It occurs to me that for sharp images the film in the film holder has to be exactly where the screen was during focusing. (Not a brilliant insight, I know.) What I wonder, though, is whether 4x5 film holders have maintained there standard over the years. I ask, because now that I finally have my Crown Graphic setup with the lens I want to use, I will start shooting and plan to use new film holders. I just want to be sure that there isn't a risk that the film holders are the wrong width for accurate focus. (I don't want to get back pictures that are not sharp and not know why.) Thanks.

For what it is worth, I know that the specs on 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 film holders has not changed since WW II. The same probably holds true for the 4 x 5 ones as well.
If your camera has a Graflok back you should be safe with new holders as the "spring back" and Graflok backs on Graflex cameras set the standard for modern (WW II era and later) film holders.

C. Henry

I was able to use my double-sided filmholders in an early 1900's RB Cycle Graphic, which is WWI era. I've also had glass plate holderswith adapters for sheet film. Those also fit vintage and modern 4x5 cameras and standard 4x5 sheet film. Made by Kodak.
Anyway, have fun with your Crown.

Quote:

It occurs to me that for sharp images the film in the film holder has to be exactly where the screen was during focusing. (Not a brilliant insight, I know.) What I wonder, though, is whether 4x5 film holders have maintained there standard over the years. I ask, because now that I finally have my Crown Graphic setup with the lens I want to use, I will start shooting and plan to use new film holders. I just want to be sure that there isn't a risk that the film holders are the wrong width for accurate focus. (I don't want to get back pictures that are not sharp and not know why.) Thanks.

Hi there,

Echoing C.Henry's point - in many ways, you are already blessed with the ease of the 4x5" format which has maintained the same ANSI/standards for the depth.

Checking with a depth micrometer, I have not found any basis for concern in this format for either the modern plastic double dark slide sheet holders nor for the wooden variety. Once the film format extends beyond 4x5", particularly in the whole plate (6 1/2 x 8 1/2 format) this is no longer the rule and the tolerances become more specific and more varied.

Enjoy concentrating and working on those Crown images.

Kind regards,

RJ
Nevertheless, enjoy working with the

A digital scanning back would work perfectly well on a sixty year old Speed Graphic, for anybody that could afford to buy one, and any 4x5 Graphic type holder, however old, would work with the latest 4x5 cameras. That's one advantage of the format, you can mount just about anything you like, of any make or age, on the front or back of just about any camera. None of this a Nikon lens won't fit a Pentax thing that you have with 35mm.