Toyo 4x5 film holders and Linhof Master Technika fit question

[ediz7531]

I'm hoping someone can shed some light on this. I bought some 4x5 Toyo film holders - latest version with the blue lettering and aluminum dark slides - to use with a Master Technika Classic.
The first two holders I've used have had the black material (is it a light seal?) peeled off when I remove them from the camera. I'm wondering what I might be doing wrong here - to be clear, when I remove the film holders, should I pull straight out parallel to the film plane, or parallel to the angled door opening?
Example photo of the holders attached.
Also, what kind of material can I use to patch these up? I tried some black tape I bought from B&H for keeping stray light out of my converted bathroom/darkroom, but that tape is not adhesive enough.

Thanks,

 

[MARTIE]

It's not a Toyo film holder issue.
I've experienced the exact same thing with my Linhofs and film holders. The spring back is sometimes silly strong and the tendency is to angle the holder especially during removal.
The best thing I've found is to use my fingers at the closed end to help prise the opening and ease the film holders in and out and avoid angling and dragging the holder.

But I'm open to alternatives.

 

[Doremus Scudder]

And to answer your other question, bookbinding tape is one of the preferred materials for repairing the flap hinge.

And, just for peace of mind, the tape is just the hinge; it does not keep light out. The flap does that itself when closed, with or without the tape

Doremus

 

[ediz7531]

It's not a Toyo film holder issue.
I've experienced the exact same thing with my Linhofs and film holders. The spring back is sometimes silly strong and the tendency is to angle the holder especially during removal.
The best thing I've found is to use my fingers at the closed end to help prise the opening and ease the film holders in and out and avoid angling and dragging the holder.

But I'm open to alternatives.

I’ll try that. Seems like a questionable design choice in this camera to me, however.

And to answer your other question, bookbinding tape is one of the preferred materials for repairing the flap hinge.

And, just for peace of mind, the tape is just the hinge; it does not keep light out. The flap does that itself when closed, with or without the tape

Doremus

I went and got some such tape from my local art store. Doesn’t look like too botched of a job for my first time. I will let the strip sit overnight on the holder before I try inserting in the camera. I’m curious now: what does the tape do if not a light seal?

 

[btaylor]

what does the tape do if not a light seal?

It acts as the hinge for the flap

 

[mpirie]

As Martie says, it's caused by the strength of the GG springs on the Linhof needing more effort to remove the holder(s) without dragging the hinge against the camera body. Many of my Toyo holders are starting to show damage to the top layer of the hinge tape.

However, that spring strength is reassuring when leaving GG viewers on whilst inserting the film holder.

Mike

 

[gary mulder]

Pull the frosted glass frame far enough away from the body of the camera with the cassette. After that, the cassette can be easily removed without damage.

 

[MARTIE]

Nice idea.

Unfortunately I've just tried this on 2 different Linhof spring backs and it didn't work for me.
The film holder is pinched in a vice like grip and the holder isn't release until the bottom end is slightly prised open.
This was with a Linhof film holder too and the spring back was opened to the maximum.

 

[gary mulder]

Yes! I faked the photo. Well seen. LOL

 

[ediz7531]

Pull the frosted glass frame far enough away from the body of the camera with the cassette. After that, the cassette can be easily removed without damage.

View attachment 410208

Thank you. This worked for me. I first gently push the holder out a bit from the closed side, and then make sure it's parallel to the angled door.
Upon examining the film back door, I can see that if the holder is at an angle w/r to the door, the edge of the door will catch the tape and peel it.

 

[outwest]

Or, graduate to the Grafmatic film holders;-)

 

[gary mulder]

Or, graduate to the Grafmatic film holders;-)

A grafmatic can easily give a light leak if the felt in the Master Technika against which the film holder rests is not in pristine condition.

 

[ediz7531]

Or, graduate to the Grafmatic film holders;-)

I like the build quality of the Toyo holders, so no reason to change them.
The Chamonix wooden holders are tempting, however .

 

[abruzzi]

I like the build quality of the Toyo holders, so no reason to change them.
The Chamonix wooden holders are tempting, however .

the nice thing with the grafmatics is they hold 6 sheet in the space of about 1.5 two-sheet holders. They are very clever designs, but more mechanically complex than a two-sheet holder. Since they haven't be made for some time, there are less and less in good working shape.