Help needed with Mentor Studio Reflex conversion to 4x5

**erian** · 22-Jun-2018, 15:23

Originally Posted by alexvaras

I think I have located 3 of those double holders here in moscow. Later I will post a picture.

I am not sure these will fit. They look rather thick. But maybe because camera needs an adapter for the 9x12 metal holders.

**erian** · 22-Jun-2018, 15:27

Originally Posted by pjd

If you can find holders, the film sheaths needn't be such a problem. I have a 10x15cm plate camera that I use, despite having film sheaths I ended up placing film on top of a 10x15 piece of glass. It seems easier in use, though a bit heavier. You could cut a piece of plastic or perspex sheet to size and lay the film on top - or as Steven suggested, find film sheaths.

It's almost impossible to find film sheaths accurately described, but if you just bid on poorly described lots of rusty looking 9x12 holders you'll end up with a good number of septums (septa?) fairly quickly.

Hacking up a Mentor seems a pity, it might be easier and more cost effective to sell it and get a camera with a native 4x5 back.

I agree with the sentiment that hurting old cameras should be avoided but current back can be easily removed and returned, so I do not think that it will create a problem.

I see the cameras as a tools. Yes, I can use 9x12 (or 6x9) with it but I also want to shoot pack film and Provia with it (yes, I could cut it down). Proper holder would make it better tool.

**Daniel Unkefer** · 23-Jun-2018, 16:02

The ribbed 9x12cm single sheet holder in your photo were made by RADA in Germany. Kodak made 9x12 sheet film sheaths to fit those RADA holders. I have some brand new in the original boxes, 12 to a box.

Do you want to see the RADA catalog? I can post it (after finding it).

RADA 9x12 holder by Nokton48, on Flickr

**pjd** · 23-Jun-2018, 19:46

I've seen a RADA catalogue somewhere that gave the names of the different types of metal holders (millionen, normal & some other types maybe). If that holder has simple flat sides (no grooves or rails at the sides / bottom) it's the same as those used in a Perka camera, not impossible to find.

And Daniel is right, 9x12 Kodak film sheaths will fit - and there are lots of German made film sheaths out there too (Agfa made them, and I've got some unbranded, while there are also Soviet made film sheaths too). I have a bunch of them, but in use with varying 9x12 cameras.

Someone who used to be active on this site (Ian Grant) might be able to help, he knows a lot about plate camera stuff - think he's active on Photrio.

Having had a closer look at your photos, I think I have the remnants of a Mentor back in a box of plate holder bits & pieces (in an attic in a house in the UK, and I'm in Seoul right now, so can't go and check it out - but it's good to know what it is, thanks for having posted these images).

**Steven Tribe** · 24-Jun-2018, 02:03

I haven't collected this type of holder - I have used other 9x12cm German/French types - but I have some of different types and a lot of Kodak 9x12 sheaths that somehow "arrived"!

There are single holders shown as well as 2 NOS film pack holders, which I believe find use as dry and wet plate holders these days!

Glad you mentioned Ian Grant (IanG) who has not been here since early 2017 and hasn't responded to PMs! He is very well informed about T-P shutters and the plate/film holders etc.

**Daniel Unkefer** · 25-Jun-2018, 12:58

Found the RADA catalog. One of these holders listed will fit your Mentor Reflex.

http://www.galerie-photo.com/manuels/dos-rada.pdf

Actually on Page 9 is the Plattenkassetten, which is says fits the MENTOR. Takes 9x12cm film inserts.

So there you are.

http://www.macodirect.de/en/search?sSearch=9x12+film is where I buy some of my 9x12 film.

Color 9x12cm also seems to be easy to access, just not in the USA.