Rollei 600x ?

[abruzzi]

So I had pretty much conquered an medium format GAS I had. Quite happy with the ETRSi and the GS-1. Fortunately I don't have GAS for things I can't afford. Then I saw on the classifieds here that someone sold a Rolle 6008 SRC1000 kist with 80mm lens for under $600, and still had a couple lenses for $280 and $350.

I searched eBay, and all the 6008s, both the SRC 1000 and the integral were in the $1200-$5000 with a single lens, WLF and back. So is the $550 an anomaly that I won't see repeated, or are the current eBay listing just a bunch of high rollers hoping someone bites at an excessive price?

The reason for my question, and the source of some theoretical GAS, is I much prefer WLFs over prisms on medium format cameras. I have metering prisms for my GS-1 and ETRSi, but I never use them because I prefer the ergonomics of the WLF. But at the same time, for convenience, sometimes I'd love to have TTL metering on a medium format SLR. For that, with a WLF, there are very few cameras--some Hasselblad I'll never afford (203 I think), the Bronica EC-TL, and the Rolleis. I may try the Bronica (given that I love my other Bronicas), but their age and a general lack of maintenance options (combined with a pretty complex design) make me worry about investing too much in one. The Hasselblad seems to no-longer be supported by anyone either (and despite that, out of my budget), but the Rollei, if I could afford it, seems both modern in design, newer than the Bronica, and seems to still have some support. If $550 is a real world price, I may want one.

Any general comments on these cameras, reliability, price, etc. are welcome.

The Photrio classified:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/rolleiflex-6008-kit-lenses-viewfinder.172382/

 

[itsdoable]

Ha! I had seriously GAS for a 600x (ie: 6003), but never followed through. Bright waist level finder with a meter and AE, etc... was really attractive. Motor drive not so much, but I could live with that.

Batteries were an issue, but I figured I'd manufacture a Lithium-Ion replacement.

They are big, the 6003 with the fixed back was the most compact.

Due to the heavy current draw on those linear motors, they did have issues with burnt-out controllers and electronics, but I could live with that too. The later ones often improved on the electrical robustness. If I had seen that ad last month, I might be a little poorer...

 

[Arthurwg]

I had a 6008 Integral for a while. Beautiful camera, took great pictures and was easy to use. But something about it made me nervous. Too much plastic? Too complicated? It seemed fragile, although it gave no actual indication of that. It had cost a great deal of money, and that worried me as well. So I sold it and moved on to the Hasselblad V system. Primitive by comparison, but somehow comforting in its sheer physical presence and mechanical feel.

 

[Pieter12]

I shoot regularly with a Rollei 6008 Integral. It is an absolutely delightful camera, but if anything goes wrong with it there is just one repair shop here in the States. The Zeiss and Schneider optics are first-rate, the ergonomics and function of the camera are second to none. Granted, it is heavy due to the built-in motor drive and battery, but it sits comfortably in hand. The film backs don't suffer from light leaks, the dark slide is built-in, the light meter is independent of the finder. If you are shopping for one I would suggest a 6008 Integral or Integral 2. The later models are more refined and possibly more durable. there is also an AF model, but that's another beast. I have used (and own) a Hasselblad, and the Rollei is by far a nicer and less finicky camera to shoot with. The bodies are reasonably priced, but lenses and backs (stay away from the 220 back--it doesn't take 120) can be pricey. The original NiCad battery by now has a very short life, but there are still NiMH cells available for a rebuild. One guy in Canada makes a Lithium battery for the Rollei, but I have had poor experience with it.

 

[abruzzi]

Thanks for the comments. I just noticed that KEH has a bargain grade 6006 with 120 back, waist level finder, battery and charger for $250. Looking at things, it seems like the 6006 was basically the predecessor to the 6008–it has the removable back and meter. I’m hesitant on that one because if I got one I’d like it to be a bit newer like a 6008 SRC 1000 or integral, but because it would likely have less usage, and since the 6006 seems to have been the first model of the whole line (except the SLX which seems to be a very different beast) I worry that it would be potentially less reliable.

 

[GarageBoy]

Early slx bodies were a bit unreliable

They're a great camera to use, the built in meter is very useful and the screens are nice to focus on

The Canadian lithium ion battery is just 3 14500 3.7-4.2 v cells in a 3d printed holder...

 

[ic-racer]

Very early SLX may have been unreliable, I don't know. I have never even seen one and you may never see on either. Especially if they were indeed unreliable you won't see one. My later 1970s SLX worked great for many, many years.
These very early ones have the sliver area on the right side around the on- off switch:

 

[ic-racer]

Currently my main rollfilm camera is a Rollei 6008i. I run it from 3cell lipo batteries. They will go over a year without needing re-charge.

