Rolleiflex Hy6...One of the last medium format cameras in production

ic-racer · Sep 2, 2020

I have wanted one a Hy6 ever since I first heard of it. I was kind of waiting for my Rolleiflex 6008i to break down or wear out but that never happened. With COVID I was concerned DW Photo (current manufacturer of Hy6) would go under. So, when I found out that new 2020 cameras were available I snatched one up.

I remember 30 years ago when I got my Rolleiflex 3003, it was a little bigger than I thought (based on pictures and never seeing one in person).

The Hy6 was the opposite. It was SMAlLER than I expected based on the pictures!

For those not familiar with these cameras, the Hy6 is on the LEFT and it is 6x6cm format. The 3003 is on the right and it is 35mm format.

Pieter12 · Sep 2, 2020

I have lusted for a Hy6 for a while. I have a couple of Rollei 6008i and an assortment of lenses, and wanted a more compact, lighter body to go with them. I finally bit the bullet and got one a few months ago. I had some initial issues with the film back, but the camera is a joy. It has its advantages and disarranges compared with the 6008i, mostly because the operating controls are different, less analogue and more like a modern digital camera. I am going to be shooting quite a bit of film this coming weekend and will be able to report back after I run the film.

ic-racer · Sep 2, 2020

I noticed the film back does not allow 'dry shooting' so I already have 2 rolls exposed, just exploring all the functions. Seems to focus very well, that is why I got it, my old eyes.

ic-racer · Sep 2, 2020

With my non-autofocus lenses I tried the "Focus Trap" function. Pretty cool, it holds off the exposure until it is in focus. I'll have to explore that more with all my non-autofocus lenses. Right now I have only a single AF lens.

Pieter12 · Sep 2, 2020

ic-racer said:
With my non-autofocus lenses I tried the "Focus Trap" function. Pretty cool, it holds off the exposure until it is in focus. I'll have to explore that more with all my non-autofocus lenses. Right now I have only a single AF lens.

Me, too. The 80. It took some rereading of the manual to figure out how to just focus on command, rather than focus with the shutter release button. I found the Sinar manual to be a bit more straightforward in explaining some of the functions. I do wish there was some way to know what film is in the back beyond the ISO setting. I have resorted to a scrap of tape on the back. Not sure, but it might "dry fire" with no insert in the film back or with the back removed entirely. Just put the cap on the body to protect the secondary shutter.

wiltw · Sep 2, 2020

ic-racer said:
I noticed the film back does not allow 'dry shooting' so I already have 2 rolls exposed, just exploring all the functions. Seems to focus very well, that is why I got it, my old eyes.

No provision for multiexposure frame?

Pieter12 · Sep 2, 2020

wiltw said:
No provision for multiexposure frame?

Yes, you can set the film back to "off" and it will not advance. So you can fire as much as you want and just waste one frame. You do need to remember to set it back to "run" to go back to normal advance.

Tony-S · Sep 3, 2020

I remember when it first came out. I drooled over it then, too. Unfortunately, too expensive for me so I will have to keep slugging along with my SLX.

AgX · Sep 3, 2020

I never saw those two next to each other. Thank you for enabling such comparison.

Kodachromeguy · Sep 3, 2020

ic-racer said:
I remember 30 years ago when I got my Rolleiflex 3003, it was a little bigger than I thought (based on pictures and never seeing one in person).

Wow, a very rare item in USA. Is yours in working condition? Do you have spare film backs and other lenses? I recall that Rollei offered the finest lenses from that era.

ic-racer · Sep 4, 2020

Kodachromeguy said:
Wow, a very rare item in USA. Is yours in working condition? Do you have spare film backs and other lenses? I recall that Rollei offered the finest lenses from that era.

After living quite frugal for six decades I purchased the camera brand new from the USA dealer. It was expensive, but a once-in-a-lifetime purchase. Though I only got a body and back. No lens.
I had been following the Rollei USA website and when they got a new batch of 2020 builds I was glad to see Rolleiflex has not gone out of business again, and bought it right away.

Kodachromeguy · Sep 4, 2020

ic-racer said:
After living quite frugal for six decades I purchased the camera brand new from the USA dealer. It was expensive, but a once-in-a-lifetime purchase. Though I only got a body and back. No lens.
I had been following the Rollei USA website and when they got a new batch of 2020 builds I was glad to see Rolleiflex has not gone out of business again, and bought it right away.

Oh, I meant the 3003 camera.

ic-racer · Sep 4, 2020

Kodachromeguy said:
Oh, I meant the 3003 camera.

I have been using those since the 1980s.

