Roll film back for Folmer GraflexRB34

krisb1981 · Jul 13, 2015

Hello,
I'm trying to locate a rollfilm back for my Folmer Graflex RB34. The camera uses these un-usual 3x4 film holders with lot down the middle on the edge. I tried searching here and there, but all efforts were fruitless. Anyone here maybe has one of these that wants to get rid of for a fee ?

gone · Jul 13, 2015

You need a Graflex film holder for the SLR cameras, unless you have a roll film holder made by Singer, in which case the holders labeled Graflex are actually Graphic holders for cameras w/ a Graflok or spring back. You almost need a decoder ring to figure out all this Graflex/Graflok/Graphic stuff.

If I'm not mistaken, these should fit your camera. The third link shows a camera w/ the proper rollfilm back. If you have any doubts or questions, pick up the phone and call the people on the second link. The people at Pacific Rim Camera are great to deal with, and very knowledgeable. They also tend to be busy, so you may have to email them if a phone call results in an answering machine. I have put the link to their contact info at the bottom here.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Gr...895?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item419877428f

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GRAFLEX-ROL...031?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item54213a367f

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Graflex-Ser...243?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item463dce3a53

http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/misc/orders.htm

peter k. · Jul 13, 2015

Finding roll film backs for 3x4 are difficult... I happen to have one and use it, but have you considered cutting your film down 3/4" of an inch.. on two sides. Its very easy.. we do it all the time, and keep twelve 3x4 holders loaded with two types of film.. right now 200 & 400 Arista (aka Foma)

and yes Pacific Rim Camera are in fact great to deal with.

shutterfinger · Jul 13, 2015

The first link in post #2 is for type 50 film which was discontinued in 1941. You might be able to make an adapter for 120 film.
2nd link is for a Graflok back film holder.
3rd link shows the correct holder for the 3x4 Graflex SLR.

They show up occasionally on ebay and are usually pricy.
An adapter can be made so that standard roll film holders can be used on the camera.

Dan Fromm · Jul 13, 2015

Charles, are you sure your second and third links show roll holders for 3x4 cameras? The look very much like 2x3 to me.

Also, this http://www.ebay.com/itm/used-SINGER...120-ROLL-FILM-BACK-W-DARK-SLIDE-/321798221121 Singer Graflex roll holder for a 2x3 camera doesn't seem to have the slot needed for fitting it to a Graflex back. Were you thinking of the earliest Graflex-made Graphic 22 and Graphic 23 roll holders, the ones whose shells had no pin rollers and whose inserts were knob wind?

shutterfinger · Jul 13, 2015

Dan, I made no reference to format as the incorrect back mating is sufficient to skip when looking for a Graflex mount RFH.
It is hard to tell if the holder with the camera is for 2x3 or 3x4 but it is definitely for a Graflex back.
The roll holder in link #2 has sold. I agree it appears to be for a 2x3 format camera.

Dan Fromm · Jul 13, 2015

Charles, the camera your third link points to seems to be a post-WW-II 2x3 RB Ser. B. There's no telling whether the roll holder actually fits it, none of the pictures in the listing show its front.

Anyway, 3x4 roll holders have a plate to fit the camera's back that's larger than the shell. See, e.g., http://www.ebay.com/itm/Graflex-Crown-Speed-Graphic-3-1-4-x-4-1-4-3x4-6x6cm-back-/281743124233

Oh and by the way, this is exactly the roll holder the OP wants.

shutterfinger · Jul 13, 2015

Dan, others, look closely at the darkslide end of the Roll Film Holder. The slot for a Graflex Back comes up both sides of the mount plate and is very visible when the RFH is laying on the plate. A Graphic/Graflok back RFH has the ribs and even when laying on the plate the edges of the ribs are visible and there is no grove in the edge of the mount plate.

Dan Fromm · Jul 13, 2015

Thank you, Charles. Camera and roll holder are still 2x3.

krisb1981 · Jul 13, 2015

shutterfinger said:
Dan, I made no reference to format as the incorrect back mating is sufficient to skip when looking for a Graflex mount RFH.
It is hard to tell if the holder with the camera is for 2x3 or 3x4 but it is definitely for a Graflex back.
The roll holder in link #2 has sold. I agree it appears to be for a 2x3 format camera.

Geeez! 80 bucks. Man I paid 120 for the whole camera in good working order. I think, I will just stick to the left over 3.25 x4.25 film I purchased about a year ago. When that one is gone, then I will try looking again, maybe they will be cheaper?

Dan Fromm · Jul 13, 2015

If you want to shoot 6x6 with a 3x4 RB Ser B snap it up! They're very uncommon, one has to turn stones over to find them, and the price is reasonable.

If 6x6 is too small for you -- it would be for me -- let it go.

The market for roll holders that fit 3x4 Graflex backs is very thin, prices are highly variable. There's no guarantee you'll ever find a 6x6er for less. If you want a 6x6 roll holder.

Andy38 · Jul 14, 2015

Hello,

If it is a "normal" RB, focal length is 6,5" (but 6" for some Super D) ; imho, it's too long for 6 x 9 or 6 x 6.

I use a cut film magazine for 12 exposures (a rarest one exists for 18 exp.) in 3 1/4 x 4 1/4. It's easier to find and less expensive.

I buy the film here : Lumière-Shop.de.

krisb1981 · Jul 14, 2015

Andy38 said:
Hello,

If it is a "normal" RB, focal length is 6,5" (but 6" for some Super D) ; imho, it's too long for 6 x 9 or 6 x 6.

I use a cut film magazine for 12 exposures (a rarest one exists for 18 exp.) in 3 1/4 x 4 1/4. It's easier to find and less expensive.

I buy the film here : Lumière-Shop.de.

Andy,
I have the 18 sheets cut film bag mag. Glad to know it's rare (think retirement investment) I too bough film from that company. I guess, I will just lay off the idea of 6x9 roll film shooting with this camera.
Thank you for all your help.

Andy38 · Jul 14, 2015

Here are two 120 rollfilm backs for 3x4 Graflex SLR.
The one on the left uses masks for 4,5 x 6, 6 x 6 or 6 x 9 cm ; it was made by Suydam, California.
I mainly use the better made Graflex, with non RB 3x4 (Series B and Auto-Graflex) which accepts the 5" lens of 2x3 RB (same threading). So, focal length is not too long...

tessar · Jul 14, 2015

I also have a RB 34 (1931) for which I found the correct Graflex 6x9 roll film back after long, patient (i.e. several months) searching on the auction site. I like the 6-3/8 in. (162mm) lens because I use the camera mainly for portraits -- the focal length is roughly equivalent to 77mm on a 35mm camera, which works out well. Nice out-of-focus areas, and the uncoated lens gives flattering results.
It all depends on what you want to shoot.

Roll film back for Folmer GraflexRB34

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