Dimensions of 2x3 Graflok roll film back?

it's_hank_dude · Jun 18, 2022

I have a 2x3 Century Graphic with the old spring back on. I'm very interested in smacking a roll film back on it. Can someone tell me whether it will work if I remove the springs and the whole film holder back piece, will a roll film back fit where the film holder would have originally slid in?

I'm not worried about how I might make it work, only if it will fit. Also, I'm not worried about depth, only width and height.

reddesert · Jun 19, 2022

I don't actually have a 2x3 Graphic but I have looked at roll film backs for a similar issue. You should be able to do this, see https://graflex.org/speed-graphic/graphic-back-conversion.html with some caveats. Basically, I think it is very likely to work if you use a Graphic (Graflex brand) roll film back. The dimensions of the faceplate of the roll film holder and the location of the light trap ridge are the same as a Graphic 2x3 film holder.

The issue that you may have to watch out for is that although the faceplate is the same for most "Graflok"-compatible roll backs, behind the faceplate, different backs have different dimensions. Especially at the left end of the back (opposite end from the darkslide), some roll backs project further to the left and may interfere with your camera. For ex, it is likely that a Graphic back will work, an RB67 back may work, and a Horseman back may not, because it sticks out more (also some older Horseman backs have a different, longer shape, so avoid those anyway).

randyB · Jun 19, 2022

The standard sheet film holders for Graflex, Busch 2x3 cameras should all be the same size. There will be some variance due to swelling or shirking of the wood on the older holders plus any variance from the different brands but the variances should be will within useable tolerances. The roll film backs were made to fit exactly where the sheet film holders sat, again there can be minor variances from brand to brand. The critical factor is the film plane offset, you want to make sure the film plane is the same for sheet, roll holders and that it matches the offset of the ground glass offset. Many years ago there was an article in one of the photo mags that discussed this subject in 4x5 holders, I checked all of my 4x5 holders and found several that were off by 1/32 inch. A few of my 5x7 holders were off by 1/16 inch.
The easiest solution for your situation is to replace the entire back for a Graflok back IF it can be done on your particular camera. Those backs are very hard to find and quite pricey. Sometimes it is just easier to buy another 2x3 body that already has the Graflok back on it.

nosmok · Jun 19, 2022

it's_hank_dude said:
I have a 2x3 Century Graphic with the old spring back on. I'm very interested in smacking a roll film back on it. Can someone tell me whether it will work if I remove the springs and the whole film holder back piece, will a roll film back fit where the film holder would have originally slid in?

I'm not worried about how I might make it work, only if it will fit. Also, I'm not worried about depth, only width and height.

I have done this very thing, and it works! I used some small bungie cords (threaded thru screw eyes sunk into the wooden back) to hold the back down. However, it was enough of a to-do that when I found a reasonably priced Graflock back for the camera, I went for it.

it's_hank_dude · Jun 19, 2022

Thank you so much for these great replies! Exactly the info I was looking for.

I got my camera for $50 and am currently cleaning and lubing the shutter (my first time). So I think it will come down to wether I can get the shutter back together properly and if it works, I will just pick up a film back and start shooting! If the shutter is shot, I'll probably just buy a whole different camera, probably something intended for roll film out of the box.

choiliefan · Jun 20, 2022

The Century Graphic came with the Graflok back when factory new. The camera body is made of a dense plastic material so be careful when/if drilling into it.
Would be great to see exactly what type of back your camera has.
Your spring-back may be removable by depressing and unhooking two spring-loaded chrome clips and sliding the focus panel off. Your rollfilm back will then be secured by the sliding clips on the rear of the camera body.

Dan Daniel · Jun 20, 2022

Here's a 2x3 graphic with graflok back on Ebay. I have no connection... (ends wednesday, June 22, 2022 for future visitors)

Graflex 2x3 Speed Graphic Camera with Ground Glass Back | eBay

WE WILL ATTEMPT TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. make Supersized seem small. Ukraine, Zaire/Democratic Republic of the Congo. Get images that.

www.ebay.com

it's_hank_dude · Jun 20, 2022

choiliefan said:
The Century Graphic came with the Graflok back when factory new. The camera body is made of a dense plastic material so be careful when/if drilling into it.
Would be great to see exactly what type of back your camera has.
Your spring-back may be removable by depressing and unhooking two spring-loaded chrome clips and sliding the focus panel off. Your rollfilm back will then be secured by the sliding clips on the rear of the camera body.

I was incorrect, it is a Crown Graphic. Definitely a stock spring back. But thanks for the info!

it's_hank_dude · Jun 20, 2022

Dan Daniel said:
Here's a 2x3 graphic with graflok back on Ebay. I have no connection... (ends wednesday, June 22, 2022 for future visitors)

Graflex 2x3 Speed Graphic Camera with Ground Glass Back | eBay

WE WILL ATTEMPT TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. make Supersized seem small. Ukraine, Zaire/Democratic Republic of the Congo. Get images that.

www.ebay.com

Nice find! I just got my shutter put back together and, heck! It works!! I'll be continuing forward with what I have for now.

Randy Stewart · Jun 20, 2022

it's_hank_dude said:
I have a 2x3 Century Graphic with the old spring back on. I'm very interested in smacking a roll film back on it. Can someone tell me whether it will work if I remove the springs and the whole film holder back piece, will a roll film back fit where the film holder would have originally slid in?

I'm not worried about how I might make it work, only if it will fit. Also, I'm not worried about depth, only width and height.

Yes. The Graphic roll film backs of any format will fit and work properly on your camera, subject to the hassle of unscrewing the retaining springs to exchange focusing back for roll holder. My first MF camera was a very nice Baby Speed Graphic from late 1940s with those spring back retainers. I used it moderately for about a year, but found the hassle of unscrewing things every time I wanted to change backs to be too much to tolerate. I looked into modifying the back to a new Graflock system, but decided that was more costly than the value of the camera would warrant, so I resold it. I kept the roll film backs I had assembled to use on its replacement, a Galvin view camera.

choiliefan · Jun 21, 2022

Here's some additional information re adapting a rollfilm holder to a 2X3 spring back from graflex.org:

Graphic Back Conversions

www.graflex.org

Donald Qualls · Jun 21, 2022

I've done this with a 4x5 Anniversary Speed (same generation as your 2x3 Crown, most likely) in order to shoot with a Polaroid 405 or 550 pack film back. I used a couple pieces of sheet brass, cut and bent to grip in the Gralok retention grooves on the backs, and it worked fine -- so there's no reason it shouldn't work with your Crown.

In fact, from my experience (with a genuine Century) an RB67 roll film back ought to fit and work as well -- not to mention a 2x3 Grafmatic -- as long as you have a reliable way to retain it and a calibrated rangefinder for focusing (BTW, the Kalart rangefinders were made to be user calibrated to support lens changes).

Dimensions of 2x3 Graflok roll film back?

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