Which brand of 4x5 filmholder is best?

[cmug]

Any one experience with the 4x5 Walnut Wood Sheet Film Holder ? (from Shen Hao ?)
You find these on ebay for ~€60

[Tin Can]

Perhaps this explains why my 2x3 plastic holders don’t fit Horseman and wood ones do.

The Toyo holders did have a bad smell from a batch, 3 or 4 years ago. Bad material. The older Riteways were similar to the fidelity holders OK. The bad Riteways were the ones with the numbering and the slides had a large plastic handle as well as the push button slide release. The 5x7 Fidelity holders also recently (last 5 or 6 years) were very inconsistent in dimension. So if you get some 5x7 fidelity or Lisco holders check them immediately on your camera to be sure they are not to tight so as to cause a problem and return them if they don't fit your camera correctly. Unfortunately no 5x7 Toyo holders are available.

[angusparker]

Perhaps this explains why my 2x3 plastic holders don’t fit Horseman and wood ones do.

The new Toyos have metal dark slides which are an improvement over the former plastic ones. They are apparently the best made from a tolerance perspective. I buy them exclusively now

[Tin Can]

At this point, I don't need anymore film or plate holders.

But I will consider Toyo one day and do trust your opinion.

Thanks!

The new Toyos have metal dark slides which are an improvement over the former plastic ones. They are apparently the best made from a tolerance perspective. I buy them exclusively now

[Leszek Vogt]

Yep, wish Toyos were available in 5x7 (stinky or not)....had to go with Fidelity Deluxe. Such is life.

Les

[cmug]

Is carbon fiber is not the ideal material for dark sliders today ?

[Greg]

hiking & backpacking - Chamonix
studio - Toyo
Of the 2 prefer Chamonix , especially in larger formats...

[roscoetuff-Skip Mersereau]

Love Chamonix film holders in 4X5, too. Very well made and give a sense of precision. You have to buy them new at fair price, but my preferred.

[Rod Klukas]

I have Riteway and Fidelity Elite, and need to buy some more.

I know there are other styles of Fidelity, and other brands like Lisco.

Anybody know which are best as regards durability, film flatness, etc?

Thanks.

- Leigh

When I taught LF at Scottsdale Community College, I had a student who had weird focus issues. After checking everything else the holders were the only thing left to check. The student had the Riteway holders that have large handles and the number discs. We checked one to see if it was at ANSI specification. Almost not! So we decided to check a variety to determine the best. We checked Folmer&Schwing, Graflex, Fidelity, Lisco, Metalmaster, Linhof, Toyo, Kodak, and some others. Generally all OK. But the Riteway were just barely holding the film at the correct depth. Often one side almost too deep and the other too shallow.
The very best were the Toyo holders. There within 1/20000 of perfect and holder to holder, and the variation was less than 1/25000. After this test we sent a letter to Toyo and asked how they were so consistent. They said they used single molds for the parts rather that fan molds. Anyway, they are well made with screws or rivets, as well as Glue, to assemble and so very sturdy. The Fidelity/Lisco were pretty good though not at the precision of the Toyo. So I would and still always recommend the Toyo holders. I have a bout 50 myself in 4x5 and 6 in 8x10.
Hope this helps.
Rod

[Bernice Loui]

Another vote for Toyo film holders... they are simply GOOD.


Bernice