BEST 6x9 120 Film Back

Katmandaddy

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I am building a fixed focus 6x9 camera. I'd like a 55mm lens but can afford a 65. I'd LOVE a 6x12 back but can afford a 6x9.
So: 65mm lens, crafted cherry or birch plywood body, 120 film back.
Which 6x9 back would you recommend?
Durability? Ease of use? Knob or lever? Horseman, Graflex, Mamiya U Press? (Seems convenient but the "handles" look a bit ungainly to me.)
Usable platform on front for attaching plywood body? Mysterious disabling tabs or levers when removed from body??
The purpose is to build, learn, and enjoy the process so suggestions of an inexpensive camera while appreciated are kinda not the point.
Have you had good or bad experiences with particular system film backs?
 
OP
OP

Katmandaddy

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Looking online some of the Horseman and Graflock mounted on 4x5 plates seem ready made to remove and attach to box. Have you ever tinkered with one of these?
 

hashtagquack

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I'd definitely go for the mamiya press backs which offer optimal film flatness, the film advance is separate from the camera and no red window needed. You also have the option of smaller formats if you are fortunate enough to locate the film masks. In fact you could just get a mamiya press body with range finder removed and just add your lens to the front so you still have ground glass option using the movable rear of the camera.... Just a thought
 

EdSawyer

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I think the Horseman backs are the best made and easiest to use that I have tried. The only thing maybe(?) made to a higher standard would be the techno-rollex from Linhof but those are going to be a lot more $.
 

Dan Fromm

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OP, it all depends on budget.

Re lenses, if you shop hard you should be able to find a 58/5.6 Konica Hexanon or Omegon as fitted to Koni Omega/Rapid Omega shutters. They can't be used on other cameras, have to be reshuttered in a normal #0. The 58/5.6's advantage of the older 60/5.6 is that it can be mounted in a #0 press shutter. The 60 has to go in a cock-and-shoot #0. Both cover 2x3.

Re roll holder, most of the ones mentioned attach to 2x3 Graflok backs. The exception is the Mamiya Press holder, which will attach to a Mamiya M Frame. I've been quite happy with my Adapt-A-Roll 620 roll holders, which slip into a spring (Graflok too) back like a sheet film holder. They will feed from a 120 spool but must take up on a 620.

Since no one has mentioned them, the Linhof Super Rollex is one of the best. Ed, the Techno Rollex is a 6x12 roll holder, the Super Rollex is (was?) made in sizes to fit 2x3 and 4x5 Graflok backs and a variety of gate sizes including 6x7 and 6x9.

OP, since you're building you shouldn't rule out the possibility of making a camera that will accept a roll holder made to fit a 4x5 camera. Then, if you have the money, you can get a 6x9 Sinar Panorama.
 

EdSawyer

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Dan, thanks for the clarification re: Rollex backs. I hadn't realized that size difference and such between them. I'd love to have a Techno Rollex but the Horseman 6x12 is expensive enough already. ;-)
 

Dan Fromm

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Yes, that's a late version made, I believe, by Mamiya.

65/8 Super Angulons and Fujinon SWs typically go for much less and don't have to be reshuttered. Perhaps you should compromise.

Look here https://1drv.ms/x/s!AggQfcczvHGNkFAX-mLyj6QZlHeQ for a list of lenses with focal lengths 65 mm and shorter that cover 2x3 (= 6x9). When I put it together I was most concerned about whether they can be mounted on and focused to infinity on my 2x3 Graphics. Incomplete like all such lists but I don’t think anything significant is missing.
 
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David A. Goldfarb

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Older Super Rollex backs are more affordable than newer ones. Look for models with the tan leatherette and the lever type film advance. The even older knob-wind backs have a design issue that can cause frame overlap with some modern films due to differences in thickness of the paper backing. They are heavier than other rollfilm backs, but as such, they're also more rigid and typically have better film flatness.
 
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