I think you forgot to push up the tab at the top of the inside of the open holder (just off centre at the top of compartment when slide is out)before loading the septums Easily done but septums don’t go in easily if you don’t and then jam!
One thing your video doesn't mention is to push in the little ab inside the open holder. It makes loading so much easier, otherwise, the septums can get easily jammed. Otherwise good informative video
I have three of these in 6x9cm format. When I was shooting a medium format view camera, I used them periodically. I had no instructions, so the learning curve for its functions was high. Once i mastered the things, they were a pleasure to use. My last usage was some years ago in the darkness of Upper Antelope Canyon, where not having to exchange film holders was a great help.
OK! My Grafmatic only has 5 septums (septa?) and I don't know if that is the cause of my problem... I cycled through the 5 shots and the silver lever locks as you show. The problem then is that ifI push the silver lever to unload/load film sheets, I cannot get the 'ringpull' to push in fractionally in order to pull it out fully to extract the septums - it just starts cycling through the taking process again... How do I get it to allow me to load and not just cycle the darkslide repeatedly?
Just got a hold of a 2x3 Speed Graphic with a 6x6, 6x9, and one of these 2x3 Grafmatic Backs. Now I know how it works. Tried loading Instax film in the septums but they stick out a little too far.
Great video!! You are a life saver! I was handed down a 4x5 crown graphic from my old college photo teacher. It cam with several film backs and this was very informative. I now know how to use it for shots. Thank you sir!
I inherited two Grafmatic 4x5 holders. When I took the septums, a flat piece of metal with felt on one side fell out. Can you tell me where it goes? Thanks.
Neat video. Thanks for taking the time. I once shot a wedding on 4x5 with a Super Graphic and a half-dozen Grafmatic holders. Felt a bit like Jimmy Olson (from "Superman") hefting that big old press camera.
great video! just now finding out about these and it would be perfect for my polaroid 340 conversion. if anyone has a spare one kicking about in the UK let me know!
Excellent informative video Craig! About a year ago I bought a Graflex Crown Graphic Special that included it's heavy steel case...and roughly 30 4x5 film holders...including two of these Grafmatic Film Holders. I never really gave much thought to these until watching your video...I had incorrectly assumed these were for pack film or something! Well thanks to your video...I retrieved them from my case and followed along on your video to learn how to use them. I can't wait to give them a shot! Thanks again!
I just got the same model camera with two of these holders and also assumed they were for pack film which is no longer made apparently. Figured out what they were, but still really helpful to see this video to see the operation from loading to finishing. Looking forward to trying it out!
I am not sure if i am loading the film into the holders incorrectly or what, but when i push the film into the individual holders all the way to the bottom I am getting somewhat cropped (at the top) negatives. Should the negative be flush with the top of the individual film holder (top right index)?
Sounds like the negatives are shifting in the individual septums once loaded. There should be small “tabs” on the septum to hold the negative in place.
I have 25 of those. The big downfall of them for me is dust. I really enjoy using them, and use them a lot. It's just the dust issue. As you know I am very careful to do things the right way but it seems that single piece of dust always lands in an area of even tonality, like the sky. Informative video, btw.
so freaking cool. ty for this video!
I think you forgot to push up the tab at the top of the inside of the open holder (just off centre at the top of compartment when slide is out)before loading the septums
Easily done but septums don’t go in easily if you don’t and then jam!
One thing your video doesn't mention is to push in the little ab inside the open holder. It makes loading so much easier, otherwise, the septums can get easily jammed. Otherwise good informative video
Thanks Craig!
Using the Grafmatic 45. Love it. But wanna use the 23 version and it's not locking out at end, X. Any experiences with the 23 version?
Not sure why I have one that locked in 'X' and cannot be dialed to 1 to unload/reload?!
'ingenuous' is exactly the right description for this gadget, Craig. Thanks for the tutorial!
Mike
I have three of these in 6x9cm format. When I was shooting a medium format view camera, I used them periodically. I had no instructions, so the learning curve for its functions was high. Once i mastered the things, they were a pleasure to use. My last usage was some years ago in the darkness of Upper Antelope Canyon, where not having to exchange film holders was a great help.
Excellent explanation of the operation. Pretty amazing. I never knew how this worked before. Thanks
Nice
OK! My Grafmatic only has 5 septums (septa?) and I don't know if that is the cause of my problem... I cycled through the 5 shots and the silver lever locks as you show. The problem then is that ifI push the silver lever to unload/load film sheets, I cannot get the 'ringpull' to push in fractionally in order to pull it out fully to extract the septums - it just starts cycling through the taking process again... How do I get it to allow me to load and not just cycle the darkslide repeatedly?
Just got a hold of a 2x3 Speed Graphic with a 6x6, 6x9, and one of these 2x3 Grafmatic Backs. Now I know how it works. Tried loading Instax film in the septums but they stick out a little too far.
Great video!! You are a life saver! I was handed down a 4x5 crown graphic from my old college photo teacher. It cam with several film backs and this was very informative. I now know how to use it for shots. Thank you sir!
I inherited two Grafmatic 4x5 holders. When I took the septums, a flat piece of metal with felt on one side fell out. Can you tell me where it goes? Thanks.
I have 6 of these. 3 for 4x5, 3 for 2 1/4x3 1/4. I love them, so convenient.
Any chance you want to part with one? I cant find a working one
Neat video. Thanks for taking the time. I once shot a wedding on 4x5 with a Super Graphic and a half-dozen Grafmatic holders. Felt a bit like Jimmy Olson (from "Superman") hefting that big old press camera.
great video!
just now finding out about these and it would be perfect for my polaroid 340 conversion.
if anyone has a spare one kicking about in the UK let me know!
Thanks Craig! very informative video.
I have 3 of these backs....it is a great tool when shooting 5x4.
Something you didn't mention is how to clan these.
Excellent informative video Craig! About a year ago I bought a Graflex Crown Graphic Special that included it's heavy steel case...and roughly 30 4x5 film holders...including two of these Grafmatic Film Holders. I never really gave much thought to these until watching your video...I had incorrectly assumed these were for pack film or something! Well thanks to your video...I retrieved them from my case and followed along on your video to learn how to use them. I can't wait to give them a shot! Thanks again!
I just got the same model camera with two of these holders and also assumed they were for pack film which is no longer made apparently. Figured out what they were, but still really helpful to see this video to see the operation from loading to finishing. Looking forward to trying it out!
I am not sure if i am loading the film into the holders incorrectly or what, but when i push the film into the individual holders all the way to the bottom I am getting somewhat cropped (at the top) negatives. Should the negative be flush with the top of the individual film holder (top right index)?
Sounds like the negatives are shifting in the individual septums once loaded. There should be small “tabs” on the septum to hold the negative in place.
I still own about half-a-dozen of them.
Great instructional video.
I have 25 of those. The big downfall of them for me is dust. I really enjoy using them, and use them a lot. It's just the dust issue. As you know I am very careful to do things the right way but it seems that single piece of dust always lands in an area of even tonality, like the sky. Informative video, btw.
Any chance you want to part with one? I cant find a working one
Thanks for the fantastic demo!!
VERY helpful! Best I found
I like to ask if the film sheet - to allow the next one to be exposed - is positioned back by springs or by gravity..
Tensioned steel clip like mechanism.
Never saw one work. Thanks
Awesome!
Excellent
How much are these worth 2nd hand used? Thanks
$60-$100 depending on condition.
Search eBay for sold units. It's important that all septums are straight.
This is a 1268 holder right.
Yes it is a 1268.