I'm brand spankin new to large format photography so bear with me in my explanation here. I just bought a nice, complete GVI setup with everything I need to start shooting: lenses, film holders, polaroid back, tripod mount, etc. I went to insert a film holder in the back and, well, there's just no place to put it. I popped the back off and it's basically a simple frame with ground glass and a pop-up hood with nothing to hold a film holder, ie spring back. I can take this back off and hold the film holder up agains the back, but this just doesnt seem right. Am I missing something? Thanks for you help in advance.

Assuming the back is in landscape mode [Just for the sake of clarity] You'll see two "wings" on the right side. They form what sort of looks like a U on it's side. Tug on one. Slide holder in there.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2005-12-26 18:13 ]</font>

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On 2003-09-30 17:05, pilot228 wrote: I'm brand spankin new to large format photography so bear with me in my explanation here. I just bought a nice, complete GVI setup with everything I need to start shooting: lenses, film holders, polaroid back, tripod mount, etc. I went to insert a film holder in the back and, well, there's just no place to put it. I popped the back off and it's basically a simple frame with ground glass and a pop-up hood with nothing to hold a film holder, ie spring back. I can take this back off and hold the film holder up agains the back, but this just doesnt seem right. Am I missing something? Thanks for you help in advance.

You've been offered good info so far. After looking over the other pages and comparing what you see to what you have, what back does yours look like? Spring or Graflok?

When you say "I can take this back off and hold the film holder up agains the back": what are you taking off (and how?) and what are you holding the film holder against?

If you were really taking the back off, there would be nothing left to hold anything against! If what you are taking off has two spring 'clamps' that push in to release the ground glass panel, then it would seem to be a Graflok back.

Now, where to stick the film holder? Inbetween the part you're taking off and the part you're leaving on! The two clamps are held tight by coil springs. This ground glass panel will pull away from the back by the tabs mentioned by Nick. Just give them the little tug. The panel should seperate from the back without all that much pressure, allowing you to insert the film holder underneath it and slide it in. If it doesn't want to pull out and seems very hard, it may just need some lubrication. I've had a few that would move well at all.

Let us know what you've got and if any of this helps...