New Rollei Digital Bundle

Recently Rollei Logistics has announced a new camera, lens and software bundle for professional photographers. Rollei is well known for its high quality workhorse cameras. The new bundle does not come cheap, the price tag is almost 15 thousand dollars. The price seems high when you consider the camera has only a 16 megapixel chip made by PhaseOne. But if you consider the bundle the price is actually pretty good. Rollei is fighting hard to stay in the digital game with their high end photographers. As DSLRs improve the quality and quantity of pixels Rollei will have a real challenge staying in the market.

PRESS RELEASE

Rollei Logistics, Tokyo, Japan, announces the availability of the 6008 AF "Bundle," which includes the Rollei 6008 AF camera; an auto focus SLR camera in a 6-by-6 medium format; C1 Pro software for precise workflow that supports all phases of image editing and intuitive operation; and the PhaseOne db20p digital back, which gives photographers film and digital picture taking capability in one package. The interchangeable film packs allow a photographer to shoot film, Polaroid-type shots as well as digital shots.

The db20p has resolution of 16 megapixels, 16 bits per RGB or CMYK color, and offers the option of saving RAW files in addition to TIFF and JPEG files. The unit handles studio or location shoots, with high performance rechargeable batteries that provide 250 shots (four working hours) and 45 frames per minute without AC power. The data is stored in the IIQ RAW format on CompactFlash cards. Processed images can be stored in the form of IIQ RAW, TIFF-RGB, TIFF-CMYK or JPEG files. File sizes are between 48 MB and 128 MB. ICC profiles can be embedded for optimum color management.

The 6008 AF is targeted to studio and on-location professionals. Pricing is expected to be in the $14,999 range. Lenses from Schneider-Kreuznach and Carl Zeiss are included in the bundle, which retains full compatibility with the Rollei 6000 system, making it compatible with more than 20 current 6000 system lenses. Three new AF lenses have been developed for the auto focus modes of the 6008 AF.

All the camera's main functions can be carried out fully automatically or controlled manually. It's also possible to individually program functions via a PC or Mac computer's Firewire port, which allows users to program virtually everything in the camera and operate it by remote control.

The 6008 AF continues the tradition of the square viewfinder, but features a newly developed illuminated LC control centre in the finder that provides photographers with camera data. The new auto focus system features TTL exposure metering and high-focusing precision. The 6008 AF also features a new TTL flash-control system. The TTL sensor is integrated into the camera and measures the amount of flash light reaching the film -- parallax-free and at the exact viewing angle. All available shutter speeds are flash-synchronized, which give pro photographers advantage when working in daylight or for filling in shadows and strong subject contrasts.