Here some more information:
First some information from my side, my own opinon, after having used it (already in June '07):
- the first thing which is remarkable, is the position of this camera in the hand: it feels very light, together with the digital back, and also very comfortable to hold. One of the reason for the comfort of holding is the 4-position handgrip, which can be adjusted by a simple button and clicked into another position. The Hy6 feels much lighter than the Rollei 6008, and the feeling in the hand is also very different, IMO.
Also, one does not get tired by holding the camera after the shooting is finished, one can walk around without feeling the urge to lie the camera down because it feels all of a sudden so heavy. The reason here is also the possibility to adjust the grip exactly the way needed when carrying the body (in contrary to the H series, where carrying the camera a while makes oneself being tired after a couple of minutes).
- the autofocus is fast and pretty reliable, at least as fast as the H series, if not faster
- in case of low light conditions, there is a very useful red-light beam projecting a grid and helping the autofocus. This feature works well up to a distance of a few meters only, obviously, nevertheless it helps a lot sometimes.
- what has convinced me to like this camera is the flat-structure menu which makes it very intuitive and easy to use, even for somebody holding the camera the first time: no need to study first all the menus and other sub-menus, all the important functions are easily accessible. One does not need to scroll via menus and sub-menus, but can access the needed functions from the handgrip and with 2 dials.
- another plus point for me are the remarkable new Schneider AFD lenses. They are already famous with the PQ and PQS series (AF or non-AF) for the Rollei 600x bodies, but the new AFD are IMO razor-sharp and astonishing: though of the same construction (same optical formula) as the previous AF, the tolerances are pushed a step higher with the new AFDs. Also, their responsiveness to AF is very good, and even the manual focus is quite impressive and easy, with a good design of the focus barrel. And when one thinks that the quality of the lens for such digital systems is the A and the O in the whole chain (garbage in, garbage out), this is a very plus in the whole system which should and will be recognized by the most demanding photographers, IMO.
- Revolving adapters are currently in production, allowing for positioning from horizontal to vertical without having to take the digital back away: another plus point in comparison to a 645 format (no need to turn the camera, when changing the shooting orientation).
- one more thing I would like to add is the design of the camera and how this camera is born: although it is manufactured by Franke & Heidecke in Germany (Rolleiflex), the Sinar Hy6 (and the 2 other sold brands, the Leaf AF1 and Rolleiflex Hy6) is a completely new camera, especially concerning the internal electronics and motor-drives. It has nothing to do with the Rollei 6008. Admitted, the body itself has some analogy, in its shape and size, with the 6008, and the format is 6x6 as well. Also, the 2 bodies use the same lens mount. But that is about all which can be compared: all electronic elements, the AF, the motor driven mirror, the functions and the menus, the hold in the hand, etc .... are completely different. The camera electronics has been designed by an independent Swiss company whose engineer has worked for Sinar for many years and who developed the Sinar m camera before opening his own company. The general design comes also from an external German company. The whole project has been under the leading of Jenoptik AG, Sinar's owner. That means that this cameras and its sales rights belongs to Jenoptik, being the one who have ordered (and paid for) it.
I will not enter more in details, since I believe that nothing can replace a self-conducted test. What I am writing here is only MY opinion, and some might believe it is biased, due to my position. I understand this. So my recommendation is to test this camera and digital back, and make your opinion yourself. I believe that there should be soon here a report from somebody having been given the Sinar Hy6 for a few weeks to test it in real shooting conditions: he is certainly in a more trustful position to be "listened" to, being a photographer not involved with Sinar. So a little bit patience and you should know more.
I wanted to add here as attachment some other (technical) information for those liking the data sheets. Unfortunately, the limit size of upload allowed (195 kb for a jpg and 20 kb for a pdf) do not allow me to do it.
Asher: how is it possible to attach/upload bigger files?
Best regards,
Thierry
I realize that your expertise is with the Sinar products, but if you could tell me some of the main features/advantages of the camera over its predecessor or other makes that would be wonderful.
Thanks,
Eric
