Do Graflex rollbacks detach from the 4x5 board?

[EASmithV]

I was cruising the bay when I found this image;



It looks like the roll film is detachable/comes off of the 4x5 board. Does it detach? If it does, would it fit a 2x3 press camera with a Graflock?

[David A. Goldfarb]

There may have been an adapter board to allow one to use a 2x3" Graflok rollfilm holder on a 4x5" Graflok back, but it would have to have Graflok slides on it, so that wouldn't be it. A normal 4x5" Graflok back is 4x5" only, but the inserts should be interchangeable with 2x3" Graflok backs, so if you had a 6x9cm 220 back, say for a 4x5" and a 6x9cm 120 back for 2x3", you could probably switch the inserts and shoot 120 or 220 on either camera. I do that with my Linhof rollfilm backs.

Inserts would not be interchangeable, however, among different rollfilm backs, so you couldn't use a 6x6 insert in a 6x9 back or vice versa, because the format mask is part of the shell, and it has to match the format of the insert that winds the film.

[Fotoguy20d]

What David said. Another thing to mention (perhaps it should be obvious but wasn't to me) is that the dark slide for a 4x5 roll back isn't the same as the one for a 2x3. You can use a regular 2-sided holder dark slide in a 2x3 roll film holder but it would be too short in the 4x5 one. I made a 4x5 dark slide from a 2-sided slide using tin snips and an exacto. Useful to know this since you can sometimes find one on that auction site cheaper minus the slide.

But, yes, the inserts are interchangeable. If you're looking for one of these, try to find one of the RH ones (with the lever, not the knob such as the 22 or 23) since those should (but not always?) have the pin rollers which help maintain film flatness.

Dan

[jnanian]

it doesn't look like it detaches from the back plate.
some people use a saw and cut them down,
but you might be better off going to places
like pacific rim camera or equinoxphotographc
to find the small roll film backs ...

[BrianShaw]

but you might be better off going to places
like pacific rim camera or equinoxphotographc
to find the small roll film backs ...

EASmithV, please read this abain but delete the "might be" and replace with "will". Just getting a 2x3 back is going to be much less hassle than trying to cut a 4x5 to fit and if you shop well it will cost you less in the long run... unless your time is absolutely worthless. I have heard of 4x5 backs cut to fit a 3x4 but not cut to fit a 2x3... but remember, I haven't heard everything there is to hear.

[EASmithV]

EASmithV, please read this abain but delete the "might be" and replace with "will". Just getting a 2x3 back is going to be much less hassle than trying to cut a 4x5 to fit and if you shop well it will cost you less in the long run... unless your time is absolutely worthless. I have heard of 4x5 backs cut to fit a 3x4 but not cut to fit a 2x3... but remember, I haven't heard everything there is to hear.

I mainly want it for putting on a 2x3, fitting the 4x5 would have been a bonus.

[2F/2F]

You are luck, then. The 2x3 ones tend to be cheaper. KEH has been the best source for me for Graflex rollfilm backs. They price them very reasonably compared to the rest of their stuff. You always pay a premium for 6x9 over 6x7 or 6x6, though. I got lucky and got a like-new Horseman 2x3 one included with my Revolving Back Adapter for my Sinar.

One thing that would give you what you want would be a 4x5 to 2x3 Graflok reduction back. This would allow you to purchase the 2x3 models and use them on your 2x3 camera, and would also allow you to mount the same backs to a 4x5 if desired.

[Fotoguy20d]

You shouldn't have to pay more than around $35-40 for a 2x3 back (at least, that's what I charged for the two I sold here a few months ago). A 4x5 will go for a bit more. Same for a 3x4 one due to their relative scarcity.

My opinion is to avoid Pacific Rim Camera - I find their stuff to be rediculously overpriced and if the price seems reasonable the item is probably in lousy shape.

Which back are you looking for - 6x6, 6x7 or 6x9?