Crown Graphic + Polaroid 405

[aaronmichael]

Hello All!

I have a simple question that I can't seem to find the answer to. I have a Crown Graphic 4x5 that I've been wanting to shoot Fuji FP-100c or 3000b with. I've determined that I need the Polaroid 405 back but can't seem to find the answer of if it will fit in the camera. I've read that it works with the Graflok back, but mine is cheaper (?) and has the leaf springs on the back. I've used the Fuji PA-45 back before simply by loosening up the screws holding down the leaf springs. Is the 405 thicker than the the PA-45 though? Any help would be greatly appreciated. If it works, I am beyond ready to drop the cash for a holder. Thank!

 

[shutterfinger]

I've read that it works with the Graflok back, but mine is cheaper (?) and has the leaf springs on the back. I've used the Fuji PA-45 back before simply by loosening up the screws holding down the leaf springs. Is the 405 thicker than the the PA-45 though?

You have a Graphic Back. It was the original design used on the introductory speed the Top Handle Speed Graphic in 1912 through the first 2 to 3 years of the Pacemaker Graphics until the Graflok became the standard in 1951 or 1952. In other makes of cameras they are referred to as the Spring Back and the International back.
Doing some research on Graflex.org the Polaroid 405 was made for Graflok/International backs. If you have a Crown with a Kalart or Hugo Meyer side rangefinder calibrated to the lens you plan to use or a top mounted Graphic rangefinder with a matching cam for the lens in use then you can remove the focus panel of your Spring back or Graflok back, attach the 405, rangefinder focus, and use either the Sports finder or the Optical View finder if so equipped.
See http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/graflex_5.html if you have trouble with some of the camera terms.

Edit: the screw that holds the focus panel leaf spring to the back is a #4-40, a common hardware store size. The original is 5/16 inch long. A flat washer can be cut so that it has a flat edge and sits on the lip of the 405 to hold it in place.

From pictures the 405 is 3 to 4 times as thick as a standard 2 sided film holder.

 

[juan]

Some of the older Speeds and Crowns will take the 405 holder as is, others will not. I guess there was a fairly wide manufacturing tolerance, or perhaps some of the springs are tighter than others. I'd try it first as it to see if there is enough space to fit the holder. If not, you can follow shutterfinger's route.

 

[aaronmichael]

Thanks for the information friends. Here's a question, is there a way to change the whole back out on my camera to a Graflok back? I just priced them on ebay for around $100-$125. If I had the Graflok back, I'd feel pretty good about purchasing the Polaroid 405 and knowing almost for certain that it would work without any modifications or troubles. Or is a back transplant impossible? A friend of mine is borrowing the camera so I can't check it out.

 

[CatLABS]

The answer is yes.
4 (or 6) screws and you are all set.

 

[shutterfinger]

Yes a graflok will interchange with a graphic back easily.
The Crown uses #2 3/16 long self taping oval head screws, 2 top, 3 bottom and a #1 flat head wood screw 3/8 inch long at the center of the film holder insert. The graphic back does not have this screw so you will have to add it.

 

[aaronmichael]

Thanks! Know I know that's definitely an option. Now the real question is, do I want to spend $250 to be able to shoot a film that's getting more expensive and probably going out of stock soon.

 

[CatLABS]

FP100c is hyper cheap, and Impossible are making all kinds of cool things that are less cheap.

You can get a speed graphic with a graflock back for 250$...