9x12 3...3 1/4 x 4 1/4....what to do

OptiKen · Oct 29, 2015

A really nice Maximar 207/7 arrived last night via the photo-stork and it seems really confused.
The case contained a 9x12 back (with a clear but cracked ground glass), two boxes of 2-1/4 x 3-1/4 film (veripan and ektapan), a 9x12 roll film back that fits it, and a dozen double sided 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 film holders

I don't know of any 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 sheet film being made anymore so I'm trying to figure out how to use the camera with sheet film rather than just 120 roll film. I have a few 2-1/4 x 3-1/4 film holders with dark sides but they won't fit in the camera back, They are too small.

I'm looking to hunt down some 9x12 sheet film holders for it (I have one) but was wondering if anyone has any ideas for the 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 holders it came with.

Thanks in advance

Ken

DannL. · Oct 29, 2015

Here's an option . . . you can cut your sheet film down using a paper cutter. I use an old Premier guillotine-cutter to cut either regular sheet film, x-ray film, or paper negatives. For my current 9x12 camera I have recently been cutting 10"x12" x-ray film down to 9x12cm. If I recall correctly I'm getting 6 sheets from one sheet of 10"x12". There is a little film wasted, but it's cheap. Working with x-ray film and paper negatives is another story, if you haven't already done so yourself.

Dan Fromm · Oct 29, 2015

Hmm. So the camera has a 9x12 back and came with a 9x12 roll holder that fits it. Fine, wonderful.

The 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 film holders that came with it shouldn't fit it. As you've already found out, the 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 holders that came with it don't fit it.

What's the problem? 4x5 and 9x12 film holders have the same exterior dimensions. If it takes standard holders -- it may well not -- then get 4x5 holders and shoot 4x5 film. Sell or toss everything else.

David A. Goldfarb · Oct 29, 2015

Moved to LF forum.

OptiKen · Oct 29, 2015

Dan Fromm said:
Hmm. So the camera has a 9x12 back and came with a 9x12 roll holder that fits it. Fine, wonderful.

The 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 film holders that came with it shouldn't fit it. As you've already found out, the 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 holders that came with it don't fit it.

What's the problem? 4x5 and 9x12 film holders have the same exterior dimensions. If it takes standard holders -- it may well not -- then get 4x5 holders and shoot 4x5 film. Sell or toss everything else.

Surprisingly, the 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 holders do fit. But so does the one 9x12 holder I have.
I wasn't sure if 4x5 holders would fit but I was hoping they might. If they do, then it would be perfect. 4x5 film is much easier to find than 9x12 with more choices and it's a bigger negative as well.

I'm on the hunt for a 4x5 to see if that will work.

Thanks,

Ken

Ian Grant · Oct 29, 2015

Some manufacturers (mainly German and British) made slightly smaller quarter plate versions of their 9x12 cameras, others just used a different focus/GG back and quarter plate holders that where a similar fit to their 9x12 holders.

The 9x12 fit roll film holder is usually 6x9 format on 120 or sometimes 620 film. The Rada ones took an adapter to give 6x6 as well, some of the Rollex must have done as well as I've some with two windows for the frame count which indicates more than one format.

As it happens I have quite a few Huttig ICA plate holders, Huttig became part of ICA who in turn became part of Zeiss Ikon and the ICA Huttig factory made the Maxinars.

9x12 film is easy to get as it's a modern standard, you'll need film inserts for the plate holders, I've just sold all my spares in the last couple of days. 5x4 film is too large, about the same length as 9x12 but wider, Quarter plate is about the same width as 9x12 but shorter which is why some 9x12 cameras were sold for Quarter palte as well.

If you want 9x12 holders that'll fit PM me, I can definitely help. I've 200+ metal plate holders of various sizes needing new homes, it's identifying what cameras they'll fit

Ian

Farrarj86 · Jan 18, 2018

For my 207/7 I use 5x7 film that I cut down to fit my 3.25x4.25 holder. Ilford makes FP4 & HP5 in 3.25x4.25 but 25 sheets for about $70 is a bit pricey for me. So I'll continue cutting down my 5x7s!!

baachitraka · Jan 18, 2018

https://www.fotoimpex.de/shop/syste...Planfilme&cache=1516286375&nocache=1516286375

E. von Hoegh · Jan 18, 2018

OptiKen said:
A really nice Maximar 207/7 arrived last night via the photo-stork and it seems really confused.
The case contained a 9x12 back (with a clear but cracked ground glass), two boxes of 2-1/4 x 3-1/4 film (veripan and ektapan), a 9x12 roll film back that fits it, and a dozen double sided 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 film holders

I don't know of any 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 sheet film being made anymore so I'm trying to figure out how to use the camera with sheet film rather than just 120 roll film. I have a few 2-1/4 x 3-1/4 film holders with dark sides but they won't fit in the camera back, They are too small.

I'm looking to hunt down some 9x12 sheet film holders for it (I have one) but was wondering if anyone has any ideas for the 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 holders it came with.

Thanks in advance

Ken

Cut down 5x7 or 8x10 film, or order from Ilford when they do their annual odd size order.

peter k. · Jan 18, 2018

Ye. ... cut it.. no big deal, do both 9x12 & 3x4. Go fer it have fun with your new camera.

Sirius Glass · Jan 18, 2018

OptiKen said:
I don't know of any 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 sheet film being made anymore so I'm trying to figure out how to use the camera with sheet film rather than just 120 roll film.

Ilford has some 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 sheet film, I once ordered some during their custom order time in the spring.

paul ron · Jan 20, 2018

B&H has Fomapan100 9x12 for $40 /50 shts.

I have a Kodak holder that fits my AVUS which is for the smaller format. I made a jig to cut my 9x12s but recently I folded down the metal tabs that align the film so it can now take 9x12.

I wish I had more holders. They are harder to come by than film.

9x12 3...3 1/4 x 4 1/4....what to do

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