Rolleiflex 6000 System

The Rolleiflex 6000 System is a line of medium format single lens reflex cameras made by Rollei, in regular production starting from 1983 with the 6006. The 6006 was derived from the earlier SLX (1976) and retains compatibility with its lenses and accessories, adding an interchangeable film back with an integral dark slide. Like the SLX, the 6000 series cameras incorporate electronic autoexposure and motorized film transport, competing directly with the line of similar integrated-motor Hasselblad V-system cameras which started with the 500EL.

The 6006 was followed by the 6002 (1986), 6008 (1988), 6003 (1996), 6001 (1998), and 6008 AF (2002). The 6002 may be regarded as a simplified version of the 6006, or alternatively as a replacement for the SLX, with a non-interchangeable back; the 6008/6003 are positioned similarly. Rollei released numerous sub-variants of each model.

History

Broadly, the 6000 System can be divided into two distinct generations: the 6006/6002, which bear some similarities to the preceding SLX, and the 6008/6003/6001, which introduced upgraded metering and shutters.

First generation (6006 / 6002)

Like the preceding SLX, the 6006 was designed to marry features from modern small format SLRs, including motorized film transport and autoexposure, with the larger film size of medium format cameras. The first camera released was the 6006 (1984), which had features similar to the SLX, adding through-the-lens (TTL) off-the-film (OTF) flash metering and a fully-interchangeable film back. The film back introduced with the 6006 had an integrated, flexible dark slide; it adds approximately to the depth of the 6006, compared to the SLX. A second version of the 6006 was released in 1989 with minor updates. Externally, the mechanical cable release socket was removed; on the original 6006, this was centered on the bottom front of the body between the two microswitch shutter releases.

The 6006 was supplemented by the 6002 (1986), which was a simplified 6006, reverting back to the interchangeable film magazines of the SLX, but retaining the updated TTL/OTF light meter. In addition, the 6002 added multiple exposure capability, which subsequently was added with the updated 6006 in 1989.

Second generation (6008 / 6003 / 6001)

In 1988, Rollei released the 6008 professional, which eventually replaced the 6006. Externally, the 6008 moves the on/motor mode switch to a location coaxial with the shutter speed knob. An updated 6008 (branded 6008 professional SRC1000) was released in 1993, which added compatibility with PQS lenses; these feature an increased shutter speed of  sec. Similar to the 6002, Rollei released the 6003 SRC1000 as a simplified companion to the 6008 in 1994. The 6003 removes the mechanical cable release socket and self timer; in addition, the default camera back takes interchangeable film inserts, but the standard back can be removed and used with 6008 film backs. The original 6008/6003 models were replaced with the 6008 integral (1995), 6003 professional (1996), and 6008 E (1997); improvements included the addition of a multi-spot metering mode and a faster motor drive.

In 1998, Rollei released the 6001 professional, which was a studio-only version of the 6003 professional, dropping the ambient light meter entirely, as it was intended to be used with flash lighting.

The final 6000 series cameras were released in 2002; the 6008 integral2 included improvements to the flash metering system, and the 6008 AF built on that by adding an autofocus system along with a new line of AF lenses.

X-Act

Rollei released the X-Act₂ in 2008, which is a monorail view camera with a full range of rise/fall, shift, and swing movements for both the lens (front) and film (rear) standards. The front and rear standards each are fitted with a hole which is 85 mm in diameter as an adaptable interface for the lens and back; Rollei sold adapters that would accept a limited selection of 6000 System lenses, viewfinders, and backs, and additional adapters were available for backs from competing medium format systems, including Hasselblad V-system, Mamiya RB, and Horseman 6×9, or a T2 adapter for use with 135 film and digital SLRs. When using 6000 System lenses, the handheld LensControl S was used to control shutter speed and aperture.

The X-Act also was designed to accept large format lenses for maximum image coverage and movement flexibility; Rollei also sold its own leaf shutter units, branded ElectronicShutter, for use with lenses with size 0 or size 1 shutters. The ElectronicShutter units also were controlled using the LensControl S.

Hy6

In 2007, Rollei began selling the Rolleiflex Hy6, a hybrid medium format SLR camera which accepted both analog film backs or backs with digital sensors, using the Rolleiflex SLX/6000 lens mount. The Hy6 was developed by Jenoptik and sold simultaneously by Rollei and other brands, including Leaf (as the AFi) and Sinar (as the Hy6). The 6000 System was discontinued in 2015.

Design

Like the Rolleiflex TLR, SL66, and SLX, the 6000 series uses 120 or 220 rollfilm to produce frames of up to 6×6 cm (nominal); the actual image size is based on imperial units, measuring . The camera has a modular design; the central camera body incorporates the single-lens reflex mirror and exposure controls, with interfaces accommodating interchangeable lenses, viewfinders, and focusing screens. Most of the cameras accommodate interchangeable film backs. Nearly all of the accessories and components for the SLX could be used with the 6006, aside from the back and body.

