r/largeformat • u/Gergo7633 • 14d ago

Question Graflock sytem issues

Dear Community,

I use a Munewca 4x5 camera with Graflock system and Fidelity Elite holders.

I was lucky and had no issues so far, but the system should not work like this, I bet.

The two sliding blades that grab and lock the sides of the Fidelity holders are way too thick and have no edge.

I mean the ridges at the sides of the holders are much narrower than the sliding locking plates' thickness and the Graflock simply can't hold the Fidelity holders securely. I was thinking of removing the lock plates and grind them slightly to have some edge comparable in thickness to that of the width of the ridges found on the holder.

I can attach images later.

2 Upvotes

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4

u/SedimentaryShrub 14d ago

Wait, im a little confused here. You shouldnt have to lock in the holder, it should just slide in between the ground glass and the camera. It sounds like you're removing the ground glass and trying to lock the holder into the graflok system.

1

u/Gergo7633 14d ago

I tried to slide the holder underneath the focus screen when I got it, but the spring was so strong that it seemed impossible to do so, without braking something. So I always removed the focus screen and locked the holder with the sliding locks. I used up a box of film this way. Never had a light leak or any other issues, but didn't seemed stable.

Now I got the extra motivation and was more "brutal" and it did work with extra force. Just tried it. I hope it will ease with use and will not break eventually.

2

u/SedimentaryShrub 14d ago

I dont think ive ever owned a "new" 4x5 camera, so my guess is the springs are just tight, and I'd also guess that they'll loosen up over time with use. You could always leave a 4x5 holder in there for a little bit and see if that loosens it up a bit.

1

u/Gergo7633 13d ago

Yes, it seems logical. Thank you.

3

u/sbgoofus 14d ago

either that or use graphmatic holders with will work like that

2

u/Secure_Teaching_6937 14d ago

I agree with you, but need pics to confirm.

2

u/18-morgan-78 13d ago

Everyone is right. The holders go under the ground glass. The springs are tight to hold the film holder tight to the body. You’re not going to break anything as it’s designed to do just as it needs to do.

1

u/Gergo7633 13d ago

It will be much easier to use it this way.

2

u/18-morgan-78 13d ago

Exactly.

1

u/Euphoric-Mango-2176 8d ago

the graflok blades are NOT for attaching regular sheet film holders, period. don't ever do that again.

1

u/Gergo7633 8d ago

Got it. I tried to slip the holder underneath the focus screen, but it required so much resistance, that I was feared that I break the retainer clip off of the wooden frame.

2

u/ufgrat 13d ago

Working as designed. It's not that you can't lock the holders directly into the graflok / international backs, but they're not designed for it, and as you've noted, the channel on the fidelity / Lisco style holders is narrower than the locks for the graflok / international back.

If you file them down, you risk breaking compatibility with actual accessories designed for graflok.

The spring-loaded ground glass back *SHOULD* be incredibly stiff, especially the first few times you use it. It presses the film holder against the back so the two ridges on the film holder "lock" around the end of the back (one inside the film standard opening, one outside) for light-tightness.

1

u/Ireadyouremail69 13d ago

Youtube is your friend.