Rollei 6000 series for landscapes

[butch_welch]

Anyone using the Rollei 6000 series for landscape

photography? I imagine weight could be an issue. What have

you found to be the pros and cons of these cameras for

landscapes?

[richard_fateman]

I am sure there are lots of people doing landscape photography with

Rollei 6000 systems. If you compare it to a Hasselblad comparably

equipped (which would require motor and TTL metering) it may not

be heavier. Besides, if you are serious about landscape photos, you

may be carrying a tripod and a few lenses.

Rollei metering is highly accurate; 6008i has spot metering.

 

 

If you compare it to a 4X5, you don't have shift/tilt capability.

Some people complain about battery power, but they probably don't

have a Rollei. You get hundreds of photos per battery charge; you

can recharge from a car, but frankly I run out of film before

batteries.

 

A 645 might save some weight and usually provide enough film

for a horizontal layout, but some landscapes are in fact square.

 

If you want to save weight, consider a (Rollei) TLR also.

[wayne_crider4]

Butch I think both the pro and con is the format size. I love 6x6, but crop it and

your practically down to 645 which is a smaller, lighter camera for travel. As it

stands, it's nice not have to turn the camera for verticals and the square

appeals to me.

 

My biggest putoff about the line tho are the lens prices. Optic's in other

systems that are as sharp can be up to 1/2 the price when comparing used

items, and I always find quite a bit more used items to choose from when I

look in other lines.. I do find the centerweighted metering in my 6006 very

good, and the camera is quite robust, but it is loud. (for landscapes that

doesn't matter tho, unless you shoot lndscapes with people in them at times.)

 

I don't use the Rollei for landscapes; I prefer my 645 Pro. I did shoot a RB67

for awhile to replace my 4x5, but in the end the RB was a pain to carry out; My

Graphic 4x5 was actually easier.

 

I think the perfect format for landscapes is 6x9. My choice would be a Graphic

or Fuji, Linhof or Arca Swiss. Panoramics are quite doable with 2 shots and

some software.

 

The in camera metering is a non issue for me when doing landscapes. I prefer

a tripod mounted camera framed up with a handheld meter.

[b_kosoff]

I've used many MF cameras for landscape photography. I started with of a

hasselblad system, and having used it for a long time I switched to the Rollei

6008i when I found the Rollei superior. At this point I still own an extensive

Rollei system, however as the vast majority of my work tends to be panoramic

proportions with prints up to 20x24", I needed a larger, and more panoramic

formatted camera. I currently own several MF systems, Mamiya 7II, Fuji

GX680II and Fuji GX617. I rotate between the systems depending on the

needs of the trip I am going on.

 

The Rollei has great lenses, they have almost all of the same zeiss lenses

that hasselblad has, but they also have a line of Schneider lenses which tend

to be superior to the Zeiss. The metering in the Rollei is first rate, the film

backs are the best designed I have yet to see, and hold the film with the

highest degree of flatness. The Rollei system is heavier than a comparable

Hasselblad system as the Rolleis have motors, meters and batteries. Some of

Schneider lenses are also larger. I would go on hikes with a backpack with 2

Rollei bodies, 7 lenses, 4 film backs, a polaroid back , a 1.4x tele converter , a

prism and 4 battery packs. The backpack would come in at around 40

pounds. Not light, but then again I was carrying a lot of gear, the same setup

with my Fuji GX680III comes in at 60 pounds.

 

I can tell you from head to head testing that the Schneider 60mm, 80mm f2.8

and 150mm lenses are superior to their zeiss counterparts. I have yet to have

any equipment reliability problems with Rollei.

 

What you need to ask yourself is what film proportion do you want. If you

prefer to shoot or crop square, then i would wholeheartedly suggest the

Rollei. Even for 6x4.5 shooting as their 6x4.5 back is one of the best. If you

want a bigger neg, and intend on making prints larger than 20x24", I'd

suggest either a 6x7 or preferably a 6x8cm camera.

