I'm a new Speed Graphic owner, I saw someone with a 4x5 Crown and was in love. I went for the 2x3 because I really like view cameras for 4x5, and 2x3 seemed like a much more accessable, and smaller solution. I don't mind shooting 2x3 sheet film, however I was looking for information on roll film backs for my 2x3. I had heard, somewhere, to avoid the roll film backs with the knob advances, but those are the only ones that I see. (It does have a Graflock back.)

Any other suggestions/wisdom on the 2x3's?

Quote:

On 2004-05-31 09:34, PatWilson wrote: I'm a new Speed Graphic owner, I saw someone with a 4x5 Crown and was in love. I went for the 2x3 because I really like view cameras for 4x5, and 2x3 seemed like a much more accessable, and smaller solution. I don't mind shooting 2x3 sheet film, however I was looking for information on roll film backs for my 2x3. I had heard, somewhere, to avoid the roll film backs with the knob advances, but those are the only ones that I see. (It does have a Graflock back.) Any other suggestions/wisdom on the 2x3's?

I have no direct experience with them, but the Horseman and Wista roll holders for 2x3 cameras with Graflok backs are said to be better than Graflex' own.

If you are offered a Graflex-Subsea roll holder, take it only with the right of return. These things were made by Subsea Inc. after Graflex shut down, and based on the one I own they are complete garbage.

Lever advance Graflex roll holders show up often on eBay, just look.

For more info, look harder on this site.

Cheers,

Dan

I've had a knob-wind "23" roll back since 1960, and it's been in the shop once. You'll find some discussion of film flatness if you go through this site. All I can say is that I never had any complaints, and I made enlargements up to 16x20 with the negatives.

I do concur on the importance of being able to return anything you buy. They're not getting any younger, and the advance and counter mechanism can seize up. I was told by the technician who repaired mine, 20 years ago, that it's not a difficult fix. The repair manual suggests that he was right. Still, unless you're into tinkering, be sure you get a smooth-working one.

I got a Century Graphic couple of months ago; and do find its smaller size a convenience. It came with I believe a Mamiya 6X7 rollfilm back - only markings are "ProS". Has a crank wind with some type of left shift on back that somehow controls the amount of film advancement. For sheet film I use Efke 100 & am getting some Ilford HP5. Problem with that size film is my enlarger doesn't have a negative carrier for it (Durst L1000), so improvise with the 120 neg carrier. Hope to learn how to use rollfilm holder properly since it does enable faster shooting. I've seen similiar backs on ePrey.

There's no question lever advance holders are out there. Do an ebay search for "RH-8, RH-10, RH-12" The 8 is supposed to give a 6x9 image but is closer to 6x8. The RH-10 is 6x7, the 12 is 6x6.

I gave up on Graflex holders and went with a Mamiya back. The Pro-S version added an interlock which can't be used on the Graphic, other than that it's the same as the Pro. I never could afford a Horseman or Wista so I can't make any claims.

I have a pair of 2x3 knob-wind backs, have had them for over 20 yeras, and used them on Century and Mini Speed Graphic cameras without film flatness issues I could notice. I've made 16x20 prints from negs shot on the old Plus-X pro rollfilm, so If there were a problem it would be noticeable.
Top

Lots of lever wind holders on ePrey lately. Several went yesterday. I won an RH-10 insert with a new return spring for less than 25.00 yesterday. If using a tripod for most work, the knob wind "23" series is more to my liking, as it doesn't make the camera jiggle out of position when winding. Only a consideration if shooting multiple frames of the same subject. If you buy a knob wind holder, the "23" with pin rollers is the best choice.
The "23" holders came both ways, with and without pin rollers. On the other hand, Mamiya RB-67 holders are plentiful and the used prices seem to be dropping. They are also available for 220 film, which is slowly becoming a thing of the past.
( Les, I think there is a way to disable the darkslide interlock on those Pro-S holders.)