i've been hoping to fit a mamiya press roll back to my crown graphic 4x5. to me, the convenience of having one roll back that can accomodate different negative sizes (6x4.5, 6x6, or 6x9 by using masks) seems pretty handy. is it possible to fit this back to my crown graphic (even if i have to fabricate my own adapter) or is there a similar back out there that allows this kind of versatility?

thanks in advance.

According to this listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2955360820&category=29973

This roll film back, designed for 2X3, apparently, will fit a Graflok back. However...that's 2X3. Not an expert on the subject, but first look would dictate an adapter to go to 4X5. And if you're going to shoot 120...or 70mm as other Mamiyas are formatted for... why lug around a 4X5?
Fred.

Quote:

On 2003-10-06 15:57, pghedges wrote: i've been hoping to fit a mamiya press roll back to my crown graphic 4x5. to me, the convenience of having one roll back that can accomodate different negative sizes (6x4.5, 6x6, or 6x9 by using masks) seems pretty handy. is it possible to fit this back to my crown graphic (even if i have to fabricate my own adapter) or is there a similar back out there that allows this kind of versatility? thanks in advance.

Interesting thought. The Press back goes on Mamiya's M-frame, not the G-frame, so won't attach to a 2x3 Graflok. I suppose you could get an M-frame and put it on a piece of wood or something similar to go on the back of y'r 4x5 Graphic, but the back wouldn't be in register with the camera's ground glass. If you can live with that, ...

AFAIK, the Press back came in 6x7 and 6x9, not in 6x6 or 6x4.5 and the frame counters go in whole, not half frames. So masking 6x9 to 6x4.5 might not work easily.

Y'r best bet might be to get the Sinar -- I think its Sinar -- multiformat back, but getting 2 6x9 backs, one of them masked for 6x4.5, a 6x7, and a 6x6 back (all late Graflex, of course) would cost less.

Alternatively, get a 4x5 Adapt-A-Roll 620. 4 clicks = 6x9, 3 clicks = 6x7, 2 clicks = 6x4.5, and you can cut darkslides to mask.

Cheers,

Dan

to clnfrd: roll backs expand the capabilities of my old 4x5. i enjoy shooting sheet film, but the the benefits of roll backs are numerous: convenience, economical bracketing, increased focal lengths of existing lenses, fewer errors loading/unloading film, smaller size for transport.

to dan: you are right; the sinar would require a second mortgage, but it's an impressive unit. i hoped the mamiya press would serve me as a "poor man's" version of that multiformat back.

the 6x9 mamiya press back did come with clip-in masks that fit just inside the apeture of the roll back. one back, 4 masks, 4 negative sizes.

i'm not too knowledgable regarding the designations mamiya used on the their backs: M, K, G, etc, so i need to do some research. you state "the back would not be register with the ground glass;" meaning the mamiya back would sit aft of the focal plane of the GG? i suspect any roll back would have to be fitted with a recessed adapter to put the film plane right against the GG. is this what i'm after?

thanks for your help & interest. i'll check out the adapt-a-roll.

Quote:

On 2003-10-07 06:24, pghedges wrote: to clnfrd: roll backs expand the capabilities of my old 4x5. i enjoy shooting sheet film, but the the benefits of roll backs are numerous: convenience, economical bracketing, increased focal lengths of existing lenses, fewer errors loading/unloading film, smaller size for transport. to dan: you are right; the sinar would require a second mortgage, but it's an impressive unit. i hoped the mamiya press would serve me as a "poor man's" version of that multiformat back. the 6x9 mamiya press back did come with clip-in masks that fit just inside the apeture of the roll back. one back, 4 masks, 4 negative sizes. i'm not too knowledgable regarding the designations mamiya used on the their backs: M, K, G, etc, so i need to do some research. you state "the back would not be register with the ground glass;" meaning the mamiya back would sit aft of the focal plane of the GG? i suspect any roll back would have to be fitted with a recessed adapter to put the film plane right against the GG. is this what i'm after? thanks for your help & interest. i'll check out the adapt-a-roll.

Thanks for the news that the 6x9 Mamiya Press roll holder accepts masks.

The M-frame accepted Mamiya Press roll holders, the G-frame accepted Graflok backs, e.g., Graflex roll holders. Both were removable. Another nice feature of the Mamiya Press system, which I respect highly.

"meaning the mamiya back would sit aft of the focal plane of the GG?" Exactly. I don't know if a recessed adapter is feasible. I've looked at attaching a Mamiya back to one of my 2x3 Graphics, don't believe it can be done without major surgery on the body.

I realize that making do with a 6x9 (actually 2.25" x 3.125") RH8 and cropping will waste some film, but it may be your best option. Do consider it seriously.

Cheers,

Dan

Quote:

On 2003-10-07 06:24, pghedges wrote: to clnfrd: roll backs expand the capabilities of my old 4x5. i enjoy shooting sheet film, but the the benefits of roll backs are numerous: convenience, economical bracketing, increased focal lengths of existing lenses, fewer errors loading/unloading film, smaller size for transport. Gee, pg, since I have four roll film backs, I know all about the advantages. I just thought that if you have the money to buy a Mamiya back...what the heck...why not buy a 2X3 camera to go with it? Ya can't have too many Graphics! Fred to dan: you are right; the sinar would require a second mortgage, but it's an impressive unit. i hoped the mamiya press would serve me as a "poor man's" version of that multiformat back. the 6x9 mamiya press back did come with clip-in masks that fit just inside the apeture of the roll back. one back, 4 masks, 4 negative sizes. i'm not too knowledgable regarding the designations mamiya used on the their backs: M, K, G, etc, so i need to do some research. you state "the back would not be register with the ground glass;" meaning the mamiya back would sit aft of the focal plane of the GG? i suspect any roll back would have to be fitted with a recessed adapter to put the film plane right against the GG. is this what i'm after? thanks for your help & interest. i'll check out the adapt-a-roll.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: clnfrd on 2003-10-07 14:35 ]</font>

And here's a nice back:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2955936027&category=29979

Just 6X9...but looks ok.
Fred.