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Rolleiflex 6008i 1328, Photo F.W. Stutterheim
Magazine 6000, version 120 / 6×6 cm, is mounted on a Rolleiflex 6008i. The dark slide is pulled down and the film is transported to frame 1. The film type window is empty, no film tab was put into the memo holder of the insert.
Photo ©2020  F.W. Stutterheim

Page Index

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 dial remained at the camera. Its ‘little brother’ the Rolleiflex 6002 had an improved film back not compatible with the SLX. Leaving the film speed dial on the 6006 camera clearly was a design fault. With the 6008 the film speed dial 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 dial. 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.

Rolleiflex 6008i 1623, Photo F.W. Stutterheim
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.

Rolleiflex 6008i 1634, Photo F.W. Stutterheim
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.

Rolleiflex 6008i 1636, Photo F.W. Stutterheim
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.

Rolleiflex 6008i 1734, Photo F.W. Stutterheim
Polaroid magazine ‘System Rolleiflex 6000’ with dark slide. The magazine with film speed dial is from the 6008 era.
Photo © 2022  F.W. Stutterheim

Polaroid magazines and 70 mm film magazines

The Rollei factory offered several Polaroid instant pack film magazines and two 70 mm film magazines. 70 mm film is no longer available. Polaroid does not offer pack films anymore. Fujifilm type 100 pack films are also out of production but old stock can be found sometimes. Please find the original Guide to Using Polaroid Instant Pack Films and the spec-sheet of Fujifilm FP100C Instant film from our downloads page. Supersense have revived instant peel-apart pack films suitable for the Rolleiflex 6000 Polaroid magazines: One Instant Color P7 Type 100 Pack film. The ‘pack’ is handmade and contains only one sheet of film.

Compatibility

Compatibility matrix roll film backs/magazines

Cameras Film backs SLX Film backs 6002 Film magazines 6006 Film magazines 6000 Film magazine 4560
Rolleiflex SLX yes no no no no
Rolleiflex 6002 no yes no no no
Rolleiflex 6006 no no yes yes no
Rolleiflex 6008 Prof
Rolleiflex 6008 Prof SRC1000
no no Defaults to ISO 100/21° yes no
Rolleiflex 6003 Prof SRC1000 no no Defaults to ISO 100/21° yes no
Rolleiflex 6008 i
Rolleiflex 6008 E
no no Defaults to ISO 100/21° yes limitations1
Rolleiflex 6003 Prof no no Yes, with Film Stage 6003
Defaults to ISO 100/21°
Yes, with Film Stage 6003 limitations1
Rolleiflex 6001
Rolleiflex AF
Rolleiflex i2
no no Defaults to ISO 100/21° yes yes

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.

Compatibility matrix Polaroid magazines

Cameras Polaroid magazines
‘Rolleiflex SLX’
with or without dark slide
no film speed dial
Polaroid magazine
Year 1984 (Rolleiflex 6006)
with dark slide
no film speed dial
Polaroid magazine
Year 1989 (Rolleiflex 6006-2)
with dark slide
no film speed dial
Polaroid magazine
‘System Rolleiflex 6000’
with dark slide and
film speed dial
Rolleiflex SLX yes yes yes yes, set film speed on camera
Rolleiflex 6002 no no no no
Rolleiflex 6006 no yes yes yes, set film speed on camera
Rolleiflex 6008 Prof
Rolleiflex 6008 Prof SRC1000
no no2 no2 yes
Rolleiflex 6003 Prof SRC1000 no no2 no2 yes
Rolleiflex 6008 i
Rolleiflex 6008 E
no no2 no2 yes
Rolleiflex 6003 Prof no no2 no2 yes
Rolleiflex 6001
Rolleiflex AF
Rolleiflex i2
no no2 no2 yes

Rolleiflex SLX film changing system

Rolleiflex SLX film changing components

Component Versions Produced Order number
Identity number
Particulars
Film insert for SLX only 1976 - ? 208 966 Several versions and names over the years.
Interchangeable film back
for SLX only, 120/220.
6 × 6 cm 1976 - ? 12 Exposures on 120, 24 exposures on 220 film.
4.5 × 6 cm 1979 - 1985 977 310 16 Exposures on 120, 34 exposures on 220 film.
Film and finder masks in protective cover.
Polaroid film magazine for SLX only.
Labeled Rolleiflex SLX3
8.3 × 10.8 cm 1976 - 1983 977 300 10 Exposures of 6 × 6 cm on Pack film.
Without dark slide
8.3 × 10.8 cm 1982 - 1991 977 280 10 Exposures of 6 × 6 cm on Pack film.
With dark slide

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

Rolleiflex 6000 film changing systems

Rolleiflex 6008i 1619, Photo F.W. Stutterheim
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

