Graphic 23 back on Graflex RB series B 3x4 - DIY

[cramej]

I picked up a Graflex RB series B not to long ago and it came with the cut film magazine which was, unfortunately, incomplete. Everything else was in good working order, though. I had a 2x3 back that I wasn't using and I thought "I bet I could make this work". So I proceeded to find a Graflex 3x4 shell to go with my 2x3 insert. A bit of hand machining and fairy dust and I now have a roll film back for the RB! So far, everything seems to be in order - a little sharpie on the ground glass helps with framing and I believe focus is OK. The 6-3/8" lens comes in just a bit longer than normal so I'm hoping it will make a fine portrait camera. A few photos of the conversion follow.

The back needed a notch cut on one side and a channel across the face to fit. I also filed down one of the ridges on the face so it would sit flat. A piece of 1/4" steel bar was the perfect thickness to allow it to be held by the slide. JB weld worked it's magic here. In order to make the width fit, I had to grind down the side where the steel is attached. Everything is light tight so I'm not sure if I'll smooth out the jb weld and paint it or not.

 

[removed account4]

that looks much better than my 23 roll back on a series D ( 4x5 ) i use black masking tape ..
your's is so high-tech !
nice work btw !

 

[shutterfinger]

A few years ago I cut a piece of 1/4 Baltic Birch plywood to fit a 3x4 RB Auto and hold a 2x3 Graphic Roll Film Holder. The lens would just make infinity.
Looks good.

 

[cramej]

Thanks. I'm anxious to get a real person in front of it.

 

[shutterfinger]

Visit http://www.graflex.org/
With the back removed from the body there are 2 screws along the outer half edge and 2 screws accessible when outer section is rotated 45° (hard to see as they're under the felt) that hold the wood frame block to the back frame.
New wood blocks can be made to reduce the holder frame opening for the smaller format or for modified standard 2 sided film holders.

 

[mshchem]

I don't why but the RBs used different ridges on the backs. I had a 2x3 RB, I had to open up a 6x6 shell to hold the 23 insert. Someone offered me money so I sold, it was a neat camera.

 

[shutterfinger]

Graflex Corp. SLR's use a Graflex Back which require Graflex sheet film holders and roll film holders.
Graflex Corp. Speed and Crown Graphics use standard sheet film holders and roll film holders. The Graflex back was available on Speed Graphics up to the late 1940's.

 

[cramej]

Visit http://www.graflex.org/
With the back removed from the body there are 2 screws along the outer half edge and 2 screws accessible when outer section is rotated 45° (hard to see as they're under the felt) that hold the wood frame block to the back frame.
New wood blocks can be made to reduce the holder frame opening for the smaller format or for modified standard 2 sided film holders.

Oh my gosh - I completely missed the button for the rotating back! I though I had a non-rotating version so I checked for the button and sure enough, it was right where it was supposed to be. I may do something like this in the future so the back is centered. It looks easy enough to modify.