens. Double-check that the lens is locked securely to avoid light leaks.
Load 120 film: Open the back by pulling the film insert release. Insert the 120 film spool into the bottom chamber and pull the paper leader across to the empty take-up spool. Advance until the start mark aligns with the red index, then close the back. Make sure the film is taut and the spool is seated properly to prevent jams.
Advance to frame one: Turn the advance crank clockwise until it stops. The frame counter should read '1'. If it doesn't, you may have loaded incorrectly—rewind and reload. Always verify the counter moves after each advance; a stuck counter means a loading issue.
Set exposure: Use a handheld light meter or a phone app to determine the correct shutter speed and aperture for your film ISO. Set the shutter speed dial on the lens and the aperture ring accordingly. Remember to set the film speed on your meter, not on the camera (there is no built-in meter). When in doubt, bracket your exposure by shooting one stop over and one stop under.
Compose and focus: Look through the waist-level finder. The image is reversed left-to-right, so move the camera in the opposite direction you want the subject to appear. Rotate the focus ring until the image is sharp. Use the magnifier for precise focus. Practice panning with the reversed image before shooting a moving subject.
Cock the shutter and shoot: Rotate the shutter cocking lever (on the lens) until it stops. Then press the shutter release button smoothly. Avoid jerky movements to prevent camera shake. Always cock the shutter before releasing; forgetting to cock is a common mistake that results in no exposure.
Advance to the next frame: After each shot, turn the advance crank clockwise until it stops. The counter will increment. Continue this process until you reach frame 10. Never advance before cocking the shutter—this can cause double exposures or blank frames.

The Camera in This Guide

Mamiya RB67 Pro S | Medium Format Film Camera: The Mamiya RB67 Pro S was first released in 1970 and is a fully analog experience. This means every exposure is manual, so you'll need to learn the basics of exposure and film handling—but that's exactly what this guide covers.
Mamiya RB67 Pro S | Medium Format Film Camera