6x12 roll film back for 4x5

[Bill_1856]

Has anyone tried this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-6x12-Roll-Film-Back-For-4x5-Large-Format-Camera_W0QQitemZ270323874552QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFilm_Cameras?hash=item270323874552&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

[Greg Lockrey]

Looks like a great deal!

[David A. Goldfarb]

The ad says it can be used for 220, which is obviously not true if it depends on the red window as a frame counter. It doesn't seem to have masks or frame counting windows for other formats, which is a common feature on other Chinese 6x12 backs.

There are a lot of these Chinese 6x12 and 6x17 backs for 4x5" cameras out there, all of fairly similar design, some with slightly better or worse construction. I had a DaYi 6x17 back (also could do 6x12 and 6x9), and it was light tight and seemed to keep the film flat. DaYi is also sold under the "Focus" brand, and they also make a 6x12.

It pays to hunt around for some of these things on the European eBay sites as well. I recently bought a Widepan sliding back for Canon EOS mount on a 4x5" Graflok back and found it on eBay for $139+$27 shipping direct from Shanghai, and then found the same back on eBay.uk for 69.99 GBP+shipping direct from Shanghai, which came to $134 including shipping.

[DuncanD]

I own one identical except for brand name and the fact that mine has convertible masks for 6x4.5, 6x6, 6x9. 6x12. It works well with 120 (as noted, 220 cannot work). The design and construction are study and simple, albeit a bit clumsy to load.

[Songyun]

No, it doesn't worth it. I remember it used to be around 100. As far as I know Guohua's reputation is not as good as a few other 612 backs made in China.

[sultanofcognac]

I have one and it works quite well - once you get the hang of loading it. It's 1/4 the weight of the Arca Swiss 6x7 that I have and just the weight reduction alone is worth the price. It's a matter of choice, but I like to make things difficult for me (shoot with a 7000 lb Plaubel Profia 8x10, try putting that into a backpack!) so each shot I really deserve to make. For reliability I'd stick with one of the big-name brands, but for the price why not try it? It really works for me - light tight and easy to use.

Cheers,

Johnny

[Jeff Bannow]

I have the DaYi back:

ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Film-Back-Holder-612-6x12-for-large-format-4x5-camera_W0QQitemZ370130047202QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFilm_Camera_Accessories?hash=item370130047202&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50)

It has worked great for me. Highly recommended.

[David A. Goldfarb]

At the same price, the DaYi is a better deal.

[Bill_1856]

Thanks, Guys. I didn't realize that they weren't all the same, not just rebadged.

[Steve Wadlington]

I bought one of those plastic 6x12 ones wanting something light. The film plane was at least .0020" out and had light leaks. Not my best purchase! I did buy the Gaoersi cameras also and they function fine, the viewfinders are not great but work.

[p_markowski]

I have the exact model purchased in the fall of 2008 and it is a 5 out of 10 stars. It does not take 220 film, if you try to test that fact it ends up scratching the base through the paper backing near the end of the roll. Also the roll film advance nob is too small or too close to the back and it takes a lot of tiny turns to advance the film. And I not a big guy (even worse in the cold with gloves on) in addition, the glue or friction fit nob came off in my hand and I had to glue it back on after only the second time out.

Having said that, it is probably the cheapest way of getting into a roll film back. That must have a bit of merit. It has wet my whistle for the accessory in the future. My initial reason was for traveling, the convince and economy of space. This trip I'm also traveling with a medium format camera so film stock would easier to manage and make my pack lighter. I'll go down this road and revisit this theory once I return.

Good Luck, you get what you pay for.

Respectfully,

Peter

[gevalia]

Bought the same unit off fleebay a few months ago. Works like a charm with 120. Simple and solid. Mine did come with 6x9 and 645 inserts.