How to remove RB67 film back from 4x5 adapter?

philcameraman · Oct 21, 2020

I picked up a motorized RB67 film back secondhand recently but its in an odd state. It's attached to what appears to be some sort of adapter for a large format camera. I just want to detach the back from this thing so I can use it on my RB67 camera but for the life of me I can't figure out how to get it free. I've managed to get the motorized part out so it's just the door thing still attached, but I don't know where to go from there. I'll attach some pictures, I'd love some advice for how to disconnect it and am eager to know if anyone's familiar with these things and how to take it apart.

shutterfinger · Oct 21, 2020

I've never seen a motor back for the RB but I'm very familiar with 2x3 and 4x5 film holders. This is a custom fit to a standard sheet film holder layout. I would start by removing the screws in the 4 corners of the film holder. The long pieces should lift off or slide back then the short ends should be removable.

philcameraman · Oct 21, 2020

Thanks that's got to be the solution. Unfortunately I stripped two of those screws almost completely trying to take them out... I may have to go to a hardware store and ask someone there to help get the screws out

shutterfinger · Oct 21, 2020

If the screws stripped out that easily then they may be set with threadlocker and or you used the wrong type screwdriver. Even though they look philips they might be reed & prince or JIS. Best bet is a machine shop or a drill with bit and drill the heads off.

Donald Qualls · Oct 22, 2020

Of course, drilling the heads off would then require some means of removing the shafts from the holes in the shell, and replacement screws -- but if the head is completely stripped there may be no other option.

philcameraman · Oct 22, 2020

shutterfinger said:
If the screws stripped out that easily then they may be set with threadlocker and or you used the wrong type screwdriver. Even though they look philips they might be reed & prince or JIS. Best bet is a machine shop or a drill with bit and drill the heads off.

Fortunately it turns out I only had to unscrew some of the screws to take the thing apart so I managed to get the back out. Now I'm just curious what you could tell me about that setup since I don't shoot larger format. Would it only be of use to someone trying to shoot with that RB67 back in a larger format camera?

MattKing · Oct 22, 2020

I have friends who have a film recorder that uses something like that to hold and advance 120 film, so it may have come from something like that.

Donald Qualls · Oct 22, 2020

As the original RB67 film back will fit any 2x3 Graflok mount, the 4x5 adapter ought to fit any 4x5 Graflok back. Camera, scientific instrument (such as electron microscope camera or astronomical camera), etc.

How to remove RB67 film back from 4x5 adapter?

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