RZ67: Winding System Failures and Choosing a Body by Date Code
Originally posted on Instagram. Notes from the repair bench, kept here as a searchable archive. View the original on Instagram
The RZ67 is probably, after the Mamiya 6/7, the most popular model that I see here in the shop. It is also the most common model to suffer from some fatal flaws.
The previous 6x7 SLR, RB67, used the winding mechanism to charge the mirror and the shutter. The system worked well. With the RZ, there was more being asked of the wind mechanism- it had to not only charge the shutter and mirror but pull film through the back. This added a lot of strain to the system and while it was introduced in 1982, by October of 1987 three changes were made to the winding shaft, winding shaft lever and crank shaft regarding material composition. These parts were failing. With the production of the RZII the crank shaft was improved.
All of this is relevant today because I see a lot of these RZs with failed winding systems. I’d recommend as a minimum to get a body from at least October 1987. An RZII would be even better (although I also see failures in the RZII wind system). Ideally, RZIID would be best but they are not common and are costly.
To determine the date, Mamiya placed a small gold sticker with a two letter date code. Depending on the production date this can be located on the camera back or inside the battery box. Photos one and two show the locations. My website has a post with the way to decode the date.
Also, when an original RZ was sent for service to Mamiya it was usually updated with the RZII wind mechanism and you can tell if this is the case by looking at the wind lever rubber cover. The early ones are flat as in photo three. In photo four I show the improved style with the raised rubber cover.
While I usually say to not purchase these cameras when they have been well used and worn, sometimes purchasing one that is mint and unused is also not best as it has not had updated parts. Many risks these days with used cameras!
