Why roll backs for 4x5 cameras?

fotch · Sep 29, 2013

I purchase several sizes of roll film backs over the years though mainly use 6x9 or 6x7, rarely 6x6. I use whenever I want a larger format negative (anything larger than 35mm) but dont need 4x5, and shooting multiple shot close together and/or traveling and want to be on the light side.

Also, I choose if I dont need a smaller camera or the smaller camera doesnt have the capabilities that a press or view camera.

Large negatives are a dream to work with, which for me can be 6x6 to 4x5 in the darkroom. JMHO

PKM-25 · Sep 29, 2013

Fran, no GAS, I had decided I was going to get a 6x12 back about the same time I decided to get a 4x5. I find 4x5 and 6x12 together in the filed to be incredibly versatile and productive, the latter I need most.

Roger Cole · Sep 29, 2013

I bought my 4x5 in the mid 90s and shot that and 35mm. I put film away for several years. As soon as I got back into it and saw the price and limited availability of 4x5 color sheet film I bought a rollfilm back for affordable color, then realized I had other reasons to use it as well.

pgomena · Sep 30, 2013

When I did catalog work a dozen years ago, the shooters in the studio would use roll film on 4x5 for shots that didn't require much enlargement. You had the capacity to put 3 or 4 shots on a roll with a small bracket to make sure your exposures were right, and you had the advantage of view camera movements. It saved a lot of money.

papagene · Sep 30, 2013

I use a roll film back on my 4x5 when experimenting with many different set ups for still life work. It's rather expensive to just play with ideas on sheet after sheet of 4x5 film.
YMMV

E. von Hoegh · Oct 1, 2013

pgomena said:
When I did catalog work a dozen years ago, the shooters in the studio would use roll film on 4x5 for shots that didn't require much enlargement. You had the capacity to put 3 or 4 shots on a roll with a small bracket to make sure your exposures were right, and you had the advantage of view camera movements. It saved a lot of money.

A 6x7 back on a Linhof STIV was my setup for product photography in the 80s and early 90s, it served me very well. Need a bigger transparency? just change backs. The customers appreciated the savings on materials charges, and for stuff printed in a magazine, even 6x7 is overkill.

Sirius Glass · Oct 1, 2013

fran said:
Hi all,

I have a question - something that's puzzled me and I must be missing something. Nearly anyone who has a 5x4 camera more than likely has a 5x4 enlarger, right? (or at least is trying to find one!). Roll film backs come in a variety of formats/sizes and invariably cost ~$100 upwards. 8 shots to a roll of 120 probably $5 a roll, so ~65c a shot. 5x4 costs twice that per sheet, but overall cost is still low.

Why would someone not just use 5x4 film, and crop it to the size? If you only had a 6x9 enlarger etc I could understand it....

What am I missing?

Fran

Nothing. You got it right.

Why roll backs for 4x5 cameras?

fotch

PKM-25

Roger Cole

pgomena

papagene

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E. von Hoegh

Sirius Glass

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