Who sells backing paper?

[athanasius80]

I'm tempted to try getting my 4x5 rollfilm (yes rollfilm) camera going. I know I can cut down Cirkuit film, but where am I going to find backing paper? Any leads? Thanks!

 

[Donald Miller]

Are you sure that you need it? 220 film has no backing paper.

 

[athanasius80]

I need it. My No. 4 Cartridge Kodak is designed for 4x5 rollfilm covering 4x5, not a 220 reducing back.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

The rollfilm cameras of that era used the red window, so it requires a backing. 220 requires a frame counter.

 

[Donald Qualls]

There's a product called "Exeter paper" that's extremely similar to the backing on 120 size J&C Pro 100. It's black, opaque, matte on one side and semi-gloss on the other (put the gloss side toward the film to avoid base scratching). It comes on a roll, IIRC 48 or so inches wide, and is sold by the linear foot. It's durable enough, according to those who've used it, to be reused several times, and you can use a white paint marker or similar to put the frame numbers on the matte side. It's the recommended product for making roll backings wider than 120 (116/616, 122, 124, etc.), and though a little thicker than modern "big brand" backing paper, it's not significantly thicker than what was in use in the 1930s and a standard length roll fits nicely on original spools.

If you search for "Exeter paper" here on APUG you should fine the thread with contact information for the vendor -- unfortunately, Googling that term gives lots of hits for the Exeter Paper Company, who may in fact make the stuff but don't put much if any product information on their web site.

 

[medform-norm]

Donald,
you never cease to amaze me with the things you know. Where would people be without the likes of you?

 

[Donald Qualls]

Thanks, Norm. I have a highly detailed memory. Now if there were only a way to make a living off that...

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Thanks, Norm. I have a highly detailed memory. Now if there were only a way to make a living off that...

Sell backing paper! I predict Athanasius will be your first customer. The market is there, TAKE IT!

 

[Kino]

Thread is:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Paper link is:
http://www.cartooncolour.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=302

Thanks Donald!

 

[athanasius80]

Wow, you guys rock as usual. Thanks!

 

[r-s]

Thanks for that info, I will see if I can buy any of that paper! I've been trying to find a supply of backing paper for my Kodak Monitor (I can "bulk load" 70mm film (when I can find any!) but backing paper is the fly in the ointment; I have a scant few rolls that I've resigned myself to sacrificing (they're "collectable", IMO) for their paper).

I want to use this camera, because it has the beautiful (uncoated) K.A. 135/4.7 lens (basically an uncoated Ektar). I bought the camera on the cheap, to cannibalize it for the shutter (I need to find a cheap #2 Supermatic for my barrel-mount 203/7.7 K.A. (again, the uncoated version of the Ektar "cult lens", which I stripped out of my old "Pako 45" printer, as I recall) -- but, the camera was such a beaut that I could not bring myself to tear it down.

Yes, it would be nice if it had a rangefinder (what was the deal with so many cameras in the 30s and 40s being sold with excellent lenses and "guess focusing"?), but, I've got an uncoupled rangefinder I can stick in the shoe, plus, I expect most of my exposures to be at infinity.

 

[newcan1]

Roll Film Backing Paper

For those of you, like me, still insane enough to contemplate rolling your own roll film, I just spoke to Patti Griffith at Cartoon Color, the supplier of Exeter Paper that many have indicated to be suitable for roll film backing paper. It seems they have one 400 foot roll, and "when it's gone it's gone." She didn't think it was still being made. So all you roll-it-your-owners may want to stock up. I just bought 20 feet (by 26in), should keep me going a long while. I'm going to use it with 70mm film to reactivate my Kodak Autographic 1A.

 

[benjiboy]

Are you sure that you need it? 220 film has no backing paper.

Not strictly true, 220 roll film has backing paper on the beginning and the end of the roll.