5x7 Graflex

[pierre506]

Found the body long long ago. But it was without the front group and bellows.

[pierre506]

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Huge Cage~
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The front unit lost.
However, the curtain shutter is good.

[jnantz]

there's on one ebay a few days ago .. even had the bag-mag..
and this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5x7-Graflex-camera-with-one-film-holder-/221430708804?pt=US_Vintage_Cameras&hash=item338e4c7a44
with a film holder and no lens

[pierre506]

I also have a Graflex Speed 4x5, too.

Last week, I decided to combine them together.
I cut the Speed front part to fit the 5x7.
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It seems to be perfect now.
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After checking the focus scale, I found it's better to use 250mm to 360mm lens.

Waiting for my 5x7 slot film holders.

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

That is a nice solution. Was this originally for or from a Graflex Big Bertha?

One solution to the slotted film holders problem is to build an adapter for regular 5x7 film holders. I will try to post a picture this weekend, but I had the Grimes boys make me an adapter that locks into the back just like a slotted film holder, and you can slide regular film holders in with no problem. The ground glass up top has to be shimmed out by the thickness of the adapter and the different film positions in each kind of holder, but it is a fairly easy fix and completely reversible.

[jbenedict]

Pretty good solution to the problem. It almost looks "factory".

Personally, I wouldn't worry about changing the holders. Yes, graflex slotted holders are kind of rare but, if you keep a daily lookout, you could get six to ten of them which should be plenty. Set up a search in Ebay for '5x7 graflex holders slotted" and it will send you e-mails when those items show up.

The adapter idea sounds good, too. It is very easy to find graphic holders. I think you can buy them new also.

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

Here are two images of my adapter:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PS96I9Krbug/U7XxRKXp5XI/AAAAAAAACTs/vLgF1tpRCo0/s800/20140703-IMGP4689.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4XwLkzpN0fQ/U7XxRO-nl1I/AAAAAAAACTk/Z0EaennUBbo/s800/20140703-IMGP4691.jpg

It ended up costing a little less than I sold my ugly old slotted holders for, and allows me to use much nicer new holders.

[pierre506]

Thank you all.
Jason, I considered to put an adapter to insert the normal 5x7 film holder.
But I was not sure about how to keep the focal plane accuracy.

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

Yes, that is the hard part. For this it was worthwhile for me to pay Grimes to do the work and know it was done accurately.

[bbjorkum]

Here are two images of my adapter:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PS96I9Krbug/U7XxRKXp5XI/AAAAAAAACTs/vLgF1tpRCo0/s800/20140703-IMGP4689.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4XwLkzpN0fQ/U7XxRO-nl1I/AAAAAAAACTk/Z0EaennUBbo/s800/20140703-IMGP4691.jpg

It ended up costing a little less than I sold my ugly old slotted holders for, and allows me to use much nicer new holders.

How much did this adapter cost? Would S.K. Grimes also provide accurate shims for the ground glass?

regards, Bjarte

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

The total cost almost four years ago was about $350. This may seem expensive, but was actually very reasonable when I compare it to the cost of slotted film holders. In fact, I sold 20 slotted plateholders in pretty bad shape for $400 to fund this project. SKGrimes shimmed the ground glass very accurately, and I have never seen any sign of misalignment, even at very fast apertures.

[bbjorkum]

The total cost almost four years ago was about $350. This may seem expensive, but was actually very reasonable when I compare it to the cost of slotted film holders. In fact, I sold 20 slotted plateholders in pretty bad shape for $400 to fund this project. SKGrimes shimmed the ground glass very accurately, and I have never seen any sign of misalignment, even at very fast apertures.

Thanks! Much appreciated. I have sent them an inquiry, just asking to order the insert and appropriate shims. In worst case I can always shim the ground glass myself. I managed with my Graflex Super D after I bought a Maxwell screen for it.

:-) Bjarte

[bbjorkum]

May I use your images of the adapter in a Graflex SLR forum on facebook?

[bbjorkum]

May I ask what material this adapter is made of?

Sincerely, Bjarte

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

Yes, ok to use the images, thanks for asking. I think the adapter is made of anodized aluminum, with steel springs.

[Drew Bedo]

That adaptation looks so professionally done, congratulations on a good job!

Now think of how confused some "collector" will be in the future! Think of the late 21st Century guy looking at this well done artifact and trying to place the assemblage of 5x7, 4x5 and adapted parts into a meaningful (to him) historical framework.

[pierre506]

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Change to the Standard 5x7 rear group, then can accept the normal film holder and Canham's 617 roll film holder.

[pierre506]

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1st handhold result