Talk me out of a Rollei 6000 series camera

beemermark said:

So I'm a long time (and I mean decades) Rollei TLR fan. I've owned dozens and currently have a 3.5E(?), 2.8F, and a Rollei Tele. I've been drooling over the Rollei Wide for sale in the want ads but I just can't justify the price. The Rollei 6000 sereis seem pretty cheap right now. and the 50mm Distagon is reasonable.

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What do you like about them so much? Other than being cheap?

RezaLoghme said:

What do you like about them so much? Other than being cheap?

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The way I read it, he likes the TLRs and finds the 6000 series relatively cheap but does not express an opinion about them.

Garb said:

think my answer will be very disappointing to you. I took out the lens (AF Variogon) for a walk to get accustomed to it and it was uncomfortably large and heavy. I'm not a tripod shooter. Hand-holding it is an ordeal. I'm not really a pixel peeper so I can't comment on resolution, and I'm not very particular about color either. The choice of this lens was largely functional (one of the only long focal lengths for 6x6 portraits with auto-focus) but before I really got a chance to use it for that, I got my hands on an AF 180mm Tele-Xenar, which is significantly lighter and smaller, so I've been using that instead while my Variogon sits in my camera cabinet.

However, if reviews of this lens are as rare as you say that are, maybe I can try to write up a review one day, but I'm so far behind on everything in my life. I have a stack of film from two years ago I haven't scanned yet. I don't know when I'd be able to get to it

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Thanks. I really understand it is a horribly heavy lens. Every owner highlights the weight. And looking forward to your review.

abruzzi said:

the battery requirements on those scare me a bit. KEH had a 6002 (the one without changeable back, more like an updated SLX) for super cheap, but I passed. I think the real answer is the SL66SE or SL66E. To me they are one of the nicesest looking cameras, though I've never actually handled one. One thing I like is that, unlike most of the other similar design cameras (Hasselblad, Bronca S2 and later, Rollei 6000, Mamiya 645, etc...) but like the Bronica S and Mamiya RB/RZ--focusing isn't a helicoid on the lens, but a knob on the side. I find that way more ergonomic.

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I'm kind of kicking myself now. I recently picked up an SLX, and have been really enjoying it. The battery thing is kind of a non issue. You can get a battery rebuilt with NiMH cells for fairly cheap, assuming you have a existing battery and it seems to be pretty stingy on battery usage. The SLX I bought has one battery rebuilt and another I'll send out for rebuilding here pretty soon.

Since I've stopped shooting 35mm, my medium format cameras function as my take-it-with-you handheld camera. But most of my MF cameras don't have built in meters. And those that do either have them in a prism or are point-and-shoots like the Fuji GA645Zi. Then only cameras I have with a meter in a WLF camera are a Bronica EC-TL and the Rollei SLX. I much prefer shooting with the WLF over a prism or a viewfinder, so the SLX (and the rest of the 6000 series) fill a kind of unique role. The Bronica is cool too, but it feels a little less refined than the Rollei, and mine's dual mirror are slightly misaligned, so there is a little bit of a double image on the focusing screen when using a wide lens. It doesn't affect the image, but its a bit annoying. The SLX so far has been a lot of fun. I'd love a 6008 to get aperture priority and exchangable film backs.

RezaLoghme said:

What do you like about them so much? Other than being cheap?

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Pieter12 said:

The way I read it, he likes the TLRs and finds the 6000 series relatively cheap but does not express an opinion about them.

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Never had a 6000 series, have owned many medium format cameras including the two I mentioned (Kiev 6c & Bronica). My point of the Kiev 6C was that it's a reliable boat anchor that happens to take pictures, but the Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 50mm F4 MC Pentacon Six mount lens is a fantastic lens that is identical to the Hasselblad lens of the same period and an excellent wide angle. The Bronica SQ system is in the same class as the Hasselblad 500C cameras that everyone loves so much. And yes both lenses are way, way cheaper than the Hasselblad lenses. As far as opinion goes you can find all the reviews you wish on the internet. I guess it might have been easier to write an opinion on why I never fell in love with my 500C outfit.

I still dont get it - what is the problem that the Rollei 6000 could be a solution for?

OP wants a wide lens for MF, and a Rollei WF TLR is quite expensive. Why not consider a Mamiya C-series? They have lots of different lenses.

JUst read the OPs latest posts - what is it all about? Does he want a wide lens, now it is about Zenzas being "in the same class" as Hasselblads and what else.

etn said:

The conclusion should be pretty straightforward: buy a Hasselblad instead

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Nowadays, it is impossible to recommend that. There will be all sorts of "yes, but..." apologists, suggesting "alternatives" from pre-war 6x9 folders to obscure 6x6 SLRs from long extinct niche brands.

JWMster said:

I've never used a Hassy, but back in the day, it certainly filled the bill for many. The rest of the 6X6 SLR's were also rans... kind of like a Plymouth. Nothing wrong with a Plymouth and there's some beauty in a shiny object. Go for the Chevy.... it will get you there.... or someone can fix it on the way.

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Well said!

A bit late to the party, not sure what the original poster ended up doing, but...

First, a very long time ago I rented a Bronica SQ-A and Hassy 503 for a weekend and took them out with the same film shooting the same subjects. The Bronica was 1/3rd of the price, and neither I nor the people at the lab could tell the difference on the slides, even under a loupe (Fuji Velvia 50 as I recall). They were identical (this was using the newer PS series lenses and Zeiss on the Hassy). I didn't feel the price difference was worth it to get the two little notches on the side of each frame, and went with the Bronica. Traveled around the world with that setup and was very happy with it, took many stunning images.

Much later, after being in a bit of a creative rut, I discovered the Rollei system, tried out a 6008 with some Schneider lenses and saw a noticeable difference in quality compared to the Bronica. Ended up selling the Bronica (it had served me well) and almost 20 years later I'm still using the 6008 with a whole compliment of Schneider lenses, and one rebuilt battery pack. It's heavier than the Bronica or Hassy, but with the handgrip is ergonomic and easy to shoot despite the weight. It's nowhere near as heavy or bulky as the Mamiyas. It's been a reliable workhorse since I bought it, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone considering medium format analogue photography. At least check one out and compare it to the alternatives, especially with the Schneider lenses.

The last few years I've been mainly focused on large format photography, but still love to go out with the 6008 as my handheld "explore a site" camera. I have a Rolleiflex TLR as well that serves nicely as a compact lightweight travel camera, but sometimes you really want interchangable lenses.

Hope this helps.