bradleygibson

<p>Lobalobo,<br /> Great question. I currently own a MF digital system, and recently purchased an Arca/Swiss M-Line Two to put in front of my digital back.</p>

<p>The verdict?</p>

<p>There is no contest between the IQ of the Rodenstock Sironar Digital lenses I have and the Schneider and Zeiss glass I own and have owned in medium format. The Rodenstock IQ is markedly superior. (Note that I've owned most digital brands of medium format--Hasselblad V, H, Contax, Phamiya and Rollei--a good, digital-tolerance-capable tech/view camera with the right lenses are defifnitely a step up in IQ from any of these.)</p>

<p><br /> On the other hand, working with the view camera is very, very slow, by comparison. If you don't mind the workflow, the decision is easy. But do consider the inconvenience of the workflow and your personal style.</p>

<p>I have written a bit about my experiences and provided raw files in this posting: http://www.getdpi.com/forum/medium-format-systems-digital-backs/45161-s-m2-rodenstock-sironar-digital-afi-ii-10-%3D-holy-%40.html<br /><br />I hope that is helpful!<br /> -bRad</p>

<p>P.S. A P45+ on an Alpa would be a fine combination. Enjoy!</p>

<p>Allow me to second everything that Q.G. has said.<br>

<br /> Q.G. is quite right about standard lenses being often both high performance and typically overlooked.<br /><br />Q.G., good call to at least point out the Zeiss Distagon CFE 40mm IF for Hasselblad -- it is my hands-down favorite 40-45mm wide angle in MF in terms of resolving performance (and operational feel).<br>

<br /> But, Rupert, given distortion is something you expressed you wanted minimized, be warned it suffers from unusually strong distortion (up to triple that of some other designs, even Zeiss' own non-IF variants).<br>

<br /> I also concur on the 110/2 Planar. A great portait lens, but not one known for a particularly high resolving power.</p>

<p>Hi, Rupert,<br /> I'm not sure why you need the highest resolution *medium format* lenses available, but if that is the criteria, <br /> take a look at the Zeiss Biogon 38mm for Hasselblad, Schneider Super-Angulon 40mm f/3.5 for Rollei, Schneider 80mm AFD for Rollei, Schneider 90mm Symmar for Rollei, the Zeiss 120mm Macro for Contax, the Zeiss 250mm SuperAcromat for Hasselblad, the Zeiss 350 Tele-SuperAchromat for Hasselblad and as Dale rightly pointed out, the granddaddy of them all, the Zeiss 300/510mm Tele-SuperAchromat.<br /> If you are looking for some of the highest resolution lowest-distortion lenses available, I would suggest taking a look at a Cambo or Arca DSLR setup with Rodenstock HR Digaron-S lenses. The small image circle should make the Digaron-S lenses ideal for your needs.<br /><br />I've owned most of this stuff (certainly excepting the SuperAchromats) and can tell you from experience that the digital view camera lenses are in a league above.<br /><br />HTH,<br /> -Brad</p>

<p>@Kevin Paratt - Yes, the Hy6 accepts all Rollei PQ and PQS lenses, including the 55mm PC-S. (I use a PC-S quite happily on my Hy6 camera).<br>

<br /> If you do go that way, be sure to get a PQ version of the lens, as these lenses are available at quite a discount if they are not designated PQ. The only way I know of to tell the difference is to look for the PQ engraving in the barrel. Non-PQ lenses are "not supposed" to work, but for the record I have not tried (could be risky to camera, lens or both).<br>

Hope that helps,<br /> -Brad</p>

<p>Hmmm... I can't say I'm with you on that, Graham, even though, as you know, I too am a Rollei shooter.</p>

<p>As one who's owned digital 500 series Hassy's, 200-series Hassy's and Hy6's, there is a lot to recommend the Hassy program.</p>

<p>I believe #1 has been reliability. The Rollei lenses (in my experience) do require more maintenance than the Hasselblad lenses (particularly the aperture ring control mechanism). The Hassy lens program uses more modern Zeiss designs (including the Superachromats). And (again, at least in North America) the support network is far superior, allowing one to feel more comfortable with the purchase, knowing that support as well as service are readily available.</p>

<p>Now, as I've said, I too am a Rollei shooter, and having owned various V systems (and a H system) I came to Rollei for a reason. *For me*, the has several advantages: Rollei offers AF, a Schneider lens program, the most ergonomic camera in medium format, and a wealth of accessories (arguably comparable to the maturity of the V-series), and 1/1000s shutter speeds.</p>

<p>I'm not sure I'd say that "most users would prefer a 6000-series Rollei over a Hasselblad V system" as do think it is somewhat subjective as to which set of advantages is more important. (And I'm sure I've missed several on both sides.)</p>

