Rollei Medium Format Cameras
By Danny Gonzalez

Article Index

        New to this Overview edition is a specific list of differences between the
6003 SRC1000 and current 6003 Professional and a comment by Rollei user K.
Liopiros in regard to the lenless, threaded, shutter mount .

Rollei 6008:

        The Rollei 6008/3 is the most sophisticated/technologically
advanced MF system camera currently available and has an amazing system of
lenses and accesories (at truly jaw-dropping prices. Then again, there
isn't an MF system left that doesn't offer jawdrop as an integral feature).
Besides having shutter/aperture control in third stops, it has a digital
LED null scale and full information readout in finder. The camera runs off
of a very small Nicad battery pack that recharges with the supplied charger
in about an hour and lasts 100+ rolls on a charge. The shutter/aperture are
motor driven (motors are in each lens) and the supplied grip (supplied with
the 6008 models) makes the camera extremely comfortable to hold. The
AE-lock and shutter controls are at your finger tips and there seems to be
a shutter release at every spot on the camera (Left handed, right handed
and on the grip).

         The camera's lens line features options from the fastest available
lens speeds in the format (F2), to the longest available lens in the format
(1000mm), to the fastest leaf shutters commercially available (both in
1/1000th top speed _on the PQS series lenses_, and in repeatability). The
40 3.5, 50 2.8, 80 2.0, 180 2.8 and 300 4.0 aren't available in any other
66 system (exceptions are the H'blad 50 2.8 FE and the 180 Pentacon Zeiss
that fits the Exacta) and are fully x-synched with shutters capable of
release at full _double slow motion_ movie camera speeds.
Rollei even offers an electronically shuttered mount, fully keyed to the
camera, that accepts smaller/tiny view camera lenses, allowing some -very-
interesting possibilties.

Kostas Liopiros <Liopiros_Kostas@bah.com> adds :

:The focusing shutter mount has a 39 x 1 metric thread.  In general, it
:will not accept view camera lenses -- there is no room behind the mount
:for the rear elements.

:It will accept some barrel mounted lenses (such as the 120 mm and 150 mm
:Imagon with the adapter), macro lenses (such as the Schneider Componom M
:in 39 mm mount) and a few enlarger lenses.  A problem I found with most
:enlarger lenses is that the base is too wide to permit seating in the
:shutter mount.
KL

Some of the recently discontinued Schnieder lenses were said to be among
the finest available. These are the 60 3.5, 80 2.8 Xenotar and the 150/4
Tele-Xenar (all of these specific designs were also available for the
Exacta 66).

The current 6008 Integral (and I assume, the latest 6003 Pro) have much
better mirror and sound dampening than the older 6008 Pro/SRC and 6003 SRC.
All 6000 series Rollei's are identically well balanced and are simple to
handhold with lenses up to 180mm 2.8 (and that's a very big 180).

The only problem I had when shooting with the 6008 (older, non-'Integral')
was that the mirror slap was heavy and the thing was very, very loud. It's
the only 66 camera with a 2fps motor (2.5fps on the Integral), backs with
built in sliding shutter type dark slides (6008/6 backs) and it's the only
leaf shuttered camera to offer some lenses (called the PQS series) that
fire/x-sync at 1/1000th of a second.

Rollei 6003:

The older 6003 src1000 lacks the grip and mirror lock up pre-fire button of
the 6008 (the newest , post '96, 6003 Professional has the mirror up
button) and the back is an insert shell instead of a real, darkslided back,
though it's fully upgradeable/interchangable with the 6008 backs. Both the
6008 and 6003 share the same insert and this is a very inexpensive ($100
ea.) and light weight thing that makes it easy to use the camera quickly
(You can preload them).

Rollei 6006:

        The older 6006/6006m2 is a very different camera to work with (even
though it's the same shape/casting) as it lacks the grip and finder
information of the 6003/8 series. It's still automatic (though not to
nearly the same level) and it works well so should be looked at by people
looking for an entry level Rollei.  Specific differences between the 6006
and 6006 mdl II are (From HP's Bob Salomon):

"The 6006MOD II is substantially different internally than most 6006ModI
versions. The Mod II' differences allow it to use the 1.0 A fuse rather than the 0.8A fuse.
The screen on the II is brighter than the screen on most versions of the I.

The II has the double exposure knob. The backs on the II are modified to prevent the
insert from moving in the back.

The shutter release buttons have small raised rings around them to reduce
accidently releasing the shutter." (end quote)

The 6006 backs (both models), when mounted on a 6008/3, default to ISO100.
The 6008's huge exposure compensation range makes use of these less
expensive backs fairly convenient. Alot of 6008/6003 owners buy these to
save a few dollars.
 
        Obviously built to scientific instrument standards, the 6008/3
offer every level of automation available on -any- camera short of matrix
metered program (Only with the PQ/PQS lenses though. The SLX/6006 lenses
mount and function but must be stepdown metered)(Multispot metered program
is available in stepped down form). Easily the most sophisticated of 66
meters (though the H'blad 205 F/TCC gives it a good run), The Integral
offers even auto fillflash. The spot meter is very tight and is truly
accurate as is the center weighted mode. The camera even sports a SBC cell
that reads the screen to take any w/l finder induced screen flare into
account. The 6008 and 6008 SRC1000 are the same camera as each other except
for the number 1000 painted on the shutter dial instead of three little
lines above the 500 setting. The newest update, called the 6008 Integral
adds the following (In Bob Salomons, bobs31@aol.com words)

Rollei 6008i:

The 6008 integral is essentially a new camera based on the 6008 SRC 1000
which it replaces.

