Got a Favorite Rolleiflex TLR strap to recommend for 3.5E?

JWMster · May 4, 2018

Looking for a comfortable, secure strap with a wide collar cushion (but not crazy wide) for a 3.5E model Rollei. Appreciate proven ideas.

bunip · May 4, 2018

At the end what rolley did you take? pictures please...

JWMster · May 4, 2018

Will provide tonight or tomorrow a.m.

Kodachromeguy · May 4, 2018

JWMster said:
Looking for a comfortable, secure strap with a wide collar cushion (but not crazy wide) for a 3.5E model Rollei. Appreciate proven ideas.

Hello JW, congratulations on the Rolleiflex. You need a strap with the scissors clips that clip into the receiver slots on the side of the camera body. Some ideas:
1. If you have a strap, take off the clips by removing the old rivets and attach the clips to a modern strap of your choosing. One of the narrower Domke straps are a popular choice. Use tiny stainless steel screws or rivets.
2. Buy a new leather strap (Fotodiox brand) complete with the scissors clips and transfer a rubber shoulder pad from an older strap.
3. Buy one of the webbing Rolleiflex straps. Look on Amazon; I was surprised how many choices now exist.

JWMster · May 4, 2018

Kodachromeguy: Thanks! I've tried the Fotodiox and oddly, it's kind of uncomfortable on my neck. Dunno why. With my Rolleiflex 6008, someone suggested the Rolleiflex neckstrap as the best, and they weren't kidding. It is by a mile. Looking for something similar but also something that will get out of the way easily when you need to change the film... which the Fotodiox does not (unless you unclip on one end).

Alan9940 · May 4, 2018

I don't have a 3.5E, but I do have an MX-EVS which, I believe, uses the same strap attachment configuration. I recently got a Peak Design Slide and I've been very happy with it. What I like about this strap--in addition to its comfort--is that I can attach the strap for hand carry or disconnect it for tripod use, all in about 2 seconds! I bought a couple extra Anchor packs and have settled on this strap for all my cameras. I just move the strap, as needed.

Raphael · May 4, 2018

Hi @JWMster ,

My wife gifted me with a nice Italian leather "Luigi Camera strap" for my 3.5F. This is an absolute luxury strap, beautiful, very sturdy and very comfortable all together. They are of course equiped with the Rollei "scissor" clips.

Of course, there is only an obvious drawback, the price...
You can get one at Luigi's site or his *bay shop :
http://www.luigicases.com/a000-STRAPS-page.htm
https://www.ebay.fr/itm/LUIGI-DELUX...hash=item2cd2e6a318:m:mbPOZnNgb11eyAP2nTpLtjQ

Best regards,

Raphael

JWMster · May 4, 2018

Alan: Got one of those I tried on the Rolleiflex 6008, but the camera was too heavy and it was too awkward. Hadn't thought to try it here, but I will That's the 2nd time I've tried to make the Slide work for me, and failed. Still have it, and may give it a shot. I've always thought of it as a seat belt! and that it SHOULD be comfortable, but maybe my neck just doesn't fit it right. The thinner, smaller Rolleiflex strap went on the 6008 and worked better. But a TLR is a different camera, so I'll give it a shot. THanks!

JWMster · May 4, 2018

Raphael: I thought the Luigi strap I saw was closer to $500 and I shied away but this one is much more reasonable at $200, and as a gift, maybe it's not so bad on price. Looks pretty awesome. Hits all the right buttons: Soft leather, attaches with Rollei clips; can use Rollei filter holders (?), etc. Though $200 is still a tad pricey nothing Rollei is ever cheap! But it is waaaaaaaaaaaay nice. Do you find it comfortable? Do you use it? (Of course you do!)

summicron1 · May 4, 2018

I use the Op/Tech straps with loops instead of braided straps -- the loops fit through the clips for Rollei straps on just about any Rollei and the strap is about 3 inches wide at its widest, and padded with little rubber nubby thingies that grip your shoulder reasonably well. I have one on a 3.5 Rollei and another on my 2.8 E Rollei. The strap loops work great.

Costs about $20. You can order them from Freestyle: https://www.freestylephoto.biz/1503001-OP-TECH-Pro-Camera-Strap-Navy

They ain't a Luigi custom leather strap, but you can take the bux you save and buy another camera or 40 rolls of HP5-plus. I am amazed to see the phrase "much more reasonable" and $200" in a sentence describing a camera strap.

Raphael · May 4, 2018

$500 is rather the price of a complete Rolleiflex case with strap . Damn expensive, but would worth it, given the quality, IMHO.

Yes, the strap is very comfortable, and larger and thicker than the vintage (?) Rollei strap I got first with the camera.
So, I can't tell if it actually fits Rollei filter holder.
If you need any other informations about the strap, don't hesitate to ask me.
Best regards,

Raphael

Dan Daniel · May 4, 2018

summicron1 said:
I use the Op/Tech straps with loops instead of braided straps -- the loops fit through the clips for Rollei straps on just about any Rollei and the strap is about 3 inches wide at its widest, and padded with little rubber nubby thingies that grip your shoulder reasonably well. I have one on a 3.5 Rollei and another on my 2.8 E Rollei. The strap loops work great.

Costs about $20. You can order them from Freestyle: https://www.freestylephoto.biz/1503001-OP-TECH-Pro-Camera-Strap-Navy

They ain't a Luigi custom leather strap, but you can take the bux you save and buy another camera or 40 rolls of HP5-plus. I am amazed to see the phrase "much more reasonable" and $200" in a sentence describing a camera strap.

Yep, the loops drop away from the focus hood very nicely, like the alligator clips! Another nice thing about the Op/Tech strap is that you can disconnect the center section and connect the two short pieces. You now have a nice wrist strap. I'll often do this, roll the camera around once, and be able to carry a Rolleiflex with one hand on the street very securely.

I actually throw out the center neoprene section. I cut away the clips and make my own center section strap from 3/4 inch webbing. The clips are standard so you could buy a narrower Op/Tech strap and use its center (heck, for all the money you save, buy three and still have hundreds left over for film).

Yes, we live in an age that would have Veblen shaking his head in dismay.

JWMster · May 4, 2018

Summicron1: Yes... and the key words are "...describing a camera $200 strap". But with gifts.... people will spend what they want. You just hope when on the receiving end, that using the gift (or not) still remains a choice you want and get to make.... if you know what I mean. High priced gifts can leave the recipient in an awkward place sometimes... and often come with "strings". So there you are, from straps to strings.

But yeah... film tends to be running through the camera these days at a fast pace. Love to spend it where it counts.

JWMster · May 5, 2018

Trying a non-clip strap, I ordered this webbing version and am looking for a shoulder pad to run it through. Price is right and since a Gordy wouldn't work... this is the next candidate. We'll see how she works.

Dennis-B · May 5, 2018

Try a Tamrac N45. It has a suede leather neck pad, and uses nylon straps to secure to the camera. They're no longer made, but this vendor still has a couple of used ones. @ $23 and change, it's one of the best straps ever made. I use them for my Nikons, Mamiya 645, Mamiya C330s. The Nikons include an F3 and F4, and I can carry them for a long time.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tamrac-N45...737406?hash=item2cd2a7407e:g:RV4AAOSwdGJax4k1

JWMster · May 5, 2018

Dennis: Great! That may be the NEXT one up.

Got a Favorite Rolleiflex TLR strap to recommend for 3.5E?

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