Rollei SL66 Stay Away From? Problems?

rknewcomb · Jul 24, 2009

I am wanting to know about Rollei SL66 cameras at this point in their history. Are they a problematic camera? Can you get any service on these since they are getting so old?
I like the idea of the focal plane shutter so I can use my old funky lenses and the idea of the tilt on the front of the camera.
Just a little afraid that maybe I could get service on such a complex old camera.
Any imput is appreciated.
Robert Newcomb

JeffD · Jul 24, 2009

I have one, and have it serviced every few years. There are at least two companies that I know of- I use Harry Fleenor: http://www.rolleirepairs.com/ always treated me good, and did a good job.

Ulrich Drolshagen · Jul 24, 2009

I have one and it works perfectly. Got it serviced here in Germany. No problems with parts I know of. What you should know: These once were professional cameras and were used as such. Much depends on what you get. Hopefully most of them are since many years in the hands of amateurs so that the really beaten ups are long gone. I suppose this may be the case as most of the cams are sold as kits. If you want to buy a Hasselblad you will have to look around much to get a kit. Most of them are sold as body only. I suspect, professionals are selling their beaten up HaBla-bodies and keep the other parts. So a SL66 may be a better deal in this respect.

Ulrich

flash26c · Jul 24, 2009

I have an SL66 and am very happy with it. The Zeiss lens are the strong point and there is a Bay6 lens mount so I am wondering about you wanting to use old funky lens'? I have seen a adapter sold to mount copal shutters and LF lens' but I can see no advantage to doing so. The OEM lens can be mounted backwards and with the built in bellows, close-ups are easy. Also, an 8 degree tilt up or down helps with DOF.

archphoto · Jul 24, 2009

I have one too for years and love it.
It is a reliable camera with great lenses.
With the grip it becomes a wonderfull camera outdoors, I shot parts of my own wedding with it.

The build-in bellows allows you even to use lenses that were never ment for it: I recently bought an Imagon 200mm for it.

As has been said before: you have to watch for a beaten-up one, but that applies for every used camera.

Peter

deisenlord · Jul 24, 2009

Love mine, use it almost exclusively with a 6" Wollensak Verito. It's brilliant for this kind of use.

rknewcomb · Jul 24, 2009

Rollei SL66 & Other Lenses.

archphoto said:
The build-in bellows allows you even to use lenses that were never ment for it: I recently bought an Imagon 200mm for it.

What is the "easy" way to mount different lens that are not the originals?
I think I saw an adapter on a website called my "Rangefolders". Any other place?

Thank you all for the very helpful imput!!

Robert

archphoto · Jul 24, 2009

There are two way's of mounting a non-SL66 lens to the SL:
1) take an extension tube for the SL66 and put a plate with the lens onto it, as I will do with the Imagon 200mm
2) buy from ebay # 200350953716, in this case you might need an extension tube aswell, depending on the lengh of the new lens.

Peter

Slixtiesix · Jul 25, 2009

The SL66 is still marvellous. Just make sure to have at least the shutter checked and serviced if you buy one.
These cameras are very reliable as long as they´re treated with respect. Make also sure that the focussing mechanism is working smooth and even. If it works stiff and uneven this might be a sign that the camera has been dropped. But be also aware that the focussing mechanism of the SL66 was never as smooth as the one the TLRs had.
You should also avoid low serial numbers unless they were completeley overhauled, as earlier ones had sometimes a problem with the mirror return. I would recommend to buy a basic kit with 80mm Planar in nice condition. Do not buy a body without lens, so you can make shure that everything does work properly.
I found my old focussing screen a bid dim, bought a used Rollei High*D-Screen instead and can highly recommend it.

By the way, Jürgen Kuschnik had done a complete overhaul on mine half a year ago for a reasonable price and it works great.
Best regards, Benjamin

Morry Katz · Jul 27, 2009

I've been using one for close to 20 years! Terrific camera, very versatile, with great lenses. Kindermann in Toronto do excellent work on SL-66's. They did mine a couple of years ago; the first time it was in for service in 15 years!
Cheers
Morry Katz, Lethbridge, Alberta

Sirius Glass · Jul 27, 2009

Yes, stay away from GAS!

Steve

Brickbird · Jul 27, 2009

I have 2 bodies and a 40mm Distagon-80mm and 150mm and 4 backs. I also have a Mamiya RZ67. It never gets used anymore as the Rollei system is so advanced in the bellows tilting design. And for WIDE landscapes the 40 is tremendous. There are great prices out there for these systems and just make sure to check that the numbers match on the film holders. They matched up the holder to the insert like matching numbers on a '67 Vette. I did a portrait session recently with my 150 Sonnar and the sync cord even worked in the side of the body. Must be livin' right........TW

AgX · Jul 27, 2009

Blackbird,

What is that thing of matching numbers of inserts and holders about?
I assume they could produce both with sufficient small tolerances.

Slixtiesix · Jul 28, 2009

Not Blackbird, but Im feeling free to answer ;-)
The matching has to do with the sensitive Rollei film feeling mechanism. The "sensor" ist made to a tolerance of 0,05mm and feels the end of the packing paper.
It is likely to fail when a different insert is used, although it works sometimes with a non matching insert. The film stops too early then and you are exposing the paper or it won´t stop at all.

Rollei SL66 Stay Away From? Problems?

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