Mystery film holder

I've never seen or read about this film holder before, but I'm sure someone in APUG'land has. I've asked a couple of old time large format photographers here in Oklahoma, but they haven't seen one of these either.

The septum (lower left) looks like it holds a 3.25x4.25" (80x105 mm) film, which goes into a holder (lower right) that has a swing arm to lock the septum in place. The ensemble goes into a folding case (upper right), and it looks like it just holds one of these at a time. The dark slide is on the upper left.

The case is similar to a Graphic 1234 film pack holder, and the septum is similar to a Graphic 1268 (just smaller). The similarity with the two aforementioned Graphic backs would make me think this is a Graflex concoction. There are no markings on the case that would indicate its manufacturer, or its intended camera.

This is very similar in construction to a set of 6x9 film holders I have with a Zeiss Ikon camera - just bigger !

I speculate it is a film adapter intended for use in early dry plate cameras.

shutterfinger said:

I speculate it is a film adapter intended for use in early dry plate cameras.

Click to expand...

It was found in a state government darkroom, with most other equipment dating around 1970's to early 1990's.

There's three items, what you call the septum is a Quarter plate film adapter designed to allow film to be used in a plate holder. These were quite common in various sizes and made into the 1950's possible 1960's.

Then there's a format adapter to allow Quarter plates to be used in a larger plate holder (I'm assuming 5x4). This will also take the film adapter, film sizes are slightly smaller than their nominal size (glass plate equivalent) to allow for this.

Finally you have a single plate holder which is unusual, it does look like a film pack holder but seems too slim.

Ian

Are single sided plate holders used in astronomy? If so then they may use sheet film in some instances.
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_astronomical_observatories
University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
Ten Acre Observatory, Tribbey, Oklahoma
Mendenhall Observatory, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Mounds Observatory, Tulsa, Oklahoma