Rollei 6008i and 6008af..

[john_forney]

I'm looking to purchase my first MF system. I work at a studio that

uses Hasselblad so I'm familiar with their system. I've been looking

at the differences in the Hasselblad and Rollei systems. It appears

you get so much more from Rollei for a given price than with

Hasselblad. The biggest drawback seems to be very limited rental

options and lack of retail support and, apparently, sketchy customer

service.

 

Long story short, I'm in Denver working at a studio, but seriously

considering moving to Minneapolis with the hope of utilizing a

greater network of mine to pursue more photography work. This camera

would be for professional use, mostly portraits initially, then

hopefully random projects I can pick up through a studio/agency or on

my own... ie, I want to be working full-time as a photographer.

 

I have been more or less happy using the Hasselblad. The equipment

receives a lot of use at the studio. Problems with counters on film

backs, film not advancing correctly, prisms failing, and main springs

failing. I sense this may be the result of doing a lot of shooting

and any system may/will fail with so much use...so I dont

necessarilly think of Hasselblad as unreliable(but maybe i should).

Having said that, I HATE the new PME45. It is very slow to meter.

Hand holding the Hasselblad is awkward. It seems like the i and

especially the af, come very close to bridging the gap between the

merits of af in 35mm and larger neg of MF. I do enjoy a more

journalistic look and I'm considering whether the af version is worth

the extra $$ to me.

 

Therefore, I've seriously considered the Rollei system. Seems like a

great system. How have others gotten around the lack of rental

options? Do you just have a lens or whatever shipped to you for

rental? Seems viable, but much more expensive. I've also heard

international warrenties are not honored by Rollei USA, is this still

true?

 

FYI, I havent been able to locate a dealer in Denver who has the

6008i or af in stock, so I havent held one in my hands.

 

Thanks

[donald_brewster]

No Rollei MF to be found in Minneapolis either. Hasselblad and Mamiya are the extent of professional rental equipment and retail support to be found, and West Photo is about it. It is a pity Rollei doesn't have more professional resources available in the U.S.

[henrik_rundgren1]

The Rollei 6008i (or the AF) is THE 6x6 studio camera. It is very

quick and intuitive to use - controls are perfectly laid out and film

advance/loading is fast. With a few drop in inserts you reload

and get ready to shoot much faster than with Hassy. You can set

the f-stop at 1/3 intervals for finetuning slides and sync at all

speeds up to 1/1000th with PQS lenses and speed settings in

1/3 intervals as well.

 

I wouldn't be too concerned as to the lack of rentals. How many

lenses do you need? The APO 90/4 is scary sharp, great for still

life and works well for portraits (see http://www.bingo.se and

http://www.flickor.se for pics taken with Rollei 6008 and APO 90/4

- his only lens). For some better working distance either of the

150's or the 180/2.8 works great. I have uploaded a picture taken

with the Rollei and a single Profoto flash with bouncer can be

seen at my homepage at photo.net:

http://www.photo.net/shared/community-member?user_id=2642

52 Perhaps not a great one but it was one of the latest ones I've

shot.

 

The AF looks and feels the same as the i with an added

electronic focus confirmation if you use the manual lenses and

better viewfinder info. I didn't feel the urge to upgrade myself

though I really think it is a great camera - I am pleased with the i.

 

I've used Hassys myself and like them a lot - I just happen to like

the Rollei a lot lotter ;-)

 

Good luck John, Henrik

[peter brown - www.peterbro]

<blockquote>Hi John,

<p>

Henrik has outlined some good points and I agree with him wholeheartedly.

If you are going to be using the camera mainly for studio work then you'll be

hard placed to find a better camera system. It is an excellent camera for

portrait/fashion/reportage work.

<p>

I have a review on my web site, which may be of interest, about the 6008i

and the 60mm and 300mm lenses (look under: about - equipment) as well as

many portrait/fashion images taken with the Rollei system:

<p>www.peter-brown-photographer.com<p>

This is my camera of choice for most of my work and it is an excellent system.

Although I don't as yet own the AF model I have been reliably informed that it

works extremely well with non-AF lenses by giving very accurate focus point

confirmation. This is a great help if you are using large aperture/shallow DoF

techniques with portraits/fashion and would be a good enough reason for me

to buy the AF model. With the AF lenses that are already available and with

the addition of some great AF lenses to come, for me, there is no other

choice.<p><p>

If you think trying to get rental Rollei equipment in the USA is difficult, try

Australia - it's almost impossible! This doesn't stop me (and many other

professionals from using the system) but if lack of rental equipment availabilty

is a concern to you, then I think you may be better with the Hasselblad or

another system.

<p>

I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you may have.

<p>

Kind regards,

<p>

Peter Brown - Cairns Australia

<p>

<a

href="http://www.peter-brown-photographer.com">http://www.peter-brown

-photographer.com</a>

 

</blockquote>

[vijay_nebhrajani]

Hi John,

 

I use a Rollei 6008i with the 90 and 180 Schneiders. The system is good, has been reliable so far, but I have always had reservations about the internal wiring in the lenses. The way these are wired, it would seem to me that they would fail after a few thousand focusing cycles. Somehow, users of this camera system don't report it, so maybe I'm imagining things. The international warranty is still not honored by Rollei USA, and I am not sure that they are going to do anything about it.

 

Other than that, there is no flaw with the system. All the advantages are exactly as everyone says. If the square fits in with your style, then by all means, go for it.

[michael_kravit]

The short answer....

 

Sold my Hassy system, bought a 6008i and a 6008AF (recently), have the 40

Schneider, 90 Schneider, and 180 Schneider. Great system, very ergonomic.

Makes wonderful images (Cameras take great pictures don't they? ;-))

 

Would not go back to Hassy if Victor sent me the system, except for my

903SWC which is incredible.