Can you refurbish 4x5 film holders?

[Pirate]

I have a tone of holders and many are developing light leaks through the felt at the dark slide.

Is there any way to replace those seals, because it doesn't look like it?

 

[Pioneer]

Sounds like it is possible. http://www.filmholders.com/rr.html

 

[Pirate]

That looks like it's for the older wooden film holders. I'm talking about the standard plastic holders that we use with more modern rangefinder 4x5's.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Don't think so with plastic holders. Many photographers used to separate "in studio only" holders (worn seals) and "outdoors as well" slides.

Or buy Linhof film/plate slides, which are rebuildable, albeit big & heavy.Or wood standard holders such as MPP, where you can unscrew the metal plate at the top. These are fully interchangeable with plastic holders.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Pirate]

Thank you, Roger!

 

[oftheherd]

Sounds like it is possible. http://www.filmholders.com/rr.html

Thanks for that link!

 

[Chris101]

You can always put a piece of black tape over the slot after loading.

 

[Pioneer]

That looks like it's for the older wooden film holders. I'm talking about the standard plastic holders that we use with more modern rangefinder 4x5's.

Sorry, didn't even think of plastic. Mine are all wood, even for my 4x5 rangefinders. Based on Roger's info the plastic ones may be throw-aways. Maybe you can build up the edges of the darkslides with something? A layer or two of paint along each edge may be enough to eliminate the leaks. May be worth a try anyway.

 

[oftheherd]

There is a raised piece of plastic between the two slides. I think it might be possible to glue felt on that and then on the thin front edge. It might cost more in time that it is worth, if even possible to stop the leak that way.

 

[Moto-Uno]

This may sound overly trivial,but I just leave the dark slide in a bit. Peter

 

[Pirate]

Peter, I've thought of that, but with a Crown Graphic and shooting on the street and moving around, it may not be practical.

Thanks guys, I'm just gonna order some new ones and keep the older ones for studio work.

 

[oftheherd]

This may sound overly trivial,but I just leave the dark slide in a bit. Peter

I was assuming that being done but there still being a light leak. Silly me. Especially since Pirate doesn't want to do that on the street, which might well be problematic.

 

[Pirate]

I've done that in the studio a couple times, but in the studio I've never had the light leaks show up, but that's to be expected since I was controlling the light.