Rollei has announced an auto-focus variant of the 6008 camera
system, the 6008 AF. It is compatible with existing Rollei 6000
series lenses.
http://www.rollei.de/en/news/presse_detail.cfm?id=2156
Rollei achieves compatibility with the existing 6000 series lenses
courtesy of their all-electric lens mount. The autofocus is just
another function added to the lens "network". This network even
works with a reversed lens for macro work -- there is a bayonet
with electrical contacts on a cord which links the mount end of the
lens back to the camera system. In addition, compatibility with the
non-electric SLX lenses still exists, though I believe they need to
be used in stop-down metering mode.
In case you are wondering my interest in this non-Pentax product: The
Rollei 6x6 system was what I was considering for a MF system. It is
quite well designed and has some very good integration between the
bodies, film backs, and lenses. It has interchangeable film backs,
which is something I looked forward to instead of having multiple
bodies. It even has a 6x4.5 rotatable film back.
The downside of this system is cost: The initial system cost with a
"standard" lens is comparable to a 67ii + AE finder + "standard" lens.
The gotcha is that buying your next lens (any lens) is what drives the
cost up into the shock-factor range. Of course, Zeiss or Schneider
glass is nothing to laugh at, but even the "economy line" glass costs.
Bolo -- Josef T. Burger
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