I need a 5x7 film holder for Gundlach-Manhattan Optical Korona V

[vrpd91]

Does anyone out there know where i can get a couple of 5x7 film holders for a Gundlach-Manhattan Optical Korona V (c.1910)? My guess is the originals were metal and single-sided. The back on the camera is hinged but won't take a standard 5x7 film holder. Anyone?

[jimgalli]

OK, I looked out in my box of ecclectic film and plate holders and I find one that is like 3/4" wider than a normal film holder and the light trap is right next to the pulls clear at the top. So from the edge of the light trap to the end of the holder it is 8 3/4 inch. The holder is 6 3/4" wide.

Your best solution though is probably to locate a normal 5X7 inch back that takes common holders and try to adapt it nicely to your camera.

[vrpd91]

Jim,
Any ideas about where to start looking for backs that might be suitable?
Thanks for the idea!

[ragc]

I've built backs for several cameras. You can buy almost any existing back for a wood camera in the format you will use and adapt it using basic woodworking tools. I generally discard the "lid" and keep the springs and GG assembly. Then I make a new "lid: to fit my camera body. My Japanese wood field is a half-plate camera (designed for book form holders like yours seems to be). I made 4x5 and 5x7 backs for it and it is tri-format camera now!