Hasselblad or Rollie SL66, Please advise.

martinjames · Aug 9, 2013

Dan, since you are intrigued by the possibility of using alternative lenses the SL66 might well be the better choice for you after all. For me, I'm happy to use the standard OEM lenses so it's not an issue. I would mention that the first of my 2 SL66's (both were very early production, non-metered bodies) had to be serviced to correct a stuck focusing rack (in the fully extended position - naturally, while I was out hiking with the camera in a photo backpack!). Sent it to Harry Fleenor (Oceanside Camera in CA) and all was well from the on. I believe the focus mechanism in the Rollei is known to be a somewhat sensitive area so have it checked out.
A few interesting little SL66 mechanical details come to mind, by the way... very nice _sound_ when firing the camera (distinctive klunk sound... if you pay attention to that sort of thing)... the winding crank operates like the Rollei TLRs - wind forward, then back to arm (Hasselblad is single direction). And, when the film has run out the magazine winding knob pops out and has a nice ratcheting noise and feel when rotated, quite different from the Hasselblad. Oh, and there's the really nice machined, knurled edges to that knob and others on the body... nice stuff! I love my Hasselblads but if you go the SL66 route you will not be disappointed!

Mark Feldstein · Aug 9, 2013

Dan Quan said:
I am actually looking for input and deciding between a Rollie SL66 and a Hasselblad. Whatever input/advice you can offer will be weighed and . Thanks.

Greetings Dan !
As mentioned here frequently, they're both excellent pieces of equipment. I had a partner who was a huge fan of Rollei whereas I've always been a Hasselblad shooter. He tried to convert me over and over again. One Saturday afternoon we went to a place called Dover Photo in Dover, NJ close to Hasselblad when it was in Fairfield. A friend of ours from HP Marketing walked into the shop, HP at the time was the distributor for Rollei in the US. They ganged up on me both trying to convince me that Roillei was better than Hasselblad.

10 minutes after this argument started, the door to this shop opened up again and Skip Cohen who was President of Hasselblad America at the time, wandered in to join what had become like a cracker barrel discussion. NOW we had a full-blown argument cooking that lasted nearly an hour. But you know, no one prevailed over the other. Skip conceded The Rollei was a great camera whereas Bobby Saloman from HP agreed Hasselblad too was just as excellent.

I think the best advice for you at this point is find a place and either borrow or rent both of them with a lens of preference at the same focal length for both bodies. Learn the basics about them from the sales guy (or gal), score a bunch of film, black and white and color and then go shoot them for a weekend. See which one feels most comfortable to you to handle both ergonomically and pricewise. Maybe for kicks, check out current resale value and do some research on available and cost of accessories. I can also tell you that service for all my Hassie gear is readily available for CLA's and such at fairly affirdable rates. Don't know about the Rollei gear but you might check that out too but mechanically, I think both are quite reliable.

I could suggest to you in this quandary to buy one of each, but nah. I know how torn I was between a Hasselblad 500C at the time and a Minolta RZ67. Besides, as a Hasselblad user, I'm a certified shopping enabler and currently in treatment to stop doing what I can't help.

Whichever you choose, I hope you really enjoy it, use it in good health and please let us know how it turns out.
Mark

Mike Evangelist · Aug 9, 2013

I'm surprised no one has mentioned instant-return mirrors. Not all Hasselblads have them; the SL66 does. I always found finder blackout disruptive, especially when shooting events.

When I shot weddings with my SL66 (in the seventies), the combination of instant-return mirror and the unrivaled close-focusing capabilities were great. I also find the SL66 film magazines a lot easier/faster to load, although I'm sure I could get used to either.

Today I shoot for fun, and I find the SL66 a fantastic camera, either handheld or on a tripod. (although, if I could somehow rationalize the purchase, I'd probably go for a Rollei Hy6 instead. )

Mark Feldstein · Aug 9, 2013

Interesting point Mike. I guess if you need instant mirror return in a Hasselblad grab one with
motor drives are the way to go. I have a couple of 553 ELX bodies that I use mainly for portraits. I can see their advantage too for weddings and such. The full recycle time on a 553 ELX working even at slower shutter speeds is pretty fast to avoid taking my eye out of the viewfinder if I'm using it at the time.

