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Nicebigman · Joined: 04 Mar 2004 Posts: 2 Location: east coast USA

Hi. I have an Ansco 5x7 field camera I want to adapt to accept 4x5 holders. I noticed there are only 6 screws used to mount the back on my Graflex 4x5 Pacemaker, and was thinking of making a new backboard for the 5x7, and mounting the 4x5 back to it. Can the back of the Pacemaker be removed and replaced easily, or will I unleash a flood of pins, springs and widgets I'll never get together again? Thanks, Terry

[ This Message was edited by: Nicebigman on 2005-02-09 17:00 ]

45PSS · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 3:38 am Post subject:

If you have a Speed then the focal plane shutter curtain will be exposed making it easy to damage. If you have a Crown then the bellows and rear element of the lens will be subject to easy damage.
The screws that hold the back on are different sizes so make note of what screw came out of what hole.
Better bet is to pick up a parts body off ebay and use the back off it, after one or two screw insertions the wood of the camera body will no longer hold a screw without striped hole repair.

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

I agree with 4PSS, it would be best to get a dedicated 4x5 back for the Ansco.

And while there's no problem with scavaging a Pacemaker back, I would stay away from a Graflok back though, it won't do you any good and you'll pay a lot for it.

Watch ebay closely and you'll probably find an Ansco 4x5 back for it.

When I was shopping for my Ansco that were all too easy to find on ebay (that's why I ended up with three + parts)