Graflex.org

Old2037 · Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Neuvo Jersey

Hi there,

It's been a long time since I've posted (so long I had to re-register as my old e-mail is long gone).

I've finally got my 3x4 Anniversary Speed set up and running. I'm using a Singer/Graflex RH-8 roll back with a clean Optar 135 and the results are knocking me out. (The roll back started life as a 4x5 back and was expertly machined-by my dear dad-and slightly modified-by me to fit on the 3x4 Graflok.)

I've gotten a few rolls of chromes back and I'm in love. But I'm not in love with the weight of the Speed for handholding. So I went and got myself a nifty Century Graphic, which I hope is a good bit lighter.

Ok - question - how do the Mamiya RB67 backs compare to the late singer backs? Film flatness? I'll definitely be getting another 6x9 RH-8 but the 6x7 Mamiya backs are plentiful and running pretty cheap. And there's the 220 option (easier to find than the RH-20). Is there any interchangeablity between the two, say with inserts or parts?

Annother question - anyone ever see a Century with a Voightlander 105/3.5 Color-Skopar in Synchro Compur-P? Can I assume this was not the lens with which it left the factory?

Thanks all. This is one of the Photography sites on the 'net!

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Chris L.

Old2037 · Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Neuvo Jersey

"This is one of the Photography sites on the 'net! "

Of course I meant "This is one of the BEST Photography sites on the 'net!"

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Chris L.

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

I don't think Color Skopars were in the catalog, but that doesn't preclude somebody asking for one. Chance are it was added later.

Mamiya backs SHOULD fit any Graflok backs, but there is some slight tolerance in the machining of both the camera and the back, and I've once camera that refused to accept an RB back others I've had accept it as easily as an RH back.

The Mamya back is the next generation of RH backs. In fact the RB 67 is nothing more than a re-designed RB Auto Graflex. The Backs are better made with better materials. That said a high quality back that's worn out won't be any better than a mint knob wind. So shop carefully and do your best. At one time I knew what the changes were between the RB back, the RB Pro and the RB Pro S I believe all will fit, but you'll be paying for options that you can't use, like interlocks, etc.

I have a pair of the old RB backs and like them very much.

Old2037 · Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Neuvo Jersey

Thanks a bunch, Les! I'm really looking forward to getting my Century up and shooting.

If the Color-Skopar is as good as my 135 Optar, I'll be very, very happy. I think they're both Tessar types, but I guess we'll see.

I took my 3x4 Speed to an antique Power/Tractor show the other day and I got quite a few "thumps up" shooting the parade at the end of the show. Shooting E100VS at 1/200 @ f11, the colors and sharpness are just beautiful. The red Farmall's, the green John Deere's - great stuff.

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2148 Location: New Jersey

Graflex Sid · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 221 Location: London,England

Stop right there...are you talking about the same size camera??...3x4 or to be more technical,31/4 x 41/4.
RB's only fit 2x3 cameras!
I've all of them-the RZ back doesn't even fit the 2x4 either,a slightly different design,I've tried it out!.

Getting back to the 3x4's,I had one hell of a time trying to find a roll film back for this size camera.I did in the end.I can understand shaving a 5x4 back down to size.I believe somewhere on this site they recommend doing this.This size is becoming more & more rarer by the minute-I believe it was NOT a popular size with the public at the time.

Welcome to this particular Graphic camera,may it give you hours of pleasure to us small band of elite.

Old2037 · Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Neuvo Jersey

I was looking to put the Mamiya backs on my "new" Century Graphic - a 2x3 camera with a Graflok back. The current Mamiya RB67 uses what is basically a 2x3 Graflok back! The Mamiya back is pretty well made, available in a lot of flavors (like 220, 70mm, and polaroid) and the prices of used backs are droping rapidly.

My 3x4 Anniversary Speed Graphic is another story. Some clown on "a popular internet auction site" sold it to me as a 4x5. I was had. But it was a very nice camera with a Graflok back and a super clean Optar 135. I picked up a nice 4x5 RH-8 roll back. After I made some very careful measurements, my dad carefully machined the flange so the back would fit and the film would be centered in the back of the camera. (At that time, he had lots of CNC milling machines to play with.) I added some thickness to the edges so the Graflok clamps could get a grip. The whole thing works amazingly well.

Sorry for the confusion.

Regards,

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Chris L.

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

I try to keep those guys honest, but ebay is a big site!

As you already know a lousy photo can make a 3x4 look like a 4x5 most of the time. There are two easy tell tale signs it's a 3x4. The most obvious is the arcs cut in both top and bottom slider on the 3x4. (4x5s don't have a bottom slider and no arcs)

Second, the lock for front standard doesn't have a large ring. Infact it looks more like a Mini speed lock as the ring doesn't stand up much beyond the rest of the vertical part of the lock.