Graflex.org

[peter k]

Three years ago I resurrected my dad's old Nikon F Photomic Tn and been having a gas with three classic 35mm Nikon camera bodies (Nikkormat El & a newly purchased F2) using the same assortment of lenses. The old digital, sits in a draw. But in the back of the mind, for over a year and a half...I've thought about his old Speed Graphic, and dug it out today. Downloaded a 'Instruction and Reference Manual' and getting familiar with it.

I've learned how to operate the shutter, ect, but with no film holder in the back, and the rear view port open and up, the shutter set fully open, to T, there is no light coming through from the lens. Is there some short of curtain... or something, that needs to be removed or set?
For someone who knows nothing, everything seems to be working well.
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p.

[45PSS]

[peter k]

That did it, I didn't have the FPS set to 0.. thanks.. (weird it's an upside down whorl, that will take some getting use to )

Next question: Film 3.25 x 4.25 does not seem very available. I seem to have a Graphic, or Spring back. Would you please tell me what other type of back I could find, or modify, (name and specifics), that would give me more freedom with film.

I now have three type of film holders...

1) Eight real thin, one negative.
2) Seven double sided, that can be flipped, two negatives.
3) Two.. A 'Graphic film pack adapter cat# 1233' that is fat, and another one, no manufacture name on it, very similar. I take it that film cannot be gotten for this anymore?
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p.

[45PSS]

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/index.php has Efke 100 in 50 sheet box only, a few other stores may have other types/brands.

The graflok back was introduced after the start of the Pacemaker series and was made available for retrofit to the Anniversary in 4x5 but I do not know about other format size cameras. 3x4 roll film holders are rare and expensive. The ground glass panel must be removed and the roll film holder mounted in its place. Use of a roll film holder mandates a rangefinder calibrated to the lens mounted on the camera.

All lens invert and reverse the image. The petaprism on 35mm cameras and reflex viewing hoods correct to normal eye sight view.

[Dan Fromm]

In addition to the 3x4 Graflex roll holders that attach to a 3x4 Graflok back and are, as 45PSS wrote, scarce and expensive, there's a 3x4 Adapt-A-Roll 620 that slips in like a sheet film holder and so can be used with a Graphic (spring) back. It shoots 2 1/4 x 3 1/4, was made for 620 film. They turn up from time to time on eBay.

Ain't no 620 film, but AAR 620s will feed perfectly well from a 120 spool. They insist on taking up on a 620 spool. FWIW, I use 2x3 AAR 620s with my 2x3 Graphics.

Cheers,

Dan

[C. Henry]

Peter;

If I recall correctly the only difference between 120 & 620 film was the spool, it had the same backing paper even had the numbers for registering the various frame sizes printed the same.
Good luck on finding the Adapt-a-roll and at least one 620 spool for your camera. 4 x 5 sheet film cam be cut down to fit your double sided film holders without too much trouble.

C. Henry

[peter k]

hmmm must have done something wrong.. my post went to ghost space..
try again...
Film? ...

Looking at how to load the film holders, both sides of the side are black, how do you guys differentiate between exposed and unexposed film?

It seems if I want to shoot color with this 3x4 format.. I'll have to cut it. Is this correct?

What is this 3x4 format.. medium or large format?

Using? ..

Could someone direct me to a explanation of using the Focal Plane Shutter? (The Instruction and Ref manual is a little vague in this area). Also when and why would you use this as an advantage over just using the normal front shutter?
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p.

[45PSS]

[peter k]

Thank you 45pps, Fascinating... love the low technology, and how to get similar things done, differently, and this from a guy who use to be a electronic tech trained to the component level. Times change!

I checked with Freestyle photo, they have not had any 3x4 film in months and don't know if and when. So that means cut 4x5 to size, I've read a couple of posts on that. Need to find a new friend who has a darkroom. Or dig out and check dear 'ole dads black light bag.

Developing.. can a 'normal lab' develop the 3x4 format. The lab I use is off today, they state "... use Fuji chemistry and rack and tank processors to achieve the finest results." I haven't done any developing since as a kid, and have no idea what is used to develop, but as I recall, it didn't go into a tank.. just porcelain open tray, developer, rinse?? fix or was that stop. Da. . The lab I use shows on their web site that they develop 4x5 but no mention of 3x4. Just wondered if there is a special process, and how in the 'ell do I send it to them. It would have to be in the film holders, in a very carefully sealed box.

Those of you who do not develop yourself... how do you do this?
In using the Graphic, I would be more interested in color anyway, rather than B&W. I've dedicated the ''ole 35mm Nikkormat El to this task, shooting mostly portraits with it. After all, the few landscapes I've done of the red rocks, just didn't do it in B&W for me.
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p.

[45PSS]

Only the lab can tell you if they process 3x4 and specify color or B&W when asking or both. From the description of the lab its color in Fuji chemicals and will probably be best on Fuji film. May the 3x4 users chime in on what they use/do.
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The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

[1banjo]

hey peter k
just so you KNOW both Graphic & Kodak say the BLACK side of the dark slide indicate exposed to light or you have already shot it !!!!

ware as the WHITE or SILVER side also should have brail raised dots or on some 4 holes
indicate's is loaded ready to be use .

good books to look for are
photography with Large-Format Cameras From Kodak
Grahpic Graflex Photography From Morgan & Lester
View Camera Technique by Leslie Stroebel From Focal Press

1banjo

[hartwell_a_m]

If you want to just shoot color film I would suggest that you get an adapt-a-roll roll film holder sized for the 3x4 camera. There is a simple modification that you can do so you can use a 120 spool as a take up spool,
you need to file down the take up spool base spacer until a 120 spool fits easily, then mark where the housing hits the 120 spool, remove the spool and relieve the housing just until the spool doesn't catch on the housing.

[troublemaker]

I don't see any Graphic roll holders currently on wePray, but they do show up, and not always expensive. I picked up a couple a while back as I was going to get a 3x4 camera to play with. However I changed my mind and sold them shortly after. So they'll show up. Thing is though, I knew exactly what I was looking at and the listings on the holders were unclear as to the actual size of the holders so I nabbed them rather cheaply but sold them at a small profit as I knew what I was selling and listed them accordingly.
As far as shooting the double sided film holders, just tray develop the sheets when you do get film.
Anyway, if you are patient, and know what to look for, I'm sure there are roll film holders out there with your name on them...

[mopar_guy]

It should be possible to develop 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 color sheet film. One of my projects that hasn't gotten off the ground was to shoot some Portra sheet film that I have cut down from 8x10 and to process it at home with one of the c-41 kits that are available. I want to get back to this project in the coming year. Good luck,

Dave

[mwdake]

You should consider developing the B&W film yourself, it is quite easy.
You don't need anything fancy, you can find an old Paterson tank and devlop 2 sheets at a time using the Taco method. Of course there are tanks out there that are much better and allow more sheets, but just to get started you could try this.