Graflex.org

troublemaker · Joined: 24 Nov 2003 Posts: 715 Location: So Cal

Can anyone tell me where are the problem light leak areas on the Graflex Roll backs? I have tried to chase them down and come up blank as everything on all my backs seem to be in good order, no mismatches or anything like that. Anyway, I had two that were working beautifully, and now even those are near useless as I can not keep wasting a roll of film on one subject and hope for one good shot. I tested both since I was home sick for a while and using different bodies find same results, streaks, patterns, and complete fogs. Frustration has got the better of me on this one, I now refer to someone elses experience or next post will have distance holders flew down the street before disintegrating on asphalt...
Steve

[ This Message was edited by: Troublemaker on 2005-02-27 22:19 ]

glennfromwy · Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 903 Location: S.W. Wyoming

The obvious, of course, is the felt seal in the darkslide slot. There is a thin felt seal in the cover on each end. Possibly one is missing. They are in the slots by the hinge and by the latch. I really can't think of any other problem areas on these things. They are so simple in construction. Pull the slide and go into the dark and shine a mini maglight all around while closely watching the film opening. Good luck------

_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

Henry · Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2005 6:40 pm Post subject:

....or, insert the business end of the minimag *into* the film opening, shine it around, and see if any light leaks through the dark slide slot, or anywhere externally around the perimeter of the holder. (sorry if I'm belaboring the perfectly obvious here, but I warn't a kollej perfesser 29 years for nothin', in fact it cost me plenty, but that's WAY O/T.)

troublemaker · Joined: 24 Nov 2003 Posts: 715 Location: So Cal

???
Everything seems to be in reasonably good order. I am probably over-careful loading and unloading all my 120 film. So mishandling is out. I did see that there is a hairline crack in the top of my paterson tank; the older hard platic model with the small hose intsert fitting on the lid. As carreful as I am, I wonder if this crack is flaring light in over the reels and giving me these patterns? I will test it later. ALso, I am curious why there are three holes form the film plane surface into the film rolloer area of the backs? Would this allow light to flare into the back upon exposing each frame? I think I will tape them regardless after testing back and developing tank.
So suppose felt is shot inside dark-slide passageway? Or even if I just replce the stuff at the hinge and catch, what is this stuff? It doesn't look like basic felt, more like a kind of packing???

Thanks for input,
Stephen

glennfromwy · Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 903 Location: S.W. Wyoming

Your tank is certainly a possibility. The light seal stuff is no problem. If you can get it out without totally destroying it, you can get an idea how thick it is. Standard light seal foam, black felt from the craft or fabric store, black yarn or cloth are all usable, depending on the thickness. Don't forget to figure in the needed "squish" factor. The dark slide felt is another story. I have never tried to take one of them apart. All of the ones I have and have seen seem to be pretty sloppy as far as the cover goes but none of mine leak. It would be helpful if you could post a scan of one of the stricken negatives.

_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

disemjg · Joined: 10 Jan 2002 Posts: 474 Location: Washington, DC

Are you using one camera body with both roll backs? If so, check the camera body for leaks, too. And check to be sure the backs are seating properly, with nothing (even a small nothing) stuck beneath them.

Of course, if you have been using the body with 4X5 holders as well as the roll backs, and have had no problem, the body should be OK.

Now that I think about it a bit, if the light leak is in the body the edges of the film would not be struck, just the section exposed in the gate. I gather that your fill is entriely struck, all the way across?

troublemaker · Joined: 24 Nov 2003 Posts: 715 Location: So Cal

Many bodies, many backs...only my 4x5 backs need new velvet ribbon before summer.
Went out and shot up a test roll over the harbor. Developing now in a different smaller, but newer style paterson one roll tank. Be back in a few minutes...
...and the winner is...
Oh, old tank is dead meat ! How far do you think it can fly before smashing to ground and shattering into many pieces ?

Will make better test soon, but feeling very silly right about now. Good thing most of the film developed last week was from Holga and can not tell which was leaking worse, Holga, or Tank??? Might throw Holga down the street too and see if it doesn't make more interesting images afterwards? Wow, art tool? Next they'll have camera phones...

But why would best roll back suddenly have major problem? what did I do different? Ahhh, ususally do not develop film during day light, so when I did tank leaked while loading developer I guess, maybe, I hope...

I will run some film back tests this week end and get a new mutli-tank and develop in that and see what is what before going psycho again.

Stephen

[ This Message was edited by: troublemaker on 2005-02-28 18:55 ]

45PSS · Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2005 6:53 am Post subject:

[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2005-12-24 21:58 ]

troublemaker · Joined: 24 Nov 2003 Posts: 715 Location: So Cal

Oh yes, I explored backs with flashlight and also on cameras...
I expect some minor leakage on these backs, but not total film destruction.
Old tank is one of the last items that have been inhererited, and eventually find thier way onto top back shelf or dumpster. I just liked using it and had grown used to it... Not sure it is the problem yet after one roll... but pretty sure since not one mark on test roll...
Thanks,
Stephen

glennfromwy · Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 903 Location: S.W. Wyoming

Let me know when the tossing contest starts. I have a few things to enter.

_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

RichS · Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2005 4:22 pm Post subject:

Hey, some people may want to catch!

troublemaker · Joined: 24 Nov 2003 Posts: 715 Location: So Cal

Well,
I am in So Cal, LA Harbor, but based on the aerodynamics of developing tanks, probably wont even make it to Long Beach. However, if Postal assisted, and someone wants old parts, it could probably make it pretty far...
BAsed on my arm strength recovering from bad case of flu, I could probably get it to fly about twenty yards empty, about the same filled with aero-liquid, weight to power ratio being the factor.

Oh boy,
Psycho photographer...
stephen

RichS · Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2005 9:27 pm Post subject:

To me, it sounds like the perfect opportunity to build a catapult!

You could start a whole new tradition.

Once a year, photographers gather with their no-longer wanted equipment. Contests for distance, ingenuity in throwing devices, etc. Categories in hand throwing, mechanical assisted and fully mechanical...

And of course, catching optional

or maybe another contest?

[ This Message was edited by: RichS on 2005-03-01 13:28 ]

45PSS · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2005 7:52 am Post subject:

[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2005-12-24 21:59 ]

RichS · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2005 2:33 pm Post subject:

Yes, exactly!

Except that I don't think anyone tries to catch the pumpkins?