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Thread: Reliability of Wood Film Holders

  1. #1
    Meat Robot Jay Decker's Avatar
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    Reliability of Wood Film Holders

    Purchased a camera that cam with came with a number of beautiful 8x10 wood film holders. The holders look very "fresh", i.e., like they were not used much at all. Are wood film holders as accurate and reliable as the plastic Fedelity and Riteway holders? Any other uses for wood film holders?


  2. #2
    Vaughn's Avatar
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    Re: Reliability of Wood Film Holders

    1) Did the holders come with the camera originally? Back in the day, holders were made to fit a particular camera -- not a lot of consistancy in the specs between brands. Not only in over-all size of the holders but how deep they were (the film needs to be on the same plane as the GG for accurate focus).

    2) Are they film holders or plate holders. And if plate holders, do they have inserts for film?

    3) Wood holders are less subject to static buildup and are sometimes lighter than the newer plastic holders.

    4) They were built to work, so unless they are damaged, or the material used in the light traps have broken down (unlikely), they should be light tight.

    I have a couple Hoffman 11x14 wood holders that are giving me some problems -- the film can slide down which can cause the darkslide to hit the film when re-inserting the darkslide...and pop the film out into the camera. An relative easy fix once I figure out how I want to do it.

  3. #3

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    Re: Reliability of Wood Film Holders

    Jay, I have several 8x10 holders that are similar. They look new inside and minimal use wear on the outside. The T-Depth is .187 +- the tolorance and there are no light leaks. They work just fine. They even have the metal septums built in as was the process at the time. The film is very secure.

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    Re: Reliability of Wood Film Holders

    I've had one old wooden holder that was warped, but I own several in various formats that work just fine. I do keep the back of my camera covered by a dark cloth while removing the dark slide, exposing and reinserting the slide. You can't be too careful with old cameras and gear.

    Peter Gomena

  5. #5

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    Re: Reliability of Wood Film Holders

    I think I have had every conceivable type of wooden plate holders in my grubby fingers! From 4x5" up to 30x40cm.

    Here is a summary of the problems I have found:

    1. The equivalent of modern fidelity type (like yours, Jay). The position of the ridge light trap varies (even between makers in Rochester!).

    Generally very good. Sometimes, loose, cracked or missing handles.

    2. Mahogany Book type.

    Again, generally good condition. Frame is always good. Central metal plate and springs can have been modified for "special purposes" or for sheet film. The aluminium usually needs the surface oxides removed and repainting. The dark slides' light leaks through the mahogany and hinges can be easily found. Mahogany this thin does often show skrinkage cracks. I have always filled these on both sides with black mastic. Cloth hinges occasionally have minor problems, but I have never had to change the tape. Dark slide tops can have starting or completed cracks which can be solved by glue (suitable for hardwoods!). Velvet seals last for ever unless eaten by some miserable creature!

    3. Mahogany (usually hinged as well) dark slide system without the book openings.

    More damage to the handle than the book type due to people trying to remove the dark slide completely. Very difficult to locate and repair light leaks.

    4. Tambour types

    I have only seen 3 types. Some were very good. Others in pieces. The end section where the tambour slide turns through 180 degrees is not always fixed with retaining screws which makes servicing/repairs almost impossible. Material is not mahogany, but has a finer grain. I have no idea how a light leak could be detected or repaired!

    5. Tambour/trap door type.

    Much easier to find and solve problems. These are very solid plate holders, made to stand up to several lifetimes in a studio.


    "Any other uses for wood film holders?"

    I have a type 5 which has been modified to function as a contact print holder.

  6. #6
    indecent exposure cosmicexplosion's Avatar
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    Re: Reliability of Wood Film Holders

    you can easily modify then to take tintypes

    i have about 12 woodies, mine are old and worn, and stiff compared to fidels, so after working with then, plastic is a dream.

    they are lighter than plastic.

    yours look nice.

    i am tempted to put a bit of dry lube down the very edge of my dark-slides to make em work better. or sand them back a bit as they are a bit rough from ware and tear.

    i allways fill up my plastics, i have 7 or so (one broken)

    and then go to woodies as reserve, so its good to have a bunch about.

    i have not had any light leaks. and mine are pretty old.
    through a glass darkly...

  7. #7

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    Re: Reliability of Wood Film Holders

    If they are standard holders, and they have not been abused, they are every bit as good as plastic holders. I prefer them to plastic.
    One man's Mede is another man's Persian.

  8. #8

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    Re: Reliability of Wood Film Holders

    Someone did a comparison test of various 4x5 holders about 15 years ago and published the results in 'View Camera'. Surprisingly enough the most accurate were wooden Kodak/Graphic holders and Grafmatics. I prefer Fidelitys, myself, but have made many sharp pictures using wooden holders. If yours are in physically good shape you should be fine.

  9. #9

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    Re: Reliability of Wood Film Holders

    I have not used ones i had for 4x5, but i did use Ansco/Agfa ones on 8x10. They were kinda icky at the start (have not been in use for a while i guess), but after some shedding and training - seems to be doing fine. As mentioned - they appear to be lighter than plastic ones , although not as smooooooth

  10. #10

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    Re: Reliability of Wood Film Holders

    The Folmer/Kodak wood 8x10 holders are superb. An advantage is that you can disassemble the lighttraps to remove dust and renew the velvet if neccesary.
    One man's Mede is another man's Persian.

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