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Author Topic: Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA  (Read 12118 times)

bradleygibson

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Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA
« on: January 29, 2008, 01:44:00 am »

It appears that Franke & Heidecke (the manufacturers of the Rolleiflex Hy6) will be at PMA in Las Vegas this week.

I've tried e-mailing them in the past but have not gotten any responses.  So I decided to book a ticket to talk with them in person.

I'll be there for a day (Thu. 1/31).  If you have a question for them, let me know and I'll do my best to ask them your question and post their reply here.

Please post your question by Wed. 1/30 evening (Pacific Time), so I have a chance to see it before I fly out.

Best regards,
-Brad
« Last Edit: January 29, 2008, 01:44:52 am by bradleygibson »
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samuel_js

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Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2008, 02:49:21 am »

Quote
It appears that Franke & Heidecke (the manufacturers of the Rolleiflex Hy6) will be at PMA in Las Vegas this week.

I've tried e-mailing them in the past but have not gotten any responses.  So I decided to book a ticket to talk with them in person.

I'll be there for a day (Thu. 1/31).  If you have a question for them, let me know and I'll do my best to ask them your question and post their reply here.

Please post your question by Wed. 1/30 evening (Pacific Time), so I have a chance to see it before I fly out.

Best regards,
-Brad
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=170500\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I supose my big questions are:
1: Price with a film mag and 80mm
2: PhaseOne compatible?

Thank's
Samuel
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ynp

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Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2008, 05:55:19 am »

Qs re Rollei 6008:
1) Is the back rotatable from landscape to portrait orientation?
2)If not, whether if possible to order the back in a portrait (vertical) orientation?
Thank you
Yevgeny
« Last Edit: January 29, 2008, 02:26:37 pm by ynp »
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SecondFocus

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Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2008, 11:00:53 am »

Ask them why they don't reply to e-mails!
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bradleygibson

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Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2008, 11:02:48 am »

Quote
Ask them why they don't reply to e-mails!
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=170609\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

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doncody

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Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2008, 11:24:30 am »

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[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=170610\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Is there any way to get my H-mount Leaf 75 (not a 75S) to work on their camera, or must it be an S?

My understanding is the Leaf Afi requires a whole new dedicated 75S and will not accept anything less

Will Rollei or Leaf change the mount?

Is there any trade-in allowance?

Thanks Brad.

Don Cody
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hubell

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Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2008, 11:33:22 am »

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Ask them why they don't reply to e-mails!
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=170609\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I would ask myself why I would consider for a minute buying such an expensive camera system from a company that did not respond to my e-mails. If this is how they respond when you are interested in buying a camera from them, can you imagine how they will respond when you need warranty service?

mattlap2

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Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2008, 12:03:04 pm »

Quote
Is there any way to get my H-mount Leaf 75 (not a 75S) to work on their camera, or must it be an S?

My understanding is the Leaf Afi requires a whole new dedicated 75S and will not accept anything less

Will Rollei or Leaf change the mount?

Is there any trade-in allowance?

Thanks Brad.

Don Cody
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=170619\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Don,

An H mount anything will not work on the AFI body.    Not a 75 nor a 75s.   The mount is not only different, but it is a different case as well so it's just not a matter of changing the mount.

Brad is going to see the Rollei version of the this camera at PMA.

Leaf does have a trade in program, although many on here have no liked the pricing or the program.   There was a thread last week dealing with trade in.

Matt LaPointe
Dodd Camera - Chicago
(219) 670-9905
mlapointe@doddcamera.com
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SecondFocus

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Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2008, 01:42:52 pm »

Quote
I would ask myself why I would consider for a minute buying such an expensive camera system from a company that did not respond to my e-mails. If this is how they respond when you are interested in buying a camera from them, can you imagine how they will respond when you need warranty service?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=170622\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

EXACTLY!
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bradleygibson

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Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2008, 02:04:00 pm »

Quote
I would ask myself why I would consider for a minute buying such an expensive camera system from a company that did not respond to my e-mails. If this is how they respond when you are interested in buying a camera from them, can you imagine how they will respond when you need warranty service?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=170622\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Of course I can relate to your point, but I'm not ready to write them off yet--here's why:

F&H has recently split off from Rollei, and has formed a partnership with Jenoptik to release a new or updated (depending on your point of view) medium format platform, and also supplying it to two partners Sinar and Leaf.  I'm assuming they are not particularly rich, given the health of the medium format industry as a whole.  So in the end, they may have decided not to focus on end-customer communication for the time being.  I don't *like* it, but I can at least imagine a scenario in which it's necessary.  

I find that the camera, at least on paper, is an excellent fit for my needs.  I also see the kind of care and attention they are putting into this project and that kind of passion appeals to me.

Just about every major player has a big ding against them for something or other that they have done or not done recently.  Yes, it can be frustrating for all of us as potential customers but I can't imagine all this is easy to do, either.

There is so much that I don't understand about this industry and how it works, that I'm willing to be patient and work with them a bit more so I can make a good decision.  Indeed, this is why I'm spending my time and money to fly to Las Vegas to talk with them, and have offered to play messenger for others who feel similarly but aren't able to make it to the show.

