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is there a better 6x9 roll film back for graflex 23?

darinwc

Subscriber
Joined
Dec 14, 2003
Messages
3,167
Location
Sacramento,
Format
Multi Format
Is there a better roll film back for the graflex 23?
The 2x3 back really is not 90mm wide.. correct?
-And maybe not designed well to hold the film flat.

Is there anything better? maybe horseman or linhof that will fit standard graflock?

Thanks!
 
No "6x9" backs are 9 cm wide. The largest they get is about 56x84mm image area - technically "6x9" is really 2.25" x 3.25".

What problem are you having? The later Graphic backs (lever wind) have extra pin rollers that are supposed to aid with film flatness. The Horseman backs have, I think, larger main rollers. However, the Horseman backs are also a little larger side to side and they may not fit some cameras. There are also earlier types of Horseman back that look a bit different and that don't fit a Graflok-type back at all, so do some research ... a lot of research. I have no experience with Linhof or other makers' backs, but generally the same issues apply.
 
darinwc said:
maybe horseman or linhof that will fit standard graflock?
Click to expand...

Unlike their roll holders for 4x5, Linhof Rollex/Super Rollex holders for 2x3 cameras use a proprietary mount and are not Graflok-compatible at all. There is a version of the Linhof Rapid Rollex that is designed for slide-in use on 2x3 cameras, but that exposes a 6x7 frame only, not 6x9.
 
@Dan Fromm Do you know if the Toyo 69/23 roll film holder is compatible with the graflok back? Looks like it can slide under the ground glass like a sheet film holder, or attach via the slide locks like a Graflex RH. I'm specifically wondering about using the Toyo holder on a Graflex XL. Thanks!
 
Toyo roll holder instructions are here: https://www.butkus.org/chinon/large_format.htm They're not perfectly clear, but I think you can do it.

The catalog here: https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/00273/00273.pdf, see p. 20 doesn't waffle.

If you try, please report back whether it fits.
 
@Dan Fromm Thanks for the info! On that note, ever heard of Toyo roll holders needing/receiving service? Looking at one that the seller says may have hardened lubricant in the film advance mechanism.

@darinwc I have a Horseman 6x7 roll holder that is far superior in quality to the Graflex RHs. There are Horseman 6x9 roll holders as well. Fits my graflok back well, but I loosened the graflok's slide-lock screws very slightly to better engage the slightly thicker slide-lock groove on the Horseman holder.
 
I've been using a Horseman 6x7. It does take a bit of fiddling to get it to lock into my Century Graphic.
 
eflyons said:
@Dan Fromm Thanks for the info! On that note, ever heard of Toyo roll holders needing/receiving service? Looking at one that the seller says may have hardened lubricant in the film advance mechanism.
Click to expand...
No idea. If they're still in business, I'd ask Nippon Camera in NYC. Don't know who in the bay area might work on it.
 
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