Hello All,

I have a 4x5 Pacemaker Speed Graphic that I love and would not trade for another 4x5 camera, mainly because I shoot with barrel lenses and the focal plane shutter is a god-send.

But I hate the film holder loading mechanism with the Spring back....I really do. It is very inconvenient and more often than not I need to apply enough force that it causes the camera position to shift. I used my friend's Sinar the other day and the holder loading was so buttery smooth on that, that I started hating the spring back on my camera even more!

So, I was wondering what are the potential work-arounds? It seems to me that a Gralok back might be a good option, but those things seem to go for almost the cost of the camera itself! Besides, would they even be compatible with my Pacemaker?

I would love to hear your thoughts/advice.

Thanks.

Avi

Graflock back is a very nice upgrade. I use an Anniversary Graphic that has been upgraded from Graflex to Graflok back. It makes using roll film holders possible. That alone is worth the price.

Brian,

Thanks.

So, the films holders that go into the Spring back are perfectly compatible with the Graflok back?

I have no interest in the roll film holder since I already have a medium format camera for that. I just want to make the 4x5 film holder loading an easier experience.

Avi

A regular film holder (or DDS as some call it) goes into the spring back and Graflok back in the same way. If your dislike is having to "pry open" the GG to insert the film holder, then you'll have the same dislike with the Graflok back.

I like the Graflok much better, to me they are easer to use
and I do have a graflex , graphic , other bail backs calumt or Galvin &
BUT I like the graflok BEST!!

Thanks! I am going to try and get my hands on the Graflok.

But can you confirm if I would need to purchase an entire graflok assembly (frame, GG and hood) or would just the frame do? That way I could use my existing GG and hood and fit that to the Graflok back?

Thanks.

Avi

BrianShaw wrote:

A regular film holder (or DDS as some call it) goes into the spring back and Graflok back in the same way. If your dislike is having to "pry open" the GG to insert the film holder, then you'll have the same dislike with the Graflok back.

I guess what I dislike most is holding the back open (against spring tension) and inserting the holder. I wish that was easier to do.

Is that what you mean by "pry open"? I don't really need to remove the GG.

Avi

(duplicate) - deleted

Yes, Avi, that's what I meant. Some other brands of camera once offered a "bail back", which is a metal handle (of sorts) that pulled the GG away so the film holder can be slipped in more easily. That would be a welcome addition to a Graflex but would have to be fabricated.

The only time one needs to remove the GG from the Graflok is when using the Graflock sliders to attach, for example, a roll film back.

I think you need to buy the whole assembly. I don't think the GG holder part of a spring back will fit the Graflock back... but I've never specfically checked that. The hood and GG itself should fit, I would hope... but I've never specificaly checked that either. The graflok backs came in two types - those with the Ektalite (fresnel) and GG, and another with just the GG. The Ektalite is a nice thing to have.

Keep an eye on ebay. They show up periodically. Last time I looked (a few days or week ago) there were two being offered.

on most graphic spring backs }}} thats any thing that use Standard two-sheet film holders that has two spring that atach at all fours corners NOW CALLED
Internatinal Standard /or/ Graphic back{{{ you have to pry out /or/ open

BUT the Graflok uses a liver LESS presser to start with BUT hold better

and yes you may need the whole thing AS the only things that may be Interchange is the ground glass & maybe the removable Hood if you have the lattered spring back

Good clarification, 1Banjo... my mention of "spring back" should have used the formal name, Graphic back.

on ebad # 360419224823 buy-it-now of $125 isw not to bad of price!!

BUT AND the best thing about the Graflok back you can use notonly Grafmatic,
backs TOO but any Polaroid // fuji Film Holder ,, rollfilm holders and sliding back
TOO!!!

So.....is the film holder loading mechanism ( standard 4x5 holder) any different on the Graflok vs spring back.

Thanks so much for the info.

Avi

They are the same. Only the Graflex back uses a "non-standard" film holder - groove on bottom and held in place by a slider at top.