GarageBoy · Sep 13, 2020

Miracle that it's still around
It looks like a beefy hasselblad, not that towering brick of the 6000 series

film_man · Sep 13, 2020

I was drooling over one of those today, was surprised to see at rolleiflex.us they had them new for $10k. I abandoned MF a couple of years ago by the Hy6 with a 80/2 or 110/2 is always on the whishlist, that and a 903SWC.

Pieter12 · Sep 13, 2020

film_man said:
I was drooling over one of those today, was surprised to see at rolleiflex.us they had them new for $10k. I abandoned MF a couple of years ago by the Hy6 with a 80/2 or 110/2 is always on the whishlist, that and a 903SWC.

I don't think there is a 110/2 for the Rollei. There's a 120 Makro and a 180/2.8. The 80/2 is hard to find and expensive. The 2.8 is more available and an excellent lens.

k.hendrik · Sep 13, 2020

ic-racer said:
I have been using those since the 1980s. View attachment 253996

lovely family, but missing their best sister; sl66se

ic-racer · Sep 13, 2020

k.hendrik said:
lovely family, but missing their best sister; sl66se

Even back when I got my SLX in 1986, I already had the mechanical 2.8F so I had to make a choice SL66 or SLX. If for some reason they still made the SL66E today along with the Hy6, I think I might have gone with the SL66E. One of the principles I was exercising is that of obtaining a NEW camera with a warranty.

Pieter12 · Sep 13, 2020

Let us know your impressions after you've put a few rolls of film through the Hy6. I have now shot about 24 rolls and I like the camera very much. The learning curve was steeper than for the 6008i, I find I use the unmarked button for focus and exposure quite a lot. Too bad the manual isn't the clearest. I also miss some way to indicate what film is loaded. I have resorted to a piece of tape on the handgrip. I did have problems with the film back leaking at first, but that was fixed by the factory. Then I discovered an issue with one of the film inserts, but at least I have one that is OK. The other will be repaired or replaced soon, I hope. Too bad the film backs and inserts are so expensive, I'd like to have a second back. The inserts are more Hassy-like to load, not as quick as the 6008. I am now intrigued by the idea of a full-frame digital back, but I am pretty sure they are rare and really expensive.

Pieter12 · Sep 17, 2020

Pieter12 said:
I don't think there is a 110/2 for the Rollei. There's a 120 Makro and a 180/2.8. The 80/2 is hard to find and expensive. The 2.8 is more available and an excellent lens.

I stand corrected. There is a Zeiss Planar 110 mm f/2 HFT PQ for the Rollei. I don't think I have seen any for sale and overlooked the listing in the user manuals.

Kodachromeguy · Sep 17, 2020

ic-racer said:
One of the principles I was exercising is that of obtaining a NEW camera with a warranty.

If there is a problem with the Hy6, does it need to be sent to the factory in Germany? I can imagine the turnaround taking weeks or months. Have you needed to test their service yet?

ic-racer · Sep 17, 2020

Pieter12 said:
I stand corrected. There is a Zeiss Planar 110 mm f/2 HFT PQ for the Rollei. I don't think I have seen any for sale and overlooked the listing in the user manuals.

That would be a nice lens. My old SLX-era S-Planar 120mm is f 5.6. Also, of note, my old lens won't work with the new Hy6. But I still have my 6008i and the old lens works on that camera in stop-down mode.

ic-racer · Sep 17, 2020

Just got a brand new SCA 5362 flash adapter. Now waiting to for a Metz 54mz.

Pieter12 · Sep 17, 2020

ic-racer said:
That would be a nice lens. My old SLX-era S-Planar 120mm is f 5.6. Also, of note, my old lens won't work with the new Hy6. But I still have my 6008i and the old lens works on that camera in stop-down mode.

It is also expensive. Figure $5-6K.

Kodachromeguy said:
If there is a problem with the Hy6, does it need to be sent to the factory in Germany? I can imagine the turnaround taking weeks or months. Have you needed to test their service yet?

I did have a problem with the film back and insert. They went back to Germany and the turnaround was about 4 weeks including shipping both ways.

wiltw · Sep 17, 2020

ic-racer said:
Just got a brand new SCA 5362 flash adapter. Now waiting to for a Metz 54mz.

Did you already purchase one? or still looking for one?
I have one lovingly cared for set of Metz flash units (I still re-form the power capacity every 6 months), and as it is considered an 'extra' (I have two 54MZ4 with Canon modules and a Canon dedicated 64AF1) I can pretty easily be persuaded to part with a 54MZ4 as long as I am not insulted with too lowball an offer. Send PM if interested.

Rolleiflex Hy6...One of the last medium format cameras in production

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