4x5 film holder recommendations

Ces1um · Mar 29, 2018

I was wondering if anyone could provide a recommendation for a brand of 4x5 film holders? When I bought my pinhole camera It came with a plastic handled darkslide, which were warped. They were "thrown in" with the deal so not much point in returning them. The issue is once I've exposed a sheet of film and go to flip the darkslide, the warped portion does not allow the darkslide to fully seat. If I force it I've noticed it often creates a light leak, sometimes resembling lens flare. I'd like to get some new ones, preferably with an all metal darkslide "handle" rather than plastic. Any suggestions for a decent quality holder that can be purchased new?

locutus · Mar 29, 2018

If you insist on new and want the 'best', Toyo ones are the ones to go for.

They are dear, and they also weigh more then other holders.

BradS · Mar 29, 2018

I personally prefer the older Riteway film holders but Fidelity Elite, Lisco Regal II are the kinda the standards.
People who've owned them seem to like the Toyo holders. Some complain of smell.
The problem is that, with the possible exception of the Toyos, none of these have been produced in decades.
....and then there is personal preference...plastic pulls or metal? Shiney dark slided or dull...etc.
You kinda have to shop carefully and buy lots, select the ones you want and resell the ones you do not.
Oh, and get used to cleaning the old ones...many clean up really well.

Good luck!

BradS · Mar 29, 2018

oh, if the dark slides are warped that means that the film holders were stored improperly...like left in the hot car on a hot summer day.

The new dull dark slides are thermo plastic...the are flexible and do not break or crack but will melt and deform if exposed to moderate heat. The older shiney dark slides are a hard plastic that is far less flexible but cracks easily.

Trade-offs...

The Fidelity Elite, Lisco Regal II are virtually identical. Their dark slides are interchangeble but generally speaking, this is not the case.

darkroommike · Mar 29, 2018

If the holder is not warped just replace the slide, if you want a metal slide make one of aluminum and then anodize it, on a non-production scale anodization is a kitchen sink process, well that's not quite true, various parts of the process use battery acid and lye and the dyes will stain your sink, but you know what I mean. You may also be able to buy a replacement slide for your holder.

removed account4 · Mar 29, 2018

ce1um
toyos are good, but make sure you get REALLY brand new ones,
there was a problem they were having a years or so ago
when dark slides leaked and were not shielding film from light so people's
negatives were light struck/fogged. they fixed the problem but there
might be some people seling NOS fuji holders ( and not know of the problem ).
i think chamonix makes holders too, never heard a bad thing about them. like toyos ( might be $$$ )
that said, i always buy used, clean them well with a shop vac and soft cloth
a friend puts pledge on the dark slides i have'nt done that yet, but i always have
a roll of book binder's tape lying around. its the best thng to repair film holder hinges.
rightway, lisco, fidelity , even old wooden ones i have in my hoard ..
midwest photo sells used ones ( or used to ) and they are not expensive >> good folks.

BradS · Mar 29, 2018

I also look for the little dark slide lock thingies when considering whether or not to purchase a set of film holders...for some bizarre reason, some folks pull these out with pliers. I personally absolutely will not use film holders that do not have the little dark slide lock thingies in place. I've thrown away film holders that are missing them.

I also found that I do not like the last version of the Fidelity Elites - the ones with the big plastic loop dark slide pulls and the little "automatic" darkslide lock buttons. I bought ten that were almost like new, paid a premium and disliked them so much that I sold them all immediately. You may love them...many do...no biggie.

Jeeez....I feel like I could write pages about 4x5 film holders and dark slides...literally hundreds have passed through my hands...

There are brands to avoid too...
I forget but, 'Baco" comes to mind (I may be completely wrong)

I feel it is best to stick to the following...

Riteway
Fidelity Elite / Lisco Regal 2
Fidelity Deluxe / Lisco Regal
Toyo

For 4x5, I really would not bother with anything else.

I did not mention the Fidelity Deluxe / Lisco Regal holders in m y previous posts. These are older and usually have metal pulls on the dark slides. They are a little different from their newer siblings and because they are missing a almost un-noticeable feature at the flap end that makes it slightly easier to unload the film, I avoid them.

For 5x7 and larger, I prefer the old wood film holders but, that is another story for another day.

John Koehrer · Mar 29, 2018

FWIW, Fidelity and Riteway came out of the same factory. So I've read on the interweb.

jim10219 · Mar 29, 2018

I only use the Fidelity Elite. And I get them used. New film holders of any brand are ridiculously expensive. Fidelity Elites are cheap enough, reliable, and don't leak IR. I've never had an issue with one that wasn't user error. I'm open to using other brands, but for whatever reason, I tend to find those in the best conditions at the most reasonable prices. So they're usually the obvious choice.

But whichever one you choose, condition is more important than brand name.

BradS · Mar 29, 2018

John Koehrer said:
FWIW, Fidelity and Riteway came out of the same factory. So I've read on the interweb.

I believe that Fidelity and Lisco are from the same factory because they are nearly identical. The older Riteway film holders may also have been produced at the same factory but they are distinctly different from the Fidelity/Lisco .

It seems like the Fidelity Elite and Lisco Regal II are newer than the old Riteways. The Riteways appear to be about the same era as the older Fidelity Deluxe and Lisco Regal film holders (these last two are also almost identical with each other).

B.S.Kumar · Mar 29, 2018

Just FYI, I sell new Toyo 4x5 holders for 8,400 JPY per box of two, plus shipping. An 8x10 holder is 15,100 JPY plus shipping. I also usually have a stock of good used holders.

Kumar

E. von Hoegh · Mar 29, 2018

I bought Riteways in the mid '80s when I got my first (and only) 4x5, some came with the camera & I bought more pristine used ones to make 24 at camera shows, I also have a set of 8 old but very good wood holders. I'm very happy with the Riteways.

Doremus Scudder · Mar 30, 2018

I have an assortment of used film holders acquired over the years, some wooden ones, most plastic. Among them are Riteway, Fidelity, Fidelity Elite, Graflex, etc. All work fine as long as they are in good shape. For some reason, I tend to like the older holders better; newer ones have fiddly locks and longer handles.

When shopping, look for clean ones without obvious damage. Some people don't like the older Graflex wooden holders, but I find them elegant and have never had a problem with them (neither did the thousands of press photogs who used them regularly and hard). Buy a bunch, test them and keep the ones that are good. I'll bet you find that 99% are just fine. Number them and keep track of your exposures so you can track down light leaks if they occur. Soon you'll have a stable of good holders. I've got about 75 now.

Best,

Doremus

E. von Hoegh · Mar 30, 2018

+100 on the Folmer & Schwing wood holders, I use these exclusively for 8x10 and have 8 for 4x5. They can easily be disassembled for cleaning or replacement of the velvet, and the most I paid for one (8x10) was $12. They're lighter than some of the newer plastic ones, too.
"Elegant" is an apt description, if you use a wood camera there really is no other appropriate holder.

Ces1um · Mar 30, 2018

Thanks for everyone's thoughts and opinions. Much appreciated!

Sirius Glass · Mar 30, 2018

I use Grafmatic 45 film holders. They hold six sheets of film.

https://graflex.org/speed-graphic/grafmatic/

Craig · Mar 31, 2018

I think the Toyo's are the best. I have bought a few from Kumar, and it was an easy transaction. Mail from Japan to Canada is typically a week, and usually faster than from the US.

Joe Washington · Apr 16, 2018

I have bought new Toyo holders directly from Japan and was quite happy. they are the new upgraded version without light leak problems : Naomi Yamada <naomi.y15@gmail.com

4x5 film holder recommendations

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