I have just purchased a Busch Pressman 45D to use as a compact field camera. And am considering using a Grafmatic with it in the field. The back of the Pressman doesn't open as much as my view camera back and therefore the thickness of the Grafmatic is of concern.

My question is: What is the thickness of the Grafmatic (4X5) holder?

Thanks!

-- Bob Eskridge (rfesk@yahoo.com), July 24, 2000

Answers

Bob - The graphmatic measures 7/8" thick. I just tried it on a model D that I have and it does fit but just barely. I would be concerned that it would stretch the springs over time. It is so hard to get it in the back that I am sure your would move the camera from your carefully composed set up in the process of putting in the graphmatic.

-- Bob Finley (rfinbob@aol.com), July 24, 2000.

I agree with the above. I wouldn't use one regularly in a spring back, and I'd be concerned that the extra leverage of the GG would cause the pressure to be uneven, and might result in a tilt of the Grafmatic in the camera.
I used to press one into service in a spring back MPP, but I was never happy about it. There's no problem with an international back.

-- Pete Andrews (p.l.andrews@bham.ac.uk), July 25, 2000.

One thing I'd suggest, though I'm not sure of the practicality or ease of it, is if you can, or know someone who can, modify/make stromger springs for the back, that are a little longer to accept the extra girth of the back.

-- David Kirk (David_J_Kirk@hotmail.com), July 25, 2000.

I'm assuming the Pressman doesn't allow you to remove the ground glass part of the back and let you fit the Graphmatic directly to the camera, a la graflock(?) back

Tim A

-- tim atherton (tim@KairosPhoto.com), July 25, 2000.