ROLLEIFLEX 6006
At some point after the Mamiya 645 but before the Mamiya 7, I had a brief stint with the Rolleiflex 6006. While Rolleiflex is a name that typically associated with TLR (twin lens reflex) cameras, Rollei did offer a large number of medium format SLRs as well. This series of cameras has a pretty confusing naming system and I'm often perplexed by the features of each model, or lack thereof. The ones that matter are modular, with removable film backs, finders, and lenses. However, unlike other modular SLRS, they have a tall profile that I find to be rather compact, and in my opinion are easy to pack into a bag.
The Rolleiflex SLRs can be found with lenses from Rollei, Schneider, or Zeiss - all of which have a reputation for great quality (but do note that like most companies, there are various versions of each lens). The lenses can also be reverse mounted for macro work. Another somewhat rare feature of the series is that the light meter is built in to the body, not an accessory prism finder. Therefore, you can have metering and automatic exposure utilizing the waist-level finder instead of a bulky eye-level prism. Can you name other medium format SLRS that have this feature? I've listed the ones I know of at the bottom of this post. Of course, prism finders are available if desired.
A common criticism of this series would be the rechargeable NiCAD batteries - they are prone to failure and often need to be re-celled or replaced. Spare batteries and chargers are rare and therefore expensive. I've never experienced this issue, but keep it in mind as this is a fully-electronic camera. You won't be able to simply stroll into a convenience store if you run out of juice, so invest in a kit with multiple batteries if possible.
Overall, this system was enjoyable, although not my favorite. Sure, you can get great images out of it - again, the lenses are incredibly sharp, and will serve serious shooters very well. Comparably, I find many photographers use Hasselblads instead of Rolleiflexes - perhaps because they are fully manual and are a more pure analog experience. One might also consider the thrifty Bronica SQ-A, which can be had for less than half the price of either the Rolleiflex or the Hasselblad, and can deliver acceptable results when properly used. That said, the 6006 and it’s siblings are capable workhorses that have professional build quality and high-end optics. They're incredibly capable tools in the right hands, so don't pass one up if you can get a good deal.
* In case you were curious, here are some other medium format SLRs that have in-body metering:
Bronica EC-TL
Hasselblad 200 series
Rolleiflex SL66 SE
Below are some sample images. Unfortunately, I’ve moved a few times and I’m finding it hard to find more of my negatives to scan. Keep in mind that these are 10 years old, unedited, and not exactly the work of a pro, Hopefully they can at least illustrate the character of the 80mm lens.
