A Century camera, Premo holders near me - would it get over my skills level?

jay moussy · Oct 26, 2022

Odd question.. there is a Century for sale near me, with "Premo" plate holders, "Patent July 29, 1890" with only pictures to go by, auction style.
I am of course interested, but afraid I may just get into something a bit over my skill and knowledge level.
I mean, so many variations in plate sizes, holding hardware, handling of plates...

Am I too cautious?

EDIT to text and title to clarify (?) model/type

Donald Qualls · Oct 26, 2022

American made in the 1890s, it'll be inch size, so 5x7 or possibly quarter plate (edit: er, half plate, should be) rather than 13x18 cm. Finding plate holders to fit it may be a challenge, but finding plates is no big deal with J. Lane producing them in a broad variety of sizes. Pneumatic shutter, I think, so you'll probably need a new hose and bulb.

Nitroplait · Oct 26, 2022

I would say that if you don't know specifically what this camera is about, you are probably in over your head.
On the other hand. Sometimes a leap of faith isn't too bad.
Make sure you have funds available for surprises.

jay moussy · Oct 26, 2022

Maybe I can just pretend I am a last-century adventure-seeking young fellow?

A bit of a stretch, I reckon...

Other topic: the western world history for the 1880-1914 period is fascinating..

Donald Qualls · Oct 26, 2022

jay moussy said:
last-century adventure-seeking young fellow?

Last century was when the F1 and Speed Graphic had their runs. You're talking about a camera from the 19th century...

Nicholas Lindan · Oct 26, 2022

And figure you are going to need new bellows for it. And then you will become obsessed with soft-focus lenses. And an enlarger that takes ~5x7 plates... Dry plates, though still available, aren't cheap. It is a step along the road to financial ruin.

OTOH, if you pay less than the going ebay prices you should always be able to sell it on if it doesn't meet your expectation.

Donald Qualls · Oct 26, 2022

Nicholas Lindan said:
It is a step along the road to financial ruin.

The same could be said of much more modern film cameras. It isn't a particular camera, or format, or material that will break you. It's the G.A.S. that comes with it.

jimjm · Oct 26, 2022

Century cameras were made from 1900, eventually being absorbed into Eastman Kodak over the next few years. Lots of similarities between these and the Eastman View cameras and are very usable today, especially if it's a still-common format like 5x7, 8x10 or 11x14. They also came in 6.5x8x5, which is not common these days. J Lane plates can probably be purchased in this size, but film will not. 5x7 will be the most economical as far as film cost. You can find older wood film holders if you don't want to bother with plates. With my 1915 5x7 Eastman View I shoot plates and film, and modern film holders work fine also.
If the price is reasonable, I say go for it if you are able to inspect the camera before buying. Common issues will be bellows condition and any damage or breakage to the wood. Any missing parts or hardware could be difficult to replace. If a lens is included, check that the glass is clear and the shutter speeds seem accurate.

gone · Oct 26, 2022

Make your life easy. Buy an old Graflex if you want 4x5. Many of them still work fine because they were so well built. Plenty of reasonably priced film holders and film for it too. Speed Graphics are fine too, but heavier. Lots and lots of lenses and shutters for them too.

If you get one w/ a Graflex back you can shoot roll film too, although why you would want to do that w/ a big 'ol 4x5 camera is a mystery to me, but people do.

AnselMortensen · Oct 26, 2022

A few, but not all, important issues with restoring old wood cameras are:

How mechanically handy are you, and do you have proper tools?
How organized are you, for storing small parts, screws, etc. ?
Do you have space to be able to leave it disassembled for a period of time, without cats knocking pieces off the table and putting them under the couch?
Do you have a place to sand & refinish wood, and let it dry?

Donald Qualls · Oct 26, 2022

AnselMortensen said:
cats knocking pieces off the table and putting them under the couch

Your cats must think very highly of you. Mine tend to drop those items down the heat vents instead.

gone · Oct 26, 2022

Ck this out Jay. If I was looking for something like this, I would be on it like white on rice! 2 x 3 is a good way to see if 4x5 would work for you

Sold - 2 x 3 Crown Graphic with Two Lenses

For Sale: 2 x 3 Crown Graphic with two Lenses: Crown Graphic body is in good condition, bellows are supple, leatherette covering is nice. Focus is smooth, everything locks down as it should. Rangefinder is missing connection arm, so GG focusing is the way to go. The back viewfinder shade takes...

www.photrio.com

jay moussy · Oct 26, 2022

Some answers, in any order:

- plan on dying broke, or dying when broke, TBD

- sale is unseen, other than so-so pictures, only light wear
- auction bids are low so far, will keep an eye on it
- machine comes with developing Eastman tank with funky countdown dial!

- already have some LF bits I need to work on, embarrassing
- not a collector, but easily impressed by iconic machines

- my birthday is coming up
- have table-sized table saw, router table

GKC · Oct 26, 2022

FWIW, If it's a Century Universal in 8x10, I'd jump on it in heartbeat.
Definitely worth asking the seller.

jimgalli · Oct 26, 2022

Every advance I've made in the photo hobby has been because I jumped in some swamp over my head. Wouldn't have it any other way. You'll probably ditch the Premo holders for more modern easier to deal with ones. Keep the original pieces together, even if you use a tiny bit more modern ones in practice. Stuff that survived together should stay together. Mostly. So the next person after you has all the pieces to interpret.

Ian Grant · Oct 27, 2022

As the camera can't be older than 1900 it may be OK, the bellows are made of good material. The Premo plate holders are actually International fit surprisingly, although the light trap area is quite significantly shorter. So you can use more modern fidelity or similar with the camera, but they are too tall to fit the case. However, early Graflex plate holders will fit in the case, and I have film sheaths in mine, my camera is a Century Model 46, a 5x4 model.

Good luck with the auction.

Ian

ic-racer · Oct 27, 2022

Can't really get in over one's head if it is a view camera. Just a flexable box. Need some light-proof things at each end; one to hold film and focus screen and the other to hold a shutter and lens.

Sirius Glass · Oct 27, 2022

It could cause one to see upside down.

jay moussy · Oct 28, 2022

Didn't happen, got beyond my price point. but in studying a bit on the history of Century Camera, I learned a great deal about what went on with the equipment and makers of the day.
In short G. Eastman bought everything that was either worthwhile or competing with his own production.
This camera would have been also interesting in the sense that it would have completed a virtual circle, Century Camera (derivative of Rochester Opt.), Kodak Vest Pocket (formerly Rochester Opt. made), and of course your everyday Kodak folder. I think.

Ian Grant · Oct 28, 2022

Out of interest what did it sell for ?

One comment is these Century cameras are beautifully made, as I said above they are the now International fit plate/film holder. I have one Premo plate holder also marked Eastman Kodak plate holder also. Then I have a second early 5x4 plate holder just marked Eastman Kodak, same outside dimensions and fit however the plate position is a quarter of an inch different, further from the top. Marked with 1904 Patents.

Ian

jay moussy · Oct 28, 2022

Ian Grant said:
Out of interest what did it sell for ?

Too low to mention. I used advice from a forum member and set a personal price point, and there was only one other bidder, so he/she just got over that, for lack of competition. It is likely a antique dealer, I think, and this camera may never see film again?
Regrets? Yes, perhaps, but the operation of such a camera would have been a bit over my current skill level, and taking away from improving on my MF stuff.

ic-racer · Oct 28, 2022

This is what I think of when I read "Century" camera. I got mine when I was 15 yo for $5 and it was not until 30 years later that I restored it and started using it.

A Century camera, Premo holders near me - would it get over my skills level?

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