What kind of back is this?

iamthejeff · Mar 13, 2017

Edit: Of course just as I post this, I figure it out. If I take the focusing screen off, I noticed I am able to slide the film holders in as a replacement. Looks to be a Graflex back?

My new Graphic View II arrived today and I am having trouble figuring out how to load the film holders into the back. I am not even sure it's possible. Opening the back reveals the ground glass with a fresnel lens but there doesn't look to be any way to stick a film holder in there.

removed account4 · Mar 13, 2017

looks like you have a graflex back on your graphic view II
i have never seen one like this before.
anyways, you see the chrome piece at the top secured by screws ?
slide it to the right and the ground glass comes off
you put your film holder where that was and slide the bracket back to the left.
you push the tab on the bottom and the viewing hood pops out so you can focus on the ground glass.

have fun !

shutterfinger · Mar 13, 2017

That is a Graflex back. It will only accept Graflex film holders which are wider than standard film holders or a bag magazine. The bag magazine is the predecessor to the grafmatic.
There is also a grafmatic that will work, its a 1168 and the standard one is a 1268. The graflex grafmatics are rare.
Graflex film holders are identified by a slot the length of the holder on the sides and a grove for the edge of the back.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wood-4x5-GR...733183?hash=item33c897f1ff:g:8TEAAOSwY45USX5c

Bag Mag without the septums. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Graflex-Lar...619068?hash=item237e2b403c:g:w1wAAOSw6n5XwMGX
Film versions should have 12 septums, some glass plate versions have 18.

iamthejeff · Mar 13, 2017

Thank you, that explains some of the confusion I was having. My camera came with four film holders, one graflex and three graphic (without the side grooves). I didn't notice they were different and couldn't figure out how to insert them. Looks like I will have to pick up a few more graflex holders.

Arklatexian · Mar 13, 2017

iamthejeff said:
Thank you, that explains some of the confusion I was having. My camera came with four film holders, one graflex and three graphic (without the side grooves). I didn't notice they were different and couldn't figure out how to insert them. Looks like I will have to pick up a few more graflex holders.

Don't do that! For the same or maybe less money you should buy the back that came on a new Graphic View II, which is the GRAFLOK. Uses regular 4x5 film holders and the back is probably more versatile that what you have. By the way, does your camera actually say Graphic View II anywhere on it. If it does and grey hammertone finish, someone has modified your camera when they installed the graflex back on it. They DID NOT do you any favors. The Graphic View II is a wonderful camera just as God/Graflex designed it......Regards!

shutterfinger · Mar 14, 2017

The original color of the camera was Gray, similar to battle ship gray, in hammered finish. The black finish on yours makes me wonder if its factory or home made.
A ebay search for graflok back turns up a few for pacemaker graphics in 4x5 complete with ground glass and fresnel. If you can get one for a reasonable price then a back frame can be made from Baltic Birch plywood and the pacemaker graflok attached to the frame. You might be able to mount it on the back frame you have.

iamthejeff · Mar 14, 2017

oldtimermetoo said:
Don't do that! For the same or maybe less money you should buy the back that came on a new Graphic View II, which is the GRAFLOK. Uses regular 4x5 film holders and the back is probably more versatile that what you have. By the way, does your camera actually say Graphic View II anywhere on it. If it does and grey hammertone finish, someone has modified your camera when they installed the graflex back on it. They DID NOT do you any favors. The Graphic View II is a wonderful camera just as God/Graflex designed it......Regards!

It doesn't say Graphic View II, but it has axis tilt on the front standard vs base tilt, which is indicative of the Graphic View II. It also has the hammered finish. From what I've seen, both I and II had the same "Graphic View" name plate.

shutterfinger said:
The original color of the camera was Gray, similar to battle ship gray, in hammered finish. The black finish on yours makes me wonder if its factory or home made.
A ebay search for graflok back turns up a few for pacemaker graphics in 4x5 complete with ground glass and fresnel. If you can get one for a reasonable price then a back frame can be made from Baltic Birch plywood and the pacemaker graflok attached to the frame. You might be able to mount it on the back frame you have.

The frame that holds the back in place definitely looks different than the rest of the camera - it's wood, but looks too professional to be home made as it has a few metal pieces on it as well. I will keep an eye out for a graflok back - are they universal? The only thing that would change is the frame, possibly? For example I see a lot of them branded Toyo

shutterfinger · Mar 14, 2017

The factory original has an aluminum frame, pacemaker graphics are magnesium. Graflok was licensed to other companies but they could not copy the Graflex Corp. design exact. Other manufacturers graflok/international backs function the same and accept standard film holders and accessories.

The Grahic View I has a 14 or 16 inch rail and the View II has an 18 inch rail. Its possible someone put some standards on a rail.
View I 12 inch bellows extension, View II 16 inch bellows extension. Measure yours. 1 inch = 25.4 millimeters, 2.54 centimeters.

What kind of back is this?

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