Confused on R.B. Super D film back

campy51

Subscriber
Joined
Oct 16, 2014
Messages
1,238
Location
Boston area USA
Format
Multi Format
Looking at the back it comes with a 2x3 roll film folder but the back opening looks to be a 3x4 or 4x5. Is this a home made conversion to allow a 2x3 roll film holder to be used? What film holders would fit this setup?
 

Attachments

  • super d back.jpg
    176.3 KB · Views: 54
Last edited:

Dan Fromm

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Messages
6,864
Format
Multi Format
Looking at the back it comes with a 2x3 roll film folder but the back opening looks to be a 3x4 or 4x5. Is this a home made conversion to allow a 2x3 roll film holder to be used? What film holders would fit this setup?

Well, the roll holder says that it is a 3 1/4 x 4 1/4. If you don't believe me, look at it. It is not home made, it came from the factory. It has a slot, not a ridge, at the insertion end so it will fit a 3x4 Graflex back. I'm pretty sure, could be mistaken, that your camera is a 4x5er.

It won't fit your 4x5 RB Ser. B. It appears to have a Graflex back. To verify, check whether the bits of metal below the gate have a slider (if so, Graflok) or a trough (if so, Graflex). If a Graflex back, it will have a ridge at the insertion end that mates with a slot in the film holder. I can't discern the ridge in your photo. If Graflok, it will have a slot that mates with a ridge on the film holder; should be visible it there, I can't see it.

Early modern (knob wind film carriage, "120 Roll Holder" printed on the back of the shell) Graflex brand roll holders were hybrids that fit Graflex and Graflok backs. I think, could be mistaken, that they were made to fit 2x3, 3x4 and 4x5 backs. Very scarce. I have two 2x3ers, don't recall seeing 3x4 or 4x5ers. Later modern roll holders from Graflex fit only Graflok backs.

If your RB has a Graflex back and you must shoot roll film with it, your choices are: replace with an RB whose Graflex back was replaced by a Graflok; have someone, e.g., SKGrimes, replace your RB's Graflex back with a Graflok; get a 3x4 Graflex reflex with a Graflex back so that you can use the roll holder to shoot 2x3. Graflex made roll holders to fit 4x5 Graflok backs. Machining one to fit a Graflex back might be possible. These beasties aren't that rare, but if you want to go that way check with SKGrimes whether machining it to fit a Graflex back is possible before you shoot yourself in the foot again.
 
OP
OP

campy51

Subscriber
Joined
Oct 16, 2014
Messages
1,238
Location
Boston area USA
Format
Multi Format
I didn't see the back of the roll film holder showing 3x4. I was only looking at the back of the camera and can see it was larger than 2x3. I don't own the camera but thought about buying it but I don't want to shoot 2x3 on such a large camera. I do have a little gas for a 4x5 version.
 

Donald Qualls

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 19, 2005
Messages
12,430
Location
North Carolina
Format
Multi Format
The camera surely appears to be a 4x5. Whether it's a Graflex back or a retrofitted Graflok, there are Grafmatics available to fit, as well as bag mags for the Graflex back. I'd be more inclined to mount a Grafmatic (of the correct type) than look for film holders for a 4x5 Graflex back (though it apparently is possible to convert a wood Graphic type film holder to fit a Graflex back).

As for the 3x4 mount 120 roll holder, that could be sold to partly defray your purchase cost, once you know whether it's Graflex or Graflok mount.
 

djdister

Subscriber
Joined
Oct 6, 2012
Messages
158
Location
Maryland USA
Format
Multi Format
Based on the photo, I'm 97% sure its a Graflex back, not a Graflok back, so you will not be able to use modern 4x5 film holders with it unless you have the back converted. Otherwise, you will need to find the old Graflex style film holders or a Graflex bag-mag.
 
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…