Time will tell if this is the right path or not.

Best regards,
-Brad
« Last Edit: January 29, 2008, 05:30:47 pm by bradleygibson »
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doncody

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Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA
« Reply #10 on: January 29, 2008, 03:18:43 pm »

Quote
Don,

An H mount anything will not work on the AFI body.    Not a 75 nor a 75s.   The mount is not only different, but it is a different case as well so it's just not a matter of changing the mount.

Brad is going to see the Rollei version of the this camera at PMA.

Leaf does have a trade in program, although many on here have no liked the pricing or the program.   There was a thread last week dealing with trade in.

Matt LaPointe
Dodd Camera - Chicago
(219) 670-9905
mlapointe@doddcamera.com
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=170639\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Matt,

Thanks for your response.  I have talked with Leaf and I agree, I was less than thrilled with the response.  

I was hoping Rollei might approach it differently eg., providing an adapter for a non-S/Hasselblad configuration.

Truth of the matter is I'm losing my enthusiasm for the Hy6/Afi combo. After waiting for what seemed like forever, and needing to do something, I finally pulled the trigger on an H2/75 combo and frankly am falling in love with the results.

Best,
DC
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EricWHiss

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Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA
« Reply #11 on: January 29, 2008, 04:16:51 pm »

Hi Bradley,

While I don't have any specific questions in mind right now, I'm very interested to hear what you find out and what your take away feel about F&H going forward will be.    Love my Rollei as does seemingly everyone who has shot one that I have made contact with, but my worry is that this is a platform where service/parts/and information will be hard to come by and only available after long waits, etc.    

I guess it would be interesting to know what the compatibility/interchange of parts and digital backs between the 6008 and the Hy6 would be.  It seems financially daunting to keep a second Hy6 for a back up....

Thanks,
Eric
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bradleygibson

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Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA
« Reply #12 on: January 29, 2008, 05:17:10 pm »

Quote
It seems financially daunting to keep a second Hy6 for a back up....
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=170734\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

To be honest, buying two bodies *is* my plan.  Like others have mentioned the service and support is definitely a challenge.  I fully expect to have to send my own camera to Germany for repairs, should the need arise.  There wouldn't be anywhere to rent/buy/borrow/beg or steal a Hy6 anywhere nearby, so not having a backup would be quite disruptive.

I am factoring in this cost to the platform.  In the end if the cost is too high for the value I get out of it, I'm also open to considering a 6008AF or even staying on Hassy-V.

Perhaps O/T for this thread, but I understand you're shooting the 6008AF with a P20 now--what are your experiences with it like?  Since this is potentially a backup plan for me, I'm definitely interested in hearing your thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of the solution.

Best regards,
Brad
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Graham Mitchell

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Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA
« Reply #13 on: January 29, 2008, 07:24:21 pm »

Quote
I guess it would be interesting to know what the compatibility/interchange of parts and digital backs between the 6008 and the Hy6 would be.  It seems financially daunting to keep a second Hy6 for a back up....

Thanks,
Eric
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=170734\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

If you use a Sinarback, you just need 2 adapters and you can use the same back on both a Hy6 and a 6008AF. This is my long term plan.
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thsinar

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Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA
« Reply #14 on: January 29, 2008, 07:36:04 pm »

hi Bradley,

that's a "refreshing" point of view, much appreciated!

It is not always easy to keep up and follow the pace, for small companies like DB manufacturers, and in this case F&H. All are in the same boat and all do their best, IMO, and there is no bad intention but sometimes only a lack of people or time.

Thanks for your understanding,
Thierry

Quote
Of course I can relate to your point, but I'm not ready to write them off yet--here's why:

F&H has recently split off from Rollei, and has formed a partnership with Jenoptik to release a new or updated (depending on your point of view) medium format platform, and also supplying it to two partners Sinar and Leaf.  I'm assuming they are not particularly rich, given the health of the medium format industry as a whole.  So in the end, they may have decided not to focus on end-customer communication for the time being.  I don't *like* it, but I can at least imagine a scenario in which it's necessary. 

I find that the camera, at least on paper, is an excellent fit for my needs.  I also see the kind of care and attention they are putting into this project and that kind of passion appeals to me.

Just about every major player has a big ding against them for something or other that they have done or not done recently.  Yes, it can be frustrating for all of us as potential customers but I can't imagine all this is easy to do, either.

There is so much that I don't understand about this industry and how it works, that I'm willing to be patient and work with them a bit more so I can make a good decision.  Indeed, this is why I'm spending my time and money to fly to Las Vegas to talk with them, and have offered to play messenger for others who feel similarly but aren't able to make it to the show.

Time will tell if this is the right path or not.

Best regards,
-Brad
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=170680\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
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EricWHiss

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« Reply #15 on: January 30, 2008, 12:01:00 am »

Quote
Perhaps O/T for this thread, but I understand you're shooting the 6008AF with a P20 now--what are your experiences with it like?  Since this is potentially a backup plan for me, I'm definitely interested in hearing your thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of the solution.

