edward_s_carmick

Dear Yui:

The best quick release plates are made by Really Right Stuff. The one for your Rollei is the B-22 plate. According to Bryan at RRS this is the same plate for the 300 mm. The problem is the balance point which is not at the tripod bushing on the lens or on the camera but roughly half way in between. I will ask Steve Grimes (machinist) to make one for me which I have sketched out and a few other people. I don't know what it will cost.

Nice lens but heavy.

Ed Carmick

Grant:

Great choice; wonderful camera! There isn't much difference in the deph of field in the 80 and 90 mm lenses. Get the 90 mm, it is so sharp and you have a great closeup lens. If you want an 80 mm look for the Xenotar f 2.8 used. I have both. It is sharper than the Planar.

Tomorrow is the first day of the Photokina in Cologne. There may be new lenses to consider.

Ed Carmick

About the lens shade and filter systems. This all started years ago when I got tired of separate filter sizes for my Nikon, Mamiya and view camera. It meant about a half dozen different filter sizes. I got into the Sinar 100 mm filter holder which has slots for three filters including one for grads. Sinar has a polarizer on a metal square which also goes in but it takes up two slots worth. I have used this system for about 10 years and I have been happy with it. I sold the Mamiya and bought the Rollei 6008i. My first step was to buy the adapter rings made by Sinar for the 77 mm thread and the Rollei B VI. When I bought my 180 Schneider, I had Steve Grimes machine a ring to adapt the Sinar sytem to this lens.

About this time I started talking to Jim Chow via e-mail and we talked about adapting the Hasselblad Compendium lens shade to the Rollei. I took the challenge, buying one the these shades on E-Bay. Using the regular adapter rings made by Hasselblad didn't work. You need to use their 93 mm adapter ring as the model for the fitting that goes into the back of the Hasselbald lens shade. I had 77 mm and 95 mm rings made. For the Rollei B VI lenses, I opted for the ourer rollei bayonet so I sacrificed an old lens shade I got from Hadley Chamberlain. The Hasselblad shade will take one of the 100 mm square Sinar filters.

The third part of this was to mount the Hassleblad shade on the front of the Sinar filter holder. Grimes made a plastic connecting ring. On my 40, 50 and 60 mm Rollei lenses, I can use one system or the other, 80 mm and up, I can use both. This gives 4 slots.

My whole motivation was to have one system of filters to use on all my lenses and camera systems. These filters I already had. Jim's approach is to use his expensive multicoated flass filters that he already owns. Probably, Grimes could make an adapter that could use the outer baoynet of the 95 mm Rollei lenses. That was never my approach. With this system you can use the wonderful grads made by Bob Singh. Both his and the Sinar filters are 1 mm thick. His grads for my system are 100 by 150 mm which gives lots of play, up and down.

I realize that it would be nice to be able to see how this looks, works and goes together. It does work and works well but I did spend a lot of money on adapter rings. I hope this answers most of the questions.

Ed Carmick

Doug:

I have given this a lot of thought. You need three filter sizes,; 77 mm, Rollei B VI or 67 mm and 95 mm to cover all the common Rollei lenses. The Rollei bellows lens shade only works with the B VI mount.

A much better bellows lens shade is the newest one from Hasselblad. This is what I use. You can fit one 100 mm square filter inside this. I had rings made by Steve Grimes, the machinist, to fit the 77 and 95 mm threaded lenses and I sacrficed and used the outer bayonet of an old Rollei lens shade for the B VI lenses. Additionally I have adapted the excellent Sinar 100 mm filter system with the same three filter sizes. Sinar makes adapter rings for the 77 mm and B VI and I had Grimes make one for the 95 mm size. For lenses long enough I can use both systems together with the Sinar system filter holder going on the lens first and the Hasselblad lens shade going on next with a plastic intermediary ring. The Sinar Filter system is great as there are three slots for filters including a sliding Grad. I had Bob Singh make some in a 100 by 150 mm size. They are wonderful.

I realize this sounds complicated but it answers all filter problems for all the lenses, actually for multiple camera systems as well.

If this interests you I can go into greater detail.

Ed Carmick

I actually haven't seen this camera though it interests me. Though the Rollei 6000 lenses can be used you would not be able to do much shifting of lenses as the image circle just covers the 6 by 6 format. The exception would be the 150 mm Apo Symmar which is reported to have a larger image circle. You would have to buy and mount the expensive Rollei electric shutters into Schneider or Rodenstock view camera lenses. All in all it winds up to be an expensive system for a format of 6 by 4.5 cm.

