Sticky: Recent Updates and Important Information

Sticky: Recent Updates and Important Information


Monday, January 14, 2013

Selecting a Roll Film Back

Duo's roll film back is an optional extra that allows you to mount a 2x3 Graflex roll film back on the camera. This greatly expands the capabilities of the camera by allowing you to compose images on 6x4.5 up to 6x9 frames.

Graflex RH12, courtesy of Dr. Rawhead

Compatibility: 

Any roll film back designed to fit Graflex type backs will fit the adapter. Backs that have been confirmed to fit are as follows:

  • Graflex 
    • Lever advance models: RH8, RH10, RH12, etc
    • Knob advance models: "Graphic" 22, "Graphic" 23
  • Horseman (e.g. Horseman 6x9 and 6x7 holders, in 120/220 variants)
  • Mamiya RB67
    • 6x7 and 6x4.5 lever advance
    • Motor advance models not yet tested

I'll continue to add to this as I try new backs - this list is by no means exhaustive, and there is a good chance that a back not listed here will work.

NOTE! The Graflex and Horseman backs sometimes have a big rectangular adapter that will allow you to mount the back on a 4x5 camera. These will not work. We're looking for backs meant to fit 2x3 cameras, and generally the side facing the lens will look like this:


Horseman 6x9 Back (no longer in my possession)
Lastly, a video on how the adapter works:


After-the-break bonus: first photos on Duo using a roll film back.


Chock's, Keaukaha, HI.
Duo Mk.2, Graflex RH12, Portra 400
f/11, 1/500s, EI 250

Mauna Kea Access Road, HI.
Duo Mk.2, Graflex RH12, Portra 400
f/5.6, 1/500s, EI 250

Richardson Beach Park, Keaukaha, HI.
Duo Mk.2, Graflex RH12, Portra 400
f/8, 1/500s, EI 250

Teruterubozu
Duo Mk.2, Graflex RH12, Portra 400
f/3.5, 1/60s, EI 250


Papercraft VW Type 3 
Duo Mk.2, Graflex RH12, Portra 400
f/3.5, 1/30s, EI 250



8 comments:

  1. Will Mamiya press roll film backs work with a modified M adapter (claws removed) mounted into one of your Polaroid back adapters? I have those things laying around, and I never use them on my Universals, so if they can be used with this, that would be great.

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  2. You know what, I'm not sure! Do you know the outer dimensions of the M adapter?

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  3. I'm out of town for the weekend, but I'll measure it for you when I get home Monday night!

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  4. Outer measurements for the M adapter are as follows: 116mm down the side, 120mm along the top, 127mm where the claws attach (the screw holes necessitate slight protrusions on both sides). So just a little taller than the Polaroid back plate.

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  5. Based on those measurements, you would need to file off about 3mm from the top and bottom of the long "U" shaped channel on the camera (you can see it on the photo at the top of this page). Then it should fit. The protrusions due to the claws should not interfere.

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  6. "NOTE! The Graflex and Horseman backs sometimes have a big rectangular adapter that will allow you to mount the back on a 4x5 camera."

    Not a directly related question: Do you know how to remove those adapters?

    I have an RH-50 with this adapter. I won't bother and just buy one without adapter if it ould be an RH-10 or RH-12, but this can take 70 mm film.

    Maybe you have an idea?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am not sure that they're removable. . . from the looks of it, I don't think so.

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