4 x 5 film holders ABCs

[mdarnton]

I have a bunch bought used that I've accumulated over the years. Personally, I think the key to buying used is to look at the corners that go in first. Are they all beat up and worn? Stay away. When I see perfect ones of any era on Ebay with a cheap opening bid and low shipping relative to the number of holders (figure bid + holders, divide by holders, stay under $4 each, is my rule) , I throw on a minimum bid and let it sit there. Once in a while, for whatever reason, no one else bids, and I win. I just bought 11 wooden Graflex brand holders on Ebay that were virtually brand new. Including shipping, they cost me $2 each. I guess because they were old and not plastic (???!!) no one wanted them.

Of all the holders I have, I think the wooden Graflex type are the best made.

[NancyP]

Wow, a great response. Thanks for your help, everyone.

[smithdoor]

I have purchase new and use both work well
I did sell some for cash, sold them for $6.00 to $10.00 plus shipping

Hope this helps
Dave

PS I am not sell any more at this time

[Alan Gales]

Nancy, I have bought Riteways and Fidelity Elites still in the box for cheap. The owners didn't know if they had been used or were new old stock. They sure looked new. I also own some almost new Toyo's that came with a camera I purchased. I have never bought new film holders.

I have sent you a private message about used film holders. Of course if you feel more comfortable buying new go ahead. If I bought new I would spend the extra money on the Toyo's myself. New 4x5 holders are not real expensive. Not like new 8x10 film holders!

[John Kasaian]

When buying Toyos, smell them first. Don't buy stinkers.

[Alan Gales]

When buying Toyos, smell them first. Don't buy stinkers.

I bought a set of American made Klein screwdrivers and the handles stunk real bad. My daughter and wife had a fit. I took them outside and let them off gas for a few hours and the smell went away. My used Toyo film holders don't stink but I know there have been complaints about new ones sometimes.

The funny thing is most everyone seems to love the new car smell and it's the same thing! When I bought my Jeep new I took the top down and got rid of the smell as soon as possible!

[NancyP]

This is too funny - stinky film holders. Rest assured that I am immune to most stink - I am a pathologist.
Alan, I am amazed that you could FIND American made screwdrivers. I go into Home Depot and everything I pick up seems to be made in China. The one advantage of made-in-China tape measures is that some have both inches and centimeters on the same tape.

[AtlantaTerry]

Nancy, some Ace Hardware stores carry German screwdrivers. Look for ones with a black handle and red rotating top.

[Alan Gales]

This is too funny - stinky film holders. Rest assured that I am immune to most stink - I am a pathologist.
Alan, I am amazed that you could FIND American made screwdrivers. I go into Home Depot and everything I pick up seems to be made in China. The one advantage of made-in-China tape measures is that some have both inches and centimeters on the same tape.

Nancy, I'm very familiar with Klein tools and I ordered them online. They are very popular with Electricians. I was also in the building trades as a Sheet Metal Worker. It's so depressing for me to walk into Home Depot and Lowes and see all the American tool names which I knew and loved that are now manufactured in China.

[toolbox]

Most of my 4x5 holders are old kind of beat up Riteways. They work fine, and I probably paid about $5 a piece for them over the years. Some of the fancier ones will be a little easier to remove/install the dark slide, but as far as being functional the old Riteways are fine.