Component Versions or parts Produced Order number
Identity number
Particulars
Film insert from 6006 1976 - ? 960 075
98 004
Small white triangle on either side.
Film back 6002 120 / 6 × 6 cm 1986 - 1991 760 030 Interchangeable film back for 6002 only.
12 Exposures on 120 film.
Film speed is set on the camera, rather than the back.
220 / 6 × 6 cm 1986 - 1991 760 031 Interchangeable film back for 6002 only.
24 Exposures on 220 film.
Film speed is set on the camera, rather than the back.
120 / 4.5 × 6 cm 1986 - 1991 760 032 Interchangeable film back for 6002 only.
16 Exposures on 120 film.
Film speed is set on the camera, rather than the back.
Film and finder masks in protective cover.
220 / 4.5 × 6 cm 1986 - 1991 760 033 Interchangeable film back for 6002 only.
32 Exposures on 220 film.
Film speed is set on the camera, rather than the back.
Film and finder masks in protective cover.
Magazine 6006 120 / 6 × 6 cm 1986 - 1991 760 070 Interchangeable film magazine.
12 Exposures on 120 film.
Film speed is set on the camera, rather than the magazine.
220 / 6 × 6 cm 1986 - 1991 760 071 Interchangeable film magazine.
24 Exposures on 220 film.
Film speed is set on the camera, rather than the magazine.
120 / 4.5 × 6 cm 1986 - 1991 760 072 Interchangeable film magazine.
16 Exposures on 120 film.
Film speed is set on the camera, rather than the magazine.
Film and finder masks in protective cover.
220 / 4.5 × 6 cm 1986 - ? 760 073 Interchangeable film magazine.
32 Exposures on 220 film.
Film speed is set on the camera, rather than the magazine.
Film and finder masks in protective cover.
Magazine 6000 120 / 6 × 6 cm 1988 - ? 88 798 Interchangeable film magazine.
12 Exposures on 120 film.
Film speed set on magazine from ISO 25/15° - 6400/39°.
220 / 6 × 6 cm 1988 - ? 88 799 Interchangeable film magazine.
24 Exposures on 220 film.
Film speed set on magazine from ISO 25/15° - 6400/39°.
120 / 4.5 × 6 cm 1988 - ? 88 800 Interchangeable film magazine.
16 Exposures on 120 film.
Film speed set on magazine from ISO 25/15° - 6400/39°.
Film and finder masks in protective cover.
220 / 4.5 × 6 cm 1988 - ? 88 801 Interchangeable film magazine.
32 Exposures on 220 film.
Film speed set on magazine from ISO 25/15° - 6400/39°.
Film and finder masks in protective cover.
Magazine 6000
with data print
220 / 4.5 × 6 cm 1992 - 1996 89 169 Interchangeable film magazine with date, time or indicator
number exposed on the film.
32 Exposures on 220 film.
No film speed dial on magazine.
Film and finder masks in protective cover.
External power supply.
Magazine 4560 Magazine 4560
120 / 4.5 × 6 cm
1996 - ? 14 987 Interchangeable film magazine.
16 Exposures on 120 film.
Film speed set on magazine from ISO 25/15° - 6400/39°.
Film insert for
Magazine 4560
1996 - ? 14 986
Adaptor frame for
Magazine 4560
1996 - ? 10 776 Adaptor frame for mounting Magazine 4560 on Rolleiflex
6008i (from Index 3), 6001 and 6003 professional (from
Index 2). Cameras with earlier Indexes after factory upgrade.
(Camera number remains unchanged.)
Film Stage 6003 1996 - ? 13 493 Film Stage 6003 has to be inserted into Rolleiflex 6003 in
order to optimise the position of film in the film gate when
using magazines instead of the 6003 film back.
Polaroid film magazine,
with dark slide.
8.3 × 10.8 cm 1984 - 1991 960 080 10 Exposures of 6 × 6 cm on Pack film.
Contour adapted to period cameras.
8.3 × 10.8 cm 1989 - 1991 960 090 10 Exposures of 6 × 6 cm on Pack film.
Contour adapted to period cameras.
Polaroid film magazine
System Rolleiflex 6000.
8.3 × 10.8 cm 1988 - ? 760 315 10 Exposures of 6 × 6 cm on Pack film.
With film speed setting, only communicated to cameras from 6008.
Can be used with earlier cameras, but film speed is to be set on the camera.
With dark slide.

Notes

[1]
When a new camera leaves the factory the firmware level is represented by the Index number. The digits placed in the second and third position of the serial number are called the Index. 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 built with the third generation micro-processor and a detachable film stage and therefore are capable of using the Magazine 4560, they need Index level 3 or higher. That can be either a camera with value 3 or higher 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. Back
[2]
Neither camera nor Polaroid magazine is equipped with a dial for the film speed. The system may default to ISO 100/21° but I am not sure it does. Back
[3]
Polaroid magazines labeled ‘Rolleiflex SLX’ cannot be used with Rolleiflex 6000 cameras. Later Polaroid magazines without ‘Rolleiflex SLX’ can be used with SLX cameras. Film speed is always to be set on the camera. Back

References