Graflex.org

[paudav]

Hi All,

I'm glad this forum is here! I have no idea where else I could go to ask these questions.

So, I'm a photography student at my local university, and we're doing some film work this quarter. I thought it would be fun to try medium format, so I bought a Mamiya RB67 Pro S.

I wanted to get a 6x6 back for it, so I bought something pretty similar to this from KEH.com, not realizing that the back size couldn't be 4x5:
http://www.southsidecamera.com/servlet/the-497/4x5-RH~12-GRAPHIC-6X6/Detail

My questions are thus:

1) Clearly this won't fit my RB, but is it possible (and relatively simple) to pick up a less rare back like an RH-10 2x3 and swap the guts with those of the RH-12?

2) The KEH listing said the item was a "4X5 GRAPHIC RH12 LEVER." Do I need to worry about the two different types of back (Graflex vs. Graphlock) with this item? It doesn't say what it is, and I can't find a clear answer on whether or not an RH-12 is one type or the other (or both).

3) If I can swap the guts with an RH-10, does the back type even matter? Or do I just have to get the right RH-10?

Thanks for reading!
Paul B. Davis
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-Paul B. Davis

[troublemaker]

Things tend to work better when all the right parts are used...
There are a couple different castings with slight variations regarding the Graphic roll holders which may or may not allow interchanging different roll cartridges. So some will and some wont. Depends on what you get your hands on and if you know what to look for. The only difference between a lot of them is the frame counter on the cartridge, and the format mask cut out on the back. The big difference I've noted, having bunches of these things, is some have a raised half round in the middle of the horizontal light trap that wont allow the use of a roll cartridge with a straight trap lacking the female indentation. Also, where film may advance well and seal out light leaks with a matched set, it may not be the case if trying a switcheroo. I've seen also where if the back and a the cartridge do not mate properly the film can drag bad and really scratch and mess up the film. Thus if you want quality and dependability get something that is correct and works well to begin with and enjoy less frustration. What I'm saying is trying to save a couple dollars on a holder might cost you in time and film three fold.
If you want 6x6, the older knob wind 6x6 Graphic roll holders ussually work well as far as film flatness and tend to sell for half or less than the later lever wind holders. I have three 6x6 knob winders for 45 and 23 series cameras and all work rather well if not as fast, but it's not a long wind like a full 6x9. Personally I don't like the Mimiya backs as they are heavy and expensive, also easy to light leak on Century cameras.

[paudav]

I'd buy the real deal if I could--Seems like they've become really, really rare.

I can't even find the knob variety in 2x3, to be honest.

Since it seems like this stuff is SO rare that I'm only going to be able to order it over the web, it sounds like I should return the back I've got.

I somehow doubt that I'll be able to explain (or identify with pictures) what my switcharoo back needs to look like.

Thanks for your feedback,
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-Paul B. Davis

[C. Henry]

While you can interchange inserts in the different Graflex roll film holders there is an image size problem. The distance the film is moved is determined by the insert while the size of the area of film exposed is determined by size of the image gate of the shell.
RH12 = Twelve 2 1/4" x 2 1/4 frames on a roll of 120 film.
RH10 = Ten 2 1/4" x 2 3/4 frames on a roll of 120 film.
RH8 = Eight 2 1/4" x 3 1/4 frames on a roll of 120 film.
If you put a higher number insert in a lower number shell you will have overlapping images, the other way around will give large spaces between frames.

C. Henry

[45PSS]

There are 2 Knob wind roll film holders,
Graphic 22 for 12 6cm x 6cm images on 120 film;
Graphic 23 for 8 6cm x 9cm images on 120 film.

The other lever wind roll film holders that have not been mentioned are,
RH 20 for 20 6cm x 6cm images on 220 film;
RH 50 for 70mm film.

Collectable Cameras in Phoenix, AZ currently show 2 Graphic 22 roll film holders for 2x3 cameras that should fit your RB67. Some lockout features of the RB67 Pro S will have to be disabled, taped or pined in the unlocked position, for the Graphic roll holders to work.

http://www.ritzcam.com/catalog/index.php?category_id=290
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The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.