Rolleiflex L-grip

[NB23]

We all know how great Rolleiflexes are. And with just enough awkwardness that makes us hooked. Yes, a savant level of awkwardness is what it takes for our human brains to make us bond with things. Porsches come to mind, leicas, rolleiflexes and so on.

But Holy sheet, ever since I added a prism on my rolleiflex, the awkwardness became unbearable, bordering on stupid.

Holding the camera to eye-level while focusing is very hard, and then taking a shot is just as difficult because there is no good grip, and winding to the next shot is downright impossible while holding that camera up to eye-level, and it just kills the whole mojo. It quickly becomes a stupid exercise.

And the pistol grip is even worse. Hold the grip with the right hand but change hands to advance the film. Even Mister Bean would not engage in this circus.

Disastrous!

And while I LOVE the mamiya grip on my Mamiya C220it just can’t be used on the rolleiflexes. It’s a shame because that grip is absolutely a game changer for shooting a Mamiya.

And here I was sitting, perplexed, and an idea came to me. I finally made the Mamiya grip work on the Rolleiflex. A perfect fit. “I’m a Genius”, I screamed. Ok, I’m not a genius, but this was a genius Idea.

Would someone be interested to know how? A PROPER L-grip is a must for many occasions on the rolleiflex:. Fashion, street, and even casual shooting.

let me know and I’ll post a few photos about the process. I’m sure there’s a few guys who would really appreciate this!

 

[Dan Daniel]

Yes, please some photos.

I found that the Hasselblad NC-2 45 degree prism actually worked well on a Rolleiflex (and YashicaMat and Autocord) without a bracket. Putting the prism up to the eye puts it very close to waist level finder with magnifier, and I can even rest the camera against my face to stabilize it.

 

[btaylor]

I want to see it too. I have the Mamiya L grip and Rolleiflexes. I agree, the eye level prism with the pistol grip is awkward.
Dan, did you make an adapter for the Hasselblad prism? The 45 degree finder makes sense on the Rollei.

 

[NB23]

Ok here it is.

Way too simple, and costs about 1.62$.

I’m crying, I tell you.

3 washers and a mending plate.

Mending plate fit as is, but I was ready to drill a new hole if needed.
The mending plate is held in place by 2 of the rolleiflex’ feet (how would you call them?).
The big washer goes on the tripod socket. It allows for both the mamiya grip pins to clear the rolleiflex’ body.
The 2 smaller washers go over the mamiya Grip pin and they push the mending plate onto the rolleiflex’ body.

The washers and the mending plate secure the mamiya Grip in place. Just as if it was a Rolleiflex OEM product.

p.s.: my description really sucks, but the pictures show everything there is to know.

 

[NB23]

The last picture is how you would lay the pieces on the rolleiflex. And then you would simply lay the grip over that setup, and screw it on.

 

[hashtagquack]

Interesting... How would you focus with such a set up? I believe the approach to winding on with pistol grip is to tilt the camera to its side and use your left hand to wind on.
Also probably a good idea to use this with a rolleifix just to prevent deforming of the base with the added weight of the prism,,,

 

[NB23]

Focusing is surprisingly easy, comfortable and natural. Done with the tips of the thumb and fingers.
Just as without the grip where the right hand is holding the camera, ready to press the shutter button.

The pistol grip is so awkward... tilting the whole camera every time will surely end up warping the base of the camera, and winding with the left hand is so unnatural, especially in the horizontal position.

In the case of the L grip, I don’t see the danger of warping the bottom as there is no waving and tilting the camera around in such a crazy way as with the pistol grip.

Also, the L grip can be beneficial even without the quite heavy rolleiflex prism.

And there is also the quite acceptable and very light Porroflex for rolleiflex prism. Yes it gives a smaller viewing image than the Luxurious rolleiflex prism but its weight is definitely more user and camera friendly.

 

[ic-racer]

For right-handed people, the Rolleiflex grip with finger-release works great. It allows one to focus with the left hand and flip the camera to one's chest and wind with the left hand.The grip is tilted to the side so the ergonomics are perfect when using the prism. There is also a bracket to hold the flash. The only drawback is that since 220 was discontinued, the camera has to be removed from the grip twice as many times for reloading.

 

[hashtagquack]

Focusing is surprisingly easy, comfortable and natural. Done with the tips of the thumb and fingers.
Just as without the grip where the right hand is holding the camera, ready to press the shutter button.

The pistol grip is so awkward... tilting the whole camera every time will surely end up warping the base of the camera, and winding with the left hand is so unnatural, especially in the horizontal position.

In the case of the L grip, I don’t see the danger of warping the bottom as there is no waving and tilting the camera around in such a crazy way as with the pistol grip.

Also, the L grip can be beneficial even without the quite heavy rolleiflex prism.

And there is also the quite acceptable and very light Porroflex for rolleiflex prism. Yes it gives a smaller viewing image than the Luxurious rolleiflex prism but its weight is definitely more user and camera friendly.

Ah that focusing makes sense now! Thanks for clearing that up. I could imagine it being quite useable in practice. Think I’ve a few random L brackets around to give it a go

I suppose the warping issue depends on if one intends to carry the carry at ones side by the l bracket. If not then it wouldn’t be an issue. Would be no harm to add a rolleifix just in case.

@ic-racer yes that makes much more sense. I blame the early morning on my nonsense

 

[k.hendrik]

ok; not using tlr but her better brother SL66se!
Why don't you use the 'Handgriff mit auslöser' (nr. 208930) remove the 'auslöser' then use the screw of a Manfrotto 410PL Quick Release Plate.
Fits nicely in a C330 and surely in a Rolleiflex tlr.
Problem solved?!

 

[NB23]

The rolleiflex has a round elevated tripod sicket base abd anything that you screw on the base cannot lock properly. It will rotate.

I don’t know about the sl66 grip but I believe the problem will remain. This is why I hacked it with a mamiya grip, and it works wonderfully.

 

[cjbecker]

Not saying it will work with the rolleiflex but with the rolleicord that has focus on the right side, A hasselblad grip fits nicely.