[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=170756\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Hi Brad,

I got the 6008 AF last Fall didn't like it and immediately put it up for sale, however kept using it.  I discovered I had a warped focusing screen which was a cheap thing to fix (I got a Bill Maxwell Hi Lux with proper crop marks for the P20), I downloaded  manual for the camera and shot some more using more of the camera features which all fall conveniently in reach to your fingers when holding the camera. Bought a few more lenses and kept being impressed by the quality of the optics and files.  Now 6 months and 4000 frames later I'm really fond of the camera and optics. A few people saw my old for sale post and asked and I had to tell them I was keeping the camera.  The lenses are superb with my favorite so far being the 110mm f/2.0 but every one I have is just stellar.  I've put a bit of time into researching the camera, lenses and accessories so feel free to contact me off list if you want more detail on any of that.

I played around with the Hy6 in a local store and think anyone shooting it would grow to really like it as well (after getting over the cost), and the new camera has some real advantages over the 6008 AF.   It's lighter, AF is faster and works better in low light, full Exif data, better viewfinder/ WLF (brighter and apparently more contrast) and more controls are at your finger tips.   It's also been reported that the newer AFD versions of the same optics will have tighter manufacturing specs so they could be sharper than the current ones (unless you happen to have a really good copy).    The new lenses do not have manual aperture rings and are instead controlled with the camera so I don't know if they will work with the 6008 or not so that might preclude a 6008 backup option.  I'd really like to try out a Hy6 on a shoot and may rent one.

Eric
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bradleygibson

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Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA
« Reply #16 on: February 02, 2008, 10:28:50 pm »

Quote
I supose my big questions are:
1: Price with a film mag and 80mm
2: PhaseOne compatible?

Thank's
Samuel
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=170512\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

1. As usual, the manufacturers weren't aware of pricing for specific regions.  They suggested talking to  your distributor for MSRP/MAP or your dealer for more aggressive pricing.

2. No definitive answers (as they are not the ones to grant or deny permission to access the platform), but my read on all this is that we're unlikely to see a full electronic integration of Hy6 with  Phase any time soon.  I hope I'm wrong, though.
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bradleygibson

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Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA
« Reply #17 on: February 02, 2008, 10:31:48 pm »

Quote
Qs re Rollei 6008:
1) Is the back rotatable from landscape to portrait orientation?
2)If not, whether if possible to order the back in a portrait (vertical) orientation?
Thank you
Yevgeny
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

My bad, Yevgeny.  Somehow I missed this question and failed to ask them.  I'm sorry about that.

But I know you can get answers to your questions from Rollei-Metric.  E-mail address and other contact information for them is here:  [a href=\"http://www.rollei-metric.com/index.php?id=11&sub=88&page=ansprechpartner&lang=en]http://www.rollei-metric.com/index.php?id=...partner&lang=en[/url].

-Brad
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bradleygibson

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Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA
« Reply #18 on: February 02, 2008, 10:32:48 pm »

Quote
Is there any way to get my H-mount Leaf 75 (not a 75S) to work on their camera, or must it be an S?

My understanding is the Leaf Afi requires a whole new dedicated 75S and will not accept anything less

Will Rollei or Leaf change the mount?

Is there any trade-in allowance?

Thanks Brad.

Don Cody
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=170619\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Matt's post above is correct.

F&H does not provide trade-ins for digital backs, nor do they manufacture a Leaf-to-Hy6 adapter.

To my knowledge only Leaf will change the mount.

-Brad
« Last Edit: February 02, 2008, 10:35:31 pm by bradleygibson »
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bradleygibson

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Franke & Heidecke (Rolleiflex Hy6) at PMA
« Reply #19 on: February 02, 2008, 10:41:14 pm »

Quote
Hi Bradley,

While I don't have any specific questions in mind right now, I'm very interested to hear what you find out and what your take away feel about F&H going forward will be.    Love my Rollei as does seemingly everyone who has shot one that I have made contact with, but my worry is that this is a platform where service/parts/and information will be hard to come by and only available after long waits, etc.    

I guess it would be interesting to know what the compatibility/interchange of parts and digital backs between the 6008 and the Hy6 would be.  It seems financially daunting to keep a second Hy6 for a back up....

Thanks,
Eric
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=170734\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

The Hy6 and 6008AF share the same lens mount, as you know, but very little else is shared.  The Hy6 was designed from the ground up, has a significantly reduced part count, new electrical system, different mirror drive, back mount -- even the viewfinder interlock is different.  The computer interface (for firmware updates, and perhaps other functions?) to the camera is no longer serial but USB.  Batteries are of course different as well.

I forgot to check the built-in mount on the bottom of the 6008AF, but the one on the bottom of the Hy6 is compatible with the Novoflex system.  (Similar to Arca-Swiss, but the way it is positioned would prevent my Arca-Swiss-compatible Really Right Stuff BH-55 from working with it without a plate.

So nothing springs to mind as interchangeable with the exception of the lenses.

-Brad
« Last Edit: February 02, 2008, 10:41:50 pm by bradleygibson »
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