Rolleiflex Hy6...One of the last medium format cameras in production

victorsd · Mar 12, 2021

Hello All,

I am new member of the forum. This is my first post.

I would like share my experience with Rolleiflex cameras.

I have been using the Rolleifelx 6008 AF for past 5 years. In my opinion, this is by far the best MF camera I been using between many like Mamiya 645 AFD II, Exakta 66, etc.

Last year, I have acquired Leaf Hy6 which was later upgraded by DW Photo to the latest Hy6 mod 2/1 model. My plan was to use the mod2 with Sinar eMotion 75LV back. The 6060 film magazine would be a nice addition here, to use it as a film camera. The Hy6 body has the latest firmware v3.3.

Unfortunately, I was not be able to use the updated camera because of number of technical issues. The camera works with DB attached (mirror and internal shutter), and does not work with any lens attached (manual or AF). The internal shutter fails to open. I have noticed, that AF lenses detected by hy6 body and lens firmware level indicated in the options menu. At this point, I am not sure if there are any specific requirements to the AF lenses and firmware levels that can be used with hy6 mod2. Interesting, that the camera failing to work with manual lenses as well.

Pieter12 · Mar 12, 2021

Could the back be the issue?

victorsd · Mar 12, 2021

The back works fine, I afraid this is more issue with the body. In any case, the camera would work with MF lenses. It fails to lift the mirror and open internal shutter with the latest Schneider-Kreuznach Xenotar 2.8/80 manual focus lens, once it attached.

Pieter12 · Mar 12, 2021

My point was more that the back could be causing the problems with the lenses and camera body.

victorsd · Mar 12, 2021

I see. Thank you Pieter.
I did test earlier, with the back attached and without the lens. Works as expected. The image recorded with no issues. I guess. the next step is to test with the lens with no DB attached.

Pieter12 · Mar 12, 2021

Just guessing here since I don't have a digital back for my Hy6, but I think the Sinar back might need to be set up to know which camera body it is attached to. Maybe it fits a number of bodies or view cameras?

Pieter12 · Mar 12, 2021

I also saw this in my Hy6 Mod 2 user manual. It looks like the Sinar back does not work with the Mod2. You might want to contact Eric at Rolleiflex USA or DW photo to see if there is a work-around.

victorsd · Mar 12, 2021

Taking the DB out of the picture completely.

I tend to believe that the camera is very "sensitive" to the type of lens attached. With DB detached, here are the results of tests with 3 different lenses.
Schneider-Kreuznach AF-Xenotar 2.8/80 - the firmware lens level not detected by body. Fails to boot and showing message "Starting app"...
Schneider-Kreuznach Xenotar 2.8/80 - the firmware lens level not detected by body. Fails to boot and showing message "Starting app"...
Schneider-Kreuznach AF Tele-Xenar 2.8/180 - the firmware lens level detected by body and shown in options menu V1.91. Body boots with no issues. I am not sure, if it will function with no film magazine or DB attached.

Pieter12 · Mar 12, 2021

I may be mistaken, but I don't think the MF lenses display a firmware version. Does the body detect the digital back in the Status II screen?

victorsd · Mar 12, 2021

Yes, it does. The eMotion 75 gets detected along with the lens, however the AF fails and internal shutter will not open. Only the lens shutter works in this configuration.
View attachment 269236 View attachment 269237

ic-racer · Mar 12, 2021

victorsd said:
upgraded by DW Photo to the latest Hy6 mod 2/1 model. My plan was to use the mod2 with Sinar eMotion 75LV back.

Did they give you a manual for the Mod 2? I think you can download it from Eric's site. It has a lot of differences. For example did you see post #507?

Anaxagore · Mar 14, 2021

ic-racer said:
Did they give you a manual for the Mod 2? I think you can download it from Eric's site. It has a lot of differences. For example did you see post #507?

If the Sinar DB is part if the problem, DW should be able to fix that by keeping the Sinar compatibility with the body that, if I understand correctly, is a mod 1 upgraded to mod2; the licensing restrictions affect new mod 2s, but mod 1s updated to mod 2 can keep the Sinar compatibility on request when doing the upgrade, and we can hope that if it was not requested at that time DW will fix it now.
A Lens compatibility issue would puzzle me; some lenses did need an update to stay PQS lenses (like the older Marko-Planar 120 that reverted to 1/500th when used on the Hy6), most of the MF lenses fail to transmit exposure values to a DB (Happens to AF/AFD infrequently, where f/1 1s sometimes gets saved instead of the true values. With MF nothing gets saved, not even the focal length), but lenses that would be working well with the 6008AF and not with the Hy6 are a mystery. In the USA, Eric would indeed be the best person to contact; DW should definitely have a look at that.

victorsd · Mar 15, 2021

Thank you for your replies.