What it has added over the older version is:

Accepts new Master Control remote unit that adds:

Rollei 6003: (versions)

In reply to a direct question on the differences between the older and
newer 6000 series cameras, Bob Salomon wrote:

there are 2 different versions of the 6003 currently available. The
original, grey bodied 6003 SRC 1000 and the new black bodied 6003
Professional.

The 6003/8 cameras have different metering and different backs and
different modes than the 6006/2/SLX

The 3 and 8 are open aperture metering cameras with the PQ and PQS lenses.
The older cameras are stop down metering.

The 3 and 8 have spot and multi zone metering; the older versions have only
bottom center weight metering. The 8 also has multi spot

The 3 and 8 offer aperture priority, shutter priority and progammed auto.
The older models are shutter priority only.

The 3 and 8 have full manual metering the older models have no manual
meter mode.

The 3 and 8 have full read-out finders the older models only show
under/over/out of range warnings.

The 3 and 8 have fully interchangeable backs. The 6002 and SLX can not use
the built-in darkslide roll backs.

The 3 and 8 are faster - 2FPS rather than 1 FPS and are quieter and have
brighter screens

The 3 and 8 have better low light metering sensitivity

The 3 and 8 have auto bracketing

The 3 and 8 can use the PQS lenses (shutter and synch speeds to 1/1000)

The 3 and 8 can use the fast aperture lenses; 80mm 2.0, 50mm 2.8, 180mm 2.8, 300mm 4.0 Apo

The 3 and 8 can do auto flash fill

The new cameras use all of the old lenses, but not with all of the functions of the PQ/PQS lenses, and accept the same finders, grips, filters, tubes, bellows, etc.(end quote)

Another quote from bobs31@aol.com specifically outlines the differences
between the older, grey,  6003 src1000 and the latest, black bodied, 6003
Professional:

The 6003 Professional, which replaced the 6003 SRC 1000 has many
differences, some are:

Backs:

With the recent introduction of the 645 'revolving' backs, the 6000 series
cameras have broken new ground. The backs are really three piece
convertible rather than revolving but the system is ingenious in its
implementation. Upon closure of the built in darkslide, an electro magnet
is de-activated allowing the removal of a 3 inch square box that contains
the film. It has drive mating gears at 90° angles, allowing mounting in
either vertical or horizontal positions without the usual limitation of 12
frames on a vertically mounted roll (aka H'blad A12v) and without the
requirement of turning the camera sideways (which would cause poor balance
on the 6000's). I've day-dreamed about the problem of physical film
rotation on 645 backs alot in the last few years and can't believe the
genius of this design. It surprised me when I saw it and is such a great
solution, as a design exercise, that it seems obvious in retrospect. The
back is simply amazing.

  Some disadvantages I saw are that the 'secondary' back/insert require
their own batteries (for information retention and electromagnet operation.
Only a concern on the 645 revolving back) and the 645 insert 'pod' system
requires the removal of a film plane mounted plate cover that isn't
available on the older 6003SRC/6008 or 6008SRC1000's. Sadly, there is _no_
factory conversion available. Another concern is that the new insert system
is incompatible with the 66 back system and may not offer the same film
flatness advantages (I'll have to try one and see). On the plus side, the
system seems to retain Rollei's inexpensive insert ideal and doesn't hinder
the handling of the camera in any way.

The resulting camera with the 645 back and say, a 180 2.8, is the tour de
force of 645 cameras; offering handling, speed and results that no other
available 645 (or 66) could match. Not in motor speed, metering options,
leaf shuttered superspeed long lens options or AE modes.

Recently, the 90 degree prism was redesigned. Personally, I hate 45 degree
prisms. Having owned both the 45 and older 90 degree prisms for the 6008, I
sadly found the older 90 (original 6008series) a much darker and harder to
focus accessory as compared with the 45 degree (It is definitely lighter
though and could be a porroprism). If I get the chance, I'll report on the
performance of the new 90 degree in the next overview.
A new 'Acutematte' type focussing screen was introduced in '96 as well. My
eyes are more comfortable with the oldest 'dark' version of Rollei's
screens and though the OEM screen in the 6003/8 is very bright, this new
one (standard on the 6008 Integral and latest 6003 Pro) is supposed to be
far brighter.

Grey Market Warning:

 A quick note about buying used Rollei cameras (Sl66e, 6006mkII and later):
Marflex, Rollei's only official USA repair station, will not repair (even
out of warranty and at the customers expense) non-officially imported
equipment. So, while buying a used greymarket 6008 will cost a good deal
less than a used US version would, getting it repaired/adjusted means
sending the thing back to Germany. My advice is to be positive that you're
buying an HP marketing, USA imported camera by 'pre-buy' checking the
serial number with Bob Salomon at HP, email to bobs31@aol.com.

The camera is more than easy to use and besides the expense, is almost the
perfect MF SLR camera. The addition of a much quieter mirror drive system
on the latest Integral finished with its operational faults. Making it
quieter still and being able to load inserts into the back without having
to rotate the finder  would be nice......

 BTW, only the prisms need to be rotated to clear the back in the flapped
open position. This is not a problem with the waist level finder.
 

Danny Gonzalez