Ed Carmick

Dear Cliff:

I have a 40 mm f3.5 Angulon and both prisms. There is a subtle darkening in the corners with the 90 degree but it is subtle. They are both useable. All in all I hink the 45 degree prism is the better one in general. The 90 degree exhibits a little barrel distortion.

Ed Carmick

You are right the 150 or 180 would be the best way to go. The least expensive would be a 67 mm diopter lens in a B VI to 67 mm adapter ring. More money but optically a bit better would be a 9 or 17 mm extension tube which could go behind a lot of lenses including a 150 mm when you get one. You can not use the 1.4X extender with your Planar. I recomend that you call Rollei in New Jersey and ask for their excellent little brochure on close-up photography. Ed Carmick

I recently received an e-mail from someone at the factory that there would not be a new 6000 series body at Photokina this year. In a recent issue of the Rollei Club magazine a quote from a Rollei CEO

says they are working on a medium format autofocus camera. That doesn't mean it will be this year or that it will be part of the 6000 series.

Ed Carmick

The new 40 mm Zeiss isn't really new but only has a new exterior. I

have the Schneider 40 which is faster, shorter, lighter, a tad sharper, has its floating elements built in and continuous and the lens is cheaper. An easy choice.

Ed Carmick

Dear Wayne:

The Rollei 6003 Pro with its noninterchangeable back has a dedicated film gate or stage. When you move up to magazines you must also get a different film gate. These are accessories.

If you have a 6008i and want to use the slimmer 6003 Pro back you must buy the 6003 Pro back and its dedicated film gate. These are replacement parts. Rollei at one time denied this could be done. It can be and now these accessory parts can be purchased from Marflex.

When using the 6 by 4.5 rotating backs in its special frame no film gate is used.

Ed Carmick

Jeff:

When I lived in Germany while I was in the Air Force (1987-1993)German camera dealers referred to the SLX as an expensive doorstop. They got better with he 6006 and 6002 models and I believe excellent with the 6008 and 6003 models. I have a 6008i and a 6003 Pro for backup. They are excellent and I have had no problems with them. I have had to service several old Schneider lenses however. Complex machinery needs service. It is an unfortunate fact of life.

Ed Carmick

Craig:

It will fit. Helioplan makes a good one: You can get even a better one from Hadley Chamberlain. These adapters will fit inside the Rollei lens shades.

Ed Carmick

Edmund:

The performance of the 110 mm is good, but for that one stop of speed it has twice the bulk and weight and about three times the price. I have it, a 80 mm f 2.8 Xenotar and a 90 mm f 4 Apo Symmar. The Apo Symmar is the best lens of the three and the one I would recommend for most uses. For the sort of work the 110 mm would be good for a 35 mm camera and its faster lenses would be cheaper and easier to work with.

Ed Carmick

The answer is the 90 mm f 4 Apo-Symmar with floating elements. Incredible normal lens and macro. It will take you down to 1:2. With the 34 mm extension tube down to about 1:1. I have all the closeup gear except the retroadapter. However, this is for ranges down to 3-5:1. I also have the 150 mm f 4.6 Apo-Symmar which on the bellows will go from infinity to 1:1.1. It is incredibly sharp. A handier and less fragile way of using it is on the zoom extension tube with he 9 and 34 mm behind. By increasing the extension behind the variable extension tube you can get down to 1:1.

This gets ever more expensive. Think 90 mm!

Ed Carmick

I think the Lindahl system would be good if you could get adapters for the Rollei B VI or 67 mm with adapter, 95 mm and 77 mm adapters.

The Rollei bellows lens shade was designed when Rollei only had the B VI mount. It is not as useful as the Hasselblad version. I have adapted the Hasselblad compendium lens shade to all three filter sizes above. It is a great shade. I have also adapted the Sinar 100 mm filter system to all three diameters. This permits three filters and the ability to use the wonderful Singh graduates. Lastly I can fit the Hassy shade on to the front of the Sinar system when the lenses are long enough.

I did spend a lot of money having Steve Grimes make me some adapter rings.

Ed Carmick

Your need 95 mm filters, circular polarizers, and you can get them from B & W or Helioplan Ed Carmick

Jane:

I have the 150 mm F 4.6 Apo and the 150 mm f 4 Tele-Xenar also made by Schneider. They are both quite sharp with the f 4 Tele-Xenar being sharper than than the Zeiss 150 mm f 4 Sonnar. Alas, the 150 mm Tele-Xenar has been discontinued but can be found used in PQ and PQS versions.

