Century View/Folmer Graflex 8x10 Pressure Film Holder

[bigdog]

I recently acquired my first 8x10 camera, a beautiful circa 1900ish Century II perhaps?

The camera came with 4 Folmer Graflex 8x10 "Pressure Film Holders". The prior owner left some 5x7 sheets in the holders pressed between the rubberized pressure back plate and the forward piece of glass that sits behind the dark slide.

The Pressure Film Holders seat well, held in place by the spring back/ground glass.

My questions are:

Was the camera designed to be a dry plate or film camera?

Do I need to buy conventional film holders or can I use the provided Pressure Film Holders to shoot film?

The provided Pressure Film Holders arrived with color sheet film pressed against a piece of glass. Is the glass a replacement for a wet or dry plate when shooting film with these holders? How are the Pressure Film Holders utilized when shooting film versus dry plates?

What back focusing issues are there when either shooting film or dry plate (assuming the camera was designed to shoot with the Pressure Film Holders)?

Lastly, the lens board measures approximately 5 3/4" square. Is this a standard size for 8x10? I want to buy a Linholf adapter board so I can mount my Nikon 300mm M f/9 and need to know if this is possible.

Any information regarding the camera, provided holders or lens board info is appreciated!

If I try shooting dry plates do I simply remove the glass?

 

[shutterfinger]

http://piercevaubel.com/cam/century/centview.htm

 

[Nodda Duma]

I believe the focus is all accounted for in the design of the holder. In other words, the back focus on the Century itself should be perfectly fine if you use a normal plate or film holder. Standard focus depth for holders basically came from Century, due to Kodak buying the company.

 

[bigdog]

I believe the focus is all accounted for in the design of the holder. In other words, the back focus on the Century itself should be perfectly fine if you use a normal plate or film holder. Standard focus depth for holders basically came from Century, due to Kodak buying the company.

Hello,

I just purchased some of your dry plates in 4x5. Will get around to shooting them eventually!

How were these 8x10 pressure plate holders intended to be utilized? They have glass behind the dark slide. Is the glass for holding sheet film in place and you remove the glass if shooting your dry plates? My 4x5 plate holders have no glass inserts.

Thanks!

 

[Nodda Duma]

That would honestly be my guess. Easy enough to load a sheet of film on the glass and test focus. Remove the back, remove the glass, load a sheet of film, load the glass, close it all up and shoot.

 

[ic-racer]

I added extra thumbscrew to hold the lensboard in place with a 300mm/5.6. It actually did fall off once, before the modification.
The GG back on mine accepts modern Lisco film holders. Yours looks similar.

 

[ic-racer]

I made all my lensboards out of plywood.

 

[bigdog]

I made all my lensboards out of plywood.
View attachment 275236

I ordered a couple of Fidelity Elite holders so we will see how that goes...boy it is getting expensive moving up from 4x5!

The lensboard it came with holds a Wollensak 12 1/2 inch f8 Symmetrical Wide. I was surprised how you just slide the lens board up a touch and the bottom of the board pops out.

I ordered a Luland Arca Swiss 141x141mm to Linhof Lens board adapter. I hope it fits/seats securely since I plan to mount my Nikkor 300mm M f9 which is on a 4 inch extension tube for use on my 4x5.

What lens board are you using to mount the Fujinon lens? Is it one you fabricated, and if so do you recall the dimensions?

Would you say 14 inches is about the maximum focal length you can utilize without the rear base rail extension?

 

[ic-racer]

The Fujinon is also on a plywood lensboard, just painted black, instead of stained.
I made my bellows a little shorter than the original, as I don't have any long lenses and don't have the extension track.