Graflex 2¼ x 3¼ holder type 5 howto?

[removedacct2]

not really LF for the size which is MF, but certainly LF kind of device.
I have got this 2x3 holder type 5. Very simple device. Small hooks work as safety lock retaining the dark slides, at the other end, a band of plastic, tape-like, holds the flaps on each side, the flaps have a groove for the dark slide end.
The holder came with a sheet of film on each side. Two small notches on a short edge of the sheet.
But no film model marking, instead it's engraved "kodak safety". Wondering what it is.
I found in my desk a ruler with dual units, english and metric, the sheet is 2"4 x 3"4 or ~55mmx80mm, so it's smaller than 6x9, If I cut sheet from 120 rolls I'll make a small device to trim 5mm along the roll.

What surprises me is that the end with the flaps, to insert/remove the sheets, doesn't open level with the plane of the film holder, so I must sneak the finger tip in order to lift a bit the edge of the film and with the thumb of the other hand slide it out. I don't like to put fingers om emulsion side. It had been better if the end could be taken off completely but for sure it can't, just the flaps that can be opened.

I did cut a 6x9 sheet from a 120 roll. The issue can be the curl, but it's not a problem for insertion. As I cut a bit longer that 3"4, the additional length gets caught under the flap, and the curl has the effect of pushing the film out, bend is irregular so planarity isn't there, but I could just insert a sheet of paper/plastic of correct thickness with light glue inside the metalic frame, to compensate for thickness. I'd rather try this just because 4x5 sheets to cut from are much more expensive than 120 rolls and there's more choice of roll films too.

so my questions are:
- the extraction of the film, it's all so simple I can't have missed something, yet I find it weird to use fingers on emulsion side in order to push the sheet out.
- what is that "kodak safety" marked sheet?

 

[Bob S]

Google Kodak notch codes and that will ID your film.

 

[peter k.]

Welcome to film holder land of MF and large format. Have the same film holders you are referring to and use them all the time, no problem.

The holder came with a sheet of film on each side. Two small notches on a short edge of the sheet.
But no film model marking, instead it's engraved "kodak safety". Wondering what it is.

The notches designated the type of film it is, or was. Can't seem to find a current notch code for Kodak, but here is an example from 2003 which identifies the film, on page 2, in your holder as Tmax 100
https://www.heli.city/docs/unsorted/kodak/f3.pdf

When loading the film into the film holder, the notches must be on the right as shown in your first image, and signifies that the emulsion side is up and ready to be expsoed.

"Kodak Safety Film" is just a term which Kodak applied to all of their acetate based films for a few decades after they discontinued their Nitrocellulose films. The word "Safety" meant that the film was less prone to spontaneous combustion than its predecessor. The term appeared on virtually all formats and types of Kodak films for a few decades."

What surprises me is that the end with the flaps, to insert/remove the sheets, doesn't open level with the plane of the film holder, so I must sneak the finger tip in order to lift a bit the edge of the film and with the thumb of the other hand slide it out.

Hmmm .. here's some clarity.
Make sure your hands are clean and dry. Slide the dark slide about half way out, not necessary to take the dark slide all the way out. Then with, one hand only,. is lift the edge of the film with the nail on your middle finger tip, then Grab the edge of the film sheet with your thumb and pull out.
The notched end of the film is not completely exposed as the flap holds the film flat, and there is about an 1/8" of an inch unexposed area

I find it weird to use fingers on emulsion side in order to push the sheet out.

It is weird, as you do not push it out, you pull it out. Try what we explained and here is another reference for you.

I did cut a 6x9 sheet from a 120 roll.

Have fun experimenting, but may get a light leak from the flap, if the film is left that long as shown in last picture.

BTW, we cut two shots of MF film from one 4x5.
You can also order MF film from Freestyle Arista 100 and 400, but right now they are out of stock.
https://www.freestylephoto.biz/1901350-Arista-EDU-Ultra-100-ISO-2.25-x-3.25-50-Sheets

 

[removedacct2]

thanks a lot Bob S and peter k.
I hadn't though of nitrate/nitro cellulose film; I know it but I believed it was not used after the late 1920's, due to the fires it caused, so surprising that this 2x3 sheet left in the holder still bears the "safety" mention, which means it must be quite an old sheet...

two shots of MF film from one 4x5

120 roll curl can be a problem anyway when developing. I was thinking to make myself some holder for tanks, something like this, from http://www.filmwasters.com/forum/index.php?topic=9228.0
but 120 curl ...

maybe I'd rather cut from 5x7 sheets, will give 4 MF frames with much less waste than 2 from 4x5 sheet it seems.
Depends the availability by brands/emulsions by format.

that 2x3 Graflex holder was in fact just a part in a lot with two Grafmatic 23 I found on ebay. My idea is to use these with a Horseman 6x9 on tripod when I will need movements (architecture mostly), instead of a roll back, because I think it will be faster to insert/remove Grafmatic backs than roll backs between shots when focusing on GG rather than the RF.
A world of experiments ahead

 

[grat]

Actually, Arista stocks 5 different 2.25 x 3.25 films: https://www.freestylephoto.biz/category/2-Film/Black-and-White-Film?attr[]=1-50

Also, 20th Century Camera offers a reel that holds 6 sheets and fits in the small Paterson tank for developing:

https://20thcenturycamera.com/colle...9-2x3-quick-load-6-sheet-film-processing-reel

 

[Cholentpot]

thanks a lot Bob S and peter k.
I hadn't though of nitrate/nitro cellulose film; I know it but I believed it was not used after the late 1920's, due to the fires it caused, so surprising that this 2x3 sheet left in the holder still bears the "safety" mention, which means it must be quite an old sheet...



120 roll curl can be a problem anyway when developing. I was thinking to make myself some holder for tanks, something like this, from http://www.filmwasters.com/forum/index.php?topic=9228.0
but 120 curl ...

maybe I'd rather cut from 5x7 sheets, will give 4 MF frames with much less waste than 2 from 4x5 sheet it seems.
Depends the availability by brands/emulsions by format.

that 2x3 Graflex holder was in fact just a part in a lot with two Grafmatic 23 I found on ebay. My idea is to use these with a Horseman 6x9 on tripod when I will need movements (architecture mostly), instead of a roll back, because I think it will be faster to insert/remove Grafmatic backs than roll backs between shots when focusing on GG rather than the RF.
A world of experiments ahead

I've been developing my 2x3 sheets with a setup like this. Works well enough but no more than 4 sheets at a time.

 

[removedacct2]

I've been developing my 2x3 sheets with a setup like this. Works well enough but no more than 4 sheets at a time.

thanks! simple and great