What do I look for in a film back

[Fintan]

I've been using my 5x4 Technika III for a little while now, shooting polaroids. I'm ready to try some film and wondering what film holders to go for. I'll probably buy used from ebay.

Being a total novice, anything easily loaded would be my first choice.

Any help?

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

There are a couple of good articles on filmholders at www.butzi.net. All the traditional holders are about the same as far as ease of loading. Readyloads and Quickloads are even easier, since you can handle the packets in daylight and they are preloaded in a dust-free environment just like Polaroid sheet film, but they are more expensive per shot.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I've been using my 5x4 Technika III for a little while now, shooting polaroids. I'm ready to try some film and wondering what film holders to go for. I'll probably buy used from ebay.

Being a total novice, anything easily loaded would be my first choice.

Any help?

I fear I immediately misunderstood, thinking you meant 'roll film back' (as distinct from 'cut film holder/double cut film holder (DCFH)' or (in English English) 'darkslide/double darkslide (DDS)'. I do not wish to be pedantic or difficult, but I assume you meant the latter. Just an illustration of the scope for misunderstanding...

All cut-film holders are about equally easy/difficult to load. I have three different types, conventional bottom-flap (almost all manufacturers -- Fidelity, Lisco, Toyo/Sakai, Kodak...), Linhof and Metalmaster. A few minutes practice in daylight with a sacrificed sheet of film will enable you to load any of them easily enough by touch in the dark.

Remember that the emulsion is towards you when the notch (on the short side of the film) is on the top right, film held vertically (long side down).

This does NOT mean that the notch has to be on the upper right in the film holder. If you load normally, in fact, it will be on the lower left and you can feel it with the film holder with the bottom flap open -- except with the (very rare) Metalmaster.

There wil be a free module illustrating how to do this in the Photo School at www.rogerandfrances.com but unfortunately it's not up yet. Unlike (for example) loading 120 fim into a spool, metal or plastic: look in the 'How Do I...' thread.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[John Kasaian]

I don't shoot much 4x5 anymore, but my favorite 4x5 film holders are used plastic Graphic Riteways (the old ones without the number wheel), Bacos, and Liscos(the wooden ones) and Agfas. These have never given me any problems on 4x5. YMMV of course.

With used holders, condition is everything, but they are so cheap compared to new holders that even if you pick up a 'dog' or two (or three) you're still better off money-wise. Just be sure to clean them thoroughly (I use the micro attachment on a shop vac) and check them for leakage with photo paper before using them.

 

[Fintan]

I do mean a sheet film holder, sorry for any ambiguety.

Thanks for the info so far [and the links], I would choose a ready load holder if Ilford supplied in this way, so unfortunatly I'll go the manual load way. I've no problem loading rolls in the darkroom so I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.

 

[Campbell]

"I fear I immediately misunderstood, thinking you meant 'roll film back' (as distinct from 'cut film holder/double cut film holder (DCFH)' or (in English English) 'darkslide/double darkslide (DDS)'. I do not wish to be pedantic or difficult, but I assume you meant the latter. Just an illustration of the scope for misunderstanding..."

If you read his question instead of just the subject line you'll see he specifically said "film holders."

Avoid the Linhof film holders. They are thicker and heavier than Riteway, Fidelity Elite, et al and I also found them more difficult to load and unload because of the way the bottom "hinge" works.

 

[Roger Hicks]

"I fear I immediately misunderstood, thinking you meant 'roll film back' (as distinct from 'cut film holder/double cut film holder (DCFH)' or (in English English) 'darkslide/double darkslide (DDS)'. I do not wish to be pedantic or difficult, but I assume you meant the latter. Just an illustration of the scope for misunderstanding..."

If you read his question instead of just the subject line you'll see he specifically said "film holders."

Avoid the Linhof film holders. They are thicker and heavier than Riteway, Fidelity Elite, et al and I also found them more difficult to load and unload because of the way the bottom "hinge" works.

Dear Campbell,

I did in fact read it, which is why I made the point I did, qualifying it with 'immediately' misunderstood; and why I gave the advice I did.

I'd also disagree with your view of Linhof holders. Yes, they are bigger and heavier, but some (including myself) prefer them and find them no more difficult to load. Their advantages are frame numbering matched to film holder numbering; an easy check of whether or not there is film in the holder; arguably superior film location; and quicker, easier unloading.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Ole]

Which of the two types of Linhof film holders are you two talking about?

It seems to me you mean the "Universal Film&Plate" version, which really is a little thicker. I agree with Roger's "advantages". They can also take glass plates (but not the new Slavich plates, they're too thick). I use my three 13x18cm holders all the time.

There are also some Linhof film holders similar to the more common Lisco/Fidelity/whatever type, which are no thicker or heavier than those others. But: They are put together with screws instead of glue, so they can be dismantled for a proper cleaning if you should be so unlucky to drop one in a bog (don't ask...). They also have the little number tags, which expose the holder number onto your film. These are my absolute favorite holders!

Note that all these Linhof holders are long out of production, and can be quite difficult to find. It seems people are hanging on to them - at least the 4x5" and 5x7" ones. 9x12cm and 13x18cm are more numerous, but not much more easy to find...

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Ole,

You're right. I'd forgotten the other sort, because I have never owned any. They sound delightful.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Jim Noel]

There are no holders which come close to Riteways. They never warp, slides work easily, if dropped they don't break. I have used them for more tha 40 years, and not one of them has ever caused a problem.

Jim