Outside filmholder dimensions bugger Belgian camera builder

[argus]

Hi all,

just a message/reminder to you who believe that most filmholders are made in the same factory:

The outside width of 4x5" Fidelity Elite and Riteway filmholders differs 0.065mm.

Fidelity Elite = 12.07 cm
Riteway = 12.005 cm

That's a small allowable margin, you say?

Not to me. I own a bunch of Fidelity holders and only one Riteway and decided to use the Riteway to model a new back for my camera. If it ever got damaged, I would not whine about it.
I must have been more precise, in shaping the film holder slot, compared to the back I built last summer because it will not allow the Fidelity holders to slip in

I first thoutht that it might have been due to the cold (freezing -6C) while making pictures at the coast, but when checking the holders, the reason was obvious.

On the other hand, I must say I'm very happy with the 13x18cm back. It functions as it should.

G

 

[Jim Noel]

At least you built the back for the better of the two holders.

In 4X5 I will only use Riteways.

 

[Ole]

I have a similar problem with 5x7" / 13x18cm holders: The Linhof holders are a hoplessly tight fit...

 

[argus]

At least you built the back for the better of the two holders.

In 4X5 I will only use Riteways.

Jim,

I don't have any problems with the Fidelity holders. Film flatness in 4x5 is not that much of a problem.

In fact I like the Fidelity's more because of the design of the darkslide handles: the handles for pulling the darkslides are offset and you can take it out more easily.
The metal handles of a Riteway holder are on top of each other and the possibility exist that you lift the holder, and thus creating a light leak, while trying to get hold on the metal puller.

G