Press camera roll film back compatibility

[EASmithV]

Ok, I wasn't sure whether to put this in the large format section or the medium format section, but here it goes...

I have a Busch Pressman 2.25 x 3.25 press camera. I want to put a 120 roll film back on it. I have seen pictures of the roll film attachments for 4x5 Speed Graphics, which looks like a roll film back on a 4x5 holder.

Do the roll film backs come off the 4x5 carrier to mount on a 2.25 x 3.25 camera?.

Does a Graflex 120 roll film back for 2.25 x 3.25 fit on a Busch Pressman 2.25 x 3.25? I'm sure it's a stupid question, but I want to be sure before I buy anything.

Any alternative equipment suggestions are welcome.

 

[filmamigo]

Rollfilm backs for Graflex 2x3 are dedicated in size for the camera. (i.e. 4x5 backs won't work.) I have a Graphic 23 RH10, which is a 6x7 back for 2x3 cameras. I believe these backs are Graflok, but I attached mine to my springback camera with a set of springs and screws.

I can't answer about it fitting on a Busch Pressman.

 

[EASmithV]

So the actual roll film part does not clip off of the 4x5 holder component? I was looking for the type that you slide in under the ground glass like a film holder.

 

[r-brian]

The Adapt-All-620 comes/came in a 2x3 size. It slips under the ground glass. They come up on Ebay from time to time. But you have to make sure it's the 2x3 and not the 4x5 size. Downside, they were designed for 620 film, not 120. You have to use a 620 spool on the take up side but a 120 will work on the feed side. The Busch Pressman's, both 2x3 and 4x5 will NOT accept Graphloc backs, you have to find one that slides under the GG.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

Those roll-film backs that slide in under the ground glass like a film holder were not a Graflex product. Calumet has been the major manufacturer of those, but there were other vendors along the way. It is possible that there was one for the smaller than 4x5 view cameras, but you will just have to search the auction sites, etc.
AFAIK, all the Graflex (brand) roll-film holders were designed to replace the ground glass back and required a Graflok back.

 

[ic-racer]

Do you mean the type where both spools are on one side and the film takes a long tight path across the pressure plate? I think these were only made to slide in under 4x5 groundglass backs. It can't be made small enough to slide in under a 2x3 groundglass back.

The usual rollfilm backs attach with the Graflok mechanism, which, unfortunately is not present on the back of your camera. Here is a thread dealing with a Bushman to Graflok conversion, do some searching, as there are other ways to get a rollfilm back on that camera, but it may not be easy:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[mferrarini]

Try these sites:

http://graflex.org/speed-graphic/adapt-a-roll.html

http://www.xs4all.nl/~lommen9/holders/index.html

 

[Whiteymorange]

A vote her for the Adapt-a-roll. As finicky as it seems at first, with the 620 take up reel and a circuitous path for the film, I have had remarkably little trouble working with it on my Busch Pressman C. Cheap, sturdy and available, a good work around for the spring back camera.

 

[EASmithV]

Just to clarify, The Adapt-A-Roll can fed off a 120 spool, as long as you have a 620 take up reel? That is exactly what I'm looking for.

 

[r-brian]

Yes, a 120 spool works fine on the feed side, just need a 620 spool for take-up. You might want to go to the Large Format Photography site: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/ and look around. There's some info on the AAR 620 there.

 

[EASmithV]

Ok perfect. I have a couple of 620 reels, but I have been getting very tired of constantly re-spooling 120. As long as it can feed off a regular 120, I'm happy. Thx.

 

[EASmithV]

Wait is this? It's made by Graflex, and it looks like it would go under the ground glass.

 

[k_jupiter]

That is a newer Graflex back. It's pretty thick. I would be surprised if your spring back would expand that far. You see the line along the base under the winder? That is a channel for the Graphics slides to move into and hold it against the back of the camera. I would just go for the 2x3 Grafmatic and use 6 sheets of film. But then again, that might not be what you want.

tim in san jose

 

[Oren Grad]

There is a modern 2x3/6x7 slide-in back, the Linhof Rapid Rollex. Note that this is not the same thing as the more common Super Rollex.

The Rapid Rollex was also made in a 4x5/6x7 version, which is more commonly seen.

If you can still find a new one it will be very pricey, but used ones occasionally turn up for much less.

 

[Pupfish]

B&H is now accepting orders for that 2x3 Rapid Rollex. It's a mere $1509.95. Good gracious! Do you realize that B&H also sells a NEW Mamiya RB67 AND NEW 90mm normal lens AND 6x7 back (also new) for just under $250 additional?

(Not to mention how many Crown Graphic/Century 2-1/4 x 3-1/4 with Graflok backs one could buy and still have money left over for working Horseman 6x9 back for the cost of that slide in Linhof back new?)

Wait, I misspoke-- I see that Sean at Camera West has a used 2x3/6x7 Rapid Rollex for a mere $850 pittance.

For the OP, I suggest he get creative with bolts, glue, or staples to graft a back onto his Pressman. This page may be of some help:
http://www.buggrit.com/pressman.html

 

[Oren Grad]

I paid about $400 for mine, on eBay. Not bargain-basement by any means, but a lot less than Camera West is asking.

Even for cameras that have a Graflok back, a slide-in like the Rapid Rollex is a lot quicker and simpler to use in the field - you don't have to keep removing and replacing the back.

If the OP really wants to use the Pressman he already has, it's worth considering. If the point is just to find the cheapest way to shoot roll film in a view/press camera, then yes, it might be more cost-effective to switch to or even just add a different camera with a Graflok back.