rollei going digital TLR?

[itziks]

hi saw this camera here

http://www.adorama.com/RLRMDC.html?searchinfo=Rolleiflex%20MiniDigi%20&item_no=45

problem is it has a fixed focus... I think rollei should make something more worth - megapixels + features

[Ivan Rios]

My opinion on a digital TLR is that it should be more than just "Digital". Before digital became popular, having a Rollei TLR meant that you were in a class reserved for professionals. These cameras are so well designed that they stood the test of time. Even today consumer/Prosumer class digital cameras can't come close. You would have to spend thousands to match the image quality you can get from a Rollei by purchasing a medium format digital back and camera. What would be the sense of having a digital TLR if the picture quality can only be as good as lets say a Panasonic Lumix camera with a Zeiss lens. It would have to bet better than that. I believe when you shoot with a Rolleiflex you are creating art, anything else is just a picture.
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Ivan Rios
Photography & design
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[sjperry]

I don't think you can approach the resolution of a 120 negative (assuming reasonably good film and processing) with ANY digital back. If you want quality image for good large prints, you go film with optical enlargement. Digital SLR's are generally "good enough" for most consumers. Digital backs are also "good enough" for pro's that shoot mostly weddings.

[Rolleistef]

hello all, first post here,
I once saw a modified Rolleicord with a 6MP digital back, quite interesting concept but a little un-ergonomical, as you can imagine.
I'll try to find the photo, but the concept is interesting. You can modify a rollei back and find a "cheap" back for +/- 500$/€.
However, a real "rollei-made" digital Rollei could be an interesting camera, with a real-time viewfinder. the problem : do we keep a true optical viewfinder with a mirror and a ground glass, and a flip 2 1/2 LCD activated the same way as the loupe (by pushing the sport finder), or a LCD viewfinder only?
I'm sure it would have quite a good success, even though it would be reaaally pricey (a 6X6 CCD sensor?). Shall we put an AF too? And what to do with the crank (we can't get rid of it, come on, otherwise there's no reason to buy a rolleiflex if there isn't anything to turn once the film has reached its end)
cheers
stef

[Pham Minh Son]

I would love to see the Rollei TLR system with a high full frame digital back. However, even with a digital back the film looks are different.

[sjperry]

Not only is the film "look" different (I think better), but the resolution is far, far better than any digital. Why not just use 120 film, get the great storage length (never wiped out by a hard drive crash) and scan the prints or negatives?