Rollei 6008 250/5.6 focusing screen question

aca91 · Feb 23, 2014

Hello Apug,

I recently bought a lens, a 250 f/5,6 HFT for my Rollei 6008 Integral. I haven't tested it yet, but something doesn't seem normal. When I see through the screen I see a shadow, like a straight line of no image, on the top edge. It is like 4mm wide. A friend of mine got a Hasselblad with the same lens a couple of weeks ago and I saw the same thing, but I didn't say anything. It seems odd, any ideas?

Thank you for your time.

DanielStone · Feb 23, 2014

Sounds like Hasselblad's mechanical vignetting issue on their earlier bodies(500C,500CM,503CX,CXi, 500elm/elx)
Hasselblad redesigned their later(mid/late 80's and beyond) bodies(501CM,503CW,553ELX,55ELD, etc.) to accommodate this issue. They put a bigger mirror into those later-model bodies. I wasn't aware that Rollei didn't rectify this seeing that Hasselblad did in fact change, but it seems(according to your post) that this sounds like it's the case(unless your friend has a 501CM, 503CW, etc.(a model with that larger mirror))

Anyhow, shoot away. It's not going to affect the film itself, just what you see in the viewfinder. Of course if you compose right out into the corners to maximize frame space, then you might be buggered.

-Dan

aca91 · Feb 23, 2014

Thank you Daniel, indeed my friend has a 500c, but it seems very strange that my camera, which is from the 90's, has the same problem. I'm trying to find more information about it but can't find any. I bought the lens used but it's in perfect condition, it has no scratches whatsoever, so I don't think the problem lies there. The body of my camera is a little bit tested in comparison, but is still in optimal shape and the mirror is where it should be, and I haven't heard of different mirror sizes for the Rollei bodies.

tnabbott · Feb 24, 2014

I don't think it should happen. You might want to get the lens/camera body combo checked out. Does the shutter fire properly?

aca91 · Feb 24, 2014

Yes, the shutter seems to be ok

John Koehrer · Feb 24, 2014

DanielStone said:
Sounds like Hasselblad's mechanical vignetting issue on their earlier bodies(500C,500CM,503CX,CXi, 500elm/elx)
Hasselblad redesigned their later(mid/late 80's and beyond) bodies(501CM,503CW,553ELX,55ELD, etc.) to accommodate this issue. They put a bigger mirror into those later-model bodies. I wasn't aware that Rollei didn't rectify this seeing that Hasselblad did in fact change, but it seems(according to your post) that this sounds like it's the case(unless your friend has a 501CM, 503CW, etc.(a model with that larger mirror))

Anyhow, shoot away. It's not going to affect the film itself, just what you see in the viewfinder. Of course if you compose right out into the corners to maximize frame space, then you might be buggered.

-Dan

+1
It does seem a bit short sighted of the designers but yes, the mirror is too short and does cut off the image.

aca91 · Feb 25, 2014

Thank you all, do you know if the integral 2 body had this issue solved? I had no idea about it before, nor have I read something similar from any Rollei 6000 users, some one has had this experience before with their own Rollei system?

TimVermont · Feb 26, 2014

I'm a long-time Rollei user, but don't have a 250. I checked my 300 and 180mm lenses on a 6008AF and 6003 SRC 1000 bodies and they do not vignette. I would take the lens and film magazine off and fire the body to make sure the mirror returns to the fully down position, also cycle the mirror-up switch and fire. Then check that the view screen is perfectly seated. Also check the rear of the lens to be certain everything is tight. Then re-mount the lens and check the view using only the waist-level finder, no prism. Good luck!

aca91 · Feb 26, 2014

Thank you Tim. I did what you told me. The screen is where it should be. The mirror... well, it is confusing, because the mirror can go a little bit down from the position in which it consistently is: If I apply some pressure, the mirror gets down like 4mm, but it returns to where it was (I think there is a spring, the mirror is where it should apparently but it can go down a little further). What should I do? Is there an adjustment bolt or something that i'm missing? I suppose that this problem would get worst with a longer lens, as the 300. I don't have a prism, just in case.

TimVermont · Feb 27, 2014

Hi ACA,

Let me look at my equipment again tonight to see if I can think of anything else to check. It may be unique to that lens design, but wi the large tapered mirror in a Rollei seems unlikely. Hopefully someone with the same Zeiss 250 in Rollei mount will comment.

TimVermont · Feb 28, 2014

I can confirm that my mirrors have the same small amount of "spring" when fully down. I have no further suggestions for troubleshooting.

Perhaps DHW Rollei service can answer if the 250 vignettes due to design: m.brauner [at] dhw-‐fototechnik.de

Rollei 6008 250/5.6 focusing screen question

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