 

The mamiya 7II is a great camera, but there is a huge gap between the 80mm

and 150mm lenses, which means you end up shooting a shot ,that would fill

the frame with a 110mm, with an 80mm instead and end up losing a good

amount of film real estate. However if you tend to shoot with wide angles

mostly, i would consider the Mamiya 7II.

[john_banister1]

You might want to visit <a href="http://www.fotografiewimvanvelzen.nl/home.htm">www.fotografiewimvanvelzen.nl</a> and maybe <a href="http://www.rollei-gallery.net/index.html">www.rollei-gallery.net</a> to see some examples of Rollei landscape photos. Most of the photos at the Rollei-Gallery site were made with TLRs. <BR><BR>I guess all the cons I can think of are in comparison to other formats. My wide angle 35mm lenses have fewer wide angle effects when they aren't pointing perfectly horizontally, and large format cameras have movements to correct for the need to point other than straight ahead. I have a Cabelas coat with 6 big pockets that are big enough for lenses & the boxes w/ film inserts, and it distributes the weight really well. It's pretty warm for summertime use, though. The ease of loading pre-wound film inserts is a huge pro. With pre-wound inserts I can change film faster than with any other camera I've ever used, which really helps because the ephermal changes that make the shot perfect always seem to wait until after the last frame of a roll has been exposed. <BR><BR>The Rolleis are electronically controlled cameras, and some users have found environmental moisture to be a problem. Generally I've found that if moisture doesn't get inside a lens (which will be a problem for <i>any</i> camera), brief use in the rain followed by a drying out period at the next opportunity does ok. I have yet to attempt to use mine near sea spray. Salt water is so conductive, that it frightens me a lot more.

[john_photo]

midwestphoto has a 6001 kit with EL 80mm lens for 1300 dollars in Brand New condition with boxes.

[fatkins1]

I've taken my rollie 6008 on trips to Eastern Sierra with day hikes up to 8 miles at

elevations exceeding 1200 ft. I have also visited Moab Utah, Bryce and Zion parks with no

problems to speak of. The Moab and Zion trips were in March with temps dipping in the

single digits.. No problems with film or battery as long as you take proper precautions. As

with most equipment, you need to protect from the elements, rain, sand etc.

So, the equipment should be fine, however believe weight to be a function of equipment

and condition of the photographer. Being 56 y/o, find I need to spend time in the gym

and on day hikes in preparation for major trips. Admittedly envied my hiking companion

toting a Mamyia 6x7 system with skeletonized tripod.

[donald_brewster]

If you haven't already seen it, check out the thorough Phil Greenspun review at: http://www.photo.net/photo/rollei-6008

[OCULUS New York]

That's what I use my Rolleiflex 6003 for most. Distagon 40, Distagon 50, and Schneider 55 PCS (shift). Many shown below were taken before acquiring my perspective control/shift lens, which I think is probably my best architecture, landscape asset. And of course, a great tripod; mostly, I use a Ries with Ries tilting head which is no lightweight. But most of what you see below are handheld.

 

Just can't imagine what you mean by "weight" being an issue? What have you been using? (Please don't say one of those Kodak Box Panorama jobs...lol)

 

Judge for yourself:

 

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=276330

 

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=277771

[jim_chow]

I've backpacked w/ my 6008i. Depending on the trip, I've done

trips w/ the 6008i w/ 2 lenses and 6x17 panorama, 6008i w/ 3

lenses, and 4x5 w/ 3 lenses. The 6008i w/ 3 lenses (40, 90, 180)

weighs a ton, though. Nowdays, I mostly use the 6008i for

portraiture and travel photography or unscouted or unserious

landscape shots. For serious landscape shots and scouted

shots, I use the Toyo VX125 monorail. Also, the 6x17 is

sometimes pretty essential when square just won't do. If money

were no object for backpacking photography, I'd consider a

Ebony 4x5 titanium field camera. Better yet, get a lama. Then you

can pack a 8x10, and they are permitted on NP stock trails

(which is most of them).