SHEN-HAO 6x12 Roll film holder

[ardea]

I just received my Shen Hao 6x12 Graphlock back RFH from Badger

Graphic, ($395)which is a bit of a savings over the Horseman and a

$1000 buck savings over a Linhoff. Now at $395 I don't expect the fit

and finish or ease of use of the high end RF holders but for the

price (and return policy of Badger Graphics)it was worth a try. My

concern was of the complaints I have read about RFH leaving a ridge

on the film from the abrupt turn the film makes around the roller

closest to the unexposed roll. When the film remains in the holder

and rests for any length of time, the crease is evident and when

wound onto the image area it bulges up and will cause the image to be

out of focus on the bulge. The Linhoff RFH has a large diameter

rollor to solve that problem. My intent is to use this RFH only for

6x12 so all observation pertain to that format.

Upon opening the box I was surprised not to find any paperwork or

film take up spool. The RFH appears to be quite well made, better

than I expected. The main body,I believe,is an injected molded

casting or lost wax casting in two parts and some stamped metal

parts.There are no voids in the aluminum parts and the fit and finish

(anodized) are quite good. The two stamped metal clips on either end

that hold the film holder portion to the Graphlock/dark slide part

are a little tacky and a bit awkward to use but they work.The dark

slide is (I hope) Stainless Steel and works smoothly. It is a bit of

a bother to get the film holder portion of the back out of and into

the mounting part that fits to the camera. The film holder portion

tends to "cock" when your remove or replace the film holder part.This

is less of a problem when it is attatched to the camera though.Dense

foam rubber material is used for the light tite end baffles and only

time will tell how they will endure. The film platten is a dimpled

spring loaded plate that hold the film to stamped metal tracks, held

in place by screws to the main body casting. Two small rollers, 2mm

(.080")help guide the film on and off the mask opening. Loading the

film is straight forward. Two spring loaded knurled knobs on the

bottom of each end of the holder work well (At least down here in the

Florida Keys..In Minnesota a 40 below with gloves on I don't think so)

But they are a bit small. The film advance knob on the upper right,

is grooved and would be very functional with gloves on. It operates

smoothly with a Sprague clutch turning only one way. On the back are

two clear plastic covered windows to view the numbers on the paper

film backing. One window is marked 6x6 & 6x12 the other window 6x4.5

& 6x9.A sliding door covers and uncovers both windows. It also has a

film reminder pocket to hold the film box end...Nifty. The holder

also came with a mask for 6x9. This mask is made from 1.3mm (.052")

plate and masks 54x87mm. It is held in place by four screws.

Now onto the 6x12 that actually measures 54x110mm. That's not bad, it

still gives a 1:2 ratio. The roller that the film passes over on the

way to the film plane is 7.7mm (.316")in diameter. The film makes an

acute bend around this roller and does have a marked ridge if left

there for very long, but it is not a factor when using this holder

as a 6x12 because the crease advances past the mask opening when

moving to the next frame.

One can get 6 exposures from a 120 roll (You cannot use 220 ). The

number sequence using the 6x12 window is; 1-3-5-7-9-11. I found this

order by running a roll of film through the holder to check for

roller bulge, film flattness and registration. There is a 10.3mm

(.430") space between frames.

I have not measured the distance from the back to the film plane to

compare it with other holders or the GG.

All things considered it is most likely worth the bucks. Time and

photos will tell the story..

 

Regards, Richard

[c.w._lee1]

I have tried this back and the result is very good. Image is sharp - an indication that film flatness can be maintained and the distance of film plane is correct. You can also order a 6x6 or a 6x4.5 mask. It is possible to change mask mid-roll but care must be taken to adjust the distance of film advance. I think 220 film can also be used in this holder in emergency and of course the spacing of frames may not be very accurate when you cannot check the film numbers. The US price is very reasonable even though it is sold in China about half of the US price. I enjoy using this back.