📝 BLOG: mrleica.com/large-format-photography-4x5/ Kit List, Camera Info & Photos ▶ WATCH NEXT: More Film Camera Reviews - bit.ly/3eBvxq7 ✅ CHECK eBay: (US) ebay.to/2F0HoxY (UK) ebay.to/3ijzle2 (DE) ebay.to/3iqDNYs (FR) ebay.to/2ZJ3E75 (HK) ebay.to/32A8xBu ✅ FIND ON EBAY - 120 Film back for 4x5 camera: (UK) ebay.us/Xinil7 (US) ebay.us/Zxro6I 🚀 PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS - mrleica.com/leica-workshops-uk/ 📝 BLOG: mrleica.com/free-newsletter/ ➡ NEED FILM - mrleica.com/do-you-need-film/ ☕ COFFEE: Thank Matt with a coffee - www.paypal.com/paypalme/MrLeica ⭐ PATREON: Join us today for more videos! From £1/mth - www.patreon.com/mrleicacom
Do not do it again ! Do not put the Horseman film back in a Speed Graphic behind the ground glass. Remove the frame with the groundglass from the back of the Speed Grapic. Place the film back against the Speed Graphic and move the left and right slides to fix the film back. The thin Toyo and Sinar film backs can be inserted like 4 x 5 film holders.
you are absolutely right jacovanlith The standard 120 Graflock film back Horseman or Linhof Rolex isn't meant to be inserted like a normal 4x5 film holder, you stress the groundglass springs and I mean that the film plane position would also be wrong. to do this you have to use the flat 120 back sized like a 4x5 holder, you show us a Cambo back that is from this type.
I'm a 4x5 shooter. I have a Sinar F2 and a Chamonix C45F-2. I shoot 100% b&w and do contact prints, salt prints, cyanotypes etc. I always have a Horseman 6x9 back with colour film in the back pack. Colour sheet film is way too expensive but in 120 it's ok.
Thanks CM, nice! I hope to get around to making contact prints one day. When I have a dark room. Great tip regarding 120 colour film vs 4x5, yes very expensive!
I shoot with a Chamonix 4x5 and a Horseman 6x12 back (and a Hassy for square). 6x6 and 6x12 are my two favourite formats. I agree that the extra hassle of using an LF camera to shoot MF film is worth the effort. But then anything that slows you down tends to produce better results imo. 😁
I am looking for videos on roll film back for 4x5, and there he is again, Matt is everywhere lol That is amazing that you have an Aero Ektar, certainly on my wishlist when my Super Speed Graphic comes in, though I need to get a wide first especially for 6x7. I am trying to figure out can you buy Horseman film back and just get adapter to fit onto Grafflok, or are they manufactured the adapter plate with the film back?
Ive recently been gifted a graflex 4X5. I plan on using it mostly with 120. Ill offer the 4X5 as an exclusive poetrait option for my higher end clients. I dont see the ooint in investing in a camrea that shoots 120 as a handheld. The 4X5 is versitile enoghh to cover my needs. I just have a few roll backs. One for color, ine for B&W and one for square. Ill load whaaever film i want in that. I have a OnePlus12 that has hasselblad guts belibe it or not. I use that for most of my other stuff.
I have a Cambo (marketed also as Calumet) 6x12 back and finally figured out how to use it only to discover that it puts a scratch down the middle of the negative. (I can't figure out why.) But I love that you can slip it in like any ordinary film holder without having to take the viewing glass off. I also have a Wista 6x7 back. The main thing with it that I dislike is having to take the viewing glass off and then put it back on, which can jiggle or throw focus off or, worse, accidentally break the glass. The main reason I use the back is for color since 8 images is 1/8th the cost of expensive color 4 x 5 film. On B&W I shoot 4 x 5 film and just crop if I seek the pano look. Great videos! (Do a video on how to get models and what they cost if they are not friends).
Thanks! Yes this is an old video but agree I love the Calumet/Cambo backs that just slide in. So much easier. I have 2 now. Please download my free model eBook on MrLeica.com and follow there as a new model eBook is coming soon and tells you everything you'll ever need!
DO NOT PRESS THE ROLL FILM HOLDER BETWEEN THE GROUND GLASS AND THE BACK OF YOUR SPEED GRAPHIC. See 6:20 You just have to remove the frame with the ground glass in it. Press down with your thumbs the two springs with claws at the left and right side of the ground glass frame. Slide the frame towards the inlet side where the film holders do enter. Place the roll film holder and fix it by sliding over the two hooked gliders.
If the photo shops and the You Tube photo boys in Europe and in the U.S.A. had as much know how on Large Format photography as you have on Leica photography, everybody would trade his Leica and buys himself a 4x5 camera. I have heard annd seen all the LF photo professors. Are they the actors of the BBC Goon Show? Mr. Matt LF Friday in the USA talks too much. He is a tiny show off. He chooses optics with a much too small image circle for his big negatives. He thinks the long bellow extension of a LF 360 mm lens at infinity, causes an extra long exposure tme. The poor guy does not understand the optical formulas. I do and can calculate them by heart, because I am an old school analog photographer. Forget the Large Fprmat professor David Hancock who keeps on killing his Cambo SC 2 camera; after he had his morning coffee on the couch, next to his farting dog. Do not see the Technika vlog, made by Linhof UK. The lady probably hates her job and treats the Technika in a way she might damage the gear box of a Land Rover. In Munich at Linhof's a voluteer is doing something obscure on a Linhof Technika. I am not afraid of the bombing my photo stdio by Linhof or Cambo. Combo was never be able to find any photo studio in Holland since the Sixties So what about Linhof? I love my Linhof cameras since 1965. Because of the quality, the models, the after sale service, the brochures and the five huge books on Linhof Photography, published by Heering. Please, do not tell anybody I also cherish my SINAR Norma; with its four bladed Copal leaf shutter. On this 20x20 cm shutter all lenses on their boards can be mounted. A funny sight to see a trio: Swiss camera plus German lens and Japaneese shutter. In the Netherlands the photographer Jan Paul Mioulet also became a photo "professor". He now does photo workshops, publishes books on photography and is a photo technical editor of the "professional" photomagazine Pf. In my opinion the Pf is a kind of funny item, because "professor" Mioulet claims cameras must have the lenses of the same brand as the camera body. So me and Mr. Stanley Kubrick did it all wrong by mounting "third party"lenses on our cameras.
