Difference between Rollei and Hasselblad

Hi, I am new to medium format and am considering either a Rollei

6008AF or a Hasselblad 203FE body. I have been both a Contax and

Leica 135mm format user for years and have been addicted to good

quality images. Both Rollei and Hasselblad have renowned brand

recognition and I am trying to decide on which system I would want to

be married with.

 

While I will be doing mainly studio work with this MF camera

occasionally I will also be lugging this out onto the field for

landscape work. Reliable metering is essential whereas AF is only

secondary since over 90% of my work will be done on a tripod with

lots of preparation and thinking beforehand.

 

I have read the brochures of both and am now leaning toward the

6008AF not only because it is more technologically advanced, but the

price is also more reasonable given its functions. What are your

general opinions on the two systems and which would you recommend for

a newby in MF? Keep in mind that I have nothing at the moment and

will invest substantially over time. This will be my only MF system

and I don't intend to change anytime soon. My highest priority is

image quality and have been very satisfied with Zeiss in the past.

 

I am also wondering how Schneider lenses are compared to Zeiss ones

and since the AF dedicated 6008 lenses are all Schneider designed

lenses, would that affect the picture quality that I will be

getting? More specifically, I am considering 60-140 zoom and does

anyone know the performance of it compared to primes? I know that it

will be somewhat inferior, but is it still acceptable with a high

standard? Does anyone know whether they will also be introducing

some AF wide-angle primes anytime soon?

 

I really appreciate all your feedbacks and understand that there are

a lot of questions I am asking here. Thanks again and I look forward

to hearing from some of you.

 

Regards,

Ken

As you have said, Rollei presents a technically advanced photographic system. Hasselblad continues to build upon it's past in a more evolutionary (cash strapped business?) manner.

 

Both systems offer outstanding optics. Schneider being the equal, if not slightly better lenses to Zeiss. This is due, in part, to it's more recent optical designs. Schneider has made outstanding progress in both LF and MF optics over the past 20 years.

 

Regarding a zoom, I have never found the need for such a lens in MF work. Rather than use optics, I prefer moving the camera to get proper framing. The combination of weight and potential optical quality loss have keep me from even considering it as an option. However, I have friends who use a Fuji 645 RF zoom camera to good effect. Their images are quite fine. So I see no reason why the zoom you mention shouldn't work well for you if you really feel the need for a zoom.

 

Lastly, there is a potentially equally interesting alternative to Rollei and Hasselblad. Since you're going to be using a tripod and consider image quality the most important reason for moving to the MF format, how about considering a Mamiya RZ system? Mamiya optics are the equal to Schneider and Zeiss. And with a 6x7cm image, you'd have a nice increase in size to work with over 6x6cm.

 

I don't think you'd "miss" the mark by going with any of these systems. Good luck. Enjoy the craft.

If your biggest concen is, as you say, image quality and you intend to lug it out to do some landscape work - have you considered a Large Format Field Camera and using a hand-held meter?

 

I'm a very happy Hasselblad (500c/m) user myself but have lately been 'exposed' to some 4x5 and 8x10 prints that simply took my breath away - and they were landscape and portrait photos.

 

And a LF kit may end up being cheaper than the Rollei/Hasselblad kits you are looking at - depending on format, brand, etc.

 

Just a thought.

FYI, I use both Mamiya RZ67 and Rollei 600x systems (a 6006 and an SLX). I find that the Rollei is much more ergonomic and fast to use, but the Mamiya is best for deliberate shooting and maintaining the ultimate in control. I'd call the optics equal, and the slightly larger 6x7 format of the Mamiyas give them the edge for ultimate image quality, although, in all honesty, some, or maybe even nearly all of that perceived edge may well be due to the preponderance of time my Mamiyas spend on a tripod, vs. the preponderance of time my Rolleis are hand held.

