Cambo 6x12 roll film holder

David Nardi · Mar 8, 2007

Roll film backs are usually a pain in the butt when it comes to discussions of light leaks and film flatness.

I purchased a Cambo 6x12 film holder for my 4x5 four years ago and never had a fog, leak, or sharpness problem (unless of course I did it via carelessness on my part). It cost me a pretty penny but I have been satisfied with it ever since. Recently, I picked up a 6x7 roll film holder by Cambo to get tigher compositions with my longest lenses. So far I have had no problems with it either.

I rarely hear any discussion about Cambo roll film holders. If there are any users out there I would like to hear their thoughts; good or bad.

BTW, I like the fact that Cambo holders slide in a 4x5 camera like a cut film holder and do not require removal of the groundglass. They are also Graflok compatible.

Here's a link if you've never seen one.

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CB5520.html

Cheers,

David

David S. Nardi Photography
www.davidnardi.com

DrPablo · Mar 8, 2007

Thanks, David. I'd love one for my 4x5 Cambo Legend if I could get one more cheaply than Calumet's list price -- I'd spend maybe $200 or 250 on one if I could find one for that amount. It would be easy to crop it down to around 4.3x12 and get the same aspect ratio as 6x17 (but easier to enlarge).

David Nardi · Mar 8, 2007

Try your luck on eBay. I've seen deals there from time to time. Even a Google search would likely bring something up.

David

David S. Nardi Photography
www.davidnardi.com

Roger Hicks · Mar 8, 2007

Dear David,

I'd certainly agree that most objections are more theoretical than real but I've been a lot happier with my Horseman 612 than with my Cambo 6x9: easier to load, film held flatter (only matters at larger apertures, and advantage lost if you leave the film in the holder), less worry that you MIGHT get a light leak.

And I'm convinced that the best 6x7 and 6x9cm sharpness I've had is with Linhof Super Rollex holders. No testing (except against Mamiya backs): just a decade or two of shooting with all of 'em.

Cheers,

R.

David H. Bebbington · Mar 8, 2007

I bought a new Cambo 6x9 RFH because I had had good experiences with a Calumet 6x7. Compared with the Calumet, the Cambo was very poorly constructed, in particular the tension springs inside were very flimsy, and I had a couple of cases where, despite being loaded with great care, film backing paper ripped while winding. I abandoned this back PDQ. My favorite RFH continues to be the Graphic 23, have had 3 of these (2 at present), never a problem.

ldh · Oct 24, 2009

Sorry to revive such an old thread but Im now in the process of researching a (Slide-In) Rollfilm holder for my Linhof III 4x5...I shoot only pinhole with this camera so Im not worried about film flatness and I almost always shoot out a roll on any particular setup...My gut says buy the Sinar for build quality and function...but of course its pricey at over 1000 quid...I also like that you can buy additional cassettes for different film stocks to cut down on re-loading. The Cambo is much cheaper but I've heard good and bad about it and Ive nothing bad about the Sinar or Linhof...If its not too much trouble I would love to hear from others experiences and what they use...Im only interested in the slide-in versions as I prefer the ease of workflow with this type.

Thanks in advance,
Lari

Oren Grad · Oct 24, 2009

Lari, one thing to think about is that the Sinar and Cambo/Calumet slide in holders are very big and heavy. If you can live with 6x7cm, the Linhof Rapid Rollex is much smaller and lighter.

And a PS: If I recall correctly, the Rapid Rollex positions the film gate a bit off center on a 4x5 camera. It comes with a GG mask so you know where to compose, but I don't recall whether a Technika III has front shift to enable the image to be centered.

goldenimage · Oct 24, 2009

i have had the cambo 6x7 c2n and now i have the 6x9 c2n, both are great, never had any problems with them at all, i have heard of folks having issues with the c2 models. i would like to have a 6x12 sometime, the prices are still a bit too high for me right now. i also have the old trusty graphic 23, never had an issue, i just dont like having to take the GG off everytime i use it

ldh · Oct 24, 2009

thanks all for the responses...actually 6x7 is what i would prefer in a rollfilm back...good to know about the off-center scenario...the Tech III does have front shift so it shouldnt be a problem...but in any case Im not so concerned about the size/weight as Im not using the linhof for what most LF shooters would use it for i.e. hiking into the hinterlands shooting landscapes...my uses dont require too much lugging around for great distances. Im really not a classic LF photographer...I only chose a 4x5 field camera for my personal work because I wanted the zoom properties of the bellows for my pinhole work...and with a reflex back I can actually get a viewable enough image on the GG to be able to visually compose my shot rather than just guessing at a frame with something like a zero pinhole camera. I like the design of the Sinar and also the Toyo but the Toyo is really fat and Im worried about messing up the hinged back by putting it under so much load.

thanks again all

tony lockerbie · Oct 24, 2009

I have Super Rollexes in 6x7 and 6x9, a horseman 6x12, plus a graflex 6x9. These are all for my Technika V. I don't have any problem with film flatness from any of these backs, I use the 6x9 and 6x12 mostly, and sometimes with wide apertures.
The build quality certainly favours the Super Rollex, the other two seem a little flimsy in comparison, but in practise their is no problem at all. I have often looked at the Cambos, the idea of slotting them in like a double dark is very appealing, removing the GG to fit a roll back is a bit of a pain.

pgomena · Oct 29, 2009

I once had the Calumt 6x7 and it worked very well. I sold it and later ran into a bit of a problem with one I borrowed in that it didn't fit my Zone VI camera very well. The "ears" on the opening side of the camera back didn't allow it the roll film holder to slide all the way in. I wasn't about to butcher my camera back to make it work.

Peter Gomena

Cambo 6x12 roll film holder

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