Cambo never have manufactured rollfilm backs. Linhof did manufacture rolfilm backs for 120, 220 and +0 mm films. Linhof also produced metal single sheetfilm holders for glass plates and metal inserts to hold a sheet film. SINAR made a Zoom 120 rollfilm back. Rada also made rollfilm backs and metal single sheetfilm holders Speed Graphic made wooden double sheetfilm holder, like Gitzo did. All international 4x5 inch backs will also accept 9x12 cm double sheetfilm holders. As an Englishman you should know the camera brand Gandolfi and the brand Butcher& Son.
Thanks Jaco, I think Cambo are a copy of Calumet or v.versa as I have both which look similar but different badges on them. I have some single sheet Linhof holders coming.. stay tuned! Toyo and others also make 120 backs.
Well, because there are batter medium format cameras with better lenses for this kind of sport. They are kind of light, not like large format gear. Those who know tricks print cameras on 3d printers to get designated lenses to infinity focus and make great panoramic 120 cameras. That's it.
I just gor mime for Xmas & a bunch of bits ro fo w/ i already love it Flippin amazing. I got the Grafmatic 6 shot automatic back, 2 shot 2x3 siding back & the RH10 120 645 & 67 roll film back. Theee area way fun. (:
Hi Tom, new 4x5 content is coming. Totally unplanned. In my latest best camera video people voted Linhof. That sent me down a massive rabbit hole and well.. new video soon! (I still plan to use some 120 backs too)
Horseman, Linhof Rolex backs are called in french "donkey backs" due to their shape, what's a nice word for them. You should also mention that all the backs of this type have a hole in the film pressure plate, to align the film start mark. The film start mark on the backing paper has to be positioned inside the hole when viewing the cassette from the back through this hole (on the front side the hole is covered by the black side of the paper). Once the film start mark is visible in the hole you can load the cassette in the back.
Ok, outgrow the Voitlander but it was fun. Now got a Graflex Speed Graphic late midel (1950s) I wanna try the Aero Ektar. Has a Nikon SW 75/3.5 for now. But I'm reading that it may not fit my front standard. I think i have the newer Pacemaker. Hopefully I can or I'm getting another 1. I want that lens.
On the Pacemaker it'll barely not fit. People usually file down or bend the part in the front standard that the rear of the lens catches on. Although, it depends on what sort of lens board you use. A lens board that is designed to have the entire lens hang off in front would have no issue, while a more balanced setup where the lens is partly recessed into the bellows will require such a modification. I just won an Aero Ektar at an auction and luckily the previous owner seemed to have a good setup already.
@@vipEmpire_ Ok ok I’m prepared to mod a 2nd set of need be. I want that lens. Lol. It’s a 1951 & 1955 Pacemaker Speed 45. It’s got the square bellows frame. Not the circle. If that matters. Can I buy just that metro bit to mod?
@@khanscombe619 The Pacemaker is preferable over an Anniversary since it has been generally improved upon; although an Anniversary is both lighter and has a bigger frame (the one with a circular hole), allowing for an Aero Ektar to be added without modification. There are tons of lens board designs out there to choose from so you should probably stick with your Pacemakers and figure it out once you actually get your lens. While you're on the lookout for an Aero Ektar, the cameras to look out for are the Graflex K-21 and K-24, which were equipped with the lens you desire. People also sell the lens already mounted on a lens board so you can use it immediately but those are always too expensive in my opinion. I won my Aero Ektar at auction for about $160 if you subtract the value of the other items.
Matt, I have a Crown Graphic and the Fujica GSW690, both of which I use for landscapes. I like both, but the bulk and weight of both are hard to deal with. I have 90mm through 137mm lenses for the Crown. Image quality on the GSW690 is stupid amazing. The Crown is fun, but the bulk of all of that usually means that I rarely take either camera out of the house. That said, the thing I want next is a Dayi or Shen Hao 6x17 back for my Crown. ;) There's very little on UA-cam about using either device, but the few videos I find seem right up my alley. Great info as always. Thanks for all the information you pass along.
Dumb question about Horseman film back 6 x 12 When you take a shot on wind the film on to the next frame you first push the little release lever in the arrow direction. The question is do you push and release or do you have to push and hold it there while you advance the film?
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Yes I think I'll do this and when the next number appears in the window let the advance button go and STOP WINDING! thanks for reponse
I have a Calumet 4x5 with a 90mm and a 210mm lens. I think that the importance of using a 120 back depends on how you shoot with a 4x5 camera. If you are using Ansel Adams Zone System and truly doing it the right way then the 120 back is not important because you are shooting and developing the single negative individually so that the gray scale falls in the right zone in the developed negative. I understand and agree with your comments in your video and it makes sense for none zone system photographers.
Thanks for sharing that info Chiva. Yes I think I prefer to compose 35mm/ 645/ 6x6/ 6x12 and often find "wasted space" in a 4x5 or 6x7 composition. Of course it depends on the subject* 4x5 portraits look nice :) Many thanks!
I always have a hard time hearing you, even with my phone turned up high ! That sucks because I want to hear what you have to say. I'm betting that I'm not the only one ! Please adjust your volume or something ! Thanks, LarryMac
Thanks Larry, sorry about that. Hopefully my recent videos are better. I tend to adjust the audio to the max without it clipping currently. Thanks for letting me know.
