Century Help

howellru · Feb 14, 2015

I just found this Century 11x14 ULF Camera on CL and wonder if anyone can tell me about it and where to score a few accessories and a lens.

removed account4 · Feb 14, 2015

hi

is it this camera ?
http://www.historiccamera.com/cgi-bin/librarium2/pm.cgi?action=app_display&app=datasheet&app_id=396

there is info on the century 8 outfit there ...

typically they are used with what was called a semi centennial camera stand

http://books.google.com/books?id=irYaAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA181&d#v=onepage&q&f=false

good luck !
john

gone · Feb 14, 2015

Beautiful piece of machinery. Oooh, 11x14 contact prints. Just imagine.

Don't count on going anywhere w/ it though! The mountain will have to come to Mohammed.

Sirius Glass · Feb 14, 2015

See http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/

heespharm · Feb 14, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
See http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/

If and when they ever com back online.. Hahah jk theyre doing some maintenance

Sirius Glass · Feb 14, 2015

Oh yes welcome to APUG, howellru.

removed account4 · Feb 14, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
See http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/

besides me there is i think 1 other person on the LF site that has this camera.
and i sent him the same links when he asked about it ...
the lf page has no more about the OP's hopeful camera than this site...
and besides, it is inaccessible ...

howellru · Feb 15, 2015

Just have a minute. Here are some pics I took this morning.

howellru · Feb 15, 2015

Having issues with uploading and have to run. I'll get pics up tonight

howellru · Feb 16, 2015

Let's try uploading these pics again.

removed account4 · Feb 16, 2015

ahhh

very different than the camera i though you had !
i guessed it was a studio/portriat camera ( and i was very wrong )
really nice / beautiful camera -
thanks for sharing !

john

ps. here is the catalog page for what i am guessing is
you new camera a "century view camera"
http://historiccamera.com/cgi-bin/librarium2/pm.cgi?action=app_display&app=datasheet&app_id=397&

howellru · Feb 16, 2015

I did a little research and it seems I have a Century 1 or 2 ULF folding camera. Here's a link on it.

http://historiccamera.com/cgi-bin/librarium2/pm.cgi?action=app_display&app=datasheet&app_id=397&

howellru · Feb 16, 2015

After doing some research, it seems I have Century no.1 or no.2 View Camera from between 1902-1915. Here's a link on it.

Sirius Glass · Feb 16, 2015

howellru said:
Let's try uploading these pics again.

Some times one just needs a bigger camera to do the job.

winterclock · Feb 17, 2015

It's a #1, note the lack of geared rise and the lack of the third slot on the rails for the sliding tripod block.

shutterfinger · Feb 17, 2015

Look here: http://piercevaubel.com/cam/cent.htm
Once you determine the model click on the catalogs link and look for Century Catalogs in that year range.
Century Camera Co. was purchased by EKC in 1903, merged with Folmer & Schwing into the Folmer & Schwing Division in 1907.

howellru · Feb 18, 2015

winterclock said:
It's a #1, note the lack of geared rise and the lack of the third slot on the rails for the sliding tripod block.

Winterclock, thanks to shutterfinger's link, I think mine is actually "The Century View" series camera (see rectangular front logo plate), making it a first generation Century camera which was manufactured between 1901 and 1903. The only hiccup I see is that shutter finger's link says "The Century View" only went as large as a 6-1/2 x 8-1/2 camera. Maybe they ran the rectangular name plate on the No.1 for a short time.

Anyone have a guess at the value or where I can find out? I'm planning to sell it to help fund my 8x10 Deardorff quest.

shutterfinger · Feb 18, 2015

On page 52 of the 1903 Century Camera Company catalog http://piercevaubel.com/cam/catalogs/1903centurylp757.htm (previous link>catalogs) shows the Century View 5x7 at $20; 6 1/2 x 8 1/2 at $21; 8x10 at $24; and 11x14 at $35.
The main feature that yours is a View and not a View1 is the front standard does not have slots rise/fall but two knobs for pressure lock or tilt function. In your pictures your cameras front standard is missing a brass lock knob on the front standard which will detract from its value but otherwise appears to be in very good condition. The 1904 catalog shows the same Century View picture as well as pictures for the View 1 and View 2 but does not list the View in the pricing.

howellru · Feb 24, 2015

Does anyone know where I can find a listing of lens sizes that will work for this camera? I'm not even sure what the standard size would be… 360mm?

heespharm · Feb 24, 2015

howellru said:
Does anyone know where I can find a listing of lens sizes that will work for this camera? I'm not even sure what the standard size would be… 360mm?

Measure the diagonal and and convert to mm then make sure the image circle covers that plus some room for movement

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

thomnola · Feb 24, 2015

I have this camera and use a 450mm Nikkor Q (Quad) lens, the precursor to the 450mm M. Looks like yours is in good shape. Do you have the rear extension rail? I was lucky and mine had it. For such a large camera I do find it light enough. I just need longer arms to manage the rise/fall and front focus.

shutterfinger · Feb 24, 2015

Using the Large Format Film Holder Specification for exposure height and width the diagonal is 437mm.

smieglitz · Feb 24, 2015

howellru said:
Does anyone know where I can find a listing of lens sizes that will work for this camera? I'm not even sure what the standard size would be… 360mm?

Have a look:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/lenses/LF11x14in.html

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/lenseslist.html

The problem you'll have is finding a wide enough focal length with large enough image circle to work on the camera without the extension bed. What's the extent you can rack the back away from the front standard? Let's assume it is 15" or 381mm. That means a normal 381mm lens will just barely focus at infinity with that camera but you won't be able to focus on anything closer since the extension isn't great enough. That 381mm will also need an image circle of at least 17.8" or 452mm to cover the film diagonal. A 381mm lens with an image circle of only 452mm also won't let you do any view camera movements. A wider image circle at infinity focus would be needed for that option. A wider angle design will give you more flexibility. For example, a 210mm Super-Angulon will focus at infinity at 210mm extension and it has a image circle of 500mm so it will cover the 11x14 diagonal at that extension of 210mm with room to spare for camera movements. It can also focus much closer.

So, if possible you should try to find an orphaned extension bed for your camera and/or use a wide-angle design. It appears you can rack the bellows out further than shown in your pictures if an extension bed was present.

thomnola · Feb 24, 2015

FYI, I've been using the 450mm for some architectural details and some full length portraits in the studio and have yet to use the extension rail.

smieglitz · Feb 25, 2015

thomnola said:
FYI, I've been using the 450mm for some architectural details and some full length portraits in the studio and have yet to use the extension rail.

What's the max bellows extension without the extension rail?

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