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types of backs (and changing them)

pellicle

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May 25, 2006
Messages
1,175
Location
Finland
Format
4x5 Format
Hi

I don't know what to call the kind of back my 4x5 camera has but its a spring loaded hinged arrangement to slide in the film holder. I believe this is common. The camera is a Toho camera the same model as this image of the back from KerryThalmanns site.



I'm interested in using a roll film back with the camera and because most of these are made for operation with a grafloc back. Now my camera does not have that so I'm down to sliding it under the flap (can someone help me out here and tell me what this sort of arrangement is called please?)

I'm seriously thinking of considering making a custom back for the camera (that screws into the same mounting holes) to allow for the detachable glass and attachment of these types of roll film holders.

BUT ... due to living in the middle of nowhere I don't really have any access to seeing a grafloc back to get an idea of how it works and what dimensions it has.

So, if anyone has a camera which has this kind of back and wouldn't mind perhaps popping it (back down) onto their flat bed scanner (with a ruler) I'd be really appreciative. I think this would help me with sorting this issue out.

Perhaps its not possible?

thanks
 
Your back is generically called simply a "spring back," and what you want is variously called a "Graflok back" or "International back."

Calumet, Sinar, Linhof (Rapid Rollex), and perhaps others all make backs designed to slip under the groundglass, if you would rather not have to make a Graflok-type back for your Toho.
 
David A. Goldfarb said:
Your back is generically called simply a "spring back,"
...if you would rather not have to make a Graflok-type back for your Toho.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info

however I really like my Toho, and I don't really want to buy another camera.
 
pellicle said:
Thanks for the info

however I really like my Toho, and I don't really want to buy another camera.
Click to expand...

Ya didn't understand David's response. There are roll film backs designed to slip under your spring back. Calumet, Sinar, Linhof happen to make them.

tim in san jose
 
If you really want a graflok back I'd buy a back off a junked camera. Remove the hardware and mount it to a piece of wood sized to fit your Toho.
 
Hi Pellicle,

This is an example of the type of back you need for roll film with your camera. It takes the slot normally occupied by the film holder.

Whereas Graflock backs come off and can be replaced with this type

Mike
 
k_jupiter said:
Ya didn't understand David's response.
Click to expand...

so it seems, thanks for making that clear

I've currently got a graflex 6x9 one and I've made a sheet of plastic to insert to cover the ground glass when inserting it, it looks clumsy (and is really).

I've just bought a DaYi 6x12 because I wanted wider than 6x9. I believe that it'll be the same as the Graflex unit (although certainly not as well made) and need to use that same glass protector I made up.

Thanks
 
Hi

mpirie said:
This is an example of the type of back you need for roll film with your
Click to expand...

yep, I know the things I'm looking for, just don't know their names. I shudder at spending 325 pounds (which since I'm an Australian is over $600) for just accommodating roll film holding. Keeping in mind one of the reasons that I want to use roll film is to save money over sheets (another part it to enable me to take more exposures in the field with me). I can still buy and process a lot of film for that!

Still, I think these are mostly in 6x7 and 6x9 (which is really 8.2). I'm also more interested in the 6x12 format as I presently "roll my own" by using a half dark enable me to divide my 4x5 sheet into 2 separate exposures like this:



I'm happy with this, but the reduced format size being held on a single sheet means that I can't scan it on anything like a Nikon 9000 to benefit from the detail. I'm presently using an Epson 4870 (ok for 4x5 but I believe not as good as the Nikon per square cm of scan). It also does not solve the problem of needing to carry 10 or more double darks with me in the backpack (so I think roll has some advantages there).
 
Nick

Nick Zentena said:
If you really want a graflok back I'd buy a back off a junked camera. Remove the hardware and mount it to a piece of wood sized to fit your Toho.
Click to expand...

not a bad suggestion (although as I do not live in the USA or Japan it will be hard to find a junked camera cheaply when you include postage and customs).

Do you have a suggestion of a good camera to look for?
 
Whatever is cheapest really. You're just removing the slider hardware etc.

At worse if you have a Shen Hao or other lower priced new camera dealer I'd ask if they could provide a replacement back. I got a back for my 5x7 from the factory so they are available. A local dealer would save you shipping etc and so might end up cheaper then watching Ebay for a Speedgraphic etc.
 
I read your first post; what you look for is easily made. I have made/adapted backs for my cameras many times, and it is not rocket science to make one to work well. I am attaching a scan of my Graflex 6x7 rollfilm back with a slot that I cut in the edge (does not change the dimensions) so that it would key into my Wista 45SP's back. All you want is a way to "grab" the edges tight to the camera. My Wista had sliding steel retainers, while my Chamonix has rotating retainers. You can use porch door sliding bolts or any other similar hardware to achieve this.

 
Hi


thanks for that

actually the part I was wanting to take a look at the way that the 'back looks' on the camera with the grafloc film / glass removed. Sort of like the same angle I had in the image I put in my first post Just so I can see what it looks like. Like how the mechanism torques down and allows release

but from your description I think I can just adapt something using the hinge glass I have and the grafloc roll back I'll get as a guide on how it should work.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
thanks

I'll get cooking on making an adaptation

 
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