Graflex.org

[rknewcomb]

Hi, since I've not found any film/plate holders for my pre 1928 "postcard" size Speed Graphic I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts about cutting down some other size holders. This camera has a spring back and the image area is 3 1/4 x 5 1/2. The wooden holder would be about 4 x 6 1/4 inches. Can this be done?

[t.r.sanford]

It might be easier to make the holders from scratch, perhaps confining your modification effort to cutting down 5x7-in. darkslides. You'd basically build them up from thin hardwood of the sort available from hobby retailers.

If I were doing it, I'd laminate the sides from strips sized to accommodate the darkslides, rather than routing grooves in thicker members, but there probably are several good ways to do it. You can easily get thin brass strip stock that would be easy to form into rabbets to hold the film.

The tough decision might be what to use as the base, or core, which is wider than the usual 3-in. width of the modelmaking hardwoods I've seen. You might look into brass or aluminum sheet, or the thin birch plywood available from MicroMark.

Metal might have one advantage over wood or plastic -- you could incorporate conductors, perhaps small brass strips or even bolts, that would maintain electrical contact between the parts in contact with the film and the darkslide as it was drawn. This would prevent static discharge in dry weather, which can produce odd lightstrike effects on the film.

I think the old "postcard" format is a very good one, and I'd welcome its revival.

[paxety]

You might try filmholders.com and see if they can make them for you.
j.e. simmons

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http://simmonsphotos.com

[t.r.sanford]

They do have a very interesting site. Any idea what they charge to make a custom-size holder?

[paxety]

No idea. I've never dealt with them, but I've read favorable posts about them on other forums.
j

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http://simmonsphotos.com

[Nick]