Rollei 6008AF autofocus quality

[pollux]

hello, I have a mamiya C330 and definately like medium format. I have explored several systems to opt for. Is the autofocus on the Rollei good, or is it pretty poor and inaccurate as some people have written on the web? If the AF is poor, or even counter intuitive focusing on the wrong thing, then I will get the Mamiya RZ, as the advantage of the Rollei is negated.

 

[TimVermont]

I think you may have to look at the idea of advantage more closely. Unlike miniature film AF cameras that eliminated focusing aids, you still have the excellent Rollei High-D focusing screens, so manual focus is unimpaired. I find manual focus Schneider lenses in combination with the AF focus indicator on the Rollei a joy to use, and very, very accurate. I have tried only one AF Schneider and didn't care for it as it seemed to take a long time to "settle" into focus, with some back and forth. However, this was very early, at the introduction of the 6008AF, so their may be subsequent improvements. My advice is try before you buy.

 

[Ektagraphic]

How do you like the C330. I'd love to pick one up. I shot my first roll of MF today and I am in LOVE with it already. I haven't even made any prints yet! I just love my super ricohflex.

 

[pollux]

Providing the PQS lenses have manual focus override, then this would be useful as you could have the best of both worlds. i.e you twist the lens and the camera surrenders AF.

 

[DanielStone]

the 2nd thing you'll have to consider is ease of repairs

not many repair shops are rollei-certified, and I don't think that F&H are taking cameras for repair, IIRC. please let me know if I'm wrong.

otherwise, I use an RZ II, and its great! I realized, after looking at the 6008's and Hasselblads that if I want a square image, I can always crop it out of the rectangle I started with. I like to print full frame on 8x10, so the 6x7 worked out perfectly, since that was what it was designed in that format for from the start.

but as stated above, definitely try before you buy.

oh.... just remembered, the rechargeable batteries for the 6008's can be a little hard to come by. the RZ takes a px28l, which any good camera shop(or Radioshack) carries all the time. always good to keep one or two spares in the bag though.

best of luck!

-Dan

 

[pollux]

I downloaded a Rollei 6008 manual. There is a manual focus setting, can this dial setting be used for AF lenses too? It's nice to know the AF is there, however would be good to use as a manual camera also, due to changing lighting conditions.

What is the dial focusing like on the RZ? Would it be fast enough for street work, stopping down and using high ISO film? Is the Rollei better in this respect?

Regarding the batteries, an after market pack can be bought from china with 1600mA cells.

 

[pollux]

a photographer in canada responded by email to me. he said the 6008af can be overridden, however are you basically fighting the motor of the autofocus (as it's in the lens) and harming the lens? or when you switch it to manual focus does this switch the motor off, leaving you free to twist. I say this becuase the camera might make a better street shooter than the mamiya. however if i can focus well with the mamiya and weight is not an issue, then i prefer this. it's not possible for me to rent a mamiya RZ without buying the camera on credit as insurance, if i should run off with it. is the dial focus generally smooth? i would photo everything with it, as i don't mind the weight, and it is lighter than the RB. the rollei is of course great for candid shots, however as the parent company has folded, it will be EXTREMELY difficult to get this serviced. this is putting me off now. the pentax 67II is not an option for me, as the uk light does not make it an all round shooter and the loud shutter just slams the lid on that. i know with a leaf shutter, i will get less shutter shake. the Pentax lenses are faster, however the big shutter just cripples it for candids. I lack the skill imo, to get good results out of it handheld.

 

[Jeff L]

I find my RZ very easy to focus quickly and accurately. There's a little lever on the left side of the camera that allows you to adjust focusing knob tension(?). You can make turning the knob very loose and easy or tighten it to locked. Great camera, very sharp images but a big camera, not smallish like a Blad. I have the AE prism finder that makes using the camera a breeze when you may not have a lot of time in changing light. It's auto exposure is accurate.