Rolleifix or the Rollei Pano head for Automat K4?

I bought a RolleiFix to safely mount the camera on a tripod only to realize my Automat K4 doesn't have the groove in the round tripod plate that is supposed to fit into the side rails of the Rolleifix. Bummer!!! Why the genius German engineers designed some without the groove is beyond me, but now I have to think of an alternative. Would the Panorama adapter do the job and would it be safe for the flimsy sheet metal back of this built-like-a-tank of a camera? I imagine the pano head would serve the same purpose in preventing the back from warping when perched on a tripod with a quick release plate? The Rollei pano head has the two studs in the front, and of course a screw to engage with the tripod socket, giving it a three-point support as the RolleiFix. Just want to be sure.

Or should I just look for a replacement back for the camera with the 'groovy' tripod plate? Not sure which ones would fit although any model's back should fit I would think! Yes? Any advise will be highly appreciated.

I have used the Rollei head and also just rotated my tripod head with good results. I could not tell much difference (in that the center of rotation between the Rollei head and my tripod head have different rotation axes).

ic-racer said:

I have used the Rollei head and also just rotated my tripod head with good results. I could not tell much difference (in that the center of rotation between the Rollei head and my tripod head have different rotation axes).

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I think I follow what you mean. I am not intending to use it as a pano head, so the parallax error from two different rotational axis wouldn't bother me. I just want to ensure the safety of the sheet metal of the camera back when mounted on a tripod. Would the Rollei pano head help in that? Or......is there a way I can switch out the groove-less disc at the bottom of the camera to one with a groove? Is this camera so modular? In dealing with this, I realize what a well designed camera the Mamiya C330 is. Built like a tank and weighs like a boat anchor, but free from these pesky hassles! And in my case, with three super sharp interchangeable lenses to boot ;-) But no worries, I still love the quirky Rolleiflex!!!!

avid1 said:

Why the genius German engineers designed some without the groove is beyond me, but now I have to think of an alternative. Or......is there a way I can switch out the groove-less disc at the bottom of the camera to one with a groove?

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Rollei did not introduce the quick mount plate until after serial number 1 268 000. The easiest alternative is a back from a later model with the quick mount groove. They often appear on ebay and can be changed over in seconds.

Thanks for the suggestion, John. I was thinking that switching out the back might be one way to solve the issue. I guess all the backs from Rolleiflex and 'Cords are interchangeable based on the location of the hinge?

I have a Rolleiflex K4 (K4B?) and a Rollei pano head. Yes, you can put the pano head on the Rolleiflex K4. No, you don't need to, and it could be kind of a pain when not taking panoramas, because it places the camera weight well behind the center of the tripod mount. Of course that's the point for pivoting panoramas, but the rest of the time it's extraneous.

The Rolleiflex can be mounted on a tripod just fine; the idea that this is a fatal flaw seems to be one of those Internet legends. If one uses an overly long tripod screw and tightens it down like a gorilla without looking at what one is doing, the bottom plate could be bent. But if it isn't bent now, just use it and exercise the same caution you should when tightening any screw - don't overtighten, if something won't lock down, that's a sign of error.

BTW, mine requires a 3/8" to 1/4" thread adapter.

avid1 said:

Thanks for the suggestion, John. I was thinking that switching out the back might be one way to solve the issue. I guess all the backs from Rolleiflex and 'Cords are interchangeable based on the location of the hinge?

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Not certain if you can use a Rolleicord back, but I do know that the latching mechanism is different.

EDIT: Oh wait, the Rolleiflex back has a tab inside the back to reset the Automat mechanism. So no, a Rolleicord back won't work.

The main advantage of the Rolleifix over the Pan head is the quick release. Pretty slick mechanism! But you are right, that the Pan head with the tabs achieves the same result of providing some attachment between the main body and the back.

So put a quick release plate on the bottom of the pan head to fit your tripod head? No matter, I would still not carry a tripod with Rolleiflex attached, nor do anything else to stress test the mount, Rolleifix or pan. With care, a standard tripod head or quick release plate mount is fine. As reddesert notes, it is possible to drive a screw too far and crack open the Rollei mount hole on the inside, leading to some wonderful light leaks. So if you ever wanted a LomaFlex.....

Thanks much for the suggestions, gents. In a pinch I could use the Rollei pan head with a QR plate underneath I guess, hassle as it may be to compose with an off-centered nodal pan. I never carry cameras attached to a tripod but will be mindful and as reddesert cautioned about driving a long screw too far to make a Lomoflex out of it. But the first order of business is to find a back door cover with a slotted disc before resorting to other solutions. I already have the RolleiFix sitting here and the quick release design is more desirable.