Wista 45 DX SW- 6x17 back

nwinsley · Jul 10, 2025

Kia ora
Am on the verge of purchasing a Wista 45 DX SW ( it looks gorgeous by the way). Ultimately I would like to have the ability to shoot 6x17 panos with it. I think it has Graflock back but can someone confirm that one should be able to attach a 6x17 roll film back ( eg Dayi) to this camera. Thanks in advance. Nga mihi. Neville.

xkaes · Jul 10, 2025

The DX SW really isn't structurally different from the regular DX or DXII.

The back is removeable so that it can be set vertically or horizontally -- and it accepts standard sheet film holders, polaroid backs, and many 120 film holders -- but only up to 6x12 120 holders.

As far as I know they never made a 5x7 back, which is what you would need for 6x17.

Maybe someone made a 6x17 back for it -- which would require quite a bit of extension -- so I doubt it.

Of course, that doesn't mean you couldn't make one!

abruzzi · Jul 10, 2025

yes and no. 6x17 requires more width than a 4x5 can provide. Some 4x5 cameras (not sure about the wista) have an available extension that provides a GG that is a couple inches further back thatn the normal ground glass, and it mounts a roll film back in that same place. Natively you need a 5x7 in order to mount a 6x17 roll back without the extension.

So, for a 4x5, make sure that whatever 6x17 back you get provides that extension. The extension also creates some issues with wide lenses as well as movements.

EDIT: BTW, 6x12 graflok backs should work natively on 4x5.

xkaes · Jul 10, 2025

Wista sold a Graflok back for some of it's cameras, but I don't see one for any of the DX models. They did make three 120 film holders for the standard DX spring back -- instead of the Graflox back.

I don't see any back extensions for the DX in my material. A FRONT bellows extension? Yes, but of no use here.

GregY · Jul 10, 2025

nwinsley said:
Kia ora
Am on the verge of purchasing a Wista 45 DX SW ( it looks gorgeous by the way). Ultimately I would like to have the ability to shoot 6x17 panos with it. I think it has Graflock back but can someone confirm that one should be able to attach a 6x17 roll film back ( eg Dayi) to this camera. Thanks in advance. Nga mihi. Neville.

IMO you'd typically need a 5x7" camera to accept a 6x17 back, as 17cm is 6.69"

djdister · Jul 10, 2025

There are at least 3 6x17 rollfilm backs that work on a 4x5 with a Graflok (International) back: Dayi, Shen Hao, and Chroma. There may be others too. However, they extend beyond the back of the camera by some distance and present limitations on the focal lengths that you can reasonably use.

Using a 6x17 rollfilm back on a 5x7 is quite wonderful however, and allows one to use any lens that normally works on your 5x7 camera. 6x17 rollfilm backs for 5x7 Graflok style backs include the amazing Canham automated rollfilm back, and the "lesser" rollfilm backs from Shen Hao, Dayi.

As was mentioned earlier, a 6x12 rollfilm back works very nicely on any 4x5 with a Graflok back, and there are some (few) 6x12 rollfilm backs that can insert between the camera back and the ground glass, just like a film holder, not requiring a Graflok back.

Canham 6x17 rollfilm back on a Canham 5x7 MQC (metal) view camera:

xkaes · Jul 10, 2025

The Wista DX cameras to not accept Graflok backs. Some of their other cameras do, but not the DX cameras.

djdister · Jul 10, 2025

xkaes said:
The Wista DX cameras to not accept Graflok backs. Some of their other cameras do, but not the DX cameras.

So then the OP is pursuing a path that will not end well for using many of the rollfilm back options in 6x12 and 6x17. Seems the Wista metal field cameras do mostly come with the Graflok back (45SP, 45N). With the 45 DX, the OP will find fewer rollfilm backs that slide in like a film holder, and mostly of the 6x6 - 6x9 formats.

abruzzi · Jul 10, 2025

djdister said:
6x17 rollfilm backs for 5x7 Graflok style backs include the amazing Canham automated rollfilm back, and the "lesser" rollfilm backs from Shen Hao, Dayi.

You have me curious—what is “amazing” about the Canham 6x17 back? I’ve never really researched them, having been generally satisfied with 6x9, so I’m genuinely curious.

xkaes · Jul 10, 2025

As I mentioned earlier, Wista made three 120 roll film holders that fit in the DX spring back. Lots of other 120 film holders, such as Calumet, will fit as well -- but the widest will be 6x12.

djdister · Jul 10, 2025

abruzzi said:
You have me curious—what is “amazing” about the Canham 6x17 back? I’ve never really researched them, having been generally satisfied with 6x9, so I’m genuinely curious.

