Does the handle on the Rollei 6008 cause the circuit board to crack?

I just bought a Rollei 6003 Professional, and have come across the following statement, here on photonet:

 

"Stuart, I have owned the 6003 and 6008 - the grip is the cameras weak spot. It causes the circuitboard to crack."

 

And here on the internet: "Lastly, the 6003 SRC1000, has an achilles-heel. It is the circuit board

beneath the shutter speed knob. When using the grip on the camera, it

has a tendency to crack from the pressure. I had mine repaired twice, to

the cost of over $500.00. I gritted my teeth and chalked it up to the

cost of doing business. I now use mine free-hand or on a flash bracket." at the following location:

http://72.14.235.104/search?q=cache:kinjOQJB3ScJ:homepage.mac.com/fwstutterheim/rugarchives/2001-09/01194.html+circuit+board+6003+rolleiflex&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&client=firefox-a

 

Can anyone give me some kind of authoritative answer to this issue? The reason is that I about to buy a handle

and mount it on the camera, but do not want to kill the camera.

I have read this story on several forums. The complaint comes from just one professional photographer. He is a reliable

source but as far as I know he is the only one with this complaint. I am using that grip for many years now and have not had

any problems. I am a careful owner and do not abuse my equipment. I feel that there is not much danger of cracking the circuit

board as long as you take normal care. If you are going to use the camera a lot it makes sense the carry it by the strap rather

than swing it around by the grip.

Like anything, if you abuse it, it will break. I cannot speak for the manner of use the one complaintant. But I can speak from my use and experience. I have had my 6008i for 6 years now and never had any issues (including the oft touted battery issue - but I use a smart charger and cycle them). I also do not use my camera as a pointing instrument nor do I use it to bash models over the head (I am not implying the other photographer has done these things either). I guess my point is, use common sense and treat the instrument (camera) as it should. There's an awful lot on financial density in that small package.

Darius,

 

I imagine the camera is designed so that the load from the handle is transferred into the frame of the body rather than placing any pressure onto the circuit board. Since you are searching this site you're bound to come across posts regarding dirty contacts and accompanying post, with photos, about the cleaning procedure. In those photos yon can see how the handle is mounted, it's robust!

 

That said, it looks from the photos that the handle mounting boss is a separate unit attached to the body frame. If the mounting screws loosened it seems the handle could put pressure onto the circuit board. I wouldn't worry; when's the last time your car wheel fell-off because the lug nuts unscrewed or your front door fell off for the same reason.

 

Buy the handle: you can allow the camrea to hang from the strap until you're ready to use. Then slip your hand into the handle -- great addition for using the 6000 series. You'll also balance some of the load holding the focusing ring of the lens.

 

BTW, I somehow have a -1.5 diopter for a waist level finder (subject of one of your earlier posts) Sometimes I cannot tell the difference between this and the standard -0.5 diopter. If only some place had all the ones to experiment ...

 

Joe

No. I have an 6008AF and exclusively use the grip. I even carry it around sideways with big lenses (180mm, 300mm) for years now. Without any problem. A friend of mine (a pro) is doing the same with his 6006 and 6008i. He really abuses his gear (he doesn't have to pay for it, he is employed) and sometimes tosses the cameras or lenses just into his case. He never had problems with the grip or circuit board (he kept destroying the curtain shutter of his SL66s though).

 

Best regards,

Markus

Never had a problem with my 6003, and use the handle all the time. No problems, whatsoever.

 

Geoff

No problems here too.

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

Not on a 6008i or 6001 !

Must be some odd case.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I should get the grip soon. In the meantime, I am having the devil of a time focusing

the camera. I need a -2 diopter, and when I use waist level screen at waist level, it is very hard to tell when it is in focus. It

simply looks sharp most of the time, to the point that I even start turning the focus ring the wrong way.