Quote:

On 2005-06-01 18:58, blaised wrote: The reason I want to slightly open the back, is to find out how to get the film cartridge into the camera.

blaised,

Please don't take offense at this...

I would suggest from your question that the first thing you should do is find a copy of "Graphic Graflex Photography" by Morgan & Lester. I don't know what type of Speed you have, but any edition past the 8th would help and answer all your questions.

While you're looking for that book (long out of print), go to:
http://www.southbristolviews.com
and look under Graflex Manuals. From there, download the Anniversary Speed manual. It may be older than your camera, but it looked to me to be a much better 'manaual' than any of the later versions. A couple of Pacemaker Speed manuals are also there...

Really, this question rates just above the "how do I open the case" that many people ask. Just do some reading, especially right here at graflex.org. All this basic info is easily found...

And good luck with your camera. It's a lot of fun once you figure it all out...

With a spring back, the film holder is slid into position from the right (as you stand behind the camera). The two lugs at the right end of the focusing panel are beveled on their interior faces, to make it easier to introduce the holder. You push the film holder as far to the left as it will go; the springs on the focusing panel provide the tension needed to press the film holder firmly against the camera body, to prevent light leaking in.

You don't remove the back in order to do this!

...viewed another way, the process of inserting a filmholder into a "Speed Graphic" with "Graphic" spring back is much more like inserting an Iomega "Zip" disk into its drive, than like loading laundry into a top-loading washing machine. That is, you do it without opening a door...

Thank you everyone especially Mr. Sanford. I did it. It does go behind that back door and slides in (there is quite a bit of of pressure). Now I have to figure how to get it out (LOL).

A bit more pressure is better than a bit less!

It gets interesting when you want to do it with the camera on a tripod. But it can be done; practice makes perfect.

Quote:

On 2005-06-02 15:40, t.r.sanford wrote: A bit more pressure is better than a bit less! It gets interesting when you want to do it with the camera on a tripod. But it can be done; practice makes perfect.

Um, t.r., in my limited experience practice makes less imperfect. Others may do better.

Cheers,

Dan

To be sure, we have a moving target here. I used a figure of speech. After four decades, I continue to find new ways to screw up -- which is what makes these cameras endlessly fascinating tools.

As I am obviously a beginner (at the very beginning) it is great to have a place to go where you can get very knowledgeable help on equipment that is decades old. (Not everyone is digital)!