Roll Film Back

[Thomas Bertilsson]

It did not occur to me when I purchased a roll film back from a fellow APUG member that I would have to modify the back on my 4x5 camera in order to use it.
I have a new 4x5 setup, and my intent was to shoot sheets with it. But then I thought a roll film back might be nice, especially if I don't have a way of re-loading my film holders while I'm out.
The back of my camera has two springs and a frame that holds the ground glass. I lift that frame, slide a 4x5 holder in place, and let the spring tension hold it against the back of my camera. The roll film back is of exactly the same dimensions as a 4x5 sheet holder, but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get it in place so I can use it. Do I take the ground glass out? Do I un-do the springs from the back and somehow let them hold the RFH in place? I am at a loss here, thinking my back isn't supposed to be used with RFHs. Any ideas?

The camera is this one:
http://www.fineartphotosupply.com/workscamera.htm
You can get a clear view of the back of the camera a bit down the page.

Thankful for every hint!

- Thomas

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

If this is the kind of rollfilm back with a large curved "hump," then it's designed to be used with a Graflok or International style back, where the groundglass panel slides off by a simple mechanism, and there are metal slides that hold the rollfilm holder in place.

It looks like your camera may have a plain spring back, rather than a Graflok-type back, and you might have to use flat rollfilm holders that slide under the glass like a regular filmholder. There are rollfilm holders like this made by Sinar, Calumet, Linhof (Rapid Rollex--not Super-Rollex), and others.

 

[Ian Grant]

Wista make their roll film backs in two different sizes and variations. They sell some with a plate attached to the back which slides under the edges of the ground-glass holder protecting the glass. See here top right.

There's no reason why you couldn't make a simple protection sheet out of thin aluminium to go between the glass back and the roll film holder.

Ian

 

[jd callow]

Thomas,
If the gg frame does not slide off and when off if there are not two sliding clips running along the long edges of the back under where the frame was than the RFH will not work. Let me know if that is the case I will happily take back the RFH. PM me...

 

[David H. Bebbington]

From the pictures, it seems your camera has a spring back, not a "Graflok" or "international" back where the glass and frame come right off and you can secure a RFB with 2 sliding bars. Take advantage of John's money-back offer and look out for a Calumet RFB (6x7 or 6x9), which will fit your camera. Don't buy the later Cambo version, they are not well made.

Regards,

David

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Thanks guys. I learned something the hard way today. I really should have done my homework on this one, but then again, I hate messing with technicalities... That's why I went with the field camera to begin with, to get away from various formats and needing different cameras for them... LOL

I know what I need to do know. Thanks JD for being so kind in helping me out of my pinch!
- Thomas