Matt I've been shooting medium format for years and many different cameras. Lately I just got a Graflex Crown Graphic 4x5 and I got a 22 Graffic back that shoots 6x6 and I'll soon get 23 back for 6x9. Also getting a Lomograflok Instax Wide film back hopefully tomorrow if it's on time ! Now I did get two 4x5 film backs and do plan on using them. But I just turned 66 and have never developed film in my life and have no equipment yet, but I'm determined to give it a go. So I guess it's time to get some developing stuff together and get to work. Going to turn one of my sheds into a darkroom and portrait studio and have a retirement blast ! I've watched this video about 4 times now and learned a lot. I have Grafloc backs on my Graflex and my Mamiya Press cameras and I prefer those to the spring backs. I have to admit I really enjoy shooting the 4x5 quite a lot, have to slow down and think more. I've been getting bored with digital and am mostly back to film. But I just have to start developing my own and save some money ! Sorry for talking too much ! LarryMac
Getting Into for fun experience. Started w/ the Voigtlander Besse ii. (From your suggestions) but realized I'd want more. So moving onto the Mamiya Super 23 to get used to it then I'd love a Crown Speed Graohics. I want it for the versatility & learning. But I would love full Bellows adjustment for product stidio & Macro bang-up video as always m8!
Frankenstein Speed Graphic. Matt your 4 x 5 Speed Graphic has been created by some tinkerer. Your Frakenstein Graphic has a Cambo 4 x 5 rotating back. That back has been fixed onto a piece of brown plywood and screwed to the backside of the Speed Graphic. (On top 2 screws) Placing the roll film back. No need to apply so much violence, not even press softly. Just push downwards the two spring loaded cantilevers of the Cambo groundglass, Slide them in the direction of the entrance fof the filmholder. The back can now be taken off. Fix the roll film back with the left and right stainless steel gliders.
Matt, both the cambo (C2) and the graffic, and toyo are good, the cambo is a "there & back again" style, to accomodate cameras with a "spring" back, not the grafflock back, or "international fit" style, in the former, the ground glass CANNOT be removed, so the slide in style is the only alternative ( unless you use a grafmatic {4x5" 6 shooter, which has 6 septums to carry the film}) this is the Speedy way grafflex shooters of the 50's did it, for press use, just shift the darkslide, for the next shot, I have both one of these, and a sinar vario (sinar zoom back, 6x4.5 to 6x12), great to have a "spare" in case the sinar jams on you, or as a way of having colour and b&w film, for the one shoot.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom thanks for your diverse views, i was a shooter for many years, and used many of these cameras. minus the Leicas, out of my price range, your vids are enjoyable.
one Pro for using these backs is the smaller sensor size, aka film, so you have MORE movements, due to the lens coverage (4x5 or 5x7, if using a reducing back); this also increases dof, as if you used 4x5 it is a lot shallower than the comparative 6x6 size, so you can focus easier, or use a ND filter, with less loss of dof than a 4x5 would have.
I have a Sinar F1 4x5 camera, bought it for 80 euros. Also have a Cambo 4x5, I believe it's called Super Cambo with red bellows, also for 85 euros or so. Then I have a Graflex Speed Graphic pacemaker which cost me about 200-300 euros, with a Aero Ektar 2.5 which I bought for I believe 600 euros. I do have a Sinar 120 holder exactly as shown in this video, never used it yet however. Still have plenty of 4x5 film laying around but can't be arsed to develop it, make too many mistakes which ruins the fun for me.
My Wisner Pocket expedition camera does not have the ability to mount a 120 film back. Since I enjoy pianos I got myself a Shen Hao 617 camera which still gives me all the film movements but only four frames per film roll.
Nice video, Matt! I'm sitting here looking at my CP Goerz with Dogmar 125mm 4,5 lens, a 100 year old large format camera, it looks quite nice, but I doubt that there are no light leaks. Sure would like to try it out someday.
I have a sinar p & f, deardorff v8 with reducing back and a nagaoka. I have a few roll film backs (6x7, 6x12) but honestly I barely used them at all. For b&w foma sheet film are cheap enough to shoot without worrying too much about cost. I also cannot manage the removing of ground glass / inserting film back on location - it's a bit too much hassle.
I use a graflex crown graphic with different lenses. For portraits I have a fabulous Schneider xenar 210 f4.5. The back of my graflex is the original and it is too fixed and I am not sure if it would be possible to insert the 120 back....
Im a landscape shooter and my first 4x5 was an Ebony RSW45 in 2005, followed by Wista Field, Linhof Technika, Toyo Field, Ebony SW23, Chamonix 045F2 and currently a Walker Titan XL. They are all compromised in some way or another. I thought I'd cracked it with the Chamonix, very light, very rigid, nice long bellows but able to also use very wide lenses and ample movements. However in the end it was too fiddly trying to alter multiple movements from the same locking knob. The Walker is simple, easy to use, unaffected by temperature and rigid though a tad heavy.
Shooting an aero ektar/speed graphic with a 23 graflex back. Got rid of the spring back, added graflok back. Super straightforward. Not so much so with the focus when shooting humans. They move. PS: I want to use a canon 0.95 on a m3. who would you have do the work to adapt the two?
You don't need a darkroom for 4x5. Look up taco method, you can develop 4x5 in a standard Paterson tank. Get a dark bag, load it in the tank in the dark bag and develop...
Using a large format lenses on large format cameras, while using 120 film is a lot like using a full frame lens on a crop sensor digital camera.....the centre of the lens (not always, but often for most lenses, is the sharpest area of the lens) gets used, so things like corner to corner sharpness, contrast, micro contrast etc are rendered a whole lot better.....hope I make sense?
Thanks, yes completely. I use APS-C Leica (+FF) so know the benefits of a crop (unless want the imperfections from the edges which is the counter argument :) ..for portraits etc.
