Will GRAFLEX take them all ???

[Gottfried Sandow]

I´m considering to buy a Graflex Pacemaker 4x5 with the standard Grafloc back.
My question is, does that Grafloc back accept all the other standard 4x5 film holders or am I bound to get Grafloc filmholders? And if so, are these double sided?

And if there´s sombodey who´d like to tell his GRAFLEX-LOVESTORY, I´m eager to hear... just to push my own decision further

Any help and advice appreciated !
Gottfried.

[Gumby]

The GRAFLOK back will accept standard film holders. Standard film holders are double-sided. Brand doesn't really matter - some of the brand nakes are Lisco, Fidelity, Riteway. I try to avoid older wood holders, rpefering plastic holders becasue they are less prone to light leakage. The GRAFLOK back will also accept accessories like roll film holder that can't be slid under the spring back.

The back to avoid is the one that requires the grooved holder (I think it is called the GRAFLEX back) but these are generally only found on the earlier vintage cameras like the Anniversary Graphic and earlier Speed Graphics.

[JasonC]

Graflok back will accpet all modern 4x5 holders, which are usaully double sided. However, there are something called Graflex back which would require special holders. Graflex back sometimes could be found on late model Graflex cameras as it was a custom factory option.

Jason.

[David Goldfarb]

The Graflex back is the norm on Graflex SLRs that haven't been converted.

The Speed and Crown Graphics generally have Graphic backs that take normal filmholders.

There are some good articles about 4x5" filmholders on http://butzi.net

A Graflok back (as opposed to a spring back) will let you use rollfilm holders that fit Graflok and International style backs, made by Graflex, Linhof, Horseman, Wista, and others.

[kuzano]

The newest Kodak readyload has grooves in the side for the Graflok back and it has a spring loaded film plane, which overcomes the problems of the early Readyloads. Fuji Quickloads (current models) also have the grooves for Graflok.

[David Goldfarb]

Didn't Kodak just announce that they were discontinuing Readyloads? As I understand it, the finishing was done by Polaroid, and since Polaroid discontinued instant film production, Readyloads are on the way out as well.

Fuji Quickloads, however, will continue.

If you want to use the camera handheld, focusing with the rangefinder and framing with the viewfinder, you might look for Grafmatic holders. These are my favorite for 4x5". They hold six sheets per holder, and you can cycle them fairly rapidly.

[kuzano]

Originally Posted by David Goldfarb

Didn't Kodak just announce that they were discontinuing Readyloads? As I understand it, the finishing was done by Polaroid, and since Polaroid discontinued instant film production, Readyloads are on the way out as well.

Don't know about the Readyloads, but I don't use Kodak film anyway. I use the Fuji quickloads, and unlike the earlier readyloads, the last Kodak Readyload holder works fine with Fuji packets and the springloaded film plate cures the film flatness problem of the early Readyloads. I bought the Kodak unit when Quickloads were in short supply and commanding over retail prices about a year ago. Quickload prices were 150 to 175 dollars, and I bought a like new Readyload with the canvas holder for $90.

[Gottfried Sandow]

Thank you all for giving me some clues. Now I hope I can get the ONE that i´ve set my eyes upon. I´m sure there will be some more questions once I have it safe.

Gottfried

ps.: ...what about some pictures and results of that camera. I´d like to know what is possible... ANYONE ?

[delft]

Hi Gottfried,

If you haven't stumbled across it yet, the following link might be usefull:
http://www.graflex.org

Greetings,
Dirk

[venchka]

Readyloads are toast. More fallout from Polaroid coverting from a film company to a shopping center company.

Grafmatics ROCK! Load up with HP5+, rate it between 200 and 1600 and hit the streets.