Current Rollei 6008 Reliability

I am not looking to start a flame war comparing Rollei to Hassy to

Mamiya to Pentax, and I realize that I have been thinking about MF

and posting occasional questions for much, much too long (and for

this I beg your indulgence), but my query du jour is: what are

people's comments on the reliability of current model, recent

production Rollei 6008i cameras and associated lenses? I would like

to hear from people who have purchased NEW within the last 12-24

months. Thanks very much.

HI , I have one 6008 bought on Ebay after 2 month, the flip did not close all the way, cost me $300 to repair it, also my 6001, the leaf shuttle inside the lens did not close completly, another $150 to repair, I have friends in HK, they told me the reliability of Rollei is not very good.

I used 6008 for more than 10 years, I can share following experience: 1. I drop the first one (6008 Professional) to ground from tripod, mirror damaged and stocked, not sure about the optics, so that go back to Rollei. I got a SRC1000 to keep on shooting. Original one came back without problem, so I sold it, since I got a newer model. 2. Once my Schneider Xenotar 80mm/2.0 keep showing 2.0 in viewfinder, no matter which setting I use. Took it back to the distributor, got it repair onsite within 30 minutes.

Now I using 6008 Integral, for I got a great deal 2 years ago and I sold SRC1000 for it. Not because there is any problem with SRC1000.

 

You may need to spend money for the metering mirror assembly for there is lifetime limit on the flexible PCB. But seems I didn't shoot enough, spent nothing until now.

 

Hope this help.

I recently bought a new 6008i with 150 Rollei sonnar and two backs. I only shot 20 rolls with it up to now, but no problems.

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A second hand 6006 (mod 2) and Rollei distagon 50 PQ and a Schneider 80 2.8 PQ all work without a problem.

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Before my purchase, I asked some dealers (who sell all brands) and their answer always was: all cameras can have problems, Rollei not more or less than the others.

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Given the price and specs, I chose Rollei and am happy user so far.

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

I bought a 6008i from Robert White (a great company) earlier this

year, since then I have run hundreds of films through it with

brilliant results - I'm using my light meter a lot less these days

as the camera's internal metering can do quite a bit, but I still

double-check against it occasionally.

 

I had a problem with the Schneider 90mm Apo Symmar lens, but

it was fixed before my very eyes in about fifteen minutes! (thanks

Leeds photographic) The cylindrical piece holding the rear

element needed rotating very slightly to allow clearance of the

camera's mirror. Since then this lens has become my favourite -

it's incredibly sharp.

 

It's the best medium format system I've ever used. I just wished

I'd caught on to it years ago.

Joshua,

In England the Rollei 6000s now come with a 3 year guarantee.

On their brochure this is actually displayed on the cover rather

prominently, I suspect to dispel their reputation for not being

reliable. Overall though, it must say something good if they will offer this - I can think of no other bits of electrical kit that

offer more than a year guarantee here.

 

Adrian

Hi Joshua,

 

I have the 6008i and it seems to be a very reliable camera with

excellent ergonomics. I only use it with the APO 90 lens, a

marvellous combo. I had the 6008pro before which did have a

slight, mechanical, problem. Before buying into the Rollei

system I spoke to the agent here in Sweden (I work part time at a

pro camera shop) who told me there was an overrepresentation

of electronic failures in the 6006/6006II models but circuitry has

been fixed for the later models and his stats shows a very low

percentage in recent cameras with any defects. Before Rollei I

have used Mamiyas and Hasselblads and I've been pleased

with them but none offered as superb handling as the Rollei

6008i. However pleased I have been with the camera I don't use

it as much as I should be and I am selling my 6008i to finance

upcoming travel, I don't travel with the Rollei. Should you be

interested in a 6008i w 45 prism finder and an APO 90 in

excellent condition with charger and two (1 new) batteries email

me privately and we might settle on a good price. ;-)

 

If money is no object you might look into the new 6008AF which

handles as well and has some minor improvements, none

which made me get it instead of the "i" but it might still appeal to

you.

 

Best Regards, Henrik

Joshua,

 

I had 6008i with 80/f2.8, 150/f4, 90/f4, 180/f2.8, and 40/f3.5, all bought new in US. Ran several hundreds rolls thru it, and never had any problem. I enjoyed the system very much. Just another data point for your consideration.

 

Sheausong

My 6008i is over 5 years old, I've run thousands of films through,

it went

once for repair ( this year ) with a defective metering system,

repair

costs � 80.00 at the factory.

The 6008p I use as a backup now never went for repair, it is six

or seven years

old.

Thanks everyone. Some dealers in NYC bend over backward to steer me away from Rollei, others are crazy about it. I am sure that you can appreciate my concerns, since (a) I am an amateur who can't deduct, amortize or defray from profits the cost of equipment, (b) each of the MF systems I am considering is a substantial expense that I would not like to have to repeat due to "buyer's remorse" or equipment unreliability.

You wouldn't go wrong with either Hasselblad or Rolleiflex. I bought into Hasselblad in large part for specific lenses that aren't made for Rolleiflex, but at some point probably will get a 6008i for a couple of the lenses not made for Hasselblad. Hasselblad has better US service. Rolleiflex is a much newer design -- light years ahead of Hasselblad -- but you must have batteries. Maybe no big deal. To be honest if I had to decide again which system to start with I'm not sure which I'd pick.

 

Enjoy your learning curve!

 

G.

I have been using a 6003 Professional for three years now without a single problem. During the last two years I have added interchangeable magazines (couldn't afford the extra $1000 for the 6008i at the time I bought the 6003) and two extra Rollei brand lenses, a 50 and a 150. Neither the magazines nor the lenses have given me any trouble either. The camera has seen some 200 rolls since new and it has never been babied, although not bashed either.

 

I had to replace one battery once because I dropped it from a height of four feet onto a concrete floor and it developed an internal false contact that I haven't been able to pinpoint.

 

For what it's worth...