Rollei 6003

film_man · Oct 8, 2014

Hello!

I'm thinking of getting myself a Rollei. I already have a Hasselblad 501CM but would just like to try a Rollei too. I had a look and the 6003 seems to fit the bill, the most modern you can get before getting into 6008 money. Is there something in particular I need to look out for, like certain models, lenses, combinations, etc. I'd like to get a 90deg prism for it as well, is there one (I can only find 45deg ones). Also what do people do with the batteries and is there an adapter that uses other battery types (like a 2CRP adapter for the Hasselblad EL series)?

Thanks for the info!

Mackinaw · Oct 8, 2014

I used a Rollei 6003 for many years back in the 1990's. I worked for a natural resource firm and photographed, from the air, forest land found in northern Michigan. We used a 6003, a 70mm back, and several hundred feet of Kodak CIR film (infrared). The plane we used, a Cessna, had a hole cut in the belly pan so the camera would point straight town. A nice setup.

The only drawback to the camera was its batteries. The NiCads we used were not at all reliable (because of the memory effect) and we eventually jury-rigged something that would allow us to draw current from the plane. Other than that, the 6003 was/is a great camera. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one used, if I was in the market for a medium format camera.

Rollei now offers Nickel Metal Hydride batteries for the 6000 series cameras. NiMh are much better than the old NiCads. No memory effect. If you do buy 6003, I suggest dumping the NiCad batteries and going to the NiMh variety.

Hope this helps.

Jim B.

John Koehrer · Oct 8, 2014

Same Zeiss lenses and a more limited selection in the Rollei mount.

Mackinaw · Oct 8, 2014

But Rollei also offered a good assortment of Schneider lenses. The 80/2.0 is one that is in high demand, even today.

Jim B.

ruby.monkey · Oct 8, 2014

... and the 180mm f/2.8 PQ is simply gorgeous. Plus the SRC 1000 version gives you access to PQS lenses (with 1/1000s top shutter speed).

The Rolleiflex is very easy to load, handles well, and has a pretty nice viewfinder; downsides are that it's bulkier and heavier than the Hasselblad; and while the mirror isn't *that* loud, the motor wind will make passers-by dive for cover.

film_man · Oct 8, 2014

I had a 500ELX so the Rollei is just as big and heavy and noisy I guess. The reason I'm looking for one is that I prefer the handling of the ELX vs the 501CM but the Rollei is cheaper, can have a proper right-hand grip and all the exposure modes/metering and can do 1/1000 with the right lens?

johnha · Oct 8, 2014

Mackinaw said:
Rollei now offers Nickel Metal Hydride batteries for the 6000 series cameras. NiMh are much better than the old NiCads. No memory effect. If you do buy 6003, I suggest dumping the NiCad batteries and going to the NiMh variety.

The Nicad battery was the main reason I didn't buy one back in the '90s. I particularly liked the 'revolving' 6x4.5 back (it didn't revolve but you could put the insert in either in landscape or portrait orientations IIRC).

ic-racer · Oct 8, 2014

I have been using a 6000 series Rollie since the early 1980s. I recently upgraded to a 6008i (shown in the picture with the "SLX" prism). Great cameras. The differences between the models are small. Plenty of lenses out there. The 90 prism works well with the handgrip that fits below the camera. The 45 prism works best with the side handgrip.

film_man · Oct 9, 2014

Soooo...just got myself a 6003 SRC 1000 with a 80 PQS lens. Even had a re-celled NiMH battery. So we'll see if I like it or not, if it gets here by tomorrow I'll even get to play with it on a trip next week.

Can I use the normal charger or do I need to buy another one? And do I need to keep an eye on the charger...don't want any nasty fires/explosions...

Mackinaw · Oct 9, 2014

I bought an old 6006 several years back (I wasn't in the market for a medium-format camera, but I couldn't resist the price). I re-celled an old NiCad to NiMh last year. The new battery charges in the standard charger. The battery can get very warm during the charging process, but with will no ill-effects. It is nice to have a battery that can power the camera for hours and hours (at least it seems that way).

Jim B.

film_man · Oct 22, 2014

Got the camera yesterday...what can I say, wow. It is really smooth to operate, much nicer than the Hassy. It is refreshing actually to use it. The instant mirror return is great, the meter, even the sound it makes. Miles better than the clunky 500ELX I had. The only little issue is the screen which is quite a bit darker but I guess if I do end up liking and keeping the Rollei I'll just get a Maxwell screen for it. I've got a grip in the post for it, that should make it even nicer to use.

The main objection is that it does look ugly next to the Hassy...well you can't have everything.

Rollei 6003

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