Reducing back for 5x7

[Mike Cockerham]

I have a Conley 5x7 and I would like to put a back on that would allow me to shoot 4x5 also.

Mike

[Ralph Barker]

I'm assuming your's is one of the Conley's built back in the early 1900s, Mike. (There are pictures at: http://www.fiberq.com/cam/misc/conb.htm and http://www.fiberq.com/cam/misc/conny.htm)

It is possible that a reducing back from one of the other manufacturers at the time (Kodak? Ansco?) would fit, but I suspect that may be "iffy". If not, you might be able to adapt a modern removeable 4x5 back, such as a Toyo, to the camera via a custom-made adapter frame that will preserve the light-tight interface. That's what I did for my Tachihara 8x10, for example.

Hopefully, someone else here will be familiar with the Conley's specifics.

[Ernest Purdum]

Making an adapter to put a Graflok or other 4" X 5" back onto a larger camera like your Conley is a fairly straghforward job for a woodworker. Good materials are the thin plywood available at model shops and the various thicknesses of mahogany and (I think), cherry, available from www.micromark.com. You can glue up several layers to get the exact thickness needed.



If you may want to use a Polaroid holder, you'll need to space the Graflok part back far enough to allow for clearance. A 17/32" spacer will do.

[Mike Cockerham]

I think the camera was made after Conley became part of Sears. It has front bed instead of the tail board.

Mike

[Mike Cockerham]

Here is the model I have http://www.fiberq.com/cam/misc/connew.htm. Also what other manufactures extension rail may fit it?

Mike

[james mickelson]

All of these cameras used pretty much the same backs which came off so that they could be rotated to provide either vertical or horizontal format. There are a number of reducing backs available. I've seen them on ebay.

[Ralph Barker]

One more factor to consider, Mike, is the offset of the face of the film-holder channel from the mounting plate portion of the reducing back. While not usually a big deal with conventional film holders, it can be an issue if you want to use a Polaroid film holder. Some of the older reducing backs may not have enough space for the front bulge of the Polaroid holder.

[jnantz]

mike:

if you can't find a back for your camera, get one of these from badger graphics

http://www.toho-machine.co.jp/Reducing.htm

i bought one 2 years ago, and they work very well.