Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

These pictures show an old Mamiya sliding roll film 6x7 back ib a Toyo 4x5 back. The roll film holder comes off (see the tabs that hold it on) so you can switch backs with different film, perhaps also 6x6, 6x9 etc. (Pardon my dust...)

I think the Mamiya part (attached to a Toyo board that is the same for lenses in front or for backs as here) was first designed to go right on medium format Mamiya cameras of some kind, perhaps RB67.

Anyway, I don't see why a medium format digital back could not be attached to the receiver on the Toyo part. You could then compose by sliding to the ground glass, then back to shoot, just as for film.

If that part of my gadget was indeed like a Mamiya 6x7 camera back, their digital backs might fit right on? Or not...

These backs were in any case widely used--there might even be an adapter to digital just for that purpose.

If the digital won't fit directly or with some adapter, there is a third possibility--the film back part could be butchered for parts to attach to a digital back as an adapter (perhaps scavenging one sold for parts).

I can shoot digital on 4x5 now using a Canon adapter plate, but of course all I get is APS-C sensor--far from medium format digital. This only works with lenses over 150mm, but with a bigger sensor the longer lenses would be quite useful. I have some really nice longer lenses for large format, and the Toyo 4x5 is reasonably portable (by car). Nowadays used medium format digital backs are more reasonable, and they may have more shots left in them than I do.

I don't need the kind with connections to computers or video screens, but if they can be fired manually they will work.

The reason it occurs to me to try such a legacy hook-up is partly that even a good buy on a used medium format camera would still require several expensive additional lenses and who knows what all else. I can still just shoot and develop 4x5 black and white film, but for color I actually prefer digital.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

As far as I know, there is only one 4x5 digital sensor being made and its pretty much out of reach for most folks!

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

FYI: That roll film back is for the Mamiya press cameras.
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/mamiya-press-camera-90mm-3-lens-6x9-293864681

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

Yes, but adapters are sold to mount Nikon or Canon digital cameras onto the back of a 4x5--I have one.
I was looking for a way to mount a medium format digital back on a 4x5 the same way--either with an adapter or a back that fits a medium format camera. If the Mamiya back shown might fit or adapt to a digital back, it would attach to my Toyo, and that would be great. I believe Mamiya makes Phase One digital backs, but they do not offer online customer inquiries.

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

Yes--your picture looks like it has an the appropriate plate to fit their Press Cameras. Mine came on a Toyo back plate, so it fits Toyo. I doubt they ever made one with a plate for Graflok backs, which are quite common on many brands today.

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

I found this article on the basic idea--no photos and no information of the adapter for Graflok mentioned, or other adapters. China may be making them, but I don't find them on eBay.

https://megapixelsdigital.com/digital-backs-on-wooden-field-cameras-fun-in-the-sun/

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

Fotodiox actually makes something like what you are asking about...

https://fotodioxpro.com/products/hbh-4x5-pro

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

Thanks--yes, that is what I was looking for, in a much more elegant mode. It doubles the sensor coverage by the sliding frame. But it does convert the Hasselblad H series backs to Graflok 4x5 cameras.

GC-FineArt Loc: WDC

I have a fotodiox adaptor + Leaf Aptus 75 digital back that I use with both my Ebony SV45Ti (below) and Horseman L45 monorail.

Silvestri is another well known brand that sells a wide range of sliding backs. (And there are a variety of others -- check out the older article HERE -- that show up on ebay from time to time.)

(Download)

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

GC, that looks wonderful. Does the digital back need to connect to the Hasselblad lenses for autofocus, or can you just use classic lenses with it? Does it use batteries or some power source? Is connection to a computer part of the operation, or just an option? (Can you just trip the lens shutter to take a shot, like film backs?)

To me, one of the great advantages would be using my best lenses rather than having to buy all those Hassie lenses.

I found an adapter for less than half the price, but it shoots blind, like traditional film holders. Of course, I am used to that on large format, but I have a Speed Graphic that has rangefinder

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

At my studio we priced out the Leif adaptation for our existing Mamiya and Hasselbald (film) systems. The quotes came in at around $24,000 mark. We went with the Phase I system on a lease to buy set up. We use it in conjunction with a perspective control adaptation for the Mamiya RZ. system. The Leif unit was for the Mamiya 645 which would have been of no use to us because the lens selection is somewhat limited. We have a good selection of RB and RZ glass including some adaptations of classic soft focus portrait lenses.

If we did not need this for certain commercial jobs, the expense coud not be justified. On a lease deal you can write off all the payments as expenses rather than depreciation.

GC-FineArt Loc: WDC

Let me say, first off, that the reference to “Hasselblad” only refers to the way the back attaches to the adapter. In other words, this particular adapter only accepts digital backs that utilize the Hasselblad as opposed to, say, Mamiya 645, mounting system. It has no other significance.

This Aptus 75 back has it’s own attached battery for power and is fired by simply connecting it to the flash pc-socket of the lens -- any lens you like -- via a cable similar to the one HERE. It can be tethered if desired but that’s not necessary. The image is displayed on a 2x3 inch screen on the back (which, unfortunately, you can’t see in the photo because I forgot to remove the protective cover .)

Sorry but I’ve got no experience using a digital back on a Speed Graphic.

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

GC, that explains the basic operation--connecting through the PC connection on the lens. The cable release on the lens takes the shot as it would on a view camera, synced through the PC connection (set on X I assume, where applicable).

For that reason the Speed Graphic has two possible issues. First, if using barrel lenses (and the camera's focal plane shutter), the lens has no PC contact. And second, though the camera itself has a flash contact, it is not PC--it is a two-pronged socket (and it is M sync only--not X adaptable). Still, using lenses with their own PC-X would work the same as with any view camera.

Are pictures taken onto a memory card, as in a digital camera?

GC-FineArt Loc: WDC

Charles,

Yes, the Aptus 75 back uses a standard Compact Flash Memory Card.

I don’t own a Speed Graphic myself and, to be honest, haven’t even seen any Graflex press camera “in the flesh” for years, so I really can’t say anything useful one way or the other with regard to the potential issues you mention. About all I can do is suggest that you try posting questions to forums like Graflex.org, Large Format Photography, Photrio or even Rangefinderforum where most of the folks who use these cameras on a regular basis hang out.

Oh, and, Happy New Year!

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

Thanks. I would probably use it on a Toyo 4x5 with Graflok back.