Graflex.org

troufiyon · Joined: 08 Jun 2002 Posts: 3 Location: Indian Ocean

I am trying to determine the compatibility and availibility of accessories (film-backs etc) between the Graflex XL and the Brooks Veriwide (and possibly the Mamiya Press of 23) with interchangeable backs. grateful any leads, information, experiences.
thks/rgds
Jules

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

I had a Brooks labeled Polaroid back for my Graflex XLSW and it fit beautifully, I would suspect everything else would fit too, save for the 70mm roll back since it doesn't employ the Graflok back.

troufiyon · Joined: 08 Jun 2002 Posts: 3 Location: Indian Ocean

thks for obliging Les. does that mean that i must first mount a Graflok back on the back of the lens panel? any graflok back? thks yr kind input. rgds. T

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

Okay I was having a senility attack and had to go look up exactly what a Brooks Veriwide is. from this auction
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1357599665

It's obvious that this is a copy of a Graflex XLSW The roll back mounts on two locking pins, just like the Graflok back would on an XL. The polaroid back works off of these pins too, and to correct myself, so does the 70mm back by Graflex. If you want to use 120/220 graflex roll backs or mamiya RB backs then you'd need a Graflok back, but why?

You can also use the Graflex XL spacers to get close up, though you'd have to either get the graflex back for the ground glass or use a measuring tape to set the focus.

alecj · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 853 Location: Alabama

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

"be very careful about the light trap for the dark slide ... They are notoriously bad. And HARD to correct. ... I just couldn't get it to work light tight. However, they are VERY good in holding the film flat, so its just a compromise.

So you can you a Graphic roll back and have well exposed but fuzzy images or the Brooks back and have sharp but fogged images... no wonder the Hasselblad sold so well

alecj · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 853 Location: Alabama

To be more precise, it was the light trap that I never could get to work and be light tight. Once the trap was taped over, the back was perfectly dark, and eminently useable, but not interchangable in mid roll.

troufiyon · Joined: 08 Jun 2002 Posts: 3 Location: Indian Ocean

interesting, or am i just lucky? have tested both my cameras with both backs and so far all pix perfect and no light streak. but thanks a lot for your feedback, it will serve me in good stead if ever a ray of light appears - also good to ascertain compatibility with XL.
rgds/Jules

alecj · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 853 Location: Alabama

Great. Just keep an eye on those traps. Open the back and, with the dark slide removed, look up [from the inside toward the top] toward the back of the trap while you're in front of a light source. Hopefully you'll see NOTHING. The less you use the slides, the better.

Enjoy your camera. I've had mine [with an f5.6 lens] for about 30 years. Love it.

I forgot to mention - look for the wire finder Graflex made for the XLSW. Its # is 7361. Actually, its coverage is more accurate than the optical finder for the 47mm lens.

[ This Message was edited by: alecj on 2002-06-26 07:13 ]