New lenses for Afi? does that mean they are still making/supporting the bodies? Does anyone use the Rollei 6008AF?
Yes and yes, I use the 6008AF. Here's a sample of the bokeh possible with that system:
Slight clarification--it is not clear whether new bodies are being made or simply sold from existing stock. A small point until/unless stock runs out--because it is not clear whether DHW retains the rights to continue manufacturing the body or not. My feeling is that none of this really matters, but I wanted you to be aware so you would be able to decide for yourself.
With that being said, new lenses are being developed and made for the system and the bodies and lenses are indeed still supported.
Thanks for all your input. I'm considering an IQ180 so wanting to review systems. Find the Phamiya particularly uninspiring and I'm not a major fan of their lenses. ove the Contax but the 125th second flash sync is a killer. Don't like the H Series. Have been using a V System very happily with a P65 but as others have said it has an aperture that isn't round so thought I'd investigate other options. I have heard wonders about Rollei.
Interesting, as I arrived at exactly the same conclusions regarding the Phamiya system, the H, the V and the Contax. I liked the V system so much I ended up on it twice (second time with a 203FE for faster glass and CFV-39 to eliminate the sync cable). But I do tend to use longer lenses and natural (continuous) light, and shutter vibration from focal-plane shutter cameras turned out to be problematic. This is the main reason why I ended up leaving the Contax and the 203FE. In your case, it sounds like you may be using strobe, so this wouldn't be an issue.
Between the two (V and Contax), I'd recommend the Contax (no sync cable, smoother bokeh, AF, wider wide angle), plus an adapter for the V lenses you can't live without (eg. 110/2), assuming you can live with the slow flash sync, and aren't a waist-level finder shooter shooting in portrait orientation.
Overall, though, it does seem that a Rollei system would be best suited to cover your needs, both for bokeh and sync speed.
Additional info: IQ180 is not available in any Rollei mount -- If you wanted 80MP in Rollei, you would have to pick up an Aptus-II 12 (and an AFi/Hy6--the Aptus is not available in 6008 mount).