Interesting old 8x10 on Craigslist

I am not sure if this is the right place to post this, so moderators feel free to move it.


Someone on my local Craigslist has been posting this for sometime now.....
http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/pho/1654642115.html

He started at $1000 and now it is down to $700.

Who knows what it is?
The lens may be worth something.

I am not the seller or affiliated with the seller. I am just posting it in case anyone is interested.

It's one of a line of Century Graphic studio cameras. Tough to tell what era, but my guess is the Folmer Graphic version from around 1900-5, though they came with various labels from Graflex and Eastman Kodak since the whole industry in Rochester was in flux at that time. An elaborate version for a large studio is shown here. I have one that I bought in about the same condition as that one appears for $50, without any lens or that very useful, if ungainly, stand. These are real studio workhorse cameras, often still quite useable since the bellows is pretty much bulletproof rubberