Ground glass in a film holder?

[LWKImages]

OK, this is a LF newbie question, so no LOLs, :rolleyes: , or , k? ;-)

Anyway, I have an old Calumet 400 w/the fixed gg that allows me to insert the film holder. I'd love to be able to use one of the Graflex (or Graphic) roll film holders, but the gg back doesn't open far enough to fit the RFH in. I know I could buy the Calumet C-2 (or C2N), but would like to avoid that expense if possible.

My thought is that I could remove the gg by unscrewing the little clips that hold it in, but that wouldn't be very practical in the long run. Another thought is to remove the gg "permanently" and replace it with a gg in a holder that I could insert/remove just like a film holder when needed. Is there any such ground glass holder available that would fit my camera? If not, is it feasible/practical to build one?

....Of course, this may all be a moot point if the Graphic (I'm looking at a "23") RFH doesn't fit even when the gg is removed from the camera. ;-)

Thanks,
-len

 

[Steve Smith]

When I made my 5"x4" camera, I didn't have a spring back so I made a ground glass holder to the same dimensions as a film holder with a bit of frosted polycarbonate at the film position.

It worked fine so a piece of ground glass actually in a film holder would also work. I have been thinking about doing this myself.

I originally used a couple of rubber bands to hold the ground glass holder and film holder in place.


Steve.

 

[Nick Zentena]

The problem I see is making sure the distances are right. You need to maintain a fairly tight distance so when you put the film holder in the film plane will be in the right spot.

The 620 back which I don't remember the name of is often pretty cheap. You need a 620 take up spool but it will feed from 120 film. I forget the format. 6x9?

 

[dpingr]

Graflex roll backs are made to be used with Graflok backs, like the backs used on Graflex press cameras and many modern LF cameras. The ground glass pops out, and the accessory (roll back, Grafmatic, Polaroid back, etc.) attaches with two clamps. I'm not familiar with the 400, but what you need to do is somehow refit your back as a Graflok back (if possible) or obtain a Graflok back and retool it to fit on your camera. The Graflex roll backs are not made to fit under spring backs, and they'll probably break your springs if you try. Other roll backs are made to fit under spring backs, but are VERY expensive (Horseman makes a nice one I hear.)

If you haven't already checked it out, take a look at www.graflex.org for more info on these roll backs and Graflok backs.

Dan Ingram

 

[Jim Jones]

It should be easier and perhaps cheaper to buy one of the several roll film adaptors that fit under the existing ground glass. Some, like the Calumet Roll Holder model C2, even take 120 and 220 film.

 

[rkmiec]

personally i think the added expense of the c2 roll film holder will save you so much trouble in the end.removing the ground glass is courting disaster i think.think of the time to make the adapter the cost of the less expensive roll film holder the spacing issues(no good if these distance to film plane is wrong)and the in the field hassle of removing one back to put on another.the c2 back should have sold itself by now.but it is just an opinion.in the end do what makes the most sense to you and what will keep you out taking pics.good luck.

 

[Jim Noel]

Removing the ground glass will not help as you will still have the springs to contend with. A Calument C@ or similar slide in holder is your best answer.

 

[dpingr]

Oops -- the back I was thinking of is made by Toyo, not Horseman. Horseman's back is similar to the Graflex design, and requires a Graflok back.

I agree with the other posters -- the C2 is the way to go if you want to maintain your camera's original integrity. It's similar to the Toyo design at a fraction of the price. Only convert to an international (Graflok) back if you want to use other accessories later on. Since Polaroid and Grafmatic backs fit under spring backs, I wouldn't bother with it -- just buy the C2.

And just to add to your conundrum -- there is a film flatness problem with the "22" and "23" backs. Those older knob-wind backs lack the pin rollers that came with the later lever-wind Singer-Graflex backs (RH8, RH10, RH12, RH20) that keep the film flat. The film bowing with the older backs is noticable. Another reason to get a C2!