Graflex.org

[troublemaker]

Just got back from long trip through the Southwest,and had some fun with my Century. I took a Trioptar 103, and an Optar 135, both of which performed well with Velvia, Provia, Tmax, Acros, and APX films. However, the RB67 mamiya back seems to have sprung a bad light leak across the bottom (film has fogging accross the top of the images which to me would mean the bottom of the filmback because image is upside down when exposed). I tried my best to keep the backs in the shade at all times but can't always. I just took one and tested it and same problem of fogging about 3/8" all along the upper portion of the images. I had no problems with my old funky graflex knob wind backs, which i used for the color films. Some images are excellent, some a learning experience, but the sharpness is nice. I am wondering if i should find a place to tune up my RB67 backs. The seals and felt are, upon inspection, shot, and the dark slides are not very flat. Who can do this. I saw an ebay add offering this service at about 90 bucks each. Seems a bit high, but would be nice to have them working.
Also, I have been considering the Horseman backs, but read somewhere that they do not work on Century models. Seems like they would if they are Graflocs?
What do you all think? For now i will stick with my older backs and try a Singer lever wind I just got with the pin rollers.
regards,
steve

[glennfromwy]

90 bucks to replace the seals on an RB-67 back???? Over my cold, dead body!! The seals are an easy DIY project and generic material cost should not be more than twelve bucks or so. New dark slides are available from B&H for about 13 bucks. Seems odd that you are having so much leakage on the bottom of the holder. Especially if it is shaded with a dark cloth or similar. If you have an even band all the way across a frame, especially if it's across all frames, it sounds more like a development problem. Are you sure your tank was full??

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Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

[troublemaker]

Yes, the tank has been full, BUT, when i checked the fill level I did so without the dark lid. Re-checking by pouring through put the level right at the edge of the film or just over, which leads me to think you are correct and I need to add a few more ounces of fluid and re-test.
The second two rolls did not do this and were shot with differnt backs, but i had agitated a littel more consistantly, and it was a differnt kind of film. Neopan Acros and Tmax have streaked or fogged, while Agfa APX has not.
As far as tuning up the RB backs, should I just get some felt at the yardage store and glue it on the sheetmetal spring strip inside. Also, the plastic is worn pretty bad from the bent dark slides. Should new felt seal this up reasonably well If I can figure out doing it on my own?
Regards,
Steve

[disemjg]

If you consider yourself handy and can work on small details by all means do the seals yourself. While I have not done an RB back, I did the seals in all three of my Horseman backs, as well as some of my 35's, and they work perfectly.

There are three types of material that can be used for the seals; two are easy to come by and the third takes a bit more effort. Black yarn and velvet ribbon are available at the local fabric or craft stores in a wide range of widths that will serve your needs. Use contact cement to mount them. Foam seals can be obtained from Fargo; I splurged and got the higher quality stuff which has worked out well. This foam is adhesive backed, and comes in sheets. You have to cut strips to meet your needs. Getting it to sit correctly in the channels can be frustruating as the adhesive wants to grab the sides of the channel before it gets to the bottom.

Be sure to study the existing seals before you remove them, and be thourough in cleaning off the old goo. Denatured alcohol will soften them and you can use a bamboo spatula to dig them out. Very messy, but important.

[troublemaker]

Thanks for the help. Since I have two RB67 backs, I will get some felt and try that first.
Also, would you use this same felt to replace the two strips located on the backs of the Pacemaker cameras?
I mentioned before that B&H photo listed the Horseman roll backs as not fitting the Century. This seems strange if it is an actual Graflok. I had wanted a new back, but don't think i need one now after seeing a couple of my shots enlarged. THe Graflex backs are considerably lighter for packing; the problems with these are frame spacing. Had any luck fixing these, I couldn't figure out how to disassemble without damaging.

[disemjg]

VELVET RIBBON, not felt. While felt has some use in this area (it is used for the light traps in Grafmatic magazines) it is not what you want for your seal project. It does not have enough "give".

My Horseman backs are the older style ones. I checked on one of my Centuries and found that it would not fit; the Horseman backs have a raised area around the film gate that has to fit into a corresponding recess in the Horseman back. The Century of course lacks this recess and will not allow the holder to seat properly.

I agree that the Graflex holders are lighter and more compact for field work. I have not had any problems with mine and have not had them apart; someone else may be able to help out here.

[troublemaker]

Yes, velvet ribbon. I pasted your recomendations to my help pages that I am saving. Thanks

[45PSS]

1).Which graflex rollfilm backs do you have?
2).Post your email here or leave it for me in a private message.

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The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.