The 150 mm F 4.6 Apo is essentially a lens head with very little focusing ability. It is for the bellows mainly; here it will focus from infinity to a reproduction ratio of 1 : 1.1. Less fragile and more portable is to put the lens head into the zoom extension ring and behind that the 9 and 34 mm fixed rings. This will go from infinity to about 1 : 5. Changing the 34 mm ring for a 67 or 68 mm ring will get you down close to 1 : 1. I hope this helps. Feel free to e-mail me any further questions.

Ed Carmick

Dear Jim:

When I bought my 6008i, I bought it stripped without a back. I ordered the 6003 Pro back and special film gate from Martin at Marflex. I wanted the features of the 6008i but the smaller, trimmer and lighter back of the 6003 Pro. Rollei told me it couldn't be done but it can be and is how my Rollei is configured today. If you don't change emulsion types in mid roll it makes sense. These parts are not accessories but replacement parts. Martin will sell them to you. If you do this immediately identify the film gate with a piece of colored tape as the two film gates are subtly different.

When I did go with a magazine system I opted for the rotating 6 by 4.5

magazines which are excellent.

For the price you would pay for a 6003 Pro in this country you can get a 6008i system or body from Robert White in England. Honest, knowledgeable, and fast.

If you have any questions on any of this write.

Good luck,

Ed Carmick

Max

One or two of your shutter blades have to be replaced. I had to do this with a used 80 mm Xenotar I had purchased. Call Martin at Marflex at (973) 808 9626: he will give you a quote. Even high quality equipment like this sometimes has to be serviced.

Ed Carmick

Consider the 60 mm as a nice group lens. I have the discontinued Curtagon. The Distagon would also be nice. You might also consider the 110 mm f 2 which is great but large and heavy. For portraits think of the 150 mm tele-Xenar which is the sharpest of the short tele lenses. It has been discontinued but is sharper than the Sonnar or 180 mm Tele-Xenar. You probably need at least three backs and a spare body. You can save money by buying From Robert White in England. You also need at least two batteries.

Good Luck

Ed Carmick

It will work with he 80m f 2.8 Schneider Xenotar. It is also a sharper lens to boot just like your 150 mm f 4 Tele-Xenar is sharper than the Sonnar.

Ed Carmick

You could also buy Ian Parker's book "Complete Rollei 6000 Series User's Manual". It is not the greatest but what we have in English.

Ed Carmick

When I went for a Rollei 6008i about twenty months ago I bought the rotating 6 x 4.5 backs. Reading Ian Parker's book he suggests that the 6003 Pro back can be used on the 6008i if you also use the 6003 film gate. I wrote Rollei in Germany which said it couldn't be done. Martin at Marflex thought I was crazy. He asked a buddy working on the assembly line; he confirmed that there were two different film gates. Rollei doesn't want you to do his as the 6003 Pro backs and film gates are slated for manufacture. Rollei doesn't want you to o his. These are not accessories but replacement parts. It does work very well.

The prices have gone up as I paid $359.00 for the 6003 Pro back and about $57.00 for the film gate. It took a long time to get them.

There part numbers are: 6003 Pro 120/6x6 Back 56800.413 01

Film frame for 6003 Pro57600.020 01

If you get this frame identify it immediately with a drop of paint or tape as they are very similar and you could mix them up.

Good luck

Ed Carmick

When I got into a Rollei 6008i about eighteen months ago I was faced with the same lack of information you face. There is a lot more with Hasselbald also Hasselblad's importers are friendly and helpful.

With Rollei in America you are like in a third world country.

For information start with Phil Greenspun's review in his Photo Net.

Check the files on the Medium Format Digest Top Level which you are on, Medium Format Threads in Photonet, Photoshopper Medium Format Forum, Listquest: Rollei 6008, Deja.com: Rollei and Rollei Homepage which is in German. Look for submissions by Jim Chow, Bob Shell and Bob Solomon in particular. There are days worth of reading here. Good Luck,

Ed Carmick

Your choices are actually greater. There are the new Zeiss and Schneider lenses and there are lenses that are no longer made. I have the following: 60 mm f 3.5 Schneider Curtagon*, 80 mm f 2.8 Xenotar, 110 f 2 Ziess Planar**, 150 mm f 4 Schneider Tele-Xenar*, 150 mm F 4.6 Apo Symmar***, 180 mm f 2.8** and the 1.4x Longar extender.

In the next year I will obtain the 40 mm f 3.5 Schneider*, 90 mm f f4*and ** Apo Symmar and the 300 mm f 4 Apo Tele Xenar*. the 110 mm and 180 mm lenses are very large and heavy. For a nice spread of very sharp lenses go with the single starred lenses above. If you are into environmental portraiture the double starred and for closeup work consider the triple starred. You might also consider the

Rolleigon and other pre PQ lenses if you want to save money.

Ed Carmick