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Rollei 6008 AF or 6008i2?


josef_tornick

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HI:

 

I am trying to decide between the Rollei 6008 AF (auto focus) or

the new Intergral 2, same camera without the AF, which is about

$400 less. I will be doing EVERYTHING with this camera, tripod

mounted portraits, landscapes and close-ups, as well as some

handheld semi-candid shooting. I've got 53 year old eyes, btw.

 

I know that you can turn off the auto-focus, and still do manual

with the AF, rollei said they are the same cameras, just one has

the "AF module".

 

Does anyone have the AF, or experience with it, is it accurate?

I tried the Contax 645 (no one carries Rollei) in a store and was

impressed, the speed doesn't matter to me.

 

Any advice appreciated.

 

Thanks,

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The auto focus is is very accurate. It is worth getting to use with non autofocus lenses. It will give a more accurate read on the exact focus used as an aid, then I can do on the screen with my eyes.

 

These are also very good handheld cameras. They are not light to carry, very smooth of the shutter, mirror movement and film advance. It is surprising. For $400 the AF is worth it.

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Hi Thomas,

<p>

You are right, there is not so much enthousiasm for this camera on the net, or for the Rollei 600x series as a whole.

<p>

But almost all who use one of these cameras <i>are</i> very glad they chose this system!

<p>

And re:question. I would opt for the AF. $400 is not that much compared to the total amount of money needed to purchase a new MF set.

<p>

<a href="http://www.fotografiewimvanvelzen.nl">Wim</a>

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Josef,

 

 

 

Easy answer get the AF, period! and Megan go to Robertwhite.co.uk if you live in europe or ctrades.com (call Mike) if you live in US, he's a very nice person and very knowledgeable on Rollei entire system.Good luck everyone!

 

 

Ike

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To Henrik van Rooyen:

 

There wasn't a "problem" with the Contax 645. I was quite

impressed with it. I think it would be my 2nd choice. The main

thing is that I am going on a extended shoot this summer, and

will be doing many outdoor portraits. I don't like tilting a big

camera on a tripod for vertical compositions, which I will have to

do with the Contax. (It is awkward to do that with my little Sony

717 digital even.) Rather have the extra margin with the 6x6 for

cropping later if I need to in any situation. This will probably be

my main camera for many years, and it seems quite versatile.

 

To everyone, thanks so much for the replies, I am convinced now

that the AF is the way to go. It seems to have no real downsides.

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Jeez, I get to play the heavy here... OK, picture me looking like Charles Bronson <sigh>...

 

 

Auto focus is not a dead nuts deal, it is a 'zone focus' algorithm where once the contrast comparison says the focus is somewhere within the zone, it's good enough and stops the lens focus travel... One of the camera sites <I believe it is Monaghan's> did a LPPM comparison with auto focus versus eye focus <same lens/body> and found a nearly 50% decrease in the LPPM of the negative with auto focus versus manual focus...

 

Now the real question is, is the auto focus of this camera close enough for me? If you shoot portraits will it focus on the eye or the ear, or maybe the edge of the collar? big difference on the print...

Only you can answer that question... I would urge that you rent the camera for a day, including the 6X magnification chimney, and do your own comparison tests...

 

 

denny - hmmm, maybe a trench coat and a sardonic stare and I can be a star?

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Dennis:

 

I looked at that site which was staunchly anti-AF in general, and

noticed that most of the listings were 4 or 5 years old, and I know

the technnology has improved since then.

 

I like the rent option, and will look into it for sure. No one carries

Rollei in the whole state, so will have to see if those you

mentioned will rent out of state.

 

If anyone who has the camera and can speak from experience,

that would be very helpful.

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I have just recently aquired this unit with the 80mm, 180mm, and

the1.4 extender. Have tried some really ridiculous 35mm kind of

stuff with it. Hand held sports action and wildlife stuff. All of the

results aren't in yet but will let you know when it comes together.

Operationally speaking moving targets are a hit and miss kind of

thing. You have to get your way about the process of zeroing in

and flipping to manual. Kind of like hitting a curveball. You have

to plan for its peculiarities. But the AF can get you in the ballpark

in a hurry. As to tripod still all I can say is that the pics are clear

as a bell.

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  • 3 weeks later...

I am sure that either will be excellent but for the small difference in price I would get the AF so I would have the choice in the future. Hopefully I can justify one sometime in the future. In the interim the 6008i is the best MF system out there other than the 6008AF. It is too bad that more folks don't know it here in the USA

 

I have used CTrades for a number of major Rollei purchases and they have the best service and the best prices I have found. They only sell Rollei USA official import products and are Rollei Authorized. Mike probably knows more about Rollei than anyone else who sells it in the USA - He shares his knowledge freely and does not use pressure sales tactics at all.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Well an update. I got the AF, with manual focus lenses. the focus

assist seems to work beautifully. I am a happy camper! As for

Mike at Ctrades- here is a review of my experience.

 

"I recently decided to expand my photographic endeavors, and

needed to upgrade my equipment to do an important historical

and educational Re-Photographic project. After much online

research, I settled on a Rollei 6008 AF Medium format camera,

and 3 lenses to encompass the situations I would encounter in

the field. I discovered Mike, at Ctrades.com, and found him to be

not only extremely knowledgable, but courteous and helpful. He

hung in there with me as I agonized over what would work best

to fit my budget, and waited patiently while I raised the necesary

funds. I haven't experienced this level of service in many years,

and was delighted. He also is extremely well informed about the

details of his products, and was able to guide me when I had

technical questions. I also found it quite easy to communicate

with him, both by phone and e-mail. We took advantage of

Ctrades' expertise and educational discounts on Rollei 6008AF

and I must say, it's the perfect system for our project.

 

He basicaly "overdelivered," to my great surprise; and I got a very

good price on what I needed. He is smart, he intuitively knows

that word of mouth is the best advertising, and I gladly support

any business that treats people with respect and understanding.

-Josef Tornick

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  • 8 months later...

Can't go wrong with Mike N. at CTRADES!!!

1) man of his word - got my 6008AF to me overnight on Saturday

2) great prices - noone else comes even close

3) called on Saturday to make sure I was happy and "in the know"

4) generally a nice guy - best customer service I've gotten in a long time

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