Rollei rolleiflex 6008 manual Continue In 1976, Rollei released SLX, a fully electronic mid-range SLR format, to compete with the famous Hasselblad machines. With a built-in light meter, automatic motor upfront and automatic shutter exposure, it was in many ways a much more advanced camera than the camera produced by Swedish rival Rollei. The photographic world paid attention to it. Rolley made another incredible camera. In 1984, a brand-new series of Rollei MF SLR was presented; 6000 series. Advances in electronics throughout the 1980s and 90s meant Rolley's newest MIRRORS could be smarter, stronger, and more features than any average SLR format that came before them. Over the next thirty years the brand will continue to push the range forward, bringing some of the best mid-format SLRs to the world. But even though the 6000 series cameras were worthy of special attention, they never seemed to achieve the popularity of those Hasselblad. It's a disgrace, so let's fix it. With incredible build quality and unrivalled optics from some of the world's best lens manufacturers, the 6000 series should be on any true list of computer geek avid cameras. And of the many 6000 series of cameras, one to own can be those marked 6008.The 6008 Professional, 6008 Professional SRC 1000, and 6008 Integral all pack the greatest combination of features, high modularity, and the best build quality of any camera in the 6000 series. While other cameras in the lineup give up certain features (6003 loses its interchangeable backs and 6001 lacks a light meter, for example) 6008 models do everything (and often much more) than any shooter can ask for a camera. There's even a reasonably named 6008 AF, for those who want to own the world's first autofocus 6 x 6 camera. But what's so special about 6008? A lot, actually. To do this, let's dive deeper. Let's start with the very basics, all these cameras are SLR cameras that can come as a surprise to those who aren't neck deep in camera culture. Tell even experienced photo geeks that Rollei has made mid-format SLRs, and you'll be more likely than not telling them what they don't know. The brand has been so closely associated with its classic Rolleiflex TLRs, an iconic camera with two lenses stacked vertically on the front of the machine that many shooters don't realize they've ever done anything else. But they did. What this means, practically speaking, is that the 6008s have all the benefits of a single lens reflex design - interchangeable film backs, interchangeable lenses, precise framing, intense macro capabilities, a selection of viewfinder types, and more. Aside from this inherently practical functionality, the 6008s are also stunning in quality. This is one of the most reliable cameras that I have ever put my hands on. They're dense. solid, with metal everywhere and rubberized coatings protect vulnerable areas. When considering Hasselblad and 6008 side by side, Rolleis volan Hussey. The build quality of the German camera is out of dense as a stone school while Hasselblad (a stunningly constructed camera in its own right) feels more like a hard cheese. But what really puts the Rollei 6008 in the upper class of mid-sized SLRs are two simple things - an unrivalled spec sheet, and world-class lenses. Let's start with the specifications. The list features this camera is more like a professional, Japanese 35mm SLR, with all the bells and whistles you'd expect from the machine in this segment. And if you shot the usual medium-format cameras (TLRs, these basic rangefinder, Mamiyas) strikes, prepare for a quantum leap. 6008 received several measurement modes including medium, spot, and multiple spot; Multiple automatic exposure modes, including shutter-priority, aperture priority, complete program and complete guidance; Advanced LED display Shutter speed from 1/500th or 1/1000th of a second to 30 seconds in 1/3 of a step; Exposure compensation, field depth preview, mirror locking, flash synchronization at every shutter speed, automatic film transport, multiple exposure shooting, AE lock, and more. It's an incredible list. And that's not even the whole list. His lenses come from Rolley, Zeis, or Schneider, three optical powerhouses whose reputation precedes them. Images made with these lenses and 6008 are just among the highest quality you will find in the average format of the camera. Allowing power, flash and ghost control, contrast and color, are all world class at the time of their release, and even today they are incredible performers with real personality and character. And there is no shortage of lenses to choose from. Each of them contains an electronically controlled sheet shutter and an aperture that allows you to synchronize the flash at all shutter speeds. There are lenses from Seis to cover from 40mm to 500mm, and a few great suggestions from Schneider. Macro lenses, teleconverters and shift lenses add to the versatility, and there are even zoom lenses, something a little unusual in the mid-format world. A quick glass is available, although expect to pay a premium. All this says, we know that we are dealing with the top of the camera. It's obvious. But what is not obvious (not spending some time with the camera) is the sheer potency of the Rollei 6008. It's really a masterful photographic tool that comes from a combination of intelligent design choices and amazingly excellent ergonomics. The 6008 has a removable manual grip. Which sounds pretty underwhelming on paper. I mean, how exceptional can the handle be? But it's makes a world of difference. Where Hasselblad and and The machine is a bit clumsy to operate, and frankly impossible to safely drive with one hand, the 6008's handgrip creates a processing methodology that is safe and sublime. It connects to the shutter speed selector with a spring fast disconnect and turns into four protected discharges to provide a comfortable positioning of the camera at different angles. The anodized release button, located under the thumb, allows you to adjust incredibly quickly, and the protective strap wraps around the operators knuckles, so that the camera hangs comfortably when not tightly compressed. When using handgrip, all the most important controls fall perfectly under the finger and thumb. There is a switch that also selects shooting modes (single, continuous and bracket mode), AE lock, shutter speed selector, field depth preview, switch/off, and shutter release. Compared to other medium-sized SLRs, this functionally lightweight design is incredible. Without moving the position of one hand, we can control almost everything we need to control to create an image. Our second hand is free to focus and place the aperture on the lens. The accounting system is extremely accurate, factoring stray light through the viewfinder, offering a selection of point and medium-sized metering systems, and calculating through-the-lens, out-of-film exposures for the perfect shot in any light. Set the shutter speed and aperture ring to both on the A, and we're effectively holding an incredibly capable mid-format point and shoot camera. Of course, those who prefer aperture priority, shutter-priority, or complete guidance are all equally well served. The ability to mix and match lenses, viewfinder, film (and even digital) backs makes this modular system camera a camera for each shooter. He is equally capable of portrait sessions in the studio and landscape photography in the field. Unlike Hasselblad, which despite its quality has never had a reputation for durability, Rollei can be dragged up a mountain or tossed in the back seat of a beach cruiser (I did so). It's not Nikonos, you want to avoid water and serious drops, but Rollei handles rough work better than most mid-sized cameras. What more can you say? It's one of those rare cameras in which I wasn't able to find serious guilt. It's just a fantastic camera. But despite all this glowing praise, there will be people for whom this camera will not work. On the one hand, it's electronic. It uses batteries, and if the battery is not charged the camera will not work. This, for some photo geeks, is a non-starter. A simple solution? Buy a second battery and keep the batteries charged. For those who are worried about battery life, put these fears on - I shot this camera intermittently for sixteen months and never had to recharge the battery once. And even more, this camera will just be too And heavy. Hasselblads are lighter, even if they are clumsily in hand, and for some shooters lightness is a big deal. And TLRs, despite all its flaws in usability and versatility, are smaller and lighter yet. If ultimate portability is the main concern, think twice about buying a Rollei 6000 series machine. For shooters who want to expose mid-format negatives in a travel-sized camera, there may be better cameras. And I suppose there are folk who just can't get over the square image format. While Instagram has helped repopularize this somewhat rare relationship of aspects, the 6 x 6 frame is not for everyone. It's also quite outrageously loud, so street arrows a timid variety can't take to it, even if I used it on the streets of New York and Boston without much suffering. Oh, and it's expensive. Don't get away from it. But even if we focus on these small minds, they will soon be forgotten. Shooting Rollei 6008 is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience photography.