DW Photo did not provide a copy of the manual. I was able to download the PDF copy from Eric's site. However, I could not locate the section with reference to the compatible DBs.
I have recorded a short videos of the camera body with no lenses attached and two Schneider lenses Xenotar 2.8/80 and AF-Xenotar 2.8/80. The eMotion 75 LV was not attached. Both lenses works on Rolleiflex 6008 AF body with no issues.

Below are the links to the clips. With both lenses attached the body will not boot and makes the clicking sound once turned on.

Pieter12 · Mar 15, 2021

It is on page 86 of the manual.

Pieter12 · Mar 16, 2021

Is the battery fully charged?

victorsd · Mar 16, 2021

Thank you Peter12. I have located the info in the manual. Yes, it's fully charged.

ic-racer · Mar 16, 2021

I have my Hy6 in front of me. I have the back removed and a Planar 80/2.8 non-AF lens.
When I turn it on it gets that same click but only ONCE, and otherwise works fine.

victorsd · Mar 17, 2021

I do not think I have other options, than shipping the Hy6 body along with the AF and manual focus lenses back to DW Photo. This would be the second time, after the upgrade to mod2.

Pieter12 · May 2, 2021

Old Gregg said:
I got interested in this camera and downloaded the manual. I recommend everyone to read it before buying. It is full of gems like:

After changing batteries, the film speed has to be entered again (see page 23).

"To disabling film advance, Press MODE button four times. The LC display shows “run”.

Rolleiflex, if you want me to press MODE button four times, you have to pay me.
Not the other way around.

Let me know when a camera manufacturer starts paying you to use their cameras, unless you're working for them.

Pieter12 · May 2, 2021

Old Gregg said:
You are right. It is unlikely. But I am not pressing MODE button four times for free Yet I hope that someone at dhw looks at the sales chart, then reads the manual, then back at the sales chart, and will connect the two together. He'll call the head of product and scream at him: "are you asking people to press MODE button four times for free? you are fired!". And the next iteration will be cured of LCDs, on/off switches, and MODE buttons. For this to happen, Old Gregg must refuse to press something four times for free.

Ha ha ha. If you have ever tried to correspond with the factory, you would know they can be slow to unresponsive. I doubt they are going to change anything on the system. They can barely make new cameras and components. And I am willing to wager there not changing the mode button for the slight possibility of a single sale to a grumpy, questionably prospective customer.

ic-racer · May 2, 2021

Anyone using the Variogon Zoom? I don't have an autofocus lens with an aperture ring for my 6008AF and have seen AF Variogons with aperture rings. I wonder if a 'tripod' lens is worthwhile to use autofocus. Would it even be possible to hand-hold that thing?

Pieter12 · May 2, 2021

I certainly wouldn't unless I were shooting in very bright light or high ISO. I hesitate to use my 150mm Schneider at less than 1/250 hand-held. I find medium format negatives show camera movement more than 35mm. Instead of the 1/focal length shutter speed advice, I usually double that.

Plus at 2400g and 210mm long, that is quite a beast to hand-hold. On top of that, how well does AF work with an f4.5 lens (4.6??)?

Dave Krueger · May 2, 2021

Old Gregg said:
I got interested in this camera and downloaded the manual. I recommend everyone to read it before buying. It is full of gems like:

After changing batteries, the film speed has to be entered again (see page 23).

"To disabling film advance, Press MODE button four times. The LC display shows “run”.

Rolleiflex, if you want me to press MODE button four times, you have to pay me.
Not the other way around.

From a design perspective, I think the Hy6 is both innovative and ergonomic, so I don't hold minor feature choices against them. I like using it despite its quirks. To be fair, however, the Hy6 is the only autofocus MF camera I've ever owned (or even handled). Pieter hit the nail on the head. Based on my own experiences with the Mod2, though I don't think I'm alone, Hy6 design issues seem to be eclipsed by factory assembly and service shortcomings, at least in recent years.

Dave Krueger · May 2, 2021

Pieter12 said:
Plus at 2400g

Ugh! The older I get, the less weight I'm interested in carrying. Even with smaller lenses I carry monopod with me these days. On the other hand, 60-140mm is a pretty handy zoom range for 6x6.

Pieter12 · May 2, 2021

I prefer the form-factor, weight and sophisticated features of the Hy6 over the 6008i. But the 6008 is more intuitive to use, no menus and dials that are easy to use. For the whiners out there, multiple exposures are as simple as pulling out a button to disengage the motor drive--just remember to re-engage it before making the last exposure. Also for the whiners out there, how often do you really do that? Oh, yeah, try making multiple exposures with a Hasselblad while you're at it.

Rolleiflex Hy6...One of the last medium format cameras in production

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