5x7 camera back plans

[ed curran]

Hello all!
I am seasoned L/F user for many years. Presently I am building (3) 5x7 non-folding wooden cameras which are also bellow-less. My only problem is the back where the film holder is inserted. Do I make it or buy one. Buying a stock back is pricey.This area as you know is very critical since the ground glass surface must be exactly where the film surface must lay. Are there any plans out there or has someone made one? Any ideas or help will be great. edc

[John Koehrer]

The critical part is the "T" distance which is the distance from the ground glass to the front surface of the GG mounting frame.
I don't have an accurate way to measure it but there should be something in the archives here or at LFPF.

[Barry S]

I'd look for some old 8x10 to 5x7 reducing backs and cut them down. They're pretty common and they usually don't sell for much.

[johnielvis]

yeah....reducing backs are the way to go...I've actually got one that I know I will never use, but may need it for some project back, you know, so I'm keepingit---otherwise useless to me--they are out there--plenty of people like me...many of whom are sick of looking at the unused piece of junk they will never use...I will join their ranks eventually

[michaelbsc]

...plenty of people like me...many of whom are sick of looking at the unused piece of junk they will never use...I will join their ranks eventually

Blasphemy!

You sir, are an apostate. Bring him a scarlet A.

[ed curran]

That has been my idea from the start but then I thought about offering my 5x7 as a kit and felt it should have the back on it. ????

[ed curran]

sounds like a plan. edc

[ed curran]

Well, off to my woodshop with a new 5x7 Fidelity film holder in hand.edc

[domaz]

B&J parts are fairly common and cheap. That could be a good source for a 5x7 back.

[Steve Smith]

If you send me your e-mail address I could send you my CAD file for a 5x4 back. You will need to stretch it a bit to make it suitable for 5x7.



Steve.