Ken, <br>

I agree with Christopher and Richard. As you will be using the camera mainly

in the studio good flash capabititiy will be an issue. The Rollei 6008 AF and

the new 6008 i2 (a 6008 AF without AF) have new electronics with better fill in

flash than the 6008i. The metering for ambient light of all 6008 models is

outstanding. <br>

If you plan to rent lenses prior to purchase, the Hasselblad system would offer

a better choice. Renting Rollei lenses is difficult. <br> I am very happy with my

6008i. I use it on a tripod but also handheld with the grip that comes with the

set. Ferdi.

Schneider and Zeiss lenses are real nice. Be wary of "hobby" photographers and their opinions. I would stick with advice from working pros. My experience with mamiya is not a positive one compared to zeiss/schneider ( on my LF cambo ) yet my experience with

bronica/pentax is quite good. Go figure. To each his own but I put VERY LITTLE STOCK IN AMATUER LENS TESTS BY "HOBBY" PHOTOGRAPHERS.

 

German glass has a certain feel to it that is different than japanese glass. Its hard to quantify. Perhaps slightly higher contrast?

 

As for the RZ, ever handled one of those things? interested in setting one up in the field? Studio only in mho.

�Be wary of "hobby" photographers and their opinions. I would stick with advice from working pros�

 

Why? And how would you know for certain from whom the advice in this forum is coming? Anyone can make an assertion here, and they can just as easily claim to be �pro�, hobbyist, or amateur. John, I cannot comment on your experience with Mamiya, but as far as a �pro� carrying one into the field goes, perhaps you should study the images of the American photographer Jim Zuckerman whom works with a Mamiya RZ and an arsenal of lenses and regularly carries them into the wilderness. Not for everyone perhaps, but we do not know what physical capabilities or limitations each of us possesses.

 

�I put VERY LITTLE STOCK IN AMATUER LENS TESTS BY "HOBBY" PHOTOGRAPHERS.�

 

Well John, some of us put very little stock in �shouting� (using UPPER CASE) in the forum, and not too much stock in someone whom cannot spell the word �amateur� - especially when you are so busy deriding them. Perhaps you are a 'pro' but I'm sorry to say, I've never heard of you. Nonetheless, I count your opinion to be as valid as anyone else here. Why can you not extend the same courtesy?

 

Getting back to the original post: 'My' camera of choice is the Rollei 6008AF, which is portable in the field 'for me' (but maybe not for others, of course). The Rollei offers an excellent range of lenses, (the non-AF ones including all the Zeiss glass can still be used with focus-confirmation), and the camera operates perfectly in the studio as well. As others have mentioned, earlier concerns with flash operation on the Rollei have been addressed with the new AF and Integral2 models. For me the Schneider lenses are divine and possess a clarity and warmth that suit my requirements. I have the new AF 2.8/80mm and AF 2.8/180mm, as well as the MF 2.8/50mm and MF 4/300mm.

 

It is rumoured that Rollei will release an AF 50mm and probably an AF 90 or 100mm Macro, but I have no official knowledge (just what others have passed on here in the forum/newsgroup). If you do a search, there are quite a few comments about the 6008AF and lenses over the last year or so.

 

Good luck with your decision.

John,

 

I wonder why such a comment is made to "hobby" photographers. I hope people of "this" category won't get insulted. Sometime it's the hobby photographer(s) who demonstrates the stubbornness of striving for perfection. "Professional" photographer(s) is working for commercial clients.

 

I many times find "amateur" lens tests are more relevant than "technical" tests. I value user reports more than reviews by Erwin Putts for example.

 

As for Rollei or Hasselblad. I used to own a 503cxi for a short while and got rid of it very soon before I got Mamiya RZ and Rollei 6008i. For versatility Rollei wins. Mamiya excels in the slightly rectangular and larger format especially for landscape. It also offers the best value/quality ratio (provided that you buy from UK/Asia. All three systems offer absolutely stun quality (well amateur-wise :)

I have a 203 because I already have Hasselblad lenses.

 

if I were to start again, and I wouldn't mind the weight, I'll get the Rolleiflex. 1) AF can be important even in medium format, since if you are taking portraits sometimes it is so hard to attain accurate focus. (Maybe it's me but I just need to flip up the magnifier). Even with older lenses, you get auto focus confirmation.