I use intrepid mk4. I also have a 6x7 cambo rollfilm back. One advantage of Cambo compared to Horseman is that I don't have to take the ground glass. Just slide it like a normal film holder. One of the biggest advantage i think of having 6x7 back with 120 film is that my 210mm lens becomes a moderately long "Tele" lens because of the crop factor. similar focal length 4x5 native lenses would be super heavy and expensive. I can of course achieve this by cropping the 4x5 film, but that would be a waste of film.
I found a toyo 6x9 graflok back for my crown graphic and I love experimenting with it. It forces me to really slow down and compose and think about the image capture process
Nice video. You explained it all within 9’ ! 🙏 I have a Cambo CS with 6x12 cm (arca swiss) and 6x9 (horseman) 90mm and a big viewer-thing through which I can see the groundplate with both eyes. I can see the upsidedownreversed image without any other light! I had once a Cambo Wide (very nice). If you dont know it, dont look at it, because you’ll be hooked ! 😁
Thank you! Yes I tried to keep it short as UA-cam tell me people watch videos for 6-7mins only! Nice setup..I've seen the pop out viewers on some 4x5 cameras. I've not used one but they look useful!
I used to like to shoot with the old Polaroid back using the old Polaroid p/n film. Took a bit to get used to but when you did you could get some great results.
Ah sorry to hear Sainan. Can you import? Many of the items I have bought (not specific to this video) can not be bought in the UK / Europe so I have to import from Japan.
Thanks Rob, I bought mine in 2014 but I keep meaning to use them more! :) Yes film photography has made a come back so it is only a matter of time before people want to try 4x5!
Hi there. I'm looking in to getting a 6x7 Horseman back for my 4x5 Linhof but I was wondering about framing and composition. Do you have markings on your ground glass to guide you?
Hello, yes I use a white board marker pen or masking tape to mark the ground glass. I think you will see it in my other 4x5 camera video if look carefully.
Of course I use them, 6x12 on a Cambo Wide with the 47mm Super-Angulon f/5.6 or the 75mm .... However, I also use a Zeiss Super Ikonta 530/15 with 120 film giving me 6x11 negatives :-) Now that is small and light to take with me in the bag. Even better, I have two, one b/w film and the other color. Both CLA'd and adapted to perfection. So from Super wiiiide to portrait and detail, covered. Good Vid my young friend, again, you're hitting them out of the ballpark !
I use an Arca-Swiss F-Line in 8x10 and 4x5 configurations and a Mamiya 7II. To me, this only makes sense in limited, specific circumstances. I would only use a 120 roll-film back on the Arca-Swiss if I *wanted* to shoot 120 as a format *and* had a specific reason for using the Arca-Swiss's rise, shift, tilt, swing or its adjustable bellows (e.g. for 120 macro). For someone who shoots 120 and regularly needs camera movements, there are better solutions that don't require the rigamarole of composing and then inserting and removing a 120 roll-film back for each shot.
📝 BLOG: mrleica.com/large-format-photography-4x5/ Kit List, Camera Info & Photos
▶ WATCH NEXT: More Film Camera Reviews - bit.ly/3eBvxq7
✅ CHECK eBay: (US) ebay.to/2F0HoxY (UK) ebay.to/3ijzle2 (DE) ebay.to/3iqDNYs (FR) ebay.to/2ZJ3E75 (HK) ebay.to/32A8xBu
✅ FIND ON EBAY - 120 Film back for 4x5 camera: (UK) ebay.us/Xinil7 (US) ebay.us/Zxro6I
🚀 PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS - mrleica.com/leica-workshops-uk/
📝 BLOG: mrleica.com/free-newsletter/
➡ NEED FILM - mrleica.com/do-you-need-film/
☕ COFFEE: Thank Matt with a coffee - www.paypal.com/paypalme/MrLeica
⭐ PATREON: Join us today for more videos! From £1/mth - www.patreon.com/mrleicacom
Do not do it again !
Do not put the Horseman film back in a Speed Graphic behind the ground glass.
Remove the frame with the groundglass from the back of the Speed Grapic.
Place the film back against the Speed Graphic and move the left and right slides
to fix the film back.
The thin Toyo and Sinar film backs can be inserted like 4 x 5 film holders.
Ah interesting. I thought it was a tight fit! Thanks!
you are absolutely right jacovanlith
The standard 120 Graflock film back Horseman or Linhof Rolex isn't meant to be inserted like a normal 4x5 film holder, you stress the groundglass springs and I mean that the film plane position would also be wrong.
to do this you have to use the flat 120 back sized like a 4x5 holder, you show us a Cambo back that is from this type.
I'm a 4x5 shooter. I have a Sinar F2 and a Chamonix C45F-2. I shoot 100% b&w and do contact prints, salt prints, cyanotypes etc. I always have a Horseman 6x9 back with colour film in the back pack. Colour sheet film is way too expensive but in 120 it's ok.
Thanks CM, nice! I hope to get around to making contact prints one day. When I have a dark room. Great tip regarding 120 colour film vs 4x5, yes very expensive!
I shoot with a Chamonix 4x5 and a Horseman 6x12 back (and a Hassy for square). 6x6 and 6x12 are my two favourite formats. I agree that the extra hassle of using an LF camera to shoot MF film is worth the effort. But then anything that slows you down tends to produce better results imo. 😁
Cheers Mike, nice. Yes it's nice for "a day of photography" and enjoying a walk or a location.
Cambo does not build rollfilm back.
It is a Calumet back;
can be slide in like a film older.
Thanks Jaco, noted thanks
I am looking for videos on roll film back for 4x5, and there he is again, Matt is everywhere lol
That is amazing that you have an Aero Ektar, certainly on my wishlist when my Super Speed Graphic comes in, though I need to get a wide first especially for 6x7. I am trying to figure out can you buy Horseman film back and just get adapter to fit onto Grafflok, or are they manufactured the adapter plate with the film back?
