Graflok back - help please

Bill Banks · Jan 11, 2012

I have recently started using my Crown Graphic again after years of neglect and one problem I am having is with the Graflok back. Having carefully set up a shot I find it almost impossible to position the film holder behind the back without moving the camera, however hard I tighten the heavy duty ball/socket head on my tripod.

Does anybody know if there is a way of adjusting (loosening) the springs in the back slightly or if there is some other trick I am missing?

Bill

Sirius Glass · Jan 11, 2012

If you find out how, patent the concept and you will become very rich! But allow me to use it at no charge!

BradS · Jan 11, 2012

Bill Banks said:
Does anybody know if there is a way of adjusting (loosening) the springs in the back slightly or if there is some other trick I am missing?

Bill

I think that there is but, I have to look at my Crown Graphhic to be sure.....get back to you later.

BrianShaw · Jan 11, 2012

Generally speaking, loosening tension on leaf-type springs is done by grinding the thickness down. That has the risk of overheating the spring and destroying the temper. Suggest you consider a different head, something more like a heavy-duty 3-way pan head for better stability.

BrianShaw · Jan 11, 2012

p.s I seem to recall some people "loosening the spring tension" by shimming hte springs to make it easier to (from memory) make it easier to use Calumet roll film back.

Ian Grant · Jan 11, 2012

There's no adjusting the springs on Graflok or nornal spring backs.

However there is a way of opening any back with your left hand beginning to slide the holder in then moving the hand to the otherside to stabilise the camera and help prevent movement.

Also with a Crown or Speed Graphic you have the luxury of a wire frame finde4r and also a viewfinder to check position afterwards, this is something not found on field cameras

In practice I tend to use my Crown Graphic hand held and find the wire finder great for composition, remember it has click stops for various distances to compensate for parralax.

Ian

BradS · Jan 11, 2012

Ian Grant said:
In practice I tend to use my Crown Graphic hand held and find the wire finder great for composition, remember it has click stops for various distances to compensate for parralax.

Ian

Me too. I never use a tripod with the Crown Graphic anymore. It is a hand held, rangefinder focused 4x5 folder! This is what makes the Crown/Speed so wonderful.

BrianShaw · Jan 11, 2012

Ditto, except its an Anniversary and Super Graphic for me. I recently bought a Super Graphic quick release.. and now I'm wondering why I wasted the money since I'll probably never use it!

Ian Grant · Jan 11, 2012

BrianShaw said:
Ditto, except its an Anniversary and Super Graphic for me. I recently bought a Super Graphic quick release.. and now I'm wondering why I wasted the money since I'll probably never use it!

You can post it to me I'd use it

I began using a Super Graphic end of 2010 because it saves me having to decide on whethrer to take my Wista of a Crown Graphic, best of both worlds.

Ian

mdarnton · Jan 11, 2012

If it's a Graflock back, it doesn't have leaf springs to shim: it's got a coil spring on each arm. Graphic backs have leaf springs. I guess one could try to loosen the spring one turn. I suspect, however, that it's the tension it is for a specific reason.

rjbuzzclick · Jan 11, 2012

Try rubbing the edges of your film holders with wax paper after you load them, as well as the path the film holder slides in in the camera once in a while. It might help the film holder slide in a little bit easier.

Graflok back - help please

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