Best 6x17 Back for 5x7 Camera?

Looking for the best option for a Chamonix 5x7 camera. Hopefully something that produces a clean frame on all sides and maintains proper film flatness. I know the real answer is probably that amazing Canham electronic one but those appear to be rare'r than a hen's tooth so they say.

You are correct. The Canham 6x17 motorized roll film back is without a doubt the best 6x17 back out there - both for film flatness and for handling different 120 films smoothly with large rollers on both ends of the film plane. I also have the Shen Hao 6x17 back for the Shen Hao TFC617A camera, and I can tell you without any doubt that the Canham back is superior in every way. The Shen Hao back has much smaller rollers, bends the film back at a severe angle just prior to the film plane, and has some minor flatness issues. The only way anyone will get my Canham back is from my cold, dead hands...



Here's the Canham 6x17 back on the Canham MQC 5x7, with a 75mm Nikkor lens.

Oh man, so jealous. What a rig. Ya know I considered a Fuji GS or GX617 but I kind of enjoy the 5x7 format too so I think it just makes sense to get a roll back.

NortheastPhotographic said:

Oh man, so jealous. What a rig. Ya know I considered a Fuji GS or GX617 but I kind of enjoy the 5x7 format too so I think it just makes sense to get a roll back.

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It is a terrific combination! Typically shoot some 5x7 B&W, then switch to the 6x17 back for some 120 color shots. 5x7 color film is just $$$...

So somewhere in my bag of tricks I have a 5x7 holder that came with a split (half) darkslide. Insert holder, remove regular darkslide, insert half slide, expose, put regular back. Repeat as many times as required. You need to remember where you are at for obvious reasons.

I have an old Fujica G617, it's not a view camera by any means, but it's a blast!

djdister said:

It is a terrific combination! Typically shoot some 5x7 B&W, then switch to the 6x17 back for some 120 color shots. 5x7 color film is just $$$...

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No joke, at least it comes in 50 sheet boxes still. Though I've largely transitioned to B&W especially in large format.