I need advice on 11x14 film holders.

[Torontoamateur]

I have now purchased an 11x14 camera. The next step are film holders. Which are the ones that will fit best and keep that big negative flat? Are there issues with converted X Ray film holders being used in a modern 11x14 camera? What is your personal experience ? I am thinking that two holders are enough for one day's shooting in a portrait studio. With the loading. Set up , posing and then the developing a full day is needed for four exposures. I want the film holders to be high quality. Thank You .

[Tin Can]

You will need to check 'T' on both holders and camera regardless\\

[Greg]

For years I had used Fidelity brand 11x14 X-Ray film holders with 0% problems. The ones I acquired had spacers attached to both sides that had to be removed for the holders to be used in an 11x14 view camera. For my holders the spacers were attached with 3 screws which were easily removed. I filled the holes with black caulking. Once the caulking dried, I neatly trimmed the excess off. I didn't think that filling in the holes was necessary, but the finished holders just looked so much better.

Only downside was that the holders were on the heavy side when compared to modern (Chamonix) wooden holders. Eventually sold the Medical holders and acquired Chamonix holders. By no means a cheap exchange but well worth the investment if you shoot 11x14 in the field.

I presently carry 4 loaded film holders that fit inside a padded sectioned off case which I found on eBay. Normally I shoot only 2 sheets a day, but every now and then I have shot 6 to 8 sheets when shooting rocks near the ocean or an abandoned large building.

You might want to post the make of your camera. I have yet to own a LF or ULF view camera that I haven't made personal alterations or improvements to.

[diversey]

http://thejournaloflargeformatphotography.blogspot.com/2016/08/11x14-fidelity-medical-cassette-11x14.html?m=1

If your camera is from a brand name camera maker, all modern 11x14 holders should fit and work. Like Randy said, double check the T. I also use Fidelity Medical holders as Greg does. These medical holders are exactly the same as regular Fidelity holder after removal of side bars. See the link above, which shows my documenting side bar removal. Enjoy your camera!

[Torontoamateur]

You will need to check 'T' on both holders and camera regardless\\

What is the "t" ?

[Torontoamateur]

I have a Wisner Technical Field 11x14.

[Vaughn]

The 'T' refers to the depth the film sits in the holder -- this is important as the film must be on the same plane that the GG occupied when focusing.

I use mostly Fidelity holders, but have an SS which is nice, a Sterling, a Hoffman,and some others. The Fidelity I trust the most. Also, I use a modified darkslide to get two 5.5x14 images on a sheet...I made it from a Fidelity darkslide and it will not fit in some non-Fidelity holders.

I'll carry two or three holders on an outing. Sometimes four if all day, but the weight adds up fast.

[Tin Can]

What is the "t" ?
Now you know and I knew before I bought a big camera missing 11X14 GG and holders

Found a back, but 'T' was way off and I still had no holders

Asked Richard Ritter to adjust 'T', install his Custom Bail Back and make 5 new wood holders to match...perfect!

Very happy with my Bitza, a Studio Deardorf

Shortly I had 3 new bellows made, image 2

I just got it assembled waiting for RR 11X14 back, that's 5X7 on it!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51058399553_3d55af4303_c.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/gp/tincancollege/JZ4u9e)Deardorff S11 Just set up (https://www.flickr.com/gp/tincancollege/JZ4u9e) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51122899976_a6558d9c47_c.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/gp/tincancollege/2zV39T)5X7 Deardorff S11 New Bellows (https://www.flickr.com/gp/tincancollege/2zV39T) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

[Torontoamateur]

I found some Wisner Holders so the T is correct. I think the Fidelity is also the same. I will stick with modern holders.

[Tin Can]

Courtesy and from Richard Ritter website

The complete 'T'

https://www.lg4mat.net/FilmHolderSpects.html


I found some Wisner Holders so the T is correct. I think the Fidelity is also the same. I will stick with modern holders.

[Torontoamateur]

Here is a weird issue. I have two Fidelity Elite Wonderful holders. Then I purchased two newish wooden holders touted to fit my Wisner. But they do not!!! The "ledge" on the film holder is about 1/8th of an inch too far up the length to fit into the slot in the Wisner film gate. I compared this to the fidelity and it was confirmed. The Fidelity fits fine.

Now what? I can remove the wooden part from the newish film holder and then use a router table to remove the width by the needed amount . Put the part back and see if that fixes the issue. It should. I cannot return the 11x14 holder because I bought two on Ebay ( $1,000 CDN for two when all the dollar exchange , shipping and duties were added) No returns allowed by the seller . They were not camera vendors, they sell many items.

I found a fix but only because I have a wood shop and decades of experience with fabrication. I have bought many hundreds of film holders over my lifetime but never has this issue arise. Until now . But there was a solution. Otherwise the film holder is well made and like new. I guess they were never used due to the defect.

[Tin Can]

https://www.lg4mat.net/filmholder.html

[Tin Can]

https://www.lg4mat.net/FilmHolderSpects.html

[diversey]

You should be able to return them since you bought them from eBay. What type of holders are those? Pictures?

[Torontoamateur]

https://www.lg4mat.net/FilmHolderSpects.html

It is the LOCK RIB that has an excessive space to the end of the holder. I can remove that piece and do the slight trim cut then replace it It is actually much faster than a return Your table of dimensions as found is extremely helpful Thank You very much !!!!!

[Torontoamateur]

You should be able to return them since you bought them from eBay. What type of holders are those? Pictures?

Ha ! When the seller says no return that is enforced. Anyway I can fix it easier than doing all the mess of goung back through customs and dollar exchange I Would not get any satisfaction and the result would have large economic loss.