Rollei 6000 lens question

MMfoto · Aug 15, 2025

I understand that Rollei 6000 cameras are considered unrepairable and possibly unrealiable due to their electronic PCB boards. But what about the PQ and PQ-S lenses? Are the lens shutters and aperture mechanisms reliable? I can't recall ever reading about someone trying to get one repaired, while there are countless threads about the bodies failing. The lenses seem to be purely electric, as apposed to electronic. Are the lenses generally safe to buy used if you have a working body?

Pieter12 · Aug 15, 2025

I have had a couple of lenses serviced, mostly CLA (sticky aperture blades if I recall). I have also had a couple of AF lenses need mechanical repairs--the toothed ring that turns the focus broke on both. I am sure about the "countless threads" about the 6000 series bodies failing, though. Mine have been pretty much bulletproof. The Hy6 is another story.

MMfoto · Aug 15, 2025

Pieter12 said:
"countless threads"

"...The Hy6 is another story."

No offense intended. I'm just thinking over the course of 20 years casually reading about them. Lots of people seeking repairs and not being able to find anyone to service them. Of course, you don't hear much from people with working bodies.

I have a working 6008 AF. Any advice to help keep it that way? I only intend to use it occasionally, and only with manual focus lenses.

Does the Hy6 system have a lot of problems?

abruzzi · Aug 16, 2025

I have bought one "Rolleigon" lens (a 50mm) that had mechanical issues and I had to return it. My camera came with an 80mm that was in very good shape and has worked without issues, and I also bought a 150mm that was cosmetically rough but has worked fine. That's not enough to make any kind of real determination, but thats my experience. Also, my lenses are older lense that work correctly with the SLX and 6006 camera, not the later lenses that work with the 6008 line, but I expect quality is similar on both.

koraks · Aug 16, 2025

MMfoto said:
purely electric, as apposed to electronic

What's the difference in your view? Only passive components vs both active and passive circuitry? This is just to clarify and out of general interest.

ic-racer · Aug 16, 2025

My SLX lenses (120S and 40mm Distagon) that I got in 1986 still work like new. Can't say I ever had a lens issue, other than inadvertently buying a broken lens from ebay.

Pieter12 · Aug 16, 2025

MMfoto said:
No offense intended. I'm just thinking over the course of 20 years casually reading about them. Lots of people seeking repairs and not being able to find anyone to service them. Of course, you don't hear much from people with working bodies.

I have a working 6008 AF. Any advice to help keep it that way? I only intend to use it occasionally, and only with manual focus lenses.

Does the Hy6 system have a lot of problems?

There never were many techs working on the 6000 cameras. Laflex in southern California stopped maybe 5 years ago because of the lack of parts, Paepke in Germany still works on them as does Dave Feely at Key Camera in Boulder. Once again, I am not aware of any more issues with the 6000 cameras than others, the three I have work fine since I got the first one in 2017. Your 6008AF should be good since it is the last model and would have any improvements incorporated. The main weakness for the 6000 cameras is the battery, but the original NiCad can be rebuilt using NiMH cells that work great.

The Hy6 is another story. A wonderful camera to use, more compact and lighter than the 6000. But since the factory has been fairly unresponsive for years--I believe they are belly-up now--the bodies can be impossible to repair if parts are needed. There weren't many made compared to the 6000 cameras so few donors are available. And in the U.S., only Key Camera will touch them and he gets a lot of cameras to repair (not just Hy6). My problems with the Hy6 have been with the film back and insert--light leaks, uneven frame spacing to the point of 1/4 frame overlaps, and finally a drive belt breaking. The film backs are rarer than hen's teeth, too.

MMfoto · Aug 16, 2025

koraks said:
What's the difference in your view? Only passive components vs both active and passive circuitry? This is just to clarify and out of general interest.

That's my thinking, yes. Also, possibly no microelectronics operating the shutter. I haven't looked into the construction of these lenses yet. But I'm wondering if there is a parrallel in the Pentax 67, which has a purely electric shutter that is incredibly reliable and repairable, whereas the electronics that control the shutter in something like a Contax 645 likely need to be replaced when they fail.

