Anyone made a graflock back for a Tachi?

[Ben R]

Has anyone ever made or fitted a graflock back to a Tachihara? The Tachi's spring back can be removed completely so technically it should be possible to fit or even make a graflock type back. I rang Jeff at Badger Graphic, he doesn't know of any that have ever been made but doesn't see why not. Any ideas?

[John Schneider]

I haven't done this particular mod, but all you really have to do is pick up an old Singer-Graflex grafloc back from eBay (or maybe Midwest), make or buy another back plate (just like the plate that holds the spring back now) that attaches to the camera rear frame, and attach the grafloc back to that plate.

I did this same thing to a Gowland that came without a back.

[Ben R]

To be honest I don't even need the film holding back, just the frame (back plate?) to attach the accessories to. Been thinking of trying out one of these 35mm adaptors for certain applications. They need a graflok back to attach.

[Scott --]

I made one for my Seneca, and it's basically like John said: Get a Graflok frame, make/obtain a new base frame that mounts to the camera, and slap the Graflok on it.

[Bob Salomon]

Wista makes a Graflock back adapter for their Wista cherry wooden cameras without a Graflock back. This adapter may be able to be attached to your camera as Wista lists it as fitting both Wista and Tachihara field cameras. It is item # 214532

[Ben R]

That's great Bob, I've seen the item on B&H (ouch, that's half the price my camera was!) but can't see where Wista list it for the Tachihara?

Scott and John, you say make or obtain a base frame, could you elaborate, I would not have any idea where to start.

[Scott --]

For my Seneca, I made a wooden frame with a little bigger than 4x5 opening, sized to fit the back of the camera (I mortised and tenoned mahogany - I tend to overbuild...). On the Seneca, you have to rabbet the back to sit inside the rear standard. The Graflok screwed into place.

PM me if you'd like more details or pictures.

[Ben R]

Thanks Scott, to be honest I'm beginning to wonder if it might not be a better idea, should I want to hang an SLR off the back, to be looking at a monorail anyway, my Tachi is not the most steady of creatures. I'll have to test that out. The price of the Wista is certainly not something to ignore and the method you suggest seems to be rather above my level of skill! How do you keep it light tight for example?

[Ben R]

Nope I was wrong, the back standard of the Tachi is rock solid for all that the front standard is floppy as hell even when tightened. Just had another look! I've taken off the back and had another look, I see what you've done Scott but I don't know how you made it light tight, would it be better to make it as they did with the metal clips on the camera fitting into grooves rather than just holding it in place by force of friction?

All I need now is a Graflex back and someone who knows their way around wood. Hmmm!

[Bob Salomon]

That's great Bob, I've seen the item on B&H (ouch, that's half the price my camera was!) but can't see where Wista list it for the Tachihara?

Scott and John, you say make or obtain a base frame, could you elaborate, I would not have any idea where to start.

Paul,

We are the Wista US distributor. B&H is a dealer. Their descriptions are not always complete. As you found out when you asked the first dealer - who is not an authorized dealer for our products.