I've just purchased 2 Regal cut film holders for my Crown Graphic (with graflock back). There are several parallel grooves running along the entire long edge of the holders, I assume providing a place for the sliding holders on the graflock back to hold on to. However, I find that the film holders have a tendancy to come off, particularly at the bottom edge. If I keep the ground glass in place, then the combination of spring and sliding holders make the whole thing much more secure. My Polaroid 545 back holds VERY securely even without the ground glass in place. My question is, should the cut film holder hold firmly even without the ground glass in place? Are there different cut film holders (Fidelity, Tilltal, etc.) that offer a more secure conection with the back?

Thanks,
Louie

I have several Fidelity Elite and the sides are the same as the only Bad Riteway Holder that I have. (one side puts the film .25mm futher back than the plane of focus, the other side doesn't)
Recheck your Graflok slides and mount screws, or attachment procedure.

Thanks, will do. On a related topic, before exposing the film, does the dark slide need to be completely removed? I'm concerned that light will get into the film holder if I completely remove the dark slide??

Regular film holders need to be held in by the ground glass. Any shallow ridges on the top or bottom of a film holder is there to reduce friction.

The Polaroid backs and the Grafmatics can be held in by the slide locks

"does the dark slide need to be completely removed?"

No, Louie, it doesn't. If you don't get it clear of the film, however, it will reduce the format. e.g. 4x4.5

The slide doesn't have to be pulled all the way out, but by not pulling it out, it gets in the way of the side rangefinder if you're hand holding and if on a tripod is a place for the wind to move the camera. In 25+ years of photography I've only had one shot with a light leak in the trap and it was when the sun was low and staring directly into it. On the second sheet I simply covered the back with the darkcloth.

Also note that the darkslides have different tabs at the top, dark and light. You will want to distinguish between exposed and not exposed film in the other holders or other side for that matter. It does not matter whether you choose light side for exposed or unexposed, but stay consistent or you'll confuse yourself.
Charles

Thanks to all. Things are clearer now.

Louie