Graflex.org

spidermara · Joined: 01 Jun 2012 Posts: 3 Location: new york, new york

Hi guys,
First, thanks for any help in advance...
Ok so I'm new to large format, and I bought what I *thought* was a normal 4x5 graflok back for my view camera. Instead I got this weird thing that I'm not quite sure what it is and can't find info online about it.

A fellow photo nerd said he thinks its a 4x5 adapter for a graflex XL (that's why I found this site) because of the pins in the back. But the back doesn't expose a full 4x5 inch instead crops it to a weird size - 3x3.75 inch. I don't want to put it on my view camera because I want the full frame of 4x5 not a crop. Why would anyone want it to crop it down to this?

This is bigger than a medium format so I know its not that but - what is this thing?? Can some smart person ID it for me? I'd be grateful. Pictures below.

Thanks a lot!!

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45PSS · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:09 pm Post subject:

http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/graflex_2.html
Its a Graflok back for the XL camera.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

spidermara · Joined: 01 Jun 2012 Posts: 3 Location: new york, new york

Thanks for responding and for the link

Ok cool so this is for the graflex XL, that's good to know.

The images in the manual show a regular medium format focusing panel 2 1/4 by 2 3/4.

This is my focusing panel with a hood (images below) its 4x5 inches, but the back will crop it to 3 x 3.75 inches.
This is why I'm confused, this manual doesn't mention this accessory.
So is this a 4x5 adapter back? I didn't think so because it crops it down to that random size, I would think it would be 4x5 if it was.

I'd be grateful for any suggestions.
thanks a lot-

45PSS · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 9:35 pm Post subject:

Format size is determined by the film plane opening of the camera, in this case the body attach point opening. All accessories however larger will be reduced to this opening.
An easy way to tell the format is to measure the film opening or the ground glass. The film holder is always larger than the film it supports.

A 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 film holder is 3.109 x 4.671 inches, image area 2.163 x 3.338 inches.
A 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 film holder is 4 x 5.565 inches, image area 3.131 x 4.228 inches.
A 4 x 5 film holder is 4.765 x 6.296 inches, image area 3.882 x 5.002 inches.
all measurements ANSI specifications for film holders.

My guess is its a 3x4 graflok back. This would allow 3x4 instant film and holders to be used on the camera.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

spidermara · Joined: 01 Jun 2012 Posts: 3 Location: new york, new york

Oh my gosh you are so kind for responding with such detail.
Ahhh I see a 3x4 graflok back, hmm yeah that's probably what it is.
I didn't know there was such a thing! I thought it was just 4x5 or medium format.
I don't own an xl and I'm not sure what to do with this thing, too late to return it.
Guess I'll just sell it on ebay! It helps to know what it is..so thank you again

I'm really grateful.