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Comparative Chart of Rolleiflex System 6000 Cameras

Edited by Ferdi Stutterheim

THIS PAGE IS EXPERIMENTAL AND STILL NEEDS WORK. SOME DATA MAY NOT BE CORRECT.

Introduction

This is not a complete listing of all SLX and System 6000 cameras. The range started off with the SLX. Then came the 6006, 6002 and the 6008 professional, 6008 professional SRC 1000 and the 6003 professional SRC 1000. The numbering is confusing. These are all older cameras. The listed Rolleiflex 6001 ib is not generally known. Obviously it is 6001 Professional with a film back instead of a magazine. Marketing may have been limited to certain countries like the U.S.A. The present list is based on earlier work by others. The origin is unknown but most likely goes back to those who were involved in the marketing of Rolleiflex cameras. Several versions were in the public domain for years. The present list is updated and edited. The source used the word "option" to indicate that an item was not included. Today most equipment will be bought used and this information is not relevant anymore. I have replaced the word "option" by "yes" in most cases. Only when the option is conditional I still use that word. I have indicated which focusing screen was original but that does not guarantee it is still in the camera. "yes" means: function available or accessory can be used. "no" means: function not available or accessory cannot be used.

Film Magazines and film backs

Film magazines are designed to be changed in mid-roll without losing film. Film backs are designed to stay on the camera. Backs can be detached but with the loss of film, they have no dark-slides. Both use film inserts. The general idea is to change film inserts at film-end and change magazines only while in mid-roll. Backs cannot be replaced by magazines without a factory upgrade of the camera. Magazines for the 6006 can be used on later cameras but its use is not advised. In this situation both camera and magazine lack the option of setting the film speed and the system defaults to ISO 100 (100 ASA, 21 DIN). The desired film speed can be obtained by adjusting the exposure correction switch. SLX backs cannot be used on 6000 cameras. Even so 6000 backs are not suitable for the SLX camera.

The sophisticated Magazine 4560 was introduced in October 1996. It is suitable for cameras having the third generation micro-processor and a detachable film stage. In other words: the 6008i and cameras which were introduced later. All cameras in the following list can take the Magazine 4560. Earlier cameras do not have a generation 3 micro-processor and that film stage.

Coded Serial Numbers and Index

When the camera leaves the factory the firmware level is represented by the Index number. Counting from the left it is the third digit in the serial number. Please use the link for further particulars on the coded serial numbers. Later upgrades of the firmware are not shown by an updated serial number. For the user there is no way to read the actual firmware level after an upgrade has taken place. Although all 6008i cameras are outfitted with the third generation electronics and the detachable film stage and therefore are capable of using the Magazine 4560, they need the firmware of Index 3 or higher. That can be either a camera with value "3" or higher of the third digit in the serial number or an Index 1 or 2 Rolleiflex 6008i with upgraded firmware. When buying these lower index cameras the only way of knowing is to ask the seller about the use of the 4560 magazine. Even better is testing the 4560 before committing yourself. The serial number of my 6008i begins with 204.. That makes it an Index 4 camera of 1997. The 6003 Professional of 1996 also having the 3rd generation of the micro-processor and the detachable film stage needs an Index of "2" or higher to use the Magazine 4560.

Lenses

The listed cameras were meant to be used with PQ or PQS lenses. The descriptions are based on the use of these lenses. Non-PQ lenses can be used but not all features will be as described. With Non-PQ lenses light metering is at working aperture only. In the trade Non-PQ lenses are often referred to as "HFT". In fact all lenses made since 1971 are HFT. It is the trade name of the multi-coating. PQ or PQS is printed in red on the barrel just to the right of the aperture scale. HFT is printed in red on the lens front.

¹ In theory "yes". In real life "no". When the camera was new only limited digital options were available; they are outdated by now. Today's digital backs cannot successfully be fitted. Back

² When using TTL-flash metering Fill-in flash is not as expected. What you want is to use ambient light and to add a small amount of flash; what you get is full auto-flash and you can cut back on ambient light only. That's the other way around. For Fill-in flash change from TTL to the Auto exposure function of the flash unit. This was amended with the Integral 2 and the AF. Back

³ The Charger N was replaced by the Charger C. The C performs a status check of the battery cells and has the option to discharge before recharging begins. The C model is the preferred choice in the light of NiCads "memory" behaviour. Back

⁴ Hardware fully fit to use the Magazine 4560, but the 6003 professional needs Index 2 firmware and the 6008i needs Index 3 firmware. Please see above. Back

⁵ The "Mode" switch makes the Master Control unit superfluous. Back

⁶ Today this software is difficult to obtain. Back

This page was last updated on 11 February 2012.

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