Rz67 modding

[bpepz]

I've been using a rz67 pro ii with a leaf aptus 6-II back, the 44x33 one. As you might of guessed 44x33 takes up a fairly small portion of the viewfinder. The waist level finder with the diopter is ok, but I was wondering what other options are out there. I know there is a prism finder for the rz but everything i've read about it said it was really dark. Since I am solely using this on my 44x33 digital back, and I also have no need any type of metering, would it be possible to jerry-rig a prism made for another system on my rz? I don't care how crappy it looks or or held on there, it can be held on with duct tape as far as I care. I am guessing something like the prism for the H1 I hear is really bright. Plus, the smaller image size would be nice because it would match up better with the smaller 44x33 sensor i'm using. If I am completely wrong about this, or if I might be on to something, I am interested in what input I can get from you guys on what might work best.

[HarperPhotos]

Hello,

I’ve been using the Mamiya RZ prism for over 25 years with film and Leaf digital backs and found them to be bright and easily to focus with. I would sagest you have a look at the link below, as there a good selection of second hand prisms available.

http://www.keh.com/Camera/format-Medium-Format/system-Mamiya-RZ/category-Prisms-and-Viewfinders?s=1&bcode=RZ&ccode=13&cc=78958&r=WG&f

Cheers

Simon

[Frank Doorhof]

First thing to do is change the focus screen there are several options, I choose for the bright screen one.
After that the prism will work just fine, but it is a lot dimmer than the wlf and you have the feeling you're looking through a tunnel.

But it works just fine, you only have to compensate the metering for the new focus screen.
But metering doesn't work in the digital back mode anyway.

With the old screen I had some trouble in the studio with very low light setups, with the new focus screen it all works just fine, outside it almost hurts your eyes.

[bpepz]

Thanks for the advice. I have actually already upgraded to the bright screen and it made a giant difference. From what you guys are saying the mamiya prism finder is not that bad, especially with the brightscreen so I will probably go with that. Mainly I do a lot of shots from a high angle and its REALLY hard to do with the waistlevel, I have to stand up on a chair looking down and almost falling over to focus. Ive almost been tempted to setup a dslr with a small fast macro lens focused on the rz67 focus screen, and then hooking up the dslr to a external moniter like alot of videographers are using these days to focus. so i can get "liveview" on my rz67 in a way.