Basic operation

Like the SLX, all 6000 System cameras have manual ambient light metering and shutter-priority autoexposure capability, along with motorized film advance and shutter charging. The light meter is integrated into the camera body. The 6006 and 6002 have a centre-weighted average metering pattern; compared to the SLX, these cameras add an off-the-film sensor for TTL flash metering. The 6008 and 6003 add aperture-priority and program autoexposure modes; in addition, the metering pattern can be switched between centre-weighted multi-zone and spot, covering approximately 1% of the overall image area. A multi-spot metering pattern was added to later 6008/6003 cameras. The 6001 drops the ambient light meter entirely, but supports TTL OTF flash metering.

The main switch falls under the photographer's right hand on the 6006/6002, and has three rotary positions for "O"ff, "S"ingle, or "C"ontinuous exposures. A 14-pin interface for remote operation and a depth-of-field preview button (stop-down) are next to the main switch. For the 6008 and later cameras, the main switch and depth-of-field preview have been moved to the shutter speed knob.

The opposite side of the camera has a strap lug, hotshoe, and a slot to accommodate the rechargeable battery. Advertised stamina is approximately 500 to 600 exposures per charge.

Two separate electronic shutter releases are provided on the bottom front corners of the camera, which may be operated by the photographer's right or left hand. Shutter speeds are selected by a knob operated by the photographer's right hand and range from 30 to  sec in whole steps; cameras released after the PQS series add a faster  sec speed. Since lenses are focused by helicoid extension, the traditional focusing knob on the left side of Rolleiflex SL66 and TLR cameras is not present.

Backs

The 6006 uses a interchangeable film magazine with integrated dark slide to accommodate mid-roll film changes. In addition to the standard 6×6 back, a 645 back was available; both of these took film inserts. A bulk 70 mm perforated film back and a Polaroid (packfilm) back also were available. As shipped from the factory, the 6002 was fitted with a fixed film back which used the same interchangeable film inserts as the SLX.

The 6008 continued using the same film magazine system as the 6006. The 6003 was fitted as standard with a detachable film back which accommodated the same film inserts as the 6002; the 6003 back also could be removed completely and fitted with the 6006/6008 film magazines.

The Rollei Digital ScanPack is a back with a scanning linear image sensor which was available for the 6000 System cameras. It was tethered to a computer via SCSI. The image recorded was with a maximum resolution of 5850×5000 pixels.

Lenses

The 6000 series uses lenses that are physically compatible with earlier SLX lenses. These lenses use conventional helicoids for focusing instead of the extending focusing bellows on the camera body of the SL66. In addition, SLX/6000 lenses all are equipped with in-lens leaf shutters. Because of this, SLX/6000 and SL66 lenses are not compatible.

A 10-pin interface is provided to transmit signals between the lens and camera body. The leaf shutter and aperture leaves are driven by voice coil motors, which Rollei called "linear motors". The aperture control ring on each lens has a separate setting at "A", which puts the camera into shutter-priority autoexposure.

Extension tubes and a bellows unit were available for close-up work.

Viewfinders and focusing screens

The 6000 System uses the same viewfinders as the preceding SLX; the standard viewfinder fitted has a folding waist-level finder with a built-in magnifier and a ground glass focusing screen with a central split-image rangefinder spot surrounded by a microprism collar, grid lines etched at regular intervals, and an integrated Fresnel lens. The viewfinder displays an image , which is % of the area recorded on the film. The magnifying lens in the viewfinder could be changed. Other available viewfinders include:
* Rigid magnifying hood, which accommodates waist-level viewing with better shielding of the focusing screen
* Rotating pentaprism finder (45°), which provides an eyepiece at 45° from vertical, and rotates to allow viewing from the side or front
* Rotating pentaprism finder (90°), which provides a horizontal eyepiece for eye-level operation, and rotates to allow viewing from the side or front

The screen could be changed to one of several alternatives, which are shared with the SL66:

Remote control

Rollei offered the ME-1 multi-exposure control unit using the 14-pin DIN connector first released with the SLX; it allows the photographer to record up to ten images on a single frame, at a selectable interval between 0.1 and 1.5 seconds. It was supplied with a cable as standard, and a cable was available as an accessory.

References

External links

DW Photo
(Manufacturer of the modern medium format Rolleiflex cameras and repair) English and German
Paepke Fototechnik
(Repair and maintenance of Rolleiflex cameras and other Rollei equipment) English and German
International Rollei Club
(Largest Rollei website with details of all Rolleiflex equipment ever made)
Club Rollei User
(Club for all Users, Collectors and Enthusiasts of Rollei photography)
Rolleiflex SLX and 6000 System
by Ferdi Stutterheim (Cameras, lenses, accessories, service and repair shops, etc.)

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