Speedgraphic
Member
I recently acquired a Hy6 Mod 2 from Eric at Rolleiflex.us. I had a Leaf AFI and a 645 back, and he knew I was seeking out a 6x6 back somewhat desperately. The factory (yes, they're still around) allegedly is in the middle of a production run, but having difficulty sourcing a part... Anyway, I was able to get a very lightly used Mod 2 kit with the back. It cost me dearly, as I had to sell my 80/2 Xenotar to afford it, even after having just acquired it a few weeks before. Lucky for me, I still had the 80/2.8 AFD Xenotar, and the always under-rated 60/3.5 Distagon.
So was the upgrade worth it? Well....YES. The Mod 2 in many ways fulfills the promise of the original Hy6 in my mind. It's very much a 6x6 SLR of the new century. While I was used to shooting manual focus with a Hasselblad, I never jived with the waist level finder. My eyes are just not quite there enough to focus reliably, and I always had my face stuck on the magnifier anyway. The irony for me is, that though my hit rate went up focus-wise while using a prism, my compositions suffered. Maybe it's just the way my brain works, but when you are looking at a WLF from a couple feet away, you can really pre-visualize the image much more quickly. The Mod 2 allows me to shoot with almost complete trust in the AF mode with the WLF. I occasionally check focus with the magnifier, but thus far it hasn't let me down. You can really shoot away, especially in aperture program mode. I find internal meters more accurate for E6 films, and I love to shoot Provia and Velvia so for me this has been great. Even for long exposures, I am enjoying that you can program for the shutter to open longer than an hour, much longer than I would generally ever expose. Auto bracketing is quick and wonderful. (of course the original Hy6 had these features too, but the AF was MUCH worse). From the symmetrical inserts to the rotating grip, there are just too many small design choices to list that make this camera incredibly well thought out.
Frankly, it's like a 6x6 Nikon F6, with a single focus point. I'm just over the moon with it!
I sometimes miss my 80/2, but on the other hand my 2.8 is just incredible. It's tack sharp, with very high contrast. I'm not sure i've use a better medium format lens. Having access to the Rollei versions of classic Zeiss lenses is a big bonus, but for my part I'm going to be seeking out the Schneider designs. The 180/2.8 is next on my list. The more exotic lenses like the 110/2 are probably too rich for my blood, thought it's interesting they made it with a leaf shutter. I'd also love to try out the Super Angulons. Both the AF 50 and MF 40 look great. I love my 60, and though I have heard the Curtagon is a better design, I'm not sure I'd upgrade to it.
I'm benefitting from the fact that I shoot film exclusively. It's a shame that there aren't Phase options for the system, but I understand you can get the Credo backs.
I've been posting images recently on my instagram which you can see here: https://www.instagram.com/marksperry/
So was the upgrade worth it? Well....YES. The Mod 2 in many ways fulfills the promise of the original Hy6 in my mind. It's very much a 6x6 SLR of the new century. While I was used to shooting manual focus with a Hasselblad, I never jived with the waist level finder. My eyes are just not quite there enough to focus reliably, and I always had my face stuck on the magnifier anyway. The irony for me is, that though my hit rate went up focus-wise while using a prism, my compositions suffered. Maybe it's just the way my brain works, but when you are looking at a WLF from a couple feet away, you can really pre-visualize the image much more quickly. The Mod 2 allows me to shoot with almost complete trust in the AF mode with the WLF. I occasionally check focus with the magnifier, but thus far it hasn't let me down. You can really shoot away, especially in aperture program mode. I find internal meters more accurate for E6 films, and I love to shoot Provia and Velvia so for me this has been great. Even for long exposures, I am enjoying that you can program for the shutter to open longer than an hour, much longer than I would generally ever expose. Auto bracketing is quick and wonderful. (of course the original Hy6 had these features too, but the AF was MUCH worse). From the symmetrical inserts to the rotating grip, there are just too many small design choices to list that make this camera incredibly well thought out.
Frankly, it's like a 6x6 Nikon F6, with a single focus point. I'm just over the moon with it!
I sometimes miss my 80/2, but on the other hand my 2.8 is just incredible. It's tack sharp, with very high contrast. I'm not sure i've use a better medium format lens. Having access to the Rollei versions of classic Zeiss lenses is a big bonus, but for my part I'm going to be seeking out the Schneider designs. The 180/2.8 is next on my list. The more exotic lenses like the 110/2 are probably too rich for my blood, thought it's interesting they made it with a leaf shutter. I'd also love to try out the Super Angulons. Both the AF 50 and MF 40 look great. I love my 60, and though I have heard the Curtagon is a better design, I'm not sure I'd upgrade to it.
I'm benefitting from the fact that I shoot film exclusively. It's a shame that there aren't Phase options for the system, but I understand you can get the Credo backs.
I've been posting images recently on my instagram which you can see here: https://www.instagram.com/marksperry/