Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
Hi
I´ve seen there are several types out there. Anyone know enough to describe which are which? The one I´ve got on my DIY is from what I can see the most prolific version. Can be seen here:
This version has prominent flanges for mounting to the camera frame, the fixing screws can be seen top and bottom.
Another version is slightly more compact. The flanges are less prominent, making it more or less completely square is size (outer). I´ve seen these on Polaroid Miniportraits 454´s. Seen here used on another DIY project (not mine):
The latter. Does anyone know which other camera´s where issued with this back? Does it have a model name?
I´ve seen there are several types out there. Anyone know enough to describe which are which? The one I´ve got on my DIY is from what I can see the most prolific version. Can be seen here:
This version has prominent flanges for mounting to the camera frame, the fixing screws can be seen top and bottom.
Another version is slightly more compact. The flanges are less prominent, making it more or less completely square is size (outer). I´ve seen these on Polaroid Miniportraits 454´s. Seen here used on another DIY project (not mine):
The latter. Does anyone know which other camera´s where issued with this back? Does it have a model name?
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Essie,
Although Graflok is a proprietary name, it is also a description for a particular style of back that was made by many different manufacturers. Some of these manufacturers made at least two different styles, so there are actually rather more styles of Graflok than there were manufacturers. I've had them from Graflex, MPP, Mamiya, De Vere, Cambo, Linhof and probaby more.
Cheers,
R.
Although Graflok is a proprietary name, it is also a description for a particular style of back that was made by many different manufacturers. Some of these manufacturers made at least two different styles, so there are actually rather more styles of Graflok than there were manufacturers. I've had them from Graflex, MPP, Mamiya, De Vere, Cambo, Linhof and probaby more.
Cheers,
R.
Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
Thanks Roger. I thought as much. I´m loosely thinking of a project for next winter 
kuzano
Veteran
Linhof "graflok type" on a DIY I bought
Linhof "graflok type" on a DIY I bought
Your first image is a Graflok back from a Graflex camera.
I have a DIY based on a wood box, a Linhof back, and a Mamiya Press breechlock face. Takes all the Mamiya Press camera lenses. Shown is a 75mm (red dot means made for Polaroid, but it's in a Mamiya helical).
The back is styled differently than the standard Graflok, but has the same dimensions for the Graflok style tabs and film holder specs. This back was a revolving back on the Linhof camera, but is not mounted to rotate here. The Linhof back is rather heavier than the Graflex made back. Since it's made to Graflok specs, it takes Roll Film backs up to 6X12, which was my desire, since the Mamiya lenses cover 6X9 and the 75 covers 6X12.
I can also mount conventional LF lenses on various Mamiya focus Helicals and shoot 4X5.
The lightest "graflok style" backs I have seen have been on the Gowland Pocket 4X5, but it seems almost every "Pocket" is a one-off, since I have had three and they were all slightly different. Also, Gowland branded some Pocket models for Calumet, so there are some Calumet Pocket models out there. Had one.
Hope this helps.
There is also a back classified as "Universal", but I don't know the distinction of that nomenclature. I think it looks similar to Graflok but differs in dimensions, making it less adaptable to all the equipment out there. Perhaps someone here can clarify on that.
Linhof "graflok type" on a DIY I bought
Thanks Roger. I thought as much. I´m loosely thinking of a project for next winter
Your first image is a Graflok back from a Graflex camera.
I have a DIY based on a wood box, a Linhof back, and a Mamiya Press breechlock face. Takes all the Mamiya Press camera lenses. Shown is a 75mm (red dot means made for Polaroid, but it's in a Mamiya helical).
The back is styled differently than the standard Graflok, but has the same dimensions for the Graflok style tabs and film holder specs. This back was a revolving back on the Linhof camera, but is not mounted to rotate here. The Linhof back is rather heavier than the Graflex made back. Since it's made to Graflok specs, it takes Roll Film backs up to 6X12, which was my desire, since the Mamiya lenses cover 6X9 and the 75 covers 6X12.
I can also mount conventional LF lenses on various Mamiya focus Helicals and shoot 4X5.
The lightest "graflok style" backs I have seen have been on the Gowland Pocket 4X5, but it seems almost every "Pocket" is a one-off, since I have had three and they were all slightly different. Also, Gowland branded some Pocket models for Calumet, so there are some Calumet Pocket models out there. Had one.
Hope this helps.
There is also a back classified as "Universal", but I don't know the distinction of that nomenclature. I think it looks similar to Graflok but differs in dimensions, making it less adaptable to all the equipment out there. Perhaps someone here can clarify on that.
Steve M.
Veteran
Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
ethics_gradient
Well-known
Interesting to know, I just won an auction on a Gowland 4x5 Pocket View this afternoon (thrilled, been one the lookout for one for a while). I'm curious to see how its Graflock back compares to the one on my Speed Graphic.
I've also seen modified "low profile" Graflock backs on one or two of those polaroid 110B conversions. Not sure what all goes in to doing it, but it looks convenient, and is quite a bit smaller than the regular ones.
One thing to be careful with when you're eyeballing backs on eBay is the older Graflex backs (used mostly on the old Graflex SLRs), which look similar to Graflocks at first glace but are incompatible with both them and the "Graphic" type spring backs. I bought a Crown Graphic that peculiarly came with a Graflex back, apparently stock. You can still shoot with them of course, but the regular DDS holders can be a pain in the butt to source compared to the Graphic/Graflock ones, which are ubiquitous. I think Graflex.org has a page that shows the differences to look for.
kuzano
Veteran
Pix of Gowland Pocket graflok type back
Pix of Gowland Pocket graflok type back
Here is a page on the Gowland site that has a couple of good shots on the Graflok slides on the back of the pocket model. Interestingly, not one of my pockets, or the Calumet matched this back. This back uses 4 screws (two shown sticking out on top) to change the back orientation. None of mine were that difficult, using the side knobs for back tilt to also hold and tighten the back in place in either the portrait or landscape position chosen.
http://www.petergowland.com/camera/
A 6X9 model is shown, but above it is a 4X5 model, where the Graflok type slides are slightly hidden. However, you can tell the Ground Glass portion comes off as it has hooks very similar to the Graflok Graflex ground glass setup.
Pix of Gowland Pocket graflok type back
Here is a page on the Gowland site that has a couple of good shots on the Graflok slides on the back of the pocket model. Interestingly, not one of my pockets, or the Calumet matched this back. This back uses 4 screws (two shown sticking out on top) to change the back orientation. None of mine were that difficult, using the side knobs for back tilt to also hold and tighten the back in place in either the portrait or landscape position chosen.
http://www.petergowland.com/camera/
A 6X9 model is shown, but above it is a 4X5 model, where the Graflok type slides are slightly hidden. However, you can tell the Ground Glass portion comes off as it has hooks very similar to the Graflok Graflex ground glass setup.
Last edited:
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dead easy. With Graflok, a ridge on the film-holder locates in a groove on the camera body. With Graflex, a ridge on the camera body locates in a groove on the holder.
Cheers,
R.