I liked trying out the 6006 and the 6008 although I didn't have any great love for the handle on the right hand side. That struck me as being kind of flimsy if it got smacked and it might snap. But I don't know for sure. I suppose again, it really comes down to personal preference.
Mark

TheFlyingCamera · Aug 9, 2013

Don't forget the 2000 series Hasselblad bodies that had instant return mirrors and focal plane shutters, if you want to play around with odd lenses. They can be a lot cheaper than the Rolleiflex SL/SLX bodies, and for the most part they're newer with better parts supply. And they have a faster top shutter speed too! (1/2000th). I'm actually contemplating getting one and/or a Kiev 88 so I can play with weird lenses on the cheap (the Kiev fisheye is a super-bargain in comparison to the Hasselblad 30mm).

k.hendrik · Aug 9, 2013

TheFlyingCamera said:
I'm actually contemplating getting one and/or a Kiev 88 so I can play with weird lenses on the cheap (the Kiev fisheye is a super-bargain in comparison to the Hasselblad 30mm).

You've maybe a point there: buying a $ 1500/2000 camera and using a 0,25 ct. 'lens' in front of it to get a picture looks like crazy, on the other hand; when the fricking thing can handle it, why not ? Oh, and about the shutter; don't use these machines when silence is in order! I would love to have this noise as a wake up call on my cell phone: a booming voice "I'M MAKING PICTURES YOU KNOW!!" Handheld? easy; 2.8-1/30 and using a good strap.

Mark Feldstein · Aug 9, 2013

TheFlyingCamera said:
Don't forget the 2000 series Hasselblad bodies that had instant return mirrors and focal plane shutters, if you want to play around with odd lenses. They can be a lot cheaper than the Rolleiflex SL/SLX bodies, and for the most part they're newer with better parts supply. And they have a faster top shutter speed too! (1/2000th). I'm actually contemplating getting one and/or a Kiev 88 so I can play with weird lenses on the cheap (the Kiev fisheye is a super-bargain in comparison to the Hasselblad 30mm).

GREAT points ! I always forget about the 2000 series although once I almost accidentally bought a 2000 series lens to wear on a 500CM. Oops. Didn't know about their instant return mirror either. I've always been a bit hesitant on the Kiev knock-offs since I've heard stories about compatibility problems and accessories not quite fitting correctly.

Mark

john_s · Aug 9, 2013

I was a bit optimistic in my comment above about the degree to which the tilt can be used at infinity. Now that it has stopped raining here I have gone out and had another look. With the 80mm and 40mm lenses (all I have here ) you can use at least 4deg of down tilt and get infinity subjects in focus in the top section of the frame,maybe a bit more. Sometimes a bit of juggling is needed, but it's definitely useful. This is enough for convincing near/far landscape work.

Also i've seem some portraits where tilt has been used to accentuate out of focus areas infront of and behind the subject, something i will try soon..

martinjames · Aug 10, 2013

k.hendrik said:
You've maybe a point there: buying a $ 1500/2000 camera and using a 0,25 ct. 'lens' in front of it to get a picture looks like crazy, on the other hand; when the fricking thing can handle it, why not ? Oh, and about the shutter; don't use these machines when silence is in order! I would love to have this noise as a wake up call on my cell phone: a booming voice "I'M MAKING PICTURES YOU KNOW!!" Handheld? easy; 2.8-1/30 and using a good strap.

"I'M MAKING PICTURES YOU KNOW!!" - Now my standard utterance while slinging my 'blad around in a wild, irresponsible manner! Followed by a hearty "GODDAMMIT!"

Yes, all these (Hasselblad, Kiev, SL66, etc) are somewhat shockingly noisy, especially when you also are familiar with the quiet of Rollei TLR, Leica M etc. But I love them, still...

Slixtiesix · Aug 10, 2013

I find the sound of the SL66 somewhat softer and more damped compared to the Hasselblad 500 series. Like many said, if you mainly want to adapt lenses from other manufactures. the Rollei is the way to go.

deisenlord · Aug 10, 2013

Don't forget with the blad 200 or 200 series you need to deal with focus for your lens. Great option if you can rig a focus mechanism as the amount of blad stuff is much greater than rollei.

Here's a shot with my the verito on my SL66.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Dan Quan · Aug 11, 2013

I am really grateful for the helpful, or actually REALLY HELPFUL input. Thank you all sooo much!

c6h6o3 · Aug 11, 2013

The ergonomics of the Hasselblad allow me to shoot an entire roll without taking the camera with the prism finder mounted from my eye. I hold the camera in my left hand, release the shutter with my left index finger, focus and wind the camera with my right hand. With the focusing knob on the left side of the camera body rather than on the lens, I find focusing very clumsy with the twin lens Rolleis that I've used. I've never used an SL66, but the focusing knob is also on the left side of that camera.