 

[lantau]

My first SLX ist the silver version. Then I bought another black (Generation II) one in a large set, which was quite a steal. I started looking for one just in case the original one would ever follow its reputation, however, the older one is more reliable. The newer has, what seems to be a known bug. It continuously draws current, emptying the battery eventually. This cannot be fixed. The good thing about the Rolleis is that the battery has no cover. You can just pull it out and push it in because they have no manual lock. The design locks when pushed in, and when pulling that tab at the bottom to get it out it is unlocked. It's as good as a main switch.

On my Gen I model I did shear off the power switch. A real stupidity on my side, although it is a slightly weak design. With strong force in a certain, unlikely direction you break it out. The camera still works, leaving the contact in the on position all the time. It makes no real difference. I have that ugly hole, however.

I read a comment from the early 90s in a German language news group: All the SLX still around have had the problem fixed by having been serviced. I.e. have their circuit boards exchanged. But I guess if you are unlucky enough to buy one that has always been owned by a private photographer that might not have happened. A working photography would have that money making tool fixed, whether Rollei did charge for that or not.

My newer SLX came from an estate sale, according to the eBay description. I'd wager on a well off physician or lawyer or similar. Lots of accessories, but only the 80mm lens. There is a teleconverter instead.

 

[ic-racer]

Sometime around 1988 I broke the preview button on my SLX, just in front of the on-off switch. When getting that fixed they did upgraded the circuit board. That SLX was still functioning perfectly when I traded it in on the 6008i. I hope it is out there being used still.

 

[film_man]

I had a 6003SRC1000 and a 6008 for a while. Great cameras, they really are very nice to use. The glass is great. But in the end the 6008 died and it was not repairable. Also the issue is the batteries, you'll need to recell them for sure but my main problem was that the chargers for both cameras were crap and I just never knew if they charged right or if the batteries were gone (even though I recelled them).

 

[Pieter12]

Te batteries work great with a decent aftermarket charger like the Tenergy charger. I use one for both recalled NiMH and the original NiCads.

 

[JWMster]

I have a 6008 kit that I can't say I use much at all anymore (4 lenses, 3 or 4 back, 2 bodies). Not sure I'm ready to part with it though I am thinking about it. Nice kit... and everyone says it's a sweet camera compared to a Hassy (which I don't own btw). For MF I found the heft a bit more than I bargained on.... and so tend to shoot a Rolleiflex TLR with all the filters and close-up lenses... which lets face it... is a rangefinder and quiet as a mouse. Best 6008 Integral I found was on German eBay. But there is a US dealer and he is very helpful. And FWIW, I thought I read that someone recently started building some "new" 6008's from the remaining parts inventory. When the kit works.... it's amazing. In all fairness, the backs are expensive and can be finicky (translation: eat film) and once damaged, there's not much you can do.

 

[Pieter12]

I have a 6008 kit that I can't say I use much at all anymore (4 lenses, 3 or 4 back, 2 bodies). Not sure I'm ready to part with it though I am thinking about it. Nice kit... and everyone says it's a sweet camera compared to a Hassy (which I don't own btw). For MF I found the heft a bit more than I bargained on.... and so tend to shoot a Rolleiflex TLR with all the filters and close-up lenses... which lets face it... is a rangefinder and quiet as a mouse. Best 6008 Integral I found was on German eBay. But there is a US dealer and he is very helpful. And FWIW, I thought I read that someone recently started building some "new" 6008's from the remaining parts inventory. When the kit works.... it's amazing. In all fairness, the backs are expensive and can be finicky (translation: eat film) and once damaged, there's not much you can do.

I'd love to know if and when you put your gear up for sale. I'm always on the lookout for a spare 6008i body and back.

 

[JWMster]

Noted! Thank you for saying so. Will do.

FWIW, I'm feeling over-camera-ed these days. Don't have time to keep everything shooting, cleaned, working, and film processed. Too many requirements suggest I should dispose of something... and at the moment, I'm waiting on Negative Solutions to come up with their 120 scanning jig and don't want to grind away on the aging Nikon LS8000... so it's either 35mm or 4X5... and I am really loving the latter as a Landscape experience. There's a niche for everything, and you just have to figure where it fits.

 

[abruzzi]

Noted! Thank you for saying so. Will do.

Yeah, I haven't figured whether I want to go down this rabbit hole, but let me know as well if you decide to sell.

 

[film_man]

Te batteries work great with a decent aftermarket charger like the Tenergy charger. I use one for both recalled NiMH and the original NiCads.

Yeah I got one of those too but at that point it was all just getting too much with wires sticking out and all that, it is just too much effort really and not very portable for travel. I even dropped £150 on a lithium whatever replacement from some dude on ebay that arrived half dead but eventually had to eat that cost too as the camera died completely...

 

[johnha]

Back in the day I was seriously looking at a 6001 (base model), even then the reliance on OEM NiCds put me off. My experience with NiCds generally is they always need charging before use (they always seemed to 'self discharge' if not used continually). Compared to a 4LR44 other cameras used, it seemed to much hassle.

I was, however, really interested that you could take the 6x4.5 back off and reorientate it vertically.