Haha I need to dust off my 4x5s! All my roll backs fit all my cameras if that helps, all brands, backs and cameras.
Does 4x5 give a different FOV compared to mediumformat with 120-back?
(like how 35 vs 120 gives different FOV's)
Yes just think of it as APS-C vs FF. You see a big difference in DOF for portraits etc
Ive recently been gifted a graflex 4X5. I plan on using it mostly with 120. Ill offer the 4X5 as an exclusive poetrait option for my higher end clients. I dont see the ooint in investing in a camrea that shoots 120 as a handheld. The 4X5 is versitile enoghh to cover my needs. I just have a few roll backs. One for color, ine for B&W and one for square. Ill load whaaever film i want in that. I have a OnePlus12 that has hasselblad guts belibe it or not. I use that for most of my other stuff.
Great!
I have a Cambo (marketed also as Calumet) 6x12 back and finally figured out how to use it only to discover that it puts a scratch down the middle of the negative. (I can't figure out why.) But I love that you can slip it in like any ordinary film holder without having to take the viewing glass off. I also have a Wista 6x7 back. The main thing with it that I dislike is having to take the viewing glass off and then put it back on, which can jiggle or throw focus off or, worse, accidentally break the glass. The main reason I use the back is for color since 8 images is 1/8th the cost of expensive color 4 x 5 film. On B&W I shoot 4 x 5 film and just crop if I seek the pano look. Great videos! (Do a video on how to get models and what they cost if they are not friends).
Thanks! Yes this is an old video but agree I love the Calumet/Cambo backs that just slide in. So much easier. I have 2 now. Please download my free model eBook on MrLeica.com and follow there as a new model eBook is coming soon and tells you everything you'll ever need!
DO NOT PRESS THE ROLL FILM HOLDER
BETWEEN THE GROUND GLASS AND THE
BACK OF YOUR SPEED GRAPHIC. See 6:20
You just have to remove the frame with the ground glass in it.
Press down with your thumbs the two springs with claws
at the left and right side of the ground glass frame.
Slide the frame towards the inlet side where the film holders do enter.
Place the roll film holder and fix it by sliding over the two hooked gliders.
Thanks Jaco, yes sorry it was a newbie error. I now remove the glass.
If the photo shops and the You Tube photo boys in Europe and in the U.S.A. had as much know how on Large Format photography as you have on Leica photography, everybody would trade his Leica and buys himself a 4x5 camera. I have heard annd seen all the LF photo professors. Are they the
actors of the BBC Goon Show?
Mr. Matt LF Friday in the USA talks too much. He is a tiny show off. He chooses optics with a much too
small image circle for his big negatives. He thinks the long bellow extension of a LF 360 mm lens at infinity, causes an extra long exposure tme. The poor guy does not understand the optical formulas. I do and can calculate them by heart, because I am an old school analog photographer.
Forget the Large Fprmat professor David Hancock who keeps on killing his Cambo SC 2 camera; after he
had his morning coffee on the couch, next to his farting dog.
Do not see the Technika vlog, made by Linhof UK. The lady probably hates her job and treats the Technika in a way she might damage the gear box of a Land Rover.
In Munich at Linhof's a voluteer is doing something obscure on a Linhof Technika.
I am not afraid of the bombing my photo stdio by Linhof or Cambo.
Combo was never be able to find any photo studio in Holland since the Sixties
So what about Linhof?
I love my Linhof cameras since 1965. Because of the quality, the models, the after sale service, the brochures and the five huge books on Linhof Photography, published by Heering.
Please, do not tell anybody I also cherish my SINAR Norma; with its four bladed Copal leaf shutter. On this 20x20 cm shutter all lenses on their boards can be mounted. A funny sight to see a trio: Swiss camera plus German lens and Japaneese shutter.
In the Netherlands the photographer Jan Paul Mioulet also became a photo "professor". He now does
photo workshops, publishes books on photography and is a photo technical editor of the "professional" photomagazine Pf.
In my opinion the Pf is a kind of funny item, because "professor" Mioulet claims cameras must have
the lenses of the same brand as the camera body.
So me and Mr. Stanley Kubrick did it all wrong by mounting "third party"lenses on our cameras.
Thanks Jaco!
Cambo never have manufactured rollfilm backs.
Linhof did manufacture rolfilm backs for 120, 220 and +0 mm films.
Linhof also produced metal single sheetfilm holders for glass plates and metal inserts to hold a sheet film.
SINAR made a Zoom 120 rollfilm back.
Rada also made rollfilm backs and metal single sheetfilm holders
Speed Graphic made wooden double sheetfilm holder,
like Gitzo did.
All international 4x5 inch backs will also accept 9x12 cm double sheetfilm holders.
As an Englishman you should know the camera brand Gandolfi
and the brand Butcher& Son.
Thanks Jaco, I think Cambo are a copy of Calumet or v.versa as I have both which look similar but different badges on them. I have some single sheet Linhof holders coming.. stay tuned! Toyo and others also make 120 backs.
Well, because there are batter medium format cameras with better lenses for this kind of sport. They are kind of light, not like large format gear. Those who know tricks print cameras on 3d printers to get designated lenses to infinity focus and make great panoramic 120 cameras. That's it.
Yes there are lots of 3D printed options out there now. Great to handhold.
I just gor mime for Xmas & a bunch of bits ro fo w/ i already love it Flippin amazing. I got the Grafmatic 6 shot automatic back, 2 shot 2x3 siding back & the RH10 120 645 & 67 roll film back. Theee area way fun. (:
Congrats! Yes a lot of fun!
wow, 6x12 film backs are around $1K on Ebay :)
6x9 - 8EXP/120 are much more affordable at around $150US
Eek! Look around you will find cheaper if you wait. Some sellers just try their luck and list silly prices.
