Rolleiflex SLX/6000 series users past and present?

[GarageBoy]

Digging through my dad's camera closet and found that he has a few 80 2.8 Planars that are SLX mount
Sadly, the cameras were long dead

So, Rolleiflex users past and present, how was the system? One would think that the bodies would not be so hard to find, but they are...

 

[Mackinaw]

I picked up a used Rollei 6006 for a pittance several years back and use the camera whenever I feel like shooting medium format. A very well engineered camera system, top-notch in every way. And you have to love the Zeiss and Schneider lenses. The only negative (excuse the bad pun) is that the camera is battery powered. If the batteries go south, goodbye camera. I recently dumped the NiCd’s that came with the camera in favor of more-modern NiMh batteries. What a difference! Plenty of juice and the batteries go forever before they need to be charged. I’ll be shooting with this camera as long as they make 120 film.

Jim B.

 

[ruby.monkey]

One of the easiest-to-load rollfilm cameras ever. Having both TTL metering and a waist-level finder is a real bonus.

 

[z.bruce.li]

I use a SLX with 80/2.8 and they are quite advanced in terms of medium format camera. The battery might be the only thing that is dead. You can find on eBay replacement cells for SLX/6000 series and resurrect the battery. The lenses are every bit as good as a Bassy system, cheaper, and with some AE and moor drive capability built in. The ergonomics is OK.

 

[Noserider]

I love my 6008i; got it new in 2000 and shot hundreds of rolls thru it in the first few years. Had the batteries die and after a few years of it sitting I rebuilt one battery with Ni-Mh and now I do about 2-3 rolls a month thru it. I have a few shots posted at my blog at four-silver-atoms dot com and the Rollei 6008i is tagged so you can find my shots.

 

[Snowbuzz]

After using the 6000 system since the late 90s multiple failures of my 6008i2 and 6008AF convinced me to sell off the system. I now use a Technika and Pentax 67 for medium format. The good news is that DHW Fototechnik in Germany is fully capable of repairing these cameras and the 6008AF and Hy6 are still produced in limited quantities last I heard. Just be prepared for those prices - for repairs and otherwise.

 

[truefriendship]

You are right - Fototechnik quoted 350 euros to to repair my 6003 Pro. So I had a little dig around, and I'm pretty sure it's the release solenoid. I'm awaiting an invoice from them for the solenoid and transistor + shipping, and I'll have a go myself. At around 1/10th the cost, it's worth the risk.

Rollei 6003 Mirror Solenoid by rifftastic, on Flickr