...So in doing some measurements with several graflex back items and making some comparisons to spring back type film holders and my Polaroid 545 back, I've figured the modifications necessary to get a polaroid back to work with my Graflex back camera aren't all that drastic, but it would chop through an important part of my 545 back. My question is, does anyone know if there are other (older, cheaper) polaroid backs that will process polaroid 4x5 sheet film like type 55? The 545s and the later versions are all I've ever heard, but if someone out there knows something I don't, please let me know. I may end up buying the replacement part to my old 545 and giving the modification a shot, but I suspect it may be cheaper to get a whole pack of some model on ebay.

jeff

I have used type 55 in my old 500 back with no problems at all, I would think you could add abit to the edges of the 545 to fit the graflex back.

Dave

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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Rangemaster on 2005-04-13 12:36 ]</font>

Okay, thanks for the info... I read were there is o catch on the 500, so I'd have to be careful how far up I pull the envelope before exposure, but at least if I screw up a modification, it ain't gonna cost me an arm and a leg.

jeff

You're right about the new sheet films not working with the catch of the 500. BUt many people use them...

As far as modifying a 545 for a Gralfex back, I was under the impression that the graflex back was wider (taller?) than the Graflok? To make a 545 wider could be done without permanently modifying the holder, or so I would think? I have never personally seen a Graflex back so I can't say...

The graflex back accessories are wider by about 1/4 inch. My thought is to add 1/8 thick brass strips to the clips keep the 545 back together (Probably in the 500 too) to give the graflex back something to hold onto. Will probably have to re-enforce it with rivets or screws. The thickness is the easy part, cutting a groove is more difficult as the groove loks like it will fall almost exactly where a part inside lies. If the plate that would need the groove was thick enough, it might work, as the groove needed is fairly shallow, but until I have something to experiment with, I'm not going to risk permanent modifications.

jeff

I still don't see why the 545 (or 500) would have to be _that_ modified, but I don't have a Graflex back... My first choice would be a simple hardwood strip on both sides. It may not last forever, but a hwole lot easier to work with and a good test of the design.

To go 'cheap', why not try the mod on a regular double sided film holder? Bad ones can be had for a song and the basic mod would be the same...

The real opportunity here is to come up with an easily applied modification that you could sell to others!

Well being the nice guy I am, I'll give away my money-making plot right now: to create a light-tight fit with the graflex back, there are several steps... grind flat the ridges that stick out of the surface of the back and form a light-tight seal with a normal back, grind in a groove maybe about 1.32 inch thick to form the light trap with the graflex, add the spacers along the sides so the graflex back has something to hold onto, and maybe a little extra grinding, still not sure. If I want to be really interchangable, I could modify one set of side clips, and an extra piece that fits to the camera, then swap those with uinaltered pieces to goback to a normal 545 back. Sevral steps in disassembling and reassembling the backs, but it might be reversable modifications. Anyhow, until I have a back I can play around with, I's still in the thinking stage, not the doing stage.

jeff

Hmmm, I didn't think of the light trap ridges... But you made me pull out a standard film holder and my 545 to look.

The standard holders are essentially flat except for the ridge on the right-long side (side where film goes in/out).

So the Graflex back has it's own ridges that fit into grooves of a film holder? Or it doesn't have the groove for the standard holder's ridge?

Well, either way, it's more than I originally thought and I can see how it might not be reversible. That's a shame. But a 545 holder for a Graflex would still be a nice thing for some people...

The regular holders have ridges that fit into grooves in the camera back to form the light trap. The Graflex holders have grooves, the camera back has the ridges. Graflex made it just difficult enough not to easily use one type in the other, so as to make folks buy their stuff. I'd just have the back of my RB converted, but I really like the bagmags... makes things go very quick.

jeff

Oh-yeah, I remember that now. People did have the back converted with a groove cut into it to use newer holders... I'm not sure I would do that to a camera if I owned it? But in the real-world market, it might even raise it's value?

Yep, if it were mine, I would modify the holder. Probably easier to do too, if there's enough material in it to make the groove?

Let us know if you wind up with a 'Gralfex 545'!

Hey Vic,

I do have an extra 500 around here, if that would help, if interested, drop me a private message.

Dave Parker

Almost on the topic is the modification of the Polaroid 500 back to keep from pulling the film envelope out too far. I just wrapped a long nylon wire tie around the bar on the back of the holder. I then cut it to a length that matches the maximum pull for the envelope. In use, I flip it out and it becomes a gauge as to how far to pull the envelope. So far, I haven't ruined a shot by removing the envelope. Now over- and under-exposure, that's another story, and at $3 or more per shot, it gets your attention.

Joe

Joe,

Wow! Why didn't I think of that? I'll have to do that the next time I get some Polaroid sheet film (I'm out at present). Thanks for sharing that bit of ingenuity!!!

--Micah in NC