Rollei Rolleiflex SLX in 2024 - WTB but should I?

[abruzzi]

They are fun cameras, but they are heavy. I have one, then upgraded to a 6006 to get removable backs. They're fun to use, and I like that you get auto exposure with a WLF.

 

[RezaLoghme]

It has indeed! That is what attracted me to it in the first place.
Although...how "giantic" is it...6x6 or larger?

 

[Arthurwg]

I had a 6008i at one time. Fantastic camera, wonderful pictures. But somehow it made me nervous. Too high tech, too much plastic, too complex. That's when I moved on to Hasselblad. These days, if I wanted movements like the SL66, I would look for a Flexbody. But those are very difficult to find with all the (7) components, and rather expensive.

 

[Slixtiesix]

Regardless of the SLX qualities, of which I do not have first hand account, I do not see the reason to switch if you already own an extensive Hasselblad V-kit. If motorized film transport is the reason, just add an ELX/ELD to your collection. Otherwise you need to invest a lot of effort and money to replace your Hasselblad with another 6x6 SLR system that is pretty similar and even uses the same lenses, if only with a different mount.

 

[amokphoto]

Hi,

a Rolleiflex SLX (2nd version, with the wonderful Planar 80mm) was my first mf camera in 1988, still use it... would buy one again.
Meter workes great.
No problems with electronics.
It was two times send for service -
first to solve an issue with film flatness (esp. on thin TP film), then to exchange the battery pack.
The camera is quite heavy (compared with a 500 CM) and so is the mirror flap - I would give it a MR 120 or MRC 120 cable release to get a mirror lock-up.

Best
Jens

Hey
What is the solution with the problem of the „film flatness”?

I’ve got mine slx and need to check my photometer becouse white arrow works only on these times when I check camera for the sunny day on the sky…
When I check on my home on these times change the correct f to 5.6-8 etc and white arrow working ok
Asa f. Time
100 f22 1/2
200 f22 1/4
400 f22 f1/8
800 f22 1/15
1600 f22 1/30
3200 f22 1/60
6400 f22 1/125

But when I change the knob to 1/500 and press the button white arrow not working and showing f2.8 only the same as sunny day
It is normal? Yours cameras (white arrow) works on 1/250 1/500 on the full sunnynday on asa 100 or 200?

 

[JensH]

Hey

Hi!

What is the solution with the problem of the „film flatness”?

They replaced the film gate, saying the old one was broken. This was at Rollei, Braunschweig in 1997...

I’ve got mine slx and need to check my photometer becouse white arrow works only on these times when I check camera for the sunny day on the sky…
When I check on my home on these times change the correct f to 5.6-8 etc and white arrow working ok
Asa f. Time
100 f22 1/2
200 f22 1/4
400 f22 f1/8
800 f22 1/15
1600 f22 1/30
3200 f22 1/60
6400 f22 1/125

But when I change the knob to 1/500 and press the button white arrow not working and showing f2.8 only the same as sunny day
It is normal? Yours cameras (white arrow) works on 1/250 1/500 on the full sunnynday on asa 100 or 200?

No problems here as long I'm not out of the metering range (when the white indicator next to the shutter speed knob turns red).
A 1/250s or 1/500 in the sun at 100 - 200 ASA is not extreme... I will check anyway the next days.

Best
Jens

 

[amokphoto]

Hi!

They replaced the film gate, saying the old one was broken. This was at Rollei, Braunschweig in 1997...


No problems here as long I'm not out of the metering range (when the white indicator next to the shutter speed knob turns red).
A 1/250s or 1/500 in the sun at 100 - 200 ASA is not extreme... I will check anyway the next days.

Best
Jens

My red window on the time knob not working
I think it’s not a big problem and I still can use the camera without it
But my question is…
When you have on time knob 1/250 or 1/500, asa 100 or 200 and point on the sky on the day the indicator ON THE LENS working? and you have situation like aperture change to f11 / f8 / f5.6 or still is on 2.8 only ?
Becouse mine on these settings shows only 2.8 (in my opinion it’s weird becouse I think on asa 100 or 200 on sunnyday at 1/500 aperture should be like around f5.6 or something)
But maybe I’m wrong…
I bought slx one week ago, really love this camera but maybe I don’t understand how it works (the Automatic mode)

 

[JensH]

My red window on the time knob not working
I think it’s not a big problem and I still can use the camera without it
But my question is…
When you have on time knob 1/250 or 1/500, asa 100 or 200 and point on the sky on the day the indicator ON THE LENS working? and you have situation like aperture change to f11 / f8 / f5.6 or still is on 2.8 only ?
Becouse mine on these settings shows only 2.8 (in my opinion it’s weird becouse I think on asa 100 or 200 on sunnyday at 1/500 aperture should be like around f5.6 or something)
But maybe I’m wrong…
I bought slx one week ago, really love this camera but maybe I don’t understand how it works (the Automatic mode)

I will test... but now it's 2 am here ;-)

 

[JensH]

Hi!

But my question is…
When you have on time knob 1/250 or 1/500, asa 100 or 200 and point on the sky on the day the indicator ON THE LENS working? and you have situation like aperture change to f11 / f8 / f5.6 or still is on 2.8 only ?

... sunny out here, so I did the test:
200 ASA, t = 1/500s, f ring (on the Planar 2.8/80mm) set to A. Power on. Camera pointed to the sky.

Pressing the meter button the indicator jumps to f=11 (blue sky), then f=16 (sky/white cloud mix), even 22 (white clouds only). Meter button was pressed again for every change, camera reacts instandly.
Pointing directly to the sun, the "over" led turns on in the finder.

Switching to t=1/250s the f stop closes one more stop.

Becouse mine on these settings shows only 2.8 (in my opinion it’s weird becouse I think on asa 100 or 200 on sunnyday at 1/500 aperture should be like around f5.6 or something)
But maybe I’m wrong…

There is something going wrong.

Is the battery fine and charged?
Are the electric contacts (those golden pins and surfaces) between camera and lens clean? You could clean them using a cotton swab and a bit of lighter fluid...

I hope it helps
Best
Jens

 

[amokphoto]

Hi!

... sunny out here, so I did the test:
200 ASA, t = 1/500s, f ring (on the Planar 2.8/80mm) set to A. Power on. Camera pointed to the sky.

Pressing the meter button the indicator jumps to f=11 (blue sky), then f=16 (sky/white cloud mix), even 22 (white clouds only). Meter button was pressed again for every change, camera reacts instandly.
Pointing directly to the sun, the "over" led turns on in the finder.

Switching to t=1/250s the f stop closes one more stop.


There is something going wrong.

Is the battery fine and charged?
Are the electric contacts (those golden pins and surfaces) between camera and lens clean? You could clean them using a cotton swab and a bit of lighter fluid...

I hope it helps
Best
Jens

My problem is solved!
Camera works in full range!
The problem was in the wrong setting of 'time knob"...
Someone must have tightened the screws incorrectly, the knob was in the wrong position inside...
Thank you for your time!

 

[JensH]

My problem is solved!
Camera works in full range!
The problem was in the wrong setting of 'time knob"...
Someone must have tightened the screws incorrectly, the knob was in the wrong position inside...
Thank you for your time!

Wow, fantastic!


Enjoy and best wishes
Jens