Graflex 4x5 Grafmatic questions...........

JW PHOTO · Apr 18, 2014

I have a project going and was wondering if this might be a solution. The project is a vintage Western Camera Corp. Cyclone No.5 falling plate camera. I want to convert it to use straight 4x5 sheet film and the answer to these two questions might help. I have never used a 4x5 Grafmatic film holder before so know very little about them, but do know they have 6 4x5 film septums in them and that's what I'm interested in. I think I could use those septums to help in the plate to film conversion. First question is "where can I buy just the 4x5 septums"? Second question is "what are they made out of"? It would be perfect if they were made out of steel, but aluminum would work also. I already have it setup to use 4x5 film, but it's a little crude and the septums would make it easier and more professional looking. JW

Tom1956 · Apr 18, 2014

They're made of steel. Find them wherever you can, is the answer.

bdial · Apr 18, 2014

What you probably want are film sheaths which were intended for using film in plate holders intended for glass plates. The septums in a grafmatic are a little different, and probably wouldn't fit a space meant for a 4x5 plate.
Try p.m.'ing whiteymorange he's had some film sheaths in the past, and may still.

snapguy · Apr 18, 2014

nuggets

When you ask about finding old camera parts it is the same as asking "where can I find some gold nuggets someone has laying around?" A least that is what it seems to mean to the people with the parts. IMO.

JW PHOTO · Apr 18, 2014

Well, I really didn't know if some company/business didn't still supply them, but it's now obvious I'll have to shake the bushes. The reason I wanted steel septums is that I plan on using rubberized flexible magnet sheets(like those used to stick advertising signs on car doors) glued to my old plate holders to bring the film plane inline with where the glass plate would be. Then I could have the septums loaded and just stick them on the glued magnet. Now that I know they are steel I will definitely be shaking the bushes. Oh, and I'm sure they will fit since I've already pulled the sheath's out of some Riteway/Fidelity film holders and am now using those glued to cardboard. Any leads to some septums for the Grafmatics would be greatly appreciated. JW

paul ewins · Apr 18, 2014

You can also look for the 4x5 "bag mags" which were the forerunner to the grafmatic. They are only usable on the early graflex cameras so might be a little cheaper. Best of all they come with twelve septums rather than just the six in a grafmatic. They are thicker than the grafmatic septums but otherwise the same size (see the differences here: http://www.paulewins.com/blog/?page_id=52 ). Either type of septum can be found on ebay in replacement sets with a little patience and is usually cheaper than buying a compete grafmnatic or bag mag.

JW PHOTO · Apr 18, 2014

paul ewins said:
You can also look for the 4x5 "bag mags" which were the forerunner to the grafmatic. They are only usable on the early graflex cameras so might be a little cheaper. Best of all they come with twelve septums rather than just the six in a grafmatic. They are thicker than the grafmatic septums but otherwise the same size (see the differences here: http://www.paulewins.com/blog/?page_id=52 ). Either type of septum can be found on ebay in replacement sets with a little patience and is usually cheaper than buying a compete grafmnatic or bag mag.

Whoa, now that's the kind of tip I like! I never thought of the old "mag bags", but I need twelve septums anyway and that sounds like the way to go. Thanks a bunch! JW

Bill Burk · Apr 19, 2014

Magnets don't stick to them - if that's the question.

Tom1956 · Apr 19, 2014

uh-oh. I might be wrong.

Ian Grant · Apr 19, 2014

Definitely you need 5x4 film inserts, they do crop up time to time, I have quite a few in various sizes, however there are some variation and while the outside dimensions are standard some are thicker than others - designed for specific plate holders. Usually the thicker ones have a pattern or large ridges pressed into the back to give rigidity.

I'd need to check but I think the septums from the Grafmatic backs are ever so slightly too wide, I have 3 British Wray Grafmatic backs but they should be identical to the US ones (they were made under license like the Dallmeyer made Parkard shutters).

Ian

JW PHOTO · Apr 19, 2014

Bill. if magnets don't stick to them I guess they're not steel. I rather doubted they would be since even the old inserts were a light alloy.

Thanks Ian, I'll just watch the big auction site and see if I can snag one or two for a test run.

Ian Grant · Apr 19, 2014

JW PHOTO said:
Bill. if magnets don't stick to them I guess they're not steel. I rather doubted they would be since even the old inserts were a light alloy.

Thanks Ian, I'll just watch the big auction site and see if I can snag one or two for a test run.

Most of my 5x4 film inserts have come inside plate holders only the odd one or two have been separate.

Ian

gone · Apr 19, 2014

I've seen just the septums for sale on ebay at times. Is there any way to adapt the Grafmatic film holder itself to your camera with something simple like a DIY Graflex spring back ? Loading them takes some practice, but they are great to use. Beats carrying around a bunch of big film holders with you when you go out shooting.

Whiteymorange · Apr 19, 2014

bdial said:
Try p.m.'ing whiteymorange he's had some film sheaths in the past, and may still.

I do. I also have both Grafmatic and Bag-mag septums in 4x5.

Graflex 4x5 Grafmatic questions...........

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