 

2) Metering, and Flash metering is important. While 203 has a meter, you really can't do this conveniently with a non-CFE lens. I don't like the way 203 meters either (which by the way, you cannot do with even a new 50 CFi FLE). The 20% area is much bigger than Leica's area.

 

3) All this works when you shoot at high speed sync with the Rollei. Some of 203's features are disabled when you use the leaf shutter. The Aperture priority etc only works when you use the focal plane shutter.

 

4) You get a decent, reliable grip if you want to use a prism or shoot 645.

"Let me here call attention to one of the most universally popular mistakes that have to do with photography - that of classing supposedly excellent work as professional, and using the term amateur to convey the idea of immature productions and to excuse atrociously poor photographs. As a matter of fact nearly all the greatest work is being, and has always been done, by those who are following photography for the love of it, and not merely for financial reasons. As the name implies, an amateur is one who works for love; and viewed in this light the incorrectness of the popular classification is readily apparent."

 

-Alfred Stieglitz, in 1899

Thank you for everybody's comments. I think I will very likely buy the Rollei 6008AF along with the 60-140 zoom to start off with.

 

Somebody mentioned about 4x5 for better quality images, and I do agree absolutely. In fact, along my studio setup I will be acquiring a Toyo 4x5 view camera to complement my MF. The type of studio work which I will be doing is mainly product shots. Therefore I would prefer to get the Schneider zoom which is not only more versatile, but with apertures as small as f/64. I need this for maximum depth of field. Moreover, I think when I need to travel with my MF, the zoom has a wider range and would fit my all-around purpose.

 

I thought about Mamiya which is at a fraction of the cost of either the Rollei or the Hassey. However, if I were only to invest into one MF system, I might as well get the best, and based on my limited knowledge, images produced from Mamiya is quite different from Zeiss.

 

Regards,

Ken

Ken, I was a working pro for 20 years and now am a "hobby" photographer.

At one point of my carreer I got tired of the frequent need to CLA my

Hassleblads and sold the system for an RZ 67. The RZ felt a lot cheaper and

"plasticy" but worked flawlessly. the lenses were on par w/Zeiss, I'd give the

RZ tele-apo's a slight edge over the Zeiss. I liked the Zeiss wides better.

Overall the Mamiya glass was a bit more contrasty.

 

I think mamiya's webpage lists a chart comparing the 645 lenses resolution to

the contax 645 lenses if that's of interest.

 

happy shooting

Chip

Ken,

 

I own a Rollei 6008AF, Schneider 80/2.8AF, and Schneider 180/2.8AF. I sold my Hasselblad 203FE a while back.

 

The 6008 AF is a wonderfully intuitive camera. It compliments my 4x5 and offers a very ergonomic and portable package. The AF lenses are superb and with non-AF lenses the focus assist is excellent and works wonders for tired aging eyes. (In my 40's and counting).

 

I have had the 6008AF for well over a year and it one of my favorite cameras. It offers everything I could want with the exception of tilt and shift, but for that I own a 4x5 Ebony and a Hasselblad Flexbody. Each has their use and each offers specific advantages.

 

I am a professional (Architect) and my photography is represented by two galleries. I sell 10-15 images a year and consider myself an artist. If I am classified as an "amateur" then I take the label as a sincere compliment. Otherwise, I can find no useful reason for those with an inferiority complex to place folks into categories both good and bad. I must say that the best and most creative work I have seen has been done by what would be classified as "amateurs". In fact, the "amateur" printers I know run rings around the "pros". ;-)

 

Warmest regards,

I have a Rollei 6001 which works beautifully for me. Both 6008AF and 203FE would no doubt be great systems. And comparing lens quality in general of Zeiss and Schneider is not very productive, considering you

want to do Lanscape work. For Landscape photos, AF is an oversold virtue. Landscape photographers carry 4x5 or 5x7 or even a Fuji 680. You need Lens Movements. Carrying a big lens like 60-140 is perhaps a one stop solution to the constrained world of no movements.

 

All in all, 6008AF and 60-140 lens combo should be a wonderful one. More so in case you don't want the movements.