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fairy69 · Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 18 Location: New York

I have been having so much fun posting on here, I forgot to ask another SG-related question: The gentleman I purchased the camera from, also gave me a 6 sheet film holder. He quickly showed me how to use it, but let me clarify -
you pull the dark slide out, expose, close and open to get the second sheet, expose, repeat? Is that right?

The U adapter arrived yesterday and it works wonderfully. Now once I am ok on the film holder, I will shoot! (it seems almost like a rite of passage for me - heehee)

_________________
cheers,
AnnMarie
www.annmarietornabene.net

RichS · Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 2:53 pm Post subject:

David A. Goldfarb · Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 142 Location: New York City

Definitely download the Grafmatic manual to read about loading and operating a Grafmatic filmholder, but the shooting sequence is:

1. Pull the darkslide and push it back in. You'll see a red dot on the back of the holder indicating that the sheet is ready to be exposed. The darkslide will be behind the top septum and will prevent fogging of the other five sheets.

2. Make the exposure.

3. Now pull the slide with your index finger while holding the silver latch against the handle with your thumb, so that the film drawer comes out. Inside the holder, the newly exposed sheet will drop to the bottom of the stack.

4. Release the silver latch, and push the drawer back in. Now you may remove the holder or leave it in for the next shot.

fairy69 · Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 18 Location: New York

OK - reading this whilst I am half asleep (long day of Home Depot and Lowes shopping) so I am thinking of just using the 2 sheet holder until I print out the grafmatic manual. Thanks, you guys!
xoxoxox

_________________
cheers,
AnnMarie
www.annmarietornabene.net

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

Yes, read the manual, a couple times. Also, it is recomended one go through the opperation, loading film, darkslide and changing to the next exposures, a few times over a few days as to familliarize with its use. Then it is like anything else that only requires a littel getting used to. Shortly you will want another one, but then realize how fast one goes through film with these things.
To open, turn numbered thumb dial from X to any number. the unit locks closed when on X. Press Chromed latch and pull together with dark slide and it should open. Slide out part way, release button, and then push in slightly and pull out the dark slide revealing the film septums. Pay attention that the septums are pointed in the right direct. Be careful always never to jam a septum and thereby bending it.
when loading film, place the septums in the body one at a time and when closing be sure to help by pushing them all down into place as the body slides closed. Once closed, turn the numbered thumb dial to X, if you want it locked, or 1. There is also an external lock that has to be turned to the correct position for opening and locking closed, see bottom right when mounted on camera.
With the dial set to 1, or any numberm, pull the dark slide out all the way and push back in. This allows one septum to be pressed onto the film plane and the dark slide slips back in behind it when you slide it back in. You are ready to make an exposure...
When done, hold the chrome button down and slide the works out and push back in. The first film septum is sprung to the back, and is covered by the works when it is slid back in. You can then pull the dark slide in and out for another exposure or lock the unit closed.

Mine is a little beat up, so I have to be carefull when running things in and out so I do not bend a septum or whatever, but it makes excellent images, and I like that they are numbered when refering to my notes.

But like I have noted, practice a bit before loading the film up so you are comfortable and understand when the film is protected or ready to expose.

Whenever you load the thing, leave note on it if it is exposed or not. I haven't used mine in a couple months since I was on a road trip nd can not remember if the film in it is exposed or not...

Have fun...!

Stephen

45PSS · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 7:22 am Post subject:

[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2005-12-24 21:46 ]

fairy69 · Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 18 Location: New York

so, is everyone saying I shouldn't even bother with this grafmatic? LOL I have to admit here, I have a BFA in photography and have been a photographer for many years, but my main focus (pardon the pun) is the content of the image/result. I have never been much of a "techy", so maybe just the standard film holders will be less of a hassle than the grafmatic.

Having said that, I have always persevered and sometimes like a challenge, so maybe in the future, I will tackle it.

I only have one film holder from college...will have to check out eBay for some more.

did I say good morning?

xoxoxox

_________________
cheers,
AnnMarie
www.annmarietornabene.net

David A. Goldfarb · Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 142 Location: New York City

I use Grafmatics more or less exclusively for 4x5". They are more compact than regular filmholders, arguably hold the film flatter, and are very handy for portraits and handheld shooting with the rangefinder. So I think it's very much worth learning to use it.

I also have a 4x5" Kinematic holder--a little wonkier to operate than a Grafmatic, but it holds 10 sheets, which is about right for an afternoon of casual 4x5" shooting.

For 5x7", I use the even older "bag-matic" filmholder, which is a 12-sheet magazine that has a leather changing bag attached for cycling manually through the septums.

If they made something like a Grafmatic for 8x10", I'd use it for that too.

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

No, use it. They are easy once one is accustomed to loading and how it works. I was surprized how easy and fun they are compared to standard holders. But read the manual as it is very good, and not directed at the techy heads. And yes, they do hold the film nice and flat. I find that the septums are easier to load than double sided holders also.
regards,
Stephen

disemjg · Joined: 10 Jan 2002 Posts: 474 Location: Washington, DC

learn to use it and you will probably want two or three of them; most of us do. The only drawback to them is that the view panel is off the camera, at least that is the way it is supposed to work. That is annoying and really slows you down if you are GG focusing a lens that is not RF coupled, as I was a week ago with a 36CM Tele-Xenar. Had to play musical chairs with the back and Grafmatic.

And be sure that both felt light seals are present in the Grafmatic; the glue dries out and the metal strip holding the felt trap comes loose. The top one is the main culprit, and you can feel it with the magazine open. Easy to fix if you catch it in time.

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

Huh?
Grafmatic will slide under GG panel on all of my cameras, including my 1916 Cycle Graphic, though I wouldn't leave it in the camera as an unecessary stress on the Springs. When loading the Grafmatic on the camera, it is probably a good idea however to slide the chrome locks in place if it is a later Graflok style. If a Spring back without the lock sliders just slide it under the spring panel and away you go, tra la la... Also, because it is necessary to run the Grafmatic works in and out to hide the exposed film sheet, hold the spring back or Grafmatic body firmly against the camera back to prevent light leaks. I find this to be a good idea when running any dark slide in and out of any film holder...
regards,
Stephen

45PSS · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 2:09 am Post subject:

[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2005-12-24 21:46 ]

fairy69 · Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 18 Location: New York

Would never thought of using THAT analogy to describe camera gear - moist, delicious piece of cake...

I didn't get around to shooting anyway this weekend (amazing, how fast the weekends go - blah!) See what happens this week.

Thank you all again, guys.
XOXOXOXO

_________________
cheers,
AnnMarie
www.annmarietornabene.net

disemjg · Joined: 10 Jan 2002 Posts: 474 Location: Washington, DC

Stephen:

For whatever reason I had not caught on to the fact that the chrome locking tabs on a Graflok back could be engaged with the viewing panel in place. As you point out it works perfectly. My Speed has somewhat tired springs on the viewing panel, and the back was easily lifted since I was not using the locking tabs. I was removing the panel as I thought the tabs could only be used with the panel removed.

Thanks; my life with barrel lenses just got better.

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

Great, always nice to know info is helpful. I recently had some light leak issues because I forgot to slide down the locks, but before I had even developed that film I dropped a 545i back onto the ground because I had not locked it down and only had it under the view panel. So when I hoisted the camera and tripod onto my shoulder to move to a new composition the thing just fell out. Thus I have maintained for some years now, "some lessons learned best the hard way." But for most of my work I use the 2x3 Graphics and GG focus, so I can very much relate to playing musical backs as I do not have a RF on my stripped down backpacker. gives me something to do I guess...
Regards,
Stephen