How often do you use multiple film backs?

JonPorter · Dec 22, 2018

I only shoot B&W in my 120 cameras and have no need to change films mid-roll. For my RB67 I have a 6x7 and 6x6 back and use whichever one is most appropriate for my subject, reloading at the end of each roll. With my Bronica 6x6 and Mamiya 645 Pro I only have one back for each camera but multiple film inserts, which are faster to change than backs. That way I can shoot several rolls of film before I have to reload.

gordrob · Dec 22, 2018

My Mamiya Press kit has at least 3 backs plus one on the camera

Arthurwg · Dec 22, 2018

Since I can't get 220 anymore I always carry two A12 backs and an A16 for 645 on occasion. I'm still hanging on to my A24 in hopes that 220 will make a comeback, but I'm not holding my breath.

bdial · Dec 22, 2018

Aside from the ability to switch film types or zone exposures during a given outing, multiple backs are handy if the camera happens to have B&W in it but you'd like do some color or vice-versa. You can just pull the loaded back off the camera, put it away for another time and load up with what fits your ad hoc desire.

For most casual users, it's not an essential feature, but it is a "nice to have".

cobbu2 · Dec 22, 2018

Arthurwg said:
Since I can't get 220 anymore I always carry two A12 backs and an A16 for 645 on occasion. I'm still hanging on to my A24 in hopes that 220 will make a comeback, but I'm not holding my breath.

I still have a fair amount of frozen 220 Plus-X around, so for my Bronicas a 220 back has that uploaded, plus 120 backs with either TX/TMY and/or Ektar.

I love using 220, I too wish it would make some kind of comeback in B&W.

rubbernglue · Dec 23, 2018

For my Bronica's (model 'S' and 'EC-TL') I have several backs and there are typically high/low iso or b&w/color, and I switch quite regularly in that case.
Often I bring an extra empty mag and a different film if I think I might want it.

moto-uno · Dec 23, 2018

^ "JonPorter " , how is it that you find changing inserts on your Bronica easier than changing preloaded backs ? Peter

aoresteen · Dec 23, 2018

I usually use 3 A12 backs all loaded with HP-5. 1 back for N, one for N-1, and one for N+1. I do use an A24 with 220 B&W. Now that I have some fresh 70mm Double perf B&W film I'll be using my two A70 backs again.

xtolsniffer · Dec 24, 2018

I keep trying to persuade myself to stick with one film, then get tempted to try other things. In my RB kit I have backs loaded with HP5+, Delta 3200, Portra 160 and Velvia.

Sirius Glass · Dec 24, 2018

I have multiple film backs that I use, but I use them one photograph at a time.

Nokton48 · Dec 24, 2018

Shooting multiple backs with different B&W films is a great way to quickly see the subtle differences between them. Usually I will take out three backs or so with similar speeds. Not always, but a fair amount of the time.

Last time out, it was Ilford FP4+, Foma Retropan Soft 320, and J lane 6.5x9cm dry plates. Shooting these three I think of as a form of "bracketing"

Actually I got this idea long ago looking at the work of Hans Neleman. He would do elaborate 8x10 still lifes, and then shoot them with three or four types of color film. Then he would have a choice of rendition after the fact.

moto-uno · Dec 24, 2018

^ That's a habit that could get kinda pricey today , Peter

Pieter12 · Dec 24, 2018

moto-uno said:
^ That's a habit that could get kinda pricey today , Peter

Probably not much different than before. Shooting 8x10 film has never been cheap.

CropDusterMan · Dec 24, 2018

With my RZ gear and Hassie, I had several backs for each camera...most important thing is to
label each one permanently and then the film rolls you ran through it...helps you track down
problems quickly.

LeftCoastKid · Dec 26, 2018

I almost always have several loaded A12 backs at the ready. As a matter of habit/preference two will be loaded with PanF+, two with E100G, and two with Tri-X/HP5+.

JonPorter · Jan 1, 2019

moto-uno said:
^ "JonPorter " , how is it that you find changing inserts on your Bronica easier than changing preloaded backs ? Peter

I don't have to deal with dark slides and film inserts are cheaper than buying a complete back. But yeah, since the insert forms part of the back on Bronicas, it's not quite as convenient as the Mamiya 645.

filmamigo · Jan 11, 2019

Jon Porter has the right idea. I have wanted to find one of those Bronica belt clips and fill it with loaded inserts for my SQ-A. The Bronica back pops open quickly and you can drop in the loaded insert, avoiding all of the time-consuming part (which is threading a new roll of film onto the insert.)

Normally I carry two or three backs with me, allowing an easy switch between two speeds of film (Acros in one, Tri-x at 1250 in another) once the daylight goes away. The third back will have a second roll of whichever film I am shooting most at the moment.

Ricochetrider · Jan 12, 2019

I, too, use 2 different film backs for my 500cm. So far it's been one for color and one for B&W, but I like the idea of using 2 different speeds. EDIT: shoot for pleasure only, not pro.

Kiruna69 · Jan 18, 2019

I always bring two backs with b&w film if I go out for a full day of hiking and photography - or if I go on a trip for 2-3 days with full camping gear.
One back with either Ilford PanF plus, FP4+, Delta 100 or Fujifilm Acros, and one back with Ilford HP5+ or Delta 400. And sometimes also an extra empty back. I bring a few rolls of Portra 160 and/or 400 and if I want to shoot color I load that third back.

If I go out for a few hours to shoot I just load one back and don't bring anything extra. And most of the time only one film; 10 shots
And sometimes I just grab the camera with the film that is already loaded in the back...This is what i like most...one camera, one lens, one film. Use it regardless of the conditions and try to get something good out of the 10 frames.

moto-uno · Jan 18, 2019

^ Just curious what camera you get out hiking with ? Peter

Pieter12 · Jan 18, 2019

A Rolleiflex 6008i. I don't hike for more than a half dozen miles or so or anything too strenuous. I think in New Zealand they call it walking.

Pieter12 · Jan 18, 2019

The question was obviously not direct to me. Sorry.

Arklatexian · Jan 18, 2019

rayonline_nz said:
Many medium format cameras have interchangeable film cassette backs. How often do you guys use this feature?

For myself not often really. If I was doing a trip away, maybe a color and a black and white in the other but most of the time I just use one. I am also not shooting so often that I need the same type of film loaded into 2 or more backs.

Cheers

You have covered the main reason for owning and using removable magazines. The ability to have two different speed films, quickly available, while shooting.......Regards!

moto-uno · Jan 18, 2019

^^ Well I gotta tell you that's still a distance to be carrying around one of those cameras ! Peter

Neil Poulsen · Jan 19, 2019

Medium format cameras that don't accept multiple film backs are useless to me. For black and white, I have a different film back for each development. (N, N+1, etc.) If I alternatively want to photograph in color, then I might have a back for color negative, color transparency, or both.

How often do you use multiple film backs?

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