I use a WISTA 4x5 would love to get a 6x12 back but these days found way outside my budget
Hi Tom, new 4x5 content is coming. Totally unplanned. In my latest best camera video people voted Linhof. That sent me down a massive rabbit hole and well.. new video soon! (I still plan to use some 120 backs too)
Horseman, Linhof Rolex backs are called in french "donkey backs" due to their shape, what's a nice word for them.
You should also mention that all the backs of this type have a hole in the film pressure plate, to align the film start mark.
The film start mark on the backing paper has to be positioned inside the hole when viewing the cassette from the back through this hole (on the front side the hole is covered by the black side of the paper).
Once the film start mark is visible in the hole you can load the cassette in the back.
Great info about the name and thanks for pointing out about the loading.
Ok, outgrow the Voitlander but it was fun. Now got a Graflex Speed Graphic late midel (1950s) I wanna try the Aero Ektar. Has a Nikon SW 75/3.5 for now. But I'm reading that it may not fit my front standard. I think i have the newer Pacemaker. Hopefully I can or I'm getting another 1. I want that lens.
It's a fun lens for sure!
On the Pacemaker it'll barely not fit. People usually file down or bend the part in the front standard that the rear of the lens catches on. Although, it depends on what sort of lens board you use. A lens board that is designed to have the entire lens hang off in front would have no issue, while a more balanced setup where the lens is partly recessed into the bellows will require such a modification. I just won an Aero Ektar at an auction and luckily the previous owner seemed to have a good setup already.
@@vipEmpire_ Ok ok I’m prepared to mod a 2nd set of need be. I want that lens. Lol. It’s a 1951 & 1955 Pacemaker Speed 45. It’s got the square bellows frame. Not the circle. If that matters. Can I buy just that metro bit to mod?
@@khanscombe619 The Pacemaker is preferable over an Anniversary since it has been generally improved upon; although an Anniversary is both lighter and has a bigger frame (the one with a circular hole), allowing for an Aero Ektar to be added without modification. There are tons of lens board designs out there to choose from so you should probably stick with your Pacemakers and figure it out once you actually get your lens.
While you're on the lookout for an Aero Ektar, the cameras to look out for are the Graflex K-21 and K-24, which were equipped with the lens you desire. People also sell the lens already mounted on a lens board so you can use it immediately but those are always too expensive in my opinion. I won my Aero Ektar at auction for about $160 if you subtract the value of the other items.
@@vipEmpire_ yes mine was mod’d before I bought it
sorry, what was that lens called? could not quite understand you, thanks
I saw your next message. Thanks.
sorry again, ignore my last, just saw the name on the screen, thanks.
Thanks William, no problem!
Matt, I have a Crown Graphic and the Fujica GSW690, both of which I use for landscapes. I like both, but the bulk and weight of both are hard to deal with. I have 90mm through 137mm lenses for the Crown. Image quality on the GSW690 is stupid amazing. The Crown is fun, but the bulk of all of that usually means that I rarely take either camera out of the house. That said, the thing I want next is a Dayi or Shen Hao 6x17 back for my Crown. ;) There's very little on UA-cam about using either device, but the few videos I find seem right up my alley. Great info as always. Thanks for all the information you pass along.
Nice Brad! Check out Nick Carver, he has a Shen Hao and he's an awesome UA-camr! (i'm a big fan)
Dumb question about Horseman film back 6 x 12 When you take a shot on wind the film on to the next frame you first push the little release lever in the arrow direction. The question is do you push and release or do you have to push and hold it there while you advance the film?
From memory push and advance, I think it goes back to lock mode otherwise.. I think.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Yes I think I'll do this and when the next number appears in the window let the advance button go and STOP WINDING! thanks for reponse
I have a Calumet 4x5 with a 90mm and a 210mm lens. I think that the importance of using a 120 back depends on how you shoot with a 4x5 camera. If you are using Ansel Adams Zone System and truly doing it the right way then the 120 back is not important because you are shooting and developing the single negative individually so that the gray scale falls in the right zone in the developed negative. I understand and agree with your comments in your video and it makes sense for none zone system photographers.
Thanks for sharing that info Chiva. Yes I think I prefer to compose 35mm/ 645/ 6x6/ 6x12 and often find "wasted space" in a 4x5 or 6x7 composition. Of course it depends on the subject* 4x5 portraits look nice :) Many thanks!
I always have a hard time hearing you, even with my phone turned up high ! That sucks because I want to hear what you have to say. I'm betting that I'm not the only one !
Please adjust your volume or something !
Thanks, LarryMac
Thanks Larry, sorry about that. Hopefully my recent videos are better. I tend to adjust the audio to the max without it clipping currently. Thanks for letting me know.
Matt I've been shooting medium format for years and many different cameras. Lately I just got a Graflex Crown Graphic 4x5 and I got a 22 Graffic back that shoots 6x6 and I'll soon get 23 back for 6x9. Also getting a Lomograflok Instax Wide film back hopefully tomorrow if it's on time ! Now I did get two 4x5 film backs and do plan on using them. But I just turned 66 and have never developed film in my life and have no equipment yet, but I'm determined to give it a go. So I guess it's time to get some developing stuff together and get to work. Going to turn one of my sheds into a darkroom and portrait studio and have a retirement blast ! I've watched this video about 4 times now and learned a lot. I have Grafloc backs on my Graflex and my Mamiya Press cameras and I prefer those to the spring backs. I have to admit I really enjoy shooting the 4x5 quite a lot, have to slow down and think more. I've been getting bored with digital and am mostly back to film. But I just have to start developing my own and save some money ! Sorry for talking too much !
LarryMac
@@larrymccormick3226 thanks Larry! You’re shed conversion sounds great fun! I’m sure you’ll enjoy the 4x5 (I need to use mine again too!)
7:15 this shot is amazing!