Pieter12 · Aug 16, 2025

MMfoto said:
That's my thinking, yes. Also, possibly no microelectronics operating the shutter. I haven't looked into the construction of these lenses yet. But I'm wondering if there is a parrallel in the Pentax 67, which has a purely electric shutter that is incredibly reliable and repairable, whereas the electronics that control the shutter in something like a Contax 645 likely need to be replaced when they fail.

If it is any help, here is a quote from a Rolleiflex 6008 system brochure:
"The diaphragm and shutter blades in the lens are driven by two linear motors and very precisely controlled and monitored in 1/3 increments by the camera’s microcomputer."

MMfoto · Aug 17, 2025

Pieter12 said:
If it is any help, here is a quote from a Rolleiflex 6008 system brochure:
"The diaphragm and shutter blades in the lens are driven by two linear motors and very precisely controlled and monitored in 1/3 increments by the camera’s microcomputer."

That does help. Thanks for posting this.

itsdoable · Aug 17, 2025

Stepper motors, especially linear ones, require electronics for control. The SLX lenses use 1970's linear motor technology, which require huge current spikes to move the aperture and shutter blades. A common issue was blowing the current control FET. They solved most of their early teething issues by upgrading the electronics, and most of the failures I've seen are from degrading plastic mechanical components. Which are probably more difficult to replace than the electronic components.

Rayt · Aug 17, 2025

Pieter12 said:
If it is any help, here is a quote from a Rolleiflex 6008 system brochure:
"The diaphragm and shutter blades in the lens are driven by two linear motors and very precisely controlled and monitored in 1/3 increments by the camera’s microcomputer."

Those two linear motors failed on my PQS 50mm f2.8 and the starting quote subject to inspection from Rollei Germany was 800 Euro. That was over 15 years ago. I didn’t repair the lens.

MMfoto · Aug 18, 2025

itsdoable said:
blowing the current control FET.

Is that component in the body or in the lens?

itsdoable · Aug 23, 2025

MMfoto said:
Is that component in the body or in the lens?

Both I think. But in the early versions, the body electronics failed more often, they handle more current and get more use.

Pieter12 · Aug 23, 2025

Rayt said:
Those two linear motors failed on my PQS 50mm f2.8 and the starting quote subject to inspection from Rollei Germany was 800 Euro. That was over 15 years ago. I didn’t repair the lens.

15 years ago, what was a new lens going for? Rollei 6000s were still in production, I'm sure it was a pretty penny.

itsdoable said:
Both I think. But in the early versions, the body electronics failed more often, they handle more current and get more use.

Is this the SLX or the later Rolleiflexes?

CJG · Aug 27, 2025

Don't these lens actually have fewer moving parts than say a Blad lens?

MMfoto · Sep 23, 2025

CJG said:
Don't these lens actually have fewer moving parts than say a Blad lens?

Absolutely, if we're counting all the moving parts in the mechanical shutter of a Hasselblad lens.

Pieter12 · Sep 23, 2025

itsdoable said:
Stepper motors, especially linear ones, require electronics for control. The SLX lenses use 1970's linear motor technology, which require huge current spikes to move the aperture and shutter blades. A common issue was blowing the current control FET. They solved most of their early teething issues by upgrading the electronics, and most of the failures I've seen are from degrading plastic mechanical components. Which are probably more difficult to replace than the electronic components.

I spoke with my Rollei tech recently who told me that some of the 6000 series lens shutters would freeze, leading to the circuit board in the body frying. One actually did start smoking. He suggested to regularly check the operation of the shutter and diaphragm, making sure they weren't sticking.

MMfoto · Monday at 4:51 PM

Pieter12 said:
I spoke with my Rollei tech recently who told me that some of the 6000 series lens shutters would freeze, leading to the circuit board in the body frying. One actually did start smoking. He suggested to regularly check the operation of the shutter and diaphragm, making sure they weren't sticking.

Yikes. That's very good to know.

Rollei 6000 lens question

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