Toyo 4 3/4 X 6 1/2 Field? Tell Me About It

[John Schneider]

Another thought about 5x7 backs. I had two of these cameras (one with both 4x5 and 5x7 backs, the other with a 4x5 back).

I took an early Arca-Swiss (?) 5x7 back and adapted it to the second camera. I had to mill shoulders on both surfaces of the back plate (to mate to the light trap of the Toyo and to mate to the brackets that retain the back) and overall reduce the back in size. The back came out to a smaller package that the original back, with the GG closer to the body. However, this interfered with the travel of the rear standard locking arms as the camera folded, so I had to do some fitting by hand.

That camera with the adapted back has been sold, but here are some pics of what can be done to make a 5x7 back for this camera. The gray hammertone paint of the back nearly matched that of the body.

[Gene McCluney]

John, your adaptation of a Arca-Swiss? back is fabulous., however I think if I am patient enough I should be able to turn up a 5x7 back...someday.