Posted by Les on September 09, 2000 at 13:24:11:
In Reply to: Re. Trying to date ... posted by Kent on September 09, 2000 at 12:47:59:
: Link shows my Mini Speed back on a 4x5.
: What kind of back is this and is it compatible
: only with sheet film holders?
The back is officially called a Graphic back, but most people call it a spring back. The Graflok back came out in 1950, so any mini-speed previous to this used (for the most part) the Graphic back.It's compatible with Graphimatic backs and film holders.
There is something called a "spring Kit" that allows you to use
roll film holders on a minispeed. These are hard to find, and
pricey for what they are ($10-$30)but they do show up on
ebay.
If you search the site you can find a page about roll film backs on
mini-speeds. Keep with the lever backs or backs that have two small
pin rollers on the wrap-around part of the back. These keep the
film flatter.
There is a third party slide in film adapter that used 620 film,
but it's not realy a viable system.
Your camera was part of 2500 that was entered in the book in Aug of '45. Now logic tells me that didn't build 2500 cameras in a couple of months, so a good guess would be 8/45 to 8/46. I haven't seen a serial list for Wollensak (optar) but this lens is typical for this camera.
the coated lens will exibit less flare and a higher contrast than the uncoated tessar. By formula, the lens is the same.
Les