crown graphic with 545 polaroid back

bkschnitz · Sep 9, 2011

I just purchased my first 4x5 camera, a Crown Graphic, which came with a 545 polaroid back. I am certainly an amateur, so I was hoping to get some advice as to how this thing works and how I can use it. Do I need a Graflok back to shoot regular 4x5 sheet film (not polaroid film) or can I use the polaroid back? When I take the polaroid back off, it just opens to the bellows. So I was just wondering if I need a Graflok back to shoot sheet film, what I should be looking for, and where I can get one.

Your input is very much appreciated! I am a dedicated photography student with little experience in 4x5 in particular, so I feel like i'm in the dark! Help!

vpwphoto · Sep 9, 2011

I just sold a guy the 405 back that works with pack film for his crown...

vpwphoto · Sep 9, 2011

Regular 4x5 holders fit under the ground glass, the polaroid sheet holders (just listed) fit under the spring back of the Crown Graphic I also am selling.

The 405 pack-film-back attaches under the graflock back rails when the spring back/ground glass is removed.

Fotoguy20d · Sep 9, 2011

Does the camera have a graflok without the ground glass panel or a spring back? How was the polaroid holder attached? You need a ground glass panel of some sort to use with normal double sided film holders.

Dan

Fotoguy20d · Sep 9, 2011

vpwphoto - the camera you're selling has a graflok back, not a spring back.

Dan

bkschnitz · Sep 9, 2011

I guess I should have mentioned that there is no ground glass in the camera. That's what I was confused about -- the 4x5 film holder is the only thing on the back, and when I slide the holder out, it just shows the bellows. So does this mean that the spring back/ground glass was removed and replaced with a polaroid back? Should I get the Graflok back (I assume that is a spring back) so that I can shoot regular sheet film?

bkschnitz · Sep 9, 2011

The polaroid holder is attached by two metal bands that have pieces that stick into the slits on the top and bottom of the holder. This, I assume, is the same way the graflok back is attached?

Fotoguy20d · Sep 9, 2011

It sounds like you already have a graflok back but are missing the ground glass panel.

Does the back of your camera look like this? If so, you have a graflok but are missing the panel

IMG_2231 by Fotoguy20d, on Flickr

The panel looks like this:

IMG_2007 by Fotoguy20d, on Flickr

and could have a hood like this:

IMG_2008 by Fotoguy20d, on Flickr

I might have just a panel available if you're interested.

Dan

bkschnitz · Sep 9, 2011

Yes! I am missing the panel. Thank you for putting these images up - it is very clarifying. Are you looking to sell the panel/hood? If so how much for?

TareqPhoto · Sep 11, 2011

Buy another Speed/Crown Graphic which comes with panel, so use one with sheets and the other with polaroid, i bought Crown Graphic later with lens because i bought Speed Graphic before it without lens, so i have to swap the lens between the two, i was thinking to buy another lens, use one body for color and the another one for B&W.

crown graphic with 545 polaroid back

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