Rolleiflex quick release tripod adapter

campy51 · Feb 1, 2019

Is this a must have accessory for a 3.5F that's in mint condition? I try not to tighten the tripod plate too tight but I don't know how easily the bottom can get warped.

BrianShaw · Feb 1, 2019

It’s a really good idea to have and use one. A really, really good idea. And very convenient too.

Sirius Glass · Feb 1, 2019

Equivalents are now available on the better new tripods: Induro, Manfrotto, ...

BrianShaw · Feb 1, 2019

Sirius Glass said:
Equivalents are now available on the better new tripods: Induro, Manfrotto, ...

Actually, not really “equivalents“. The Rolleifix is unique in that it has a 3-point hold on the camera: bottom tripod mount plus two points on the front of the body. That is what keeps the back from getting damaged.

Alan9940 · Feb 1, 2019

I wouldn't dream of mounting my 'Flex to a tripod without the Rolleifix. The back is fairly thin metal and can be easily damaged.

campy51 · Feb 1, 2019

Are they all the same or is there one specific to the 3.5F?

BrianShaw · Feb 1, 2019

campy51 said:
Are they all the same or is there one specific to the 3.5F?

There is only one Rolleifix.

Dan Daniel · Feb 1, 2019

Be careful buying a Rolleifix. I've gotten a couple that were pretty bent up.
A Rolleifix is part of the Rolleiflex hand grip part. And the grip is often cheaper than an isolated Rolleifix. You need to open up the grip and unscrew the 'Fix, but that's pretty easy. For example on Ebay-
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rollei-Rol...172783?hash=item1a69bd71af:g:5OYAAOSw~bhcECnZ

Get one. If for no other reason than it is firggin' cool as they come. Such a well-done item. I show it to people just because it is both so simple and so sophisticated.

If you don't use a Rolleifix, one thing to watch for with a tripod or adapter plate is the length of the attachment screw. I bought a Rolleiflex where someone had obviously used a screw that was too long. It popped the top of the tripod attachment on the camera like a tin can. That upper cap on the camera is pretty thin. Took me a couple of rolls to track down the light leak; electric tape was an easy fix.

macfred · Feb 2, 2019

Alan9940 said:
I wouldn't dream of mounting my 'Flex to a tripod without the Rolleifix.

This!
--
Get one and you'll never regret your purchase. Just like Dan said above - the Rolleiflex Pistol Grip attachment often comes cheaper than the original Rolleifix.

guangong · Feb 2, 2019

While I have both hand grip and tripod adapter, the Rollei excels because it’s compact. I only use the grip when using the prism finder. The Rolleifix works best with tripods.

tezzasmall · Feb 2, 2019

And there was me, having never heard of this before, thinking that someone had introduced a typo of one letter!

Just checked ebay and there are a number of them available, but quite costly. The other place that has two at better prices are on the first page of this link, so there could be more = NOPE! I just did a search and the two on the front page are the only ones at the moment:

http://www.mwclassic.com/product-category/medium-large-format/rollei-medium-large-format/

Terry S

macfred · Feb 2, 2019

tezzasmall said:
http://www.mwclassic.com/product-category/medium-large-format/rollei-medium-large-format/

Reasonable prices there!

EdSawyer · Feb 2, 2019

Dan Daniel said:
it is both so simple and so sophisticated.

This pretty much describes everything in the Rolleiflex universe. It's all so elegantly thought out, precisely made, and ergonomically wonderful. Even the little oddball bits are this way, not just the major stuff. Gotta love it.

campy51 · Feb 2, 2019

I bought a grip for $55 shipped off ebay. It looks to be in good condition.

Sirius Glass · Feb 2, 2019

Sirius Glass said:
Equivalents are now available on the better new tripods: Induro, Manfrotto, ...

BrianShaw said:
Actually, not really “equivalents“. The Rolleifix is unique in that it has a 3-point hold on the camera: bottom tripod mount plus two points on the front of the body. That is what keeps the back from getting damaged.

Alan9940 said:
I wouldn't dream of mounting my 'Flex to a tripod without the Rolleifix. The back is fairly thin metal and can be easily damaged.

Use whatever device works with your system. The whole point is that quick releases are faster and can avoid damage to the threads, camera base, ...
My only problem that I have with quick releases is that often the camera [or lens mount] will not sit stably with the quick release mounted, not even in a camera bag.

MattKing · Feb 2, 2019

Sirius Glass said:
Use whatever device works with your system. The whole point is that quick releases are faster and can avoid damage to the threads, camera base, ...

Rollei TLRs are, relatively speaking, wonderfully small and light for the photographic quality they provide, but one of the consequences of those advantages is that the construction that leads to those advantages makes them more susceptible than most cameras to damage through unwanted flexing and bending when they are mounted to a tripod.
The Rolleiflex accessory mount stiffens and protects the cameras during that process.
The quick release function is a real advantage of the accessory, but even if it didn't provide that advantage, it would still be a valuable addition to a Rollieflex TLR owner's kit.

Pieter12 · Feb 2, 2019

Does the Rolleifix fit all the TLRs? Rolleicord specifically.

Dan Daniel · Feb 2, 2019

Pieter12 said:
Does the Rolleifix fit all the TLRs? Rolleicord specifically.

I think the Rolleicord III will take a Rolleifix, and certainly all later models.

On older Rolleis, the round plate on the bottom with the tripod threading has a side wall that is flat. Later models have a groove in the side wall of this plate.The rolleifix slides in this groove and then the two prongs go into the holes on the front of the body.

If the back tripod plate has grooves, you are good.

Dan Daniel · Feb 2, 2019

Sirius Glass said:
Use whatever device works with your system. The whole point is that quick releases are faster and can avoid damage to the threads, camera base.

I attach a quick release plate to the bottom of the Rolleifix.

Alan9940 · Feb 2, 2019

Pieter12 said:
Does the Rolleifix fit all the TLRs? Rolleicord specifically.

I used it on a Rolleicord Vb.

Alan9940 · Feb 2, 2019

Dan Daniel said:
I attach a quick release plate to the bottom of the Rolleifix.

Me, too.

Alan9940 · Feb 2, 2019

Sirius Glass said:
The whole point is that quick releases are faster and can avoid damage to the threads, camera base, ...

IMO, the whole point of a Rolleifix is to ensure that the back isn't damaged when working with the camera on a tripod. It's not particularly a "quick release" solution, as far as I'm concerned.

Huss · Feb 6, 2019

there is one for sale on fredmiranda.com
no affiliation

Pieter12 · Feb 6, 2019

Alan9940 said:
I used it on a Rolleicord Vb.

I got a Rolleifix and it doesn't quite fit the Rolleicord Vb I have. It doesn't clear the back posts at the bottom of the camera, and the small posts on the front don't quite line up. Could the body be distorted? The Rolleifix looks to be pretty solid and clean.

Dan Daniel · Feb 6, 2019

Pieter12 said:
I got a Rolleifix and it doesn't quite fit the Rolleicord Vb I have. It doesn't clear the back posts at the bottom of the camera, and the small posts on the front don't quite line up. Could the body be distorted? The Rolleifix looks to be pretty solid and clean.

Photos, please.

Rolleiflex quick release tripod adapter

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