What's a good tripod for a Rolleiflex?

[mshchem]

I visited my friend's shop, unfortunately as he was having a closing sale, I was shocked to find how cheaply made some of the stuff was. Used to be Manfrotto was a nice affordable tripod, Gitzo was higher end etc. I looked at a Manfrotto ball head and was shocked, it was made in Italy, but it was not well made. I always hated ball heads, but I have purchased a couple of the Really Right Stuff units, the biggest, that costs $400, without a plate is beautiful, I've used a monster Nikon 400 2.8, (the 1st version, heaviest AF lens by Nikon) worked well.

I agree with the suggestion of the lighter old 3025 Bogen/Manfrotto head, and a nice smaller tripod. Like someone else says you will be using WLF so a short sturdy unit would be nice. A really nice smooth cable release too.

 

[4season]

As others have suggested, something like a Rollei TLR is about as undemanding as it gets, but if you want a specific product recommendation, you can do lots worse than a Gitzo 1228 which is a fine all 'round performer and can be had for $200-300 used. I used the original made in France model, while newer variations incorporated features like non-rotating leg sections. I don't know that those would be make-or-break features for me. When working under windy conditions or on springy surfaces like turf, consider hanging some extra weight from the center column, and if it doesn't already come equipped with a hook for the purpose, you can add one.

 

[eddie]

I use a gitzo carbon, and quick release with mine. I do suggest using a rolleifix on the camera. The bottom of the Rolleiflex is thin metal. The Rolleifix will prevent bending it when attaching to the tripod.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Check out the carbon fiber tripods by Induro: https://indurogear.com/

As good as the big names for much less.

 

[grat]

See, what you really need for stability and rigidity is a poured concrete pier... Since it's a relatively small camera, you'll only need about a 3 to 4" diameter post.

The OP asked about tripods that are light weight, quick to set up, and compact.

Half the answers weigh twice as much as the camera, only fold down to 2 feet, and have a load capacity about four to five times the weight of the camera.

 

[BrianShaw]

... so you’re recommending a 2x4? LOL

 

[grat]

Doesn't fold down very well.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

You can fold a 2x4 ... once.

 

[etn]

Regardless of which tripod you choose, do your Rolleiflex a favor and get a ROLLEIFIX adapter! (if you don't already have one)

Attaching a Rolleiflex directly to a tripod works. But all mechanical stresses are applied to the Rolleiflex's door, not directly to the body. There is a risk of bending the door, creating light leaks (and potentially other problems you can imagine).
A Rolleifix alleviates this. Plus, it doubles as a quick-release plate.

 

[Mark_S]

I would suggest considering a bean-bag rather than a tripod. The TLR is light weight and small, and can often be positioned quite well by placing it in a bean-bag, and forming the bag around the base of the camera - easy to carry around, and more stable than a tripod if there is wind.

 

[cjbecker]

One way to save on weight and space is go headless. I haven't used a tripod head in a couple of years, and it does not affect my setups much at all. I use gitzo 1228 legs, very fast to level with the legs. Most of the time i don’t use a quick release either.

 

[F5B&W]

I would suggest something with three legs and can be adjusted.

 

[Kino]

I would suggest something with three legs and can be adjusted.

Radical!

Tripods are often quite easy to find at thrift stores; but good quality tripods, not so often.

Surprisingly, the Vivitar Pro Line 200 Video tripods have very decent sticks for medium to light cameras. If you can find one, unscrew the head and throw it as far as you can and replace it with a good quality, inexpensive ball head and you'll be set.

 

[albireo]

OP, I had the exact same question a couple of weeks ago. I tested a couple of Sirui, they all went back.

In the end I went with a Manfrotto Elements Carbon Small with ball head,

https://www.manfrotto.com/global/el...all-with-ball-head-carbon-fiber-mkeles5cf-bh/

ultra light, compact (fits in my backpack) and perfectly able to hold my Rollei 3.5F and all my other TLRs steady. Give it a go.