Thanks Lugen! :) I need to use it again
Getting Into for fun experience. Started w/ the Voigtlander Besse ii. (From your suggestions) but realized I'd want more. So moving onto the Mamiya Super 23 to get used to it then I'd love a Crown Speed Graohics. I want it for the versatility & learning. But I would love full Bellows adjustment for product stidio & Macro bang-up video as always m8!
Nice!! Thanks mate ..yes it’s a never ending journey! Haha
Frankenstein Speed Graphic. Matt your 4 x 5 Speed Graphic has been
created by some tinkerer.
Your Frakenstein Graphic has a Cambo 4 x 5
rotating back. That back has been fixed onto a piece of brown plywood
and screwed to the backside of the Speed Graphic. (On top 2 screws)
Placing the roll film back. No need to apply so much violence, not even
press softly. Just push downwards
the two spring loaded cantilevers
of the Cambo groundglass, Slide them in the direction of the entrance
fof the filmholder. The back can now be taken off.
Fix the roll film back with the left and right stainless steel gliders.
Thanks Jaco!
Matt, both the cambo (C2) and the graffic, and toyo are good, the cambo is a "there & back again" style, to accomodate cameras with a "spring" back, not the grafflock back, or "international fit" style, in the former, the ground glass CANNOT be removed, so the slide in style is the only alternative ( unless you use a grafmatic {4x5" 6 shooter, which has 6 septums to carry the film}) this is the Speedy way grafflex shooters of the 50's did it, for press use, just shift the darkslide, for the next shot, I have both one of these, and a sinar vario (sinar zoom back, 6x4.5 to 6x12), great to have a "spare" in case the sinar jams on you, or as a way of having colour and b&w film, for the one shoot.
Thanks Andy, great info! Yes I sometimes used 2 backs with different film.
linholf tenikardan. a lot of $$$$ but really nice.
Thanks Bob!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom thanks for your diverse views, i was a shooter for many years, and used many of these cameras. minus the Leicas, out of my price range, your vids are enjoyable.
@@bobk888 thank you Bob!
one Pro for using these backs is the smaller sensor size, aka film, so you have MORE movements, due to the lens coverage (4x5 or 5x7, if using a reducing back); this also increases dof, as if you used 4x5 it is a lot shallower than the comparative 6x6 size, so you can focus easier, or use a ND filter, with less loss of dof than a 4x5 would have.
Thanks, yes I must try to find time to dust off these cameras. The 120 back setup worked well for me.
I have a Sinar F1 4x5 camera, bought it for 80 euros.
Also have a Cambo 4x5, I believe it's called Super Cambo with red bellows, also for 85 euros or so.
Then I have a Graflex Speed Graphic pacemaker which cost me about 200-300 euros, with a Aero Ektar 2.5 which I bought for I believe 600 euros.
I do have a Sinar 120 holder exactly as shown in this video, never used it yet however. Still have plenty of 4x5 film laying around but can't be arsed to develop it, make too many mistakes which ruins the fun for me.
Thanks Manny, you paid great prices! With a little more practice you’ll get good I’m sure 👍🏻
EBONY 4x5
Hey Chris thanks!.. nice! :)
My Wisner Pocket expedition camera does not have the ability to mount a 120 film back. Since I enjoy pianos I got myself a Shen Hao 617 camera which still gives me all the film movements but only four frames per film roll.
Thanks Peter! Woo Shen Hao 617!! Very nice. They are sought after cameras I think.
Nice video, Matt! I'm sitting here looking at my CP Goerz with Dogmar 125mm 4,5 lens, a 100 year old large format camera, it looks quite nice, but I doubt that there are no light leaks. Sure would like to try it out someday.
Thanks Kalle! Great. Yes I find LF fun but normally I have limited time so I tend to use faster formats.
I have a sinar p & f, deardorff v8 with reducing back and a nagaoka. I have a few roll film backs (6x7, 6x12) but honestly I barely used them at all. For b&w foma sheet film are cheap enough to shoot without worrying too much about cost. I also cannot manage the removing of ground glass / inserting film back on location - it's a bit too much hassle.
Yes that's fair enough and agree Foma 4x5 is great value.
I use a graflex crown graphic with different lenses. For portraits I have a fabulous Schneider xenar 210 f4.5. The back of my graflex is the original and it is too fixed and I am not sure if it would be possible to insert the 120 back....
Hi Pedro, nice! Some cameras let you un-clip the back but I’m not sure on specific cameras.
Im a landscape shooter and my first 4x5 was an Ebony RSW45 in 2005, followed by Wista Field, Linhof Technika, Toyo Field, Ebony SW23, Chamonix 045F2 and currently a Walker Titan XL. They are all compromised in some way or another. I thought I'd cracked it with the Chamonix, very light, very rigid, nice long bellows but able to also use very wide lenses and ample movements. However in the end it was too fiddly trying to alter multiple movements from the same locking knob. The Walker is simple, easy to use, unaffected by temperature and rigid though a tad heavy.
Thanks for the info Paul!
Shooting an aero ektar/speed graphic with a 23 graflex back. Got rid of the spring back, added graflok back. Super straightforward. Not so much so with the focus when shooting humans.
They move.
PS: I want to use a canon 0.95 on a m3. who would you have do the work to adapt the two?
Thanks re. Aero Ektar! Yes you need to get a 0.95 that is converted to LTM or M mount to use on M3.
You don't need a darkroom for 4x5. Look up taco method, you can develop 4x5 in a standard Paterson tank. Get a dark bag, load it in the tank in the dark bag and develop...
Thanks! Yes I use the MOD54 in a Paterson tank for mine.
Using a large format lenses on large format cameras, while using 120 film is a lot like using a full frame lens on a crop sensor digital camera.....the centre of the lens (not always, but often for most lenses, is the sharpest area of the lens) gets used, so things like corner to corner sharpness, contrast, micro contrast etc are rendered a whole lot better.....hope I make sense?