<p>Nice to see a civil discussion around brand that has remained elevated above the typical brand-loyal banter.</p>

<p>Hope that helps, Paulo,<br>

-Brad</p>

<p>Sorry to hear that, Guy.<br>

I've had a few AF and manual focus lenses repaired (by Onick) in New Jersey, but never an AFD. My feeling is that if your problem is with an AF motor, you should be fine. For anything involving issues with alignment or positioning of the optical elements, I'd recommend sending it back to Germany.<br>

Best of luck with your repair,<br>

-Brad</p>

<p>Congratulations on your purchase, Graham.</p>

<p>On my Hy6, I am using the <a href="http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=MPR-73&type=0">RRS MPR-73 plate</a>--it has two safety stops to prevent the camera from sliding out of a clamp, as well as two attachment screws for a secure attachment, which also prevent twisting of the plate relative to the camera body.</p>

<p><br /> Best regards,<br /> -Brad</p>

<p>For anyone else reading this, let me say that eBay is a very good place to find used models of backs available at steep discounts (I have both bought and sold a good quanity of digital medium format gear there).<br /> <br /> In addition to eBay, take a look at the For Sale forums of Luminous-Landscape (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?board=40.0). A lot of medium format digital photographers frequent the board, and digital backs do pop up for sale relatively frequently.<br /> <br /> GetDPI's buy and sell forum (http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=29) is another place to look.<br /> Best regards,<br />-Brad</p>

<p>Hi, Richard,<br>

I now own the 55 PCS PQ, but don't have a non-PQ to compare it with. I did request MTF's a few years back for Rollei glass. Tak L. Poon was nice enough to post MTF information for several Rollei lenses, including the 55 PCS PQ. You can see it here: http://www.photo.net/photo/6011383.<br>

In comparing the MTF's (Tak's postings contain only the infinity focus information), the falloff and distortion, optically I can see no differences.<br>

I suspect the real differences are in the electronics, current draw, etc. to operate reliably with late-model Rollei cameras.<br>

Hope that helps,<br>

-Brad</p>

<p>Kevin,<br>

I have seen the PCS modified for Hasselblad V on occasion on eBay--they are rare, though.</p>

<p>Guy,<br>

I have an extra battery here from the days when I owned a Sinar Hy6. Since I now have an AFi, I can't use it--I'd be happy to give it to you, if that helps. It hasn't been used in a year and a half, but I suspect it works fine.<br>

PM me and we can make the arrangements for me to send it to you.<br>

Best regards,<br>

-Brad</p>

<p>The batteries I referred to above are AFi-compatible batteries--ie. these batteries only fit the Leaf AFi variant of the camera and Leaf-branded digital backs.<br /> <br /> As John points out, the Rollei and Sinar Hy6 take different batteries by default. DHW will now provide AFi-battery-compatible grips fitted to Hy6 cameras at the customer's request. But to be clear, unless your Hy6 camera has been modified this way, the Maximal Power batteries I referred to above will not fit your Hy6 camera, nor will they fit a Sinar digital back.</p>

<p>Hi, Guy,<br /> I visited, and commented on a couple of posts, but I do wonder if the information you are posting there might be more visible (ie. help more people) if it were posted here. Not sure how big you intend your blog to get, so I suppose it all depends...<br /> Welcome to the Rollei 6x6 SLR family!<br /> -Brad</p>

<p>I recently did some measurements on 3rd party batteries for the Leaf AFi camera/back.<br /> <br /> The back I have (Leaf AFi-II 10) is hungry, so I wanted to buy reasonably priced replacement batteries with high capacity. I bought a number of batteries marked 2200mAh, but like some others have mentioned to me, found they were a bit too large (by a millimeter or so) to fit in the camera or even on the back properly. The batteries wouldn't even charge properly. Total junk.<br /><br />I did some more searching and found another battery which seems to work fine. (I wanted the single-sized battery so it would fit in the AFi's handle or directly on the back). Seems to work fine, so I wanted to let other users know that there are options available.<br /><br />Battery: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/DB-SAM-SB-L160-Replacement-Camcorder/dp/B001FA0AWW/ref=dp_cp_ob_p_image_2">Maximal Power 7.4v 2500mAh</a><br /><br />Lowest price I could find is $11 per <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380294000364&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_2106wt_1141">here on eBay</a> (with free domestic shipping). Batteries came in full retail packaging and both fit and are working fine.<br /> Using the Leaf batteries at 2350mAh as a reference, the Maximal Power batteries are delivering only 1745mAh of energy, ~25% lower than the OEM batteries, and ~30% below their advertised capacity of 2500mAh.<br /> <br /> So they're not nearly as powerful as advertised, but they still cost $11 vs the OEM's $90, or, using measured energy capacity, $6.30/Ah vs $38.30/Ah.<br /><br />-Brad</p>

