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2x3 miniature speed graphic help
Graflex.org Forum Index -> Speed Graphic Help
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mri_tech
Joined: 29 Nov 2005
Posts: 20
PostPosted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 2:30 pm

I've looked on the site and I'm a little confused. Does anyone know which would be the right size 120 roll film back for this camera? I am new to Speed Graphics and need all the help I can get. Thanks to all for your help.
Tom
t.r.sanford
Joined: 10 Nov 2003
Posts: 812
PostPosted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 3:45 pm

120 rollfilm adapters for "Speed Graphic" cameras were made for each of the three sizes available: 2¼x3¼, 3¼x4¼ and 4x5.

They were available for several of the formats possible on 120 rollfilm, 2¼x2¼ and 2¼x3¼. I think there also was a 10-exposure rollfilm adapter, but I don't recall whether it used 120 or 220 film.

For each of the three sizes, there existed (in theory) two kinds of film adapters in general: "Graphic" and "Graflex."

You could tell which was which because "Graphic" holders have a raised light trap formed onto the attachment plate, while "Graflex" ones have a slot milled into that position, which mates with a flange on the camera back.

The "Graphic" back was succeeded by the "Graflok," which takes the same "Graphic" holders, but features a removable focusing panel and two slides to grip a rollfilm adapter or other accessory in its place. If that is what you have, you are all set.

A 2¼x3¼ "Miniature Speed Graphic, then, wants a 2¼x3¼-size rollfilm adapter. You can tell these apart from the other two sizes because the actual attachment plate/darkslide assembly is about the same size as the filmholder itself. The rollfilm adapters for the larger sizes are the very same filmholder mounted to larger attachment plates, so they look something like the ironclad "Monitor." A tour through eBay may be instructive.

If you have a "Graflok" back that will accommodate the rollfilm adapter without effort or modification, your course is straightforward: you need a 2¼x3¼ "Graphic" rollfilm adapter, and you can choose the one that makes the number and shape of pictures you desire.

If you have the "Graflex" back (rare on this camera, I think), you need a "Graflex"-specific rollfilm adapter.

If you have a "Graphic" back, then you will confront the need to find a way of removing the focusing panel and replacing it with the rollfilm adapter. Graflex made a little widget for the purpose, but I have never seen one.

This site has a good deal of discussion about these matters.
mri_tech
Joined: 29 Nov 2005
Posts: 20
PostPosted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:27 pm

Thanks for the information
Dan Fromm
Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 2165
PostPosted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:08 pm

Quote:

On 2005-12-09 13:27, mri_tech wrote:
Thanks for the information
If your Mini has a Graphic (spring) back, you can use a 2x3 Adapt-A-Roll 620. Slips in like a sheet film holder, will feed film on a 120 spool, must take up on a 620.
45PSS
Joined: 28 Sep 2001
Posts: 4081
PostPosted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 3:48 am

Graphic made roll holders: 22 Graphic for 6cm x 6cm,23 Graphic for 6cm x 9cm, both knob wind type; RH8 for 8 6cm x 9cm frames, RH10 for 10 6cm x 7cm frames, RH12 for 12 6cm x 6cm frames per roll fo 120 film and RH20 for 220 film, all lever wind and have guide roller each side of the film gate.

_________________
While a picture may be worth a thousand words, a quality photograph is worth a million.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2005-12-09 19:51 ]</font>
mri_tech
Joined: 29 Nov 2005
Posts: 20
PostPosted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 12:38 pm

Thanks for all your help. You all have been great. But will the above mentioned backs fit on the Miniature Speed Graphic 2x3? Thanks again.
Top
Joined: 06 Apr 2002
Posts: 198
PostPosted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 4:29 pm

It depends on the back. Mini Speeds all came with spring backs (the Graflokks were introduced with the Pacemaker 23), so it's a trick to get the roll holders to mount. The aforementioned Adapt-a-roll will work with no mods. The vintage Suydam rollholder will work, but you have to remove the focusing pannel to mount it more-or-less permamently.
Graflex mage a update Graflokk for the Minis, and the back from a Pacemaker 23 will also fit. Either of these will allow the use of the Graphic 22/23 rollholders.
Top
(whose 1946 Mini was retrofited with a Pacemaker Graflokk back long before he bought it).
mri_tech
Joined: 29 Nov 2005
Posts: 20
PostPosted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 5:21 pm

Thanks to all for your help.
Tom
Dan Fromm
Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 2165
PostPosted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 7:01 pm

Quote:

On 2005-12-10 09:21, mri_tech wrote:
Thanks to all for your help.
Tom
To summarize,

If your Mini has a spring back you can attach a Graflex made roll holder for 2x3 Graflok back (NOT for Graflex back) permanently, use the RF to focus, and use only the lens the RF is set up for. Or you can use a 2x3 AAR 620.

If your Mini has a Graflok back you can use any Graflex made roll holder for 2x3 Graflok back.

And if it has a spring back, you can find a 2x3 Graflok back, remove the spring back, and attach the Graflok in its place. In my limited experience, complete working Speeds with Graflok backs sell for less than a back with no camera attached.

If you want to shoot 2x3 with roll film and more than one lens and don't want to go the AAR 620 route, your best bet is to sell your Mini and buy a 2x3 Speed with a Graflok back.
clnfrd
Joined: 26 Mar 2002
Posts: 616
PostPosted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 11:47 am

Did someone say "Adapt-a-Roll 620"? Check this out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Adapt-a-Roll-620-Roll-Film-Adapter-Uses-120-Film_W0QQitemZ7571172938QQcategoryZ29979QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Top
Joined: 06 Apr 2002
Posts: 198
PostPosted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 4:10 pm

Nice plug.
clnfrd
Joined: 26 Mar 2002
Posts: 616
PostPosted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 9:54 pm

Just trying to be helpful.
mri_tech
Joined: 29 Nov 2005
Posts: 20
PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:39 pm

Thanks for all the replys. I'm relatively new with these type cameras. What does a graflok back look like as compared to the standard spring type? Thanks again
Les
Joined: 09 May 2001
Posts: 2682
PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 10:31 pm

check the back of this camera for an example of a Graflok back

http://cgi.ebay.com/Graflex-Pacemaker-Speed-Graphic-4X5-Camera_W0QQitemZ7571198363QQcategoryZ15247QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


here's one that's been taken apart

http://cgi.ebay.com/4x5-Graflock-Back-complete-w-Frensel-GG-Shade-Frame_W0QQitemZ7570331332QQcategoryZ15248QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
mri_tech
Joined: 29 Nov 2005
Posts: 20
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 1:52 pm

Thanks for your help. I have a Baby Speed Graphic. But, other than the size the back on my camera looks just like the one in the picture. So, it must be a Graflok. Thanks again. Tom
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