Well, first there is the precision of the fit when it is mounted on the Canham 5x7 metal camera - we're not talking about wood to plastic or wood to metal - it's a metal to metal fit. Then there is the manufacture and function of the automated back itself. If one is shooting 6x17 on 120 film, I suggest it is the best, most high-precision made rollfilm back out there. After each shot, you press the film advance button and the motor advances the film to the next frame. Here is the description from the KB Canham page for accuracy:

K. B. Canham is pleased to offer the first motorized 6x17 roll film back for use on any of the Canham 5x7 view cameras (other cameras can be used, but note that we have not personally try this roll film back on any other cameras, but have heard of other photographers that have been able to adapt the roll film back to other cameras). The back is manufactured from 6061 T6 aluminum. Each metal component is machined from solid aluminum blocks. No castings are used. This method of manufacturing assures that each part is made to the most demanding tolerances. The film plane, pressure plate, is flat to within 0.0005 inches (0.0127mm). The back operates on a 9 volt battery. The electronic film winder has built in memory. This permits the user to change batteries mid-roll without losing film position. A low battery warning is incorporated to let you know when it is time to change a battery. The warning lights blink early enough so that the film currently in the back can be completed before you change the battery. Approximately 20 rolls of film may be shot using just one battery.

abruzzi · Jul 10, 2025

djdister said:
Well, first there is the precision of the fit when it is mounted on the Canham 5x7 metal camera - we're not talking about wood to plastic or wood to metal - it's a metal to metal fit. Then there is the manufacture and function of the automated back itself. If one is shooting 6x17 on 120 film, I suggest it is the best, most high-precision made rollfilm back out there. After each shot, you press the film advance button and the motor advances the film to the next frame. Here is the description from the KB Canham page for accuracy:

K. B. Canham is pleased to offer the first motorized 6x17 roll film back for use on any of the Canham 5x7 view cameras (other cameras can be used, but note that we have not personally try this roll film back on any other cameras, but have heard of other photographers that have been able to adapt the roll film back to other cameras). The back is manufactured from 6061 T6 aluminum. Each metal component is machined from solid aluminum blocks. No castings are used. This method of manufacturing assures that each part is made to the most demanding tolerances. The film plane, pressure plate, is flat to within 0.0005 inches (0.0127mm). The back operates on a 9 volt battery. The electronic film winder has built in memory. This permits the user to change batteries mid-roll without losing film position. A low battery warning is incorporated to let you know when it is time to change a battery. The warning lights blink early enough so that the film currently in the back can be completed before you change the battery. Approximately 20 rolls of film may be shot using just one battery.

thanks for that. I don't have a Canham 5x7 but I do have a Canham 8x10 as of about 3 hours ago and though I haven't taken a single shot with it, I did spend an hour opening, closing mounting a lens focusing, running through the movements, and so far I'm pretty impressed. Its MUCH lighter than my Toyo. I've been looking at the Canham 5x7 (looking at both the metal and wood) as well and thats an interesting point to note in its favor, but the cost of the 8x10 means no new toys for at least a few months.

djdister · Jul 10, 2025

abruzzi said:
thanks for that. I don't have a Canham 5x7 but I do have a Canham 8x10 as of about 3 hours ago and though I haven't taken a single shot with it, I did spend an hour opening, closing mounting a lens focusing, running through the movements, and so far I'm pretty impressed. Its MUCH lighter than my Toyo. I've been looking at the Canham 5x7 (looking at both the metal and wood) as well and thats an interesting point to note in its favor, but the cost of the 8x10 means no new toys for at least a few months.

Another bonus with all Canham equipment is that you can chat with Keith Canham with any questions...

nwinsley · Jul 12, 2025

Hey, just wanted to thank everyone who repkied to this, your advice is sage and appreciated. It also looks like i will have to go back to the drawing board on this!
thanks again..

GregY · Jul 12, 2025

nwinsley said:
Hey, just wanted to thank everyone who repkied to this, your advice is sage and appreciated. It also looks like i will have to go back to the drawing board on this!
thanks again..

NW If you're looking at 5x7... Have a look at the Chamonix 57N...horizontal only.... under 2kg...wicked nice camera. I used to have one as a back up to my Deardorff.

57N3 — Chamonix View Camera

For the 5x7 format, Chamonix produces 3 models: 57N, 57Fs-2, and 57W-d. The 57N is a horizontal-only model for photography in landscape orientation. The 57Fs-2 and 57W-d models have convertible backs for photography in either landscape or portrait orientation. The cameras in the 57 series are

www.chamonixviewcamera.com

Wista 45 DX SW- 6x17 back

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