Graflex.org

HarleyPoe · Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Saint Louis, MO

Hey all,
I just acquired a Century Graphic, and I was wondering what kind of roll film backs are compatible with the Graflok back on it. I found a Singer RH-10 for a good price, how do I know if it will fit my camera, or one of the larger 4x5 systems? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks a lot!

tsgrimm · Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Posts: 158 Location: SE Michigan

http://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/accessories.html

The first roll film back pictured (on an angle) is for a 4x5.

Henry · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:55 am Post subject:

...and all the others, pictured further down that page, will fit your Century 2x3. The back plate on the roll film holders for 2x3 cameras measures 5-1/16" wide by 3-1/16" high, regardless of image size (6x6, 6x7, 6x9cm), and has three ridges cast into it toward the end where you insert the dark slide. Any other back plate lacking those three ridges is not compatible with the Century. Additionally, there are knob-advance and lever-advance versions of the roll holders; the lever-advance ones have two little slender rollers on either side of the image cut-out (inside the insert holder), and these are desirable because they help hold the film flat. Most, if not all, knob-advancers lack these slender rollers. The Singer is of the vintage that likely has the slender rollers. To me, presence or absence of the rollers is not as important as overall condition of the holder, but others like to use only the ones with rollers.

Your RH10 takes ten 6x7cm images on one roll of 120 film. 6x7cm = c. 2-1/4" x 2-3/4". ( The RH8 takes eight 6x9cm images, and the RH12 takes twelve 6x6cm images, on a roll of 120.)

When you're ready to load your first roll of film, assuming you have no previous experience with loading a roll of 120 film into a holder, post again and we'll walk you through that exercise.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Graphic Graflex!

troublemaker · Joined: 24 Nov 2003 Posts: 715 Location: So Cal

Henry, Rich might have the roll-holder manual at South Bristol if you have the link. Been a few years now but I think that is where you all pointed me.

Henry · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:12 pm Post subject:

Right you are!
http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/rollfilm.pdf

This manual is an oldie (I think I can make out a 1940 date on the last page), and the scan is a little crude (at least that's the way it comes up on my Acrobat Reader), but the loading essentials are all there.

HarleyPoe · Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Saint Louis, MO

Thanks a lot for all the information!
Y'all have been really helpful. I have another question...
I'm pretty handy with tools and I've put a polaroid back on a Diana camera, that being said, I was wondering if y'all have heard of anyone trying to get a packfilm back on a century, or any 2x3 i guess. I can't imagine it's too tough as long as the film plane is in the right spot, right?
Thanks again!

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2146 Location: New Jersey

Harley, by all means try to adapt whatever's ready to hand, but understand that, a semi-mythical Horseman polaroid back excepted, there are no factory-made (that's by any factory anywhere) polaroid back for 2x3 Graphics.

1banjo · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 492 Location: kansas

hey Harley
there was a factory-made adaper The Lane Corporation in Florida
I have one you put it on a polaroid 405 back . Due to the larger size of the Polaroid film" the film plane is DISPLACED 1/2" BACK behind of the cameras normal film plane!! therefore a focus CORRECTION PLATE IS NEED you put it between the lens & the lens stops so you can use the
rangfinder YOU CAN'T use the ground glass!!!

I have now put a polaroid back on G 23 that I make but Polaroid film
??? and I have not yet tryed out the "Fuji Instant "film
but if I can help Kansasbanjo@yahoo.com

PS I have 3 made up now