Q about my Wisner

[Peter Collins]

I have a Wisner 4x5 Technical without a bail. Film holders--Fidelty/Regal all plastic--go in with difficulty. I want to 'grease' the pocket--the wooden 'rails' in the camera back to make insertion easier. I am looking for advice on material to apply to wood 'rails'. Thoughts?

[mdarnton]

I can think of a number of approaches, but I'd probably start with a wax of some sort--in my field it would be this: http://www.amazon.com/Picreator-Rena...dp/B0012S1XBO/

[Kevin Crisp]

Try wiping the edges of the holders with an anti-static sheet for the clothes dryer. Wax would work, but also flake off and fall down. Car wax on the wood surfaces will slick them up and not leave residue of you remove it after it dries.

Or have a bail installed by Mr. Ritter. I would NOT use grease of any kind.

[Peter Collins]

Try wiping the edges of the holders with an anti-static sheet for the clothes dryer.

I took this route and it worked like a charm! I did the film holders and the back itself by removing the springs and thus the back, and then I wiped the six surfaces--all wood, of course--that the film holder slides along when inserted.

That stuff worked very well! I wondered what was in those anti-static sheets, but the manufacturer ("Gain" they call themselves) doesn't enlighten. Deliberately, I'm sure.

[John Koehrer]

I use paraffin(canning wax) & just rub a little on.
Candle wax will work too.

[Peter Collins]

Thanks for the help, mdarton, Kevin and John!

[Keith Pitman]

I second Renaiisance wax. It's very hard and very slick.

[Doremus Scudder]

Chiming in late here:

I use beeswax or Carnauba. I have a couple of cameras with tight spring backs and usually just pry the back open an inch or so, insert the filmholder as far as it will go, then release the back and slide from there. That usually does the trick. There may also be a way to adjust the spring tension of your back if it continues to be a problem. I'd rather have a tight back than a loose one though...

Best,

Doremus

[AJ Edmondson]

IMHO Richard Ritter's bail-back is the best modification. Ron's springs are indeed strong and I was never able to "relax" them to any measurable extent. I agree with Doremus... better too tight than not tight enough but with Richard's bail you get easy insertion with no disturbance and retain a good, tight fit!

Joel

[MIke Sherck]

A third vote for Renaissance Wax. I use it to wax my Zone VI every year. I've never seen the slightest sign of it flaking off.

Mike