8x10" Film Holder Options

[psychophoto]

I looked through the archives, and I din't come across anything

that answered my question sufficiently. Anyway, my question is

in regards to the various makes/models of 8x10 film holders,

both current and past. Of those holders available either new or

used through sources like eBay, which do 8x10 shooters on this

forum prefer? Two of my four holders recently developed light

trap problems and I'm weighing the options for replacements. I

currently have one new-ish plastic Lisco, one Graphic, and two

Kodak (which have the light trap problems). Of those, I like the

Lisco least- seems to be less substantial in terms of general

build and the darkslide seems a lot flimsier. The Graphic is

easiest to service and I think the Kodak holders are lightest, but

I'm not sure about buying more Kodak holders given my current

problem. It seems that the options for used holders are

generally Graphic, Kodak, and Lisco/Fidelity/Riteway and the

options for new holders are Lisco/Fidelity/Riteway, Lotus, AWB,

and Toyo. Did I miss any? Given that I plan on shooting 8x10 as

long as I can still get film (which I'm hoping should be well

through the next 60 years or so), I'm wondering if it wouldn't be

better economy in the long run to shell out more cash for Lotus,

AWB, or Toyo holders. The new plastic holders don't exactly

inspire confidence, and I want something that will last. Any

thoughts on the subject would be duly appreciated.

[david_goldfarb]

I've been doing fine with Lisco/Fidelity holders, but the Toyos do

seem to be better made, if you want something a bit nicer. I wouldn't

buy wooden holders when plastic ones are available, since wooden ones

can warp and crack over time.

[jim_galli4]

I've got a hodge podge too. The Lisco's with the metal slides are my

favorites, but they're probably heavier because of the metal slide.

The fidelity with the thinnish slide seems fine too and are lighter.

And I like the old black wooden Kodak ones from the 1960's, but

they're harder to get at the slide handle in the 'dorff because

they're shorter. Good question, I'll keep checking back too. I've

got some of the Toyo's in 4X5, and if $ were not a question I'll bet

the 810 ones are very nice.

[carl_weese]

I find Fidelity/Lisco 8x10 holders fully servicable. Most of my

holders have been in use for 15+ years, and two of them were already

old when they came with my Deardorff 20 years ago. I'm familiar with

good wooden holders from Lotus and AWB (I have them for my banquet

cameras) but see no need to replace my plastic holders in 8x10. In the

past year I made more than 300 8x10 negatives and the holders probably

rode more than 20K miles in my truck, so they are surviving pretty

heavy us

[jeff_schraeder1]

I'm very new to 8x10, but have a lot of 4x5 experience. I bought the

Lisco Regal holders with the Rhino-Lite unbreakable slide. Very new

means I just developed my second 8x10 negative but my initial

reaction to the Regal's is good. They seem comparable to the TOYO's I

use for 4x5. They loaded easily, the slides moved well, they seem

heavy to me but so does everything else in my new 8x10 outfit!

[kcrisp]

David: I've had good experience with the 8X10 Fidelity holders, no

problems whatsoever. I bought them new. I've dealt with much more

of an assortment in 5X7 and 4X5, so my reviews are as follows:

 

<p>

 

1. Fidelity/Lisco are fine. The plastic slide tabs ones are better,

on the metal tab ones the black paint comes off. Must be the same

paint Schneider used in the 70's between the lens elements. If you

sand them down and repaint they are fine. There are very sturdy black

painted wood Lisco's out there, they are heavy but work very well.

Clearly you are suspect of plastic, but the older ones I have

purchased used (so used the pattern in the plastic is worn off from

rubbing on the camera back, as was most of the paint on the inside of

the holder due to the film sliding past it)have worked very well.

Except for dust issues. (see below)

2. Riteways are very nicely made (older ones) though the slides tend

to be very hard to slide in and out until you clean them off with

Simple Green or Windex. Something builds up on them over time. When

you clean the slides off they give off a brown residue. If you clean

them off and then wipe them down with an anti-static cloth they slide

pretty well. Car wax helps this problem too.

3. Old Kodak etc. wooden holders...sure look neat, I've spent time

retaping the flaps and over and over they leak light and I've given

up on them. The only holders I've ever had leak are the Kodak wooden

ones.

4. Toyos are my favorite. Tight, well made, slick in operation.

They're really nice.

5. Unless your time is worth nothing, I'm leaning toward buying

new. I almost never had a dust spec until I started buying used ones

(5X7) and then it started. Blowing out the light trap seems to help,

but still, if I had to do it over again I might buy new ones.

6. Metal Masters. What a bizarre, heavy and difficult piece of

equipment. Built like a tank, but is this necessary? I reserve

these for very heavy duty like in and out the back of a Crown Graphic.

[nathan_congdon]

I use the Toyos at 8X10, and feel they are better made and more of a

pleasure to use than Fidelity, etc. Can't tell you if they'll last

75 years rather than just 40, but they've certainly taken a lot of

travel abuse from me and continue to work great. They are not light,

which might be one advantage of a wooden holder. THe 12X20 ones I

have from AWB are a work of art, and quite light for the size, but

rather a sticker shock at $500 apiece!

 

<p>

 

Nathan

[geoffrey_chen]

David,

 

<p>

 

You forgot Hoffmann 8x10 film holders. They are constructed with

high grade aluminium, and will certainly last for years. Cheers,