Opinions on Rollei 6008 series

[djfiesta]

Hi there all.

I haven't been too active in here since I bought my Leica off the classifieds, but am interested in getting a 6x6 SLR.

Initially I was looking at the Bronica's because they were the cheapest, and then i borrowed my friends Hasselblad 500c/m. I honestly think the difference between the two in the end is mainly nostalgia and sentimentality.

However when looking for cameras I came across the Rollei 6008 series. I handled an older Professional model and I really liked the way it felt.

I have the option of getting a 6008 Pro with 80mm planar and 50mm distagon, 45 degree prism, WLF, 2x 120 backs, 2 batts, grip, remote and Metz flash + bracket for about $2500AUD, OR
a 6008 integral 2 (BRAND NEW) with 80mm planar (BRAND NEW) and the kit including WLF, 120back, grip and battery, for about $2400.

I understand the newer integral 2 has a meter that can work to EV0 while the older pro does EV3, and it's a bit quieter, but essentially I'm torn between getting the older one because its here in my city and has the distagon, or the newer one because it might last longer and has a better meter.

If I were to buy a distagon later, I think it might be around $700AUD at the very cheapest.

So for those who've handled one, or have experience, or opinions in general, I'd love to hear from you!

 

[fleetwoodjazz]

Rollei when insolvency and that's why the price slumped like that.

Rollei 6008 is very annoying with its battery, you have to rebuild it yourself when it dies.

Other note is that despite Rollei being insolvent, Carl Zeiss lens are still very expensive, in fact even more expensive than the equivalent versions for Hassy.

I thought long and hard about this Rollei option and in the end, just decided to go for a Mamiya 6*7 system to complement my Hassy. Firstly that I have one 6*6 system already and secondly the Mamiya RB now is just too good to turn down.

You're buying a system so...think carefully 🙂

 

[aizan]

the ergonomics are fantastic, aren't they? i wouldn't worry about the batteries. the guys at the neighborhood electric shop said it would be a piece of cake to rebuild if i ever needed. you can send them to krimar (the current official rollei repair service), too. as for lenses, the basic focal lengths (50mm, 80mm, 120mm macro, 150mm) are all the same price and quality as the newer hassy lenses.

 

[hans voralberg]

I'll take the older kit, the Distagon alone is a good enough reason. You can use a hand held meter anyway cant you 😉

 

[djfiesta]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, good to see a range of opinions.

Still torn between older one (1988-1992), and integral 2 (2005? - brand new sealed in box), and possibly an integral 1 on ebay depending what price that goes for. I'll wait out the ebay one, then decide.

Although people say you buy into a system, I personally don't think it's such a big deal for me. I already have a few camera systems that i'll slowly expand as time goes by, and I think as a MF 6x6 shooter i just love the features the rollei has. Plus a hasselblad 200 series like a 203 is way more expensive for the equivalent package (according to what I can find anyway).

Love to hear more feedback if anyone has any!

 

[Jamie123]

I haven't really worked with a 6008 but have seen it in action and personally, I wouldn't bother. I've heard that the battery doesn't last very long which would be very annoying for me.

For that kind of money I would prefer to go with a Hasselblad 503cw and CW winder. Or, if you want to spend a little more you can get a Rollei Hy6.

 

[djfiesta]

I'm not quite sure the battery is an issue for me, as a fully charged battery is supposed to last approximately 300 exposures. And i'll be damned if I take that many shots in a day.

 

[adrianzg]

i don't think u have a 645 yet, eh? how abt a mamiya 645 af? they go for cheap on ebay nowadays. or a contax 645 with a full set of zeiss glass? what a way to spend ur first paycheck, doc! 🙂

 

[djfiesta]

Haha. I don't think the 645 format is for me, the negs are a tad too small (for medium format).

I might look into the blad 200 series and see if I can't find something affordable, as I really like the idea of a 110 f/2, and its a bit cheaper on the blad that it is on the rollei. But you can't get the 80/2 on the rollei.

Decisions decisions.

 

[smiling gecko]

6002, not 6008

6002, not 6008

i have a 6002, so i can't address the issue regarding your two choices.

i can address the battery issue. the key to enjoying life with a battery dependent camera takes a little forethought. i had one battery rebuilt by marflex years ago - pre-krimer, had another rebuilt by a local fix it shop and eventually bought a new spare. that keeps me "in the juice" for more rolls than i can expose in a day or two or more. for piece of mind i travel with the battery charger and a power inverter in the car.

the cost of lenses - especially new pq and/or pqs are more expensive than the concurrent new hasselblad lenses. occasionally some of these show up on ebay at reduced prices. the 6002 accepts the older hft lenses (as well as the pq series) originally designed for the slx models 1 & 2 and those can be purchased pretty reasonably - by comparison.

regarding your choices, i'd say go with your feelings. either way, you are in for a pleasant surprise in terms of ergonoamics, dependability and ease of use.

happy trails,
kenneth

 

[smiling gecko]

6002, not 6008

6002, not 6008

i have a 6002, so i can't address the issue regarding your two choices.

i can address the battery issue. the key to enjoying life with a battery dependent camera takes a little forethought. i had one battery rebuilt by marflex years ago - pre-krimer, had another rebuilt by a local fix it shop and eventually bought a new spare. that keeps me "in the juice" for more rolls than i can expose in a day or two or more. for piece of mind i travel with the battery charger and a power inverter in the car.

the cost of lenses - especially new pq and/or pqs are more expensive than the concurrent new hasselblad lenses. occasionally some of these show up on ebay at reduced prices. the 6002 accepts the older hft lenses (as well as the pq series) originally designed for the slx models 1 & 2 and those can be purchased pretty reasonably - by comparison.

regarding your choices, i'd say go with your feelings. either way, you are in for a pleasant surprise in terms of ergonoamics, dependability and ease of use.

happy trails,
kenneth

 

[Mackinaw]

I used a Rollei 6003 for years for Natural Resource aerial photography. Ours had the 70mm back which we used with Kodak Aerochrome CIR film. We used both Zeiss 50mm and 80mm lenses. We also used it on the ground with both the 120 and 220 backs. All I can tell you is that the camera worked flawlessly at 10,000 feet or on the ground. Superb ergonomics, very easy to change backs and very reliable. Our batteries did require the occasional rebuild which we had done by a battery shop in Atlanta. Unfortunately Kodak no longer makes CIR film in 70mm so the camera is semi-retired. I have no problem in recommending it, or the 6008.

Jim B.

 

[djfiesta]

Excellent, loving the feedback.

Hopefully by the end of this week I'll decide if I want the Pro with dual kit, the integral with PQS, or Integral 2 with EL lens.

 

[djfiesta]

I ended up winning the auction on 'that' site, so hopefully I'll be seeing my new baby soon.

Thanks for all the opinions and advice guys.