Using a Graflex 120 Film holder - Tips?

[Johnmcd]

Just picked up a 23 6x9 120 film holder for my Crown Graphic. Can't wait to run some FP4 through it tomorrow. I've got some 4x5 film but until I get the right system for developing the negs I can at least use 120.

Any tips on how to get the most out of this combo would be much appreciated, particular any framing and composition hints now that I've cut down the film area. Perhaps some tape on the viewfinder to make a 6x9 mask?

Cheers - John

 

[Gerry M]

John,
Some time back, I used a 6 X 12, 120 back on my CG. Online, I found an article that gave the dimensions for masking the wire VF to various 120 sizes. Black foam board was used. It worked great. For me, it was much easier than trying to use the OVF. I saved the mask (somewhere???) and will try and locate it. If I can find it, I will send you the dimensions.
Gerry

 

[graywolf]

The first thing to do is get the proper viewfinder mask for your lens and 6x9 film. At one time they also made a clear plastic inserts that had frame lines for both the wire frame finder and the ground glass, I have not seen one in decades. Not hard to make a mask of your own for the ground glass, you probably are not going to be able to use the wire frame finder.

 

[Spavinaw]

I am looking at a "Graflex Sports Viewfinder Mask" right now. It's the clear plastic insert graywolf referred to. It has frame lines for both 8 and 12 exposures and fits in the wire frame finder. One advantage it has over metal masks for the tubular finder is that it works for all focal length lenses. How 'bout that! Just for the record it is catalog number 9102. Probably easier to make your own than find one of these, but you never know till you look.

 

[kuzano]

Often found on eBay... one example

Often found on eBay... one example

Try various searches...

Here is one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Plastic-mas...?pt=US_Film_Backs_Holders&hash=item337622f7ce

I just light measure off the back of the roll film holder, and cut a thin black mask, which I put under the ground glass (between the GG focus surface and inside the camera so as not to change focus distance when switching to the roll holder. Or I simply draw the outline of the 6X9 measurement with #2 pencil on the Focus surface of the Ground Glass... faintly.

Make your mask template or drawn template just slightly larger than the hole in the Roll film holder as the holder acts as it's own 6X9 mask.

 

[BTMarcais]

For Handheld shooting I usually use the wireframe finder for 4x5, and ignore the optical finder- but when I got a 6x12 back (and later 6x7) I made masks for the optical finder.
For the GG I just drew crop guides w/ a china marker. Not fancy, but it works.
-Brian

 

[Johnmcd]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'll try both the wire frame and the OVF and see what suits best. Hopefully some shots will follow soon.

Cheers - John

 

[Gumby]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'll try both the wire frame and the OVF and see what suits best. Hopefully some shots will follow soon.

Cheers - John

I use the optical viewfinder and masks. That has always worked well for me. But recently got one of those masks for the wire frame viewfinder... but haven't had a chance to use it yet.

 

[Johnmcd]

Thanks for all help guys. The end result. Raining today so I didn't get a chance to try it out. Hopefully Monday.

and with the back on

Cheers - John

 

[graywolf]

Nice, you will eventually want to redo that with something clear.

The nice thing about a wire frame finder is you can see what is about to enter you photo area. That is why they are sometimes called sports finders, you can see that guy running with the football and start taking up the slack on the shutter before he enters the frame. Beats a motor drive all to hell for catching the action where you want it.

 

[mdarnton]

Tip: try to get through a roll quickly. If you leave a half used roll in, it can take a backwards curl where it makes a reverse turn and that will be in the middle of the next shot.