If you're going to be doing a lot of hand held shooting such as for environmental portraits or weddings (does anybody shoot film at weddings anymore?) I'd recommend the 'blad. If you're going to do a lot of tripod mounted landscape or still life photography, I think I'd rather have the swings and tilts of the Rollei.

Unless you consider the Schneider lenses for the Rollei significantly superior to the Zeiss lenses used on both cameras, the lens quality consideration is really a wash.

Richard S. (rich815) · Aug 11, 2013

The hand grip accessory for the SL66 is wonderfully ergonomic IMHO, very comfortable to hold, makes the camera with either the 80 or 150 lenses very well-balanced, and makes a world of difference vs using it handheld by itself. Makes focusing and firing off the shutter (integrated into the handle) easy as pie. The SL66 foot slides perfectly into the holder too.

Dan Quan · Sep 1, 2013

I was looking at this but I wasn't sure about it.

RalphLambrecht · Sep 1, 2013

don't forget the Mamiya6.ah just forget it all and go for the bad. you cannot go wrong and always trade it in again.i's a complete system with gear for all possible situations.

Dan Quan · Sep 1, 2013

Yes, I actually considered several different Mamiya cameras including the 6, along with the Fuji GX 680III, Pentax 67, Hasselblad and others including a Bessa rangefinder. While I would like a larger rectangular exposure area I think I'll try the Rollei and see if it fits me.

RalphLambrecht · Sep 2, 2013

I have tried the Fuji6x9but was disappointedin both, camera and optics. On the other hand,the optical quality of the Mamiya 6 and it's lenses justblew me away.Carl Zeiss step aside;there is a new champion in town.

TheToadMen · Sep 2, 2013

RalphLambrecht said:
I have tried the Fuji6x9but was disappointedin both, camera and optics. On the other hand,the optical quality of the Mamiya 6 and it's lenses justblew me away.Carl Zeiss step aside;there is a new champion in town.

Hi Ralph,
Did you also use the Bronica SQ lenses? If so, how would you compare these to the SL66 and the Mamiya 6?

RalphLambrecht · Sep 3, 2013

TheToadMen said:
Hi Ralph,
Did you also use the Bronica SQ lenses? If so, how would you compare these to the SL66 and the Mamiya 6?

YesI did use Bronica lenses,but Mamiya6 (or7)lenses are hard to beat. I my opinion,Bronica lenses are very solid performers, well worth the moneyand fully fit for professional work.

elekm · Sep 3, 2013

If you plan to shoot handheld, there is a grip/bracket for the Rolleiflex SL66, which provides for a more stable shooting platform. The SL66 is a sizable camera.

Some accessories from the SLX can used with the SL66, such as the compendium lens shade and even the 45-degree angle prism.

I haven't used a Hasselblad, so I can't provide any comments on it.

The Zeiss lenses for the SL66 are excellent. The early ones are single coated, I believe, so a lens shade is a wise accessory ... and in fact is always a wise accessory to own.

naaldvoerder · Sep 3, 2013

I think the image frame from a SL66 is slightly bigger (5,8x5,8 cm) compared to the Hassy image frame (5,5x5,5 cm). You might want to check wether your enlarger can cope with this.

Richard S. (rich815) · Sep 4, 2013

naaldvoerder said:
I think the image frame from a SL66 is slightly bigger (5,8x5,8 cm) compared to the Hassy image frame (5,5x5,5 cm). You might want to check wether your enlarger can cope with this.

You are correct.

TheToadMen · Sep 4, 2013

naaldvoerder said:
I think the image frame from a SL66 is slightly bigger (5,8x5,8 cm) compared to the Hassy image frame (5,5x5,5 cm). You might want to check wether your enlarger can cope with this.

Since it's the same 120 roll film, it will fit in the enlarger, it might give some small cropping. But with my enlarger I can also print the numbers & letters on the side of the film so there's no problem.

Dan Quan · Sep 9, 2013

k.hendrik said:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77846450@N00/9468708238/sizes/z/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77846450@N00/9468708302/sizes/z/in/photostream/

It took me 3 years to get this immaculate SL66SE with a 80mm; so be patient and a happy search

gandolfi said:
Dan: VERY good arguements here...

I have both systems - never ever use the hasselblad.... (I think it is much harder to work with - and I love how easy it is to focus the SL.. even hand held!)

So not so many words from me - just an image showing a very modern lens arrangement... and two resusts - one with a meniscus type landscape lens - the other using a small Busch Ki Petzval lens...

How do you guys meter when you do oddball things like this, TTL, Polaroid?

Hasselblad or Rollie SL66, Please advise.

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