[LargeFormat] Re:5x7 Press Graflex Film Holders..

[Jim Hemenway]

 >>>Sometimes the laquer yellows. It can be removed with laquer thinner 
or denatured alcohol and fresh laquer applied. If it isn't yellowed 
leave it alone.<<<

Be careful if you use the denatured alcohol as it usually contains some 
water.  I ruined a camera mirror once by cleaning it with plain ordinary 
tap water which washed most of the silver coating away.

Jim - http://www.hemenway.com


> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "tripspud" <tripspud@transbay.net>
> To: <largeformat@f32.net>
> Sent: Friday, January 09, 2004 10:19 AM
> Subject: [LargeFormat] Re:5x7 Press Graflex Film Holders..
> 
> 
> 
>>Hi Richard!
>>
>>      I spoke to Alan Brubaker on the phone yesterday, but
> 
> it
> 
>>appears he is back ordered and I would have to wait for
> 
> holders
> 
>>to be made.  He also makes large holders up to 20x24.
> 
> I've put
> 
>>him in my address folder.
>>
>>     About the 5x7 Press Graflex, this is my third Graflex
> 
> reflex camera,
> 
>>though the only one presently:
>>
>>      The lens is a B&L Tessar 6 1/2 x 8 1/2 and seems
> 
> like 10 inch focal length
> 
>>and f4.5.  The package the camera came in weighed 12 lbs.
> 
> and it was mostly
> 
>>camera, so it's a big handfull.  Fortunately, you don't
> 
> have to lift it to your face,
> 
>>and it balances rather well at waist level using both
> 
> hands.  The shutter lever is
> 
>>on the left, use the thumb.  It's a thrill to see the
> 
> image 5x7 without a focusing
> 
>>cloth.
>>
> 
>   The problem with the film holders is that the standard
> holder has a ridge to act as a light trap and to lock the
> holder on the _holder_. The Graflex has the ridge on the
> camera. The two will conspire to lift the end of the holder
> off the back. Even if its light tight it may be tilted.
> Check this.
>   AFAIK the reference depth for Graflex holers is the same
> as for Graphic holders of the same size. You can check the
> holder with a depth micrometer and a reference block. The
> block is simply a rigid piece of metal which will extend
> accross the sides of the holder, preferably with a hole in
> it for the depth gauge, although you can use the edge. Just
> measure the thickness of the plate and subtract it from the
> measurement. If the holder is a plate holder a plate of some
> sort must be in it to give a reference surface. The plate is
> usually held against the inside edges of the plate holder by
> a spring.
>   The ANSI standard depth for a 5x7 holder is 0.228 inches
> from the outside edge of the holder (its reference surface)
> to the back plate. Most sheet film is 0.007" in thickness,
> this must be subtracted from the above if film is in the
> holder when measured. That distance (0.221) is also the
> depth the emulsion of a glass plate should be from the
> reference surface.
> 
>   The B&L Series IIb 6-1/2 x 8-1/1 Tessar is 9-7/8ths inches
> FL. The front cell has a threaded back cap, very easy to
> remove, so you can clean the inside of the cell without any
> special tools although a rubber glove may help to grip the
> thing. I have a couple of B&L Tessars of ancient vintage,
> they are actually very good lenses.
>   Check the mirror of the camera. These were silvered
> mirrors covered with protective laquer. Sometimes the laquer
> yellows. It can be removed with laquer thinner or denatured
> alcohol and fresh laquer applied. If it isn't yellowed leave
> it alone.
>   Once you get the camera going you will have to get a flash
> powder rig so you can be really authentic:-)
> 
> ---
> Richard Knoppow
> Los Angeles, CA, USA
> dickburk@ix.netcom.com
> 
>   My 4x5 Super-D is the same way. Its a double handfull but
> very well balanced with controlls as for yours. No cable
> release, the thing was meant to be hand held. I've taken
> some good children's portraits with it, they don't think I
> am paying any attention to them.
> 
>