Film changing systems Rolleiflex SLX and 6000 System

Introduction

Basic principles

The film changing systems have three basic parts. Film inserts, film backs and film magazines. Roll films are pre-loaded into inserts, an insert is loaded into a back or a magazine. A back basically stays on the camera, a magazine can easily be mounted or changed. An insert can be loaded into a mounted magazine or a loaded magazine can be mounted. Inserts are intended to accelerate the changing of roll films.

Although the basic principle is quite simple, in real life it turns out to be fairly complex. The first camera of this family, the SLX, only had a film back and film speed was set on the camera. The second member - the Rolleiflex 6006 - was fitted with a magazine but film speed setting remained at the camera. Its ‘little brother’ the Rolleiflex 6002 had an improved film back not compatible with the SLX. Leaving the film speed setting on the 6006 camera clearly was a design fault. With the 6008 the film speed setting was moved the magazine. The 6008 magazine, now called Magazine 6000, was of course not really compatible with 6006 cameras. The ‘little brother’ of the 6008 is the 6003 with a new film back with film speed setting. Replacing its back for a Magazine 6000 was an option, although a later and improved 6003 needed an additional Film Stage 6003 before accepting the magazine.

Magazine 6000 with two inserts and a magazine back cover. The small white triangle indicates an insert for 6006 and later magazines. I have never seen one but I understand the inserts of the SLX have a larger triangle. The magazines have only pressure plates. Unlike other medium format SLRs the film plane is located in the Rolleiflex 6000 camera, not in the detachable magazine. See next image. Photo ©2021  F.W. Stutterheim

Inserts, film magazines and film backs

Inserts

The inserts are holders that take a roll film and an empty spool. After finishing a roll there is no need to move the empty spool to the ‘take-up spool’ position. The new film simply replaces the exposed one and the insert can be turned and is ready for use. The insert is equipped with two diagonally placed gears for transporting the film. Only one gear matches with its counterpart in the camera. The SLX and Rolleiflex 6000 cameras have no feeler mechanism like the TLRs and the SL 66. The film has to be manually wound to a mark. After closing the back or magazine the film is automatically wound to frame 1 after releasing the shutter.

A Rolleiflex 6008i body with the Film Stage mounted. At right on the shutter speeds ring find the shutter speeds of 1 and 2 seconds in green. The large white button activates the light meter. Also on the right are 6 electrical contacts with the magazine. Down left the brass film transport gear. On the outside the SE/ME mechanical switch to disengage the film transport for multi-exposures. On the function knob the setting for multi-spot (3 tiny dots) is hardly visible. Unlike 35 mm SLRs the green setting stands for reset! The film chambers indicate the position of full and empty spools in the insert. Photo ©2021  F.W. Stutterheim

Magazine or Back

Film magazines are designed to be changed in mid-roll without losing film. Film backs are designed to stay on the camera. Backs should only be detached after finishing the film when it is fully wound. Backs have no dark-slides. The general idea is to change inserts at film-end in mounted backs and magazines and change magazines only when chosing a different film in mid-roll. Magazines 6006 can be used on later cameras but its use is not advised. In this situation neither camera nor magazine has the option of setting the film speed and the system defaults to ISO 100/21° (ASA 100, 21° DIN to old-timers like me). The desired film speed can only be obtained by adjusting the exposure compensation switch. Magazines for the 6006 are labeled as such. Magazines for later models are labeled as ‘Magazin 6000’. SLX backs cannot be used on 6000 cameras. Even so 6000 backs are not suitable for the SLX camera. Only 6003 backs can be replaced for Magazines 6000 (with the limitation mentioned before). Magazines have an integrated laminar dark-slide.

The Rolleiflex 6008i body with the Film Stage detached. The film stage has four fixing points and is held by two springs on either side of the body. It must be removed for mounting a Magazine 4560 or a digital back. Use your nail to get it out. Photo ©2021  F.W. Stutterheim

Magazine 4560

The sophisticated Magazine 4560 was introduced in October 1996. It is possible to switch between landscape and portrait format by simply repositioning the magazine in its frame. Attention: this applies to the backs labelled “4560” only. There is an earlier 4.5 x 6 cm back without this turning feature. The Magazine 4560 is suitable for cameras having the third generation micro-processor and a detachable Film Stage. In other words: the 6008i and later cameras. Those cameras also need the proper firmware version called Index.

Polaroid magazines and 70 mm film magazines

The Rollei factory offered several polaroid magazines and two 70 mm film magazines. They are not described on these pages. Film is no longer available.

Compatibility

Compatibility matrix

The film back (120 / 6×6 cm) of the Rolleiflex 6003 Prof (SRC 1000) was only sold with the camera. A choice of 4 film backs was available for the Rolleiflex 6002. They were also sold separately.

Rolleiflex SLX film changing system

Rolleiflex SLX film changing components

Film speed is set on the camera, rather than the back.

Rolleiflex 6000 film changing systems

Magazine 6000 with its laminar dark-slide, an insert 6000 and the protecting back cover of the magazine. Back covers were provided only with separately sold magazines. The little white label is a reminder of future business from my trusted repair shop. Photo ©2021  F.W. Stutterheim

System 6000 film changing components