In 1949, General Headquarters of the Allied Occupation Forces in Japan regulated the camera business and prohibited the sale of cameras to the general public in Japan. However, if a camera manufacturing company had exports large enough to become ranked as a “top camera exporter” then they were able to sell cameras in Japan.

As a result, in 1950, Mamiya opened branch offices in New York and London to accelerate the international demand for its cameras. In 1951 Mamiya became listed on the Tokyo stock exchange and knowledge of Mamiya’s reliability and unique design spread throughout the world, making Mamiya the choice of professional photographers.

As a result of the increasing demands made by professional photographers, the RB67 was introduced in 1970. The RB67 became the first Medium Format 6x7cm single lens reflex with revolving back. This coupled with bellows focusing made it an instant success that has lasted to the present-day, giving it worldwide recognition as the “Workhorse of the Pros”.

The Mamiya Factory