Graflex.org

[FrankS]

Let me see if I understand this: there are 3 styles of backs on these Graphic cameras: Graflok, spring, and Graflex. Graflok and spring backs have the same type of interface (though Graphlok backs have removeable GG) while Graflex camera backs are different? Are there many Graflex-backed cameras out there?

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...preferring to be on the shiny side of the film, Frank S.

[Henry]

Frank, check out http://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/features.html#GraflokBack . It should answer all your questions.

[t.r.sanford]

...and keep in mind that the "Graflex" back originated with the big reflex cameras, which did not normally have a groundglass focusing panel at the focal plane, though you could put one there if you wanted.

The spring back -- Graflex's was called the "Graphic" back, to differentiate it from that "Graflex" back -- was designed to make it simple to slide a carrier holding sheet of film, or a filmpack, under a focusing panel that was standard equipment on press and view cameras.

"Graflex" backs were made available for Graflex press and view cameras because a lot of people also used the reflexes and, if they bought a press or view camera too, they didn't want to buy a whole new set of film holders.

The "Graflok" back was introduced after World War II, probably for two reasons.

The first is that rollfilm holders that can work with a spring {"Graphic") back tend to be awkward, since they must place both spools off to one side and lead the paper backing and the film back and forth through a long box, shallow enough to slip under the focusing panel.

Rollfilm wasn't a live issue for most commercial photographers prior to the war, but the advent of practical color materials and finer-grain emulsions created a desire to use rolls with large-format equipment.

The second is that the spring back does not lock a film carrier into place -- while it's adequate for a cutfilm holder or a filmpack adapter, it can be kind of scary to use with something like a "Grafmatic" magazine, which carries six sheets of film and requires a vigorous push-pull action to bring the next sheet into position for exposure.

The "Graflok" back arrived in time to permit the production of a Polaroid rollfilm adapter, too. This looked like the body of a Polaroid Land "110" camera, and required you to use a groundglass on a spacer that was the same depth as that "110" body. To do this kind of thing, the original spring-loaded focusing panel had to be easily removable.

The "Graflok" back was a very good solution, and it has become something of an international standard.

[Rangemaster]

Actually, the Graflok is now refered to as an International back, I also have a regular type roll film holder that will slip under both a grafic and a Graflok that was made by linhof, it has the rolls in what you would expect to be the normal spots, I have owned the Calumet roll film back and using it with the older spring backs which have some wear, they can be a challenge at best, if the springs are weaker than when new, sometimes your squarness of film gate on the roll film holder will sag to the side with both rolls in it.

Just my experiance and in no way means anything.

Dave