Thanks, yes completely. I use APS-C Leica (+FF) so know the benefits of a crop (unless want the imperfections from the edges which is the counter argument :) ..for portraits etc.
I use intrepid mk4. I also have a 6x7 cambo rollfilm back. One advantage of Cambo compared to Horseman is that I don't have to take the ground glass. Just slide it like a normal film holder. One of the biggest advantage i think of having 6x7 back with 120 film is that my 210mm lens becomes a moderately long "Tele" lens because of the crop factor. similar focal length 4x5 native lenses would be super heavy and expensive. I can of course achieve this by cropping the 4x5 film, but that would be a waste of film.
Thanks Karthik, great point regarding crop factor of using a 6x7 back. Yes thanks for pointing out the Cambo advantage.
The Aero Ektar lens is simply astonishing, but aren't you a little wary of the radioactivity emitted from it? Great presentation! Very informative.
Thank you! I’m aware of it but no I don’t use it a huge amount so I don’t worry too much.
I found a toyo 6x9 graflok back for my crown graphic and I love experimenting with it. It forces me to really slow down and compose and think about the image capture process
Nice Dom, yes I enjoy using these backs when I use LF.
Nice video. You explained it all within 9’ ! 🙏 I have a Cambo CS with 6x12 cm (arca swiss) and 6x9 (horseman) 90mm and a big viewer-thing through which I can see the groundplate with both eyes. I can see the upsidedownreversed image without any other light! I had once a Cambo Wide (very nice). If you dont know it, dont look at it, because you’ll be hooked ! 😁
Thank you! Yes I tried to keep it short as UA-cam tell me people watch videos for 6-7mins only! Nice setup..I've seen the pop out viewers on some 4x5 cameras. I've not used one but they look useful!
I used to like to shoot with the old Polaroid back using the old Polaroid p/n film. Took a bit to get used to but when you did you could get some great results.
Nice Michael! Yes I had/ have the Fuji FP back.. there are some examples on my Flickr with the Speed Graphic
I have a Baby Graflex 2X3 with a roll film back. Easy to carry around.
Thanks Thomas, nice setup!!
i would love to try those, but the only problem we have here in indonesia is....no one selling those items you show us in your videos...😭
Ah sorry to hear Sainan. Can you import? Many of the items I have bought (not specific to this video) can not be bought in the UK / Europe so I have to import from Japan.
I am seeing so much 4X5 stuff these days. Seems like it's getting more popular.
Thanks Rob, I bought mine in 2014 but I keep meaning to use them more! :) Yes film photography has made a come back so it is only a matter of time before people want to try 4x5!
Thanks for all those kind of video ... prices are skyrocketing!!!
Thanks Gerard, actually I was surprised. 120 backs are much cheaper now than what I paid over the last 7 years. (I paid more for mine).
With the roll film backs, you can experiment with old lenses taken
from broken folding cameras. Excellent video.
Thanks Leonard, great tip thanks!
I haven't shot LF since college, that may change soon. It left a lasting impression.
Thanks Ryan, I need to do more LF too but for my workflow 35mm usually suits me better currently.
Hi there. I'm looking in to getting a 6x7 Horseman back for my 4x5 Linhof but I was wondering about framing and composition. Do you have markings on your ground glass to guide you?
Hello, yes I use a white board marker pen or masking tape to mark the ground glass. I think you will see it in my other 4x5 camera video if look carefully.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom thanks for the reply.
Ah ok, got it. Thanks, I'll give it a go.
Of course I use them, 6x12 on a Cambo Wide with the 47mm Super-Angulon f/5.6 or the 75mm .... However, I also use a Zeiss Super Ikonta 530/15 with 120 film giving me 6x11 negatives :-) Now that is small and light to take with me in the bag. Even better, I have two, one b/w film and the other color. Both CLA'd and adapted to perfection. So from Super wiiiide to portrait and detail, covered. Good Vid my young friend, again, you're hitting them out of the ballpark !
Ah great Eric! Nide setup. I have a 75mm too :) Great tip on the 530/15, that sounds very cool!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Cool as ice my friend, even at my age ;-)
A darkroom is no longer required for sheet film.
Yes I bought my mod 54 tank developer module maybe 8 yes ago. Now I’ve just bought an enlarged I need to make a mini darkroom for printing!
If they just had digital backs. That would have me buying an old Graflex, which I need like a hog needs roller skates.
Haha they will come Zoltan. It is only a matter of time :)
There is a 6x9 Digital back.
@@chrisloomis1489 ah thanks 👍🏻
Great information Matt! I remember the days when I shot 120 roll film.
Thanks Lucy, never too late to get another 120 camera! :)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I agree! :)
Very helpful! Thanks!
Thanks Jim!
Great video!!
Thanks David!
Texas Leica. Lol.
Thanks Tom! Yes I think that is king for most 6x9 photos! :)
Rewind medium format? what? hehe
Haha ah yes oops! Good point Jon! Sorry about that. You know what I meant haha 😂😊
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom no worries man, I know what you mean. So many systems and so easy to confuse 🤣
I use an Arca-Swiss F-Line in 8x10 and 4x5 configurations and a Mamiya 7II. To me, this only makes sense in limited, specific circumstances. I would only use a 120 roll-film back on the Arca-Swiss if I *wanted* to shoot 120 as a format *and* had a specific reason for using the Arca-Swiss's rise, shift, tilt, swing or its adjustable bellows (e.g. for 120 macro). For someone who shoots 120 and regularly needs camera movements, there are better solutions that don't require the rigamarole of composing and then inserting and removing a 120 roll-film back for each shot.
Thanks Rory, agreed, a simple 6x7 camera is a lot easier for most normal photos in that format. Nice setup btw!
Nicely done! Unlimited creativity and versatility on film!
Thanks!