<p>I was just telling Geoff that I think Apogon is a Rollei "house brand" rather than an indication of Schneider or Zeiss design. It's hard to imagine DHW adding AF to a Zeiss Planar design on the 80mm Apogon shown on the DHW website, and the Schneider AF-Longar has become an Apogon as well.</p>

<p>That makes sense. I've asked DHW, waiting to hear back on this.<br /> DHW has both my camera and my digital back while they do the upgrade. I will definitely check this setting upon return to see where (if) they set it.</p>

<p>Re: Hassy and Rollei -- I've owned a 501C/M with a Phase P45+ and a 203FE with a CFV-39 and a Winder CW modified for NASA to fit the 203FE. On the Rollei side, I've owned a Rolleiflex Hy6 with a Sinar eMotion75LV and most recently a Leaf AFi with AFi-II 10 digital back.<br /> <br /> So having *owned* two of *each system*, I can tell you that they both had their strengths and weaknesses.<br /> Both enjoy (reasonable) availability and support (but it must be said that Hasselblad's V enjoys better availability and more support than does the Rollei, at least in North America.)<br /> <br /> IMHO, there's no need to put down one system in order to promote the other. These venerable 6x6's are both superb. Neither system is 'alive' in the Canon/Nikon scale of sales volume; Allow me to put forward the heretical thought that *it doesn't matter* who might be selling from stock and who isn't--availability is what matters, and both are, now and into the forseeable future.<br /> <br />It's great to see that DHW got it's 6x6 film back out--it was a mistake not to have it available back in 2008 when the system was first announced, IMHO. I look forward to the day when a 56mm x 56mm square digital sensor is announced, ideally for both platforms.<br>

<br /> Best regards,<br />-Brad</p>

<p>I assume it's not the number of shots to take when focus bracketing?<br>

If so, then interesting, I hope it works the way I hope it works! :)<br>

I'll ask DHW how to use this while I am corresponding with them on my upgrade and will let you know.<br /> -Brad</p>

<p>I can't try it at the moment as my kit is at DHW for the 3.10a3 upgrade.<br>

But I've not seen it--what firmware are you on, and how did you bring it up?<br>

Best regards,<br>

-Brad</p>

Geoff, there was an optical formula change between the manual Schneider 50 and the AF Schneider 50. From the AF

to the AFD there was no change in optical formula. DHW indicates "improved flocking and manufacutered to stricter

tolerances". No one I've spoken with has said that they can see a difference in IQ between any of the AFD lenses vs.

their older AF counterparts. All AFD's indeed lack the aperture ring.

 

Ferdi, no, I don't need AF, but I would prefer to have it, IQ being essentially equal. Just not sure if it is, hence my

posting here...

 

Thanks guys, for the help,

-Brad

Hmmm... Interesting. It seems that ring becomes more of a problem the closer one shoots... I am willing to pay the extra to go with

the Schneider, for the benefits of extra speed, AF, and possibly most importantly, the higher top shutter speed.

 

Thank you both--even disparate opinions are helpful.

 

The Zeiss posts significantly better results for detail rendering on paper, and it might be worth it to me to give up the above

advantages of the Schneider. I am hoping there is someone out there with, ideally, digital experience with both lenses who can

provide a subjective assessment of the relative image quality.

 

Best regards,

<p>Hi, all,<br /><br />In terms of handling, these two lenses are quite different beasts, but I would like to know if anyone out there has experience with both of these lenses in Rollei mount?<br /><br />I'm well aware of the differences on paper, and in marketing, but would like to hear thoughts on people who have actually used both in terms of bokeh, on- and off-axis sharpness, and exactly how inconvenient that third ring is on the Zeiss.<br /><br />Many thanks,<br>

-Brad</p>

<p>Yes, the new 120 is AFD--it should be an ideal complement for the Hy6's automatic focus bracketing for macro work with deep depth of field...</p>

<p>Wow, congrats on the AFD 120 Apogon! How does it compare to the old 120 macro?<br /> Would you mind sharing the cost? I am interested in this lens but don't see it listed on the website.<br /> My system also has Focus Trap--is your Hy6 upgraded to the latest firmware?<br>

Geoff, same here. You have to drop the mirror down to change settings then pop it back up again, unfortunately.<br>

<br /> Thanks,<br /> -Brad</p>

<p>You could also go with a Rollei 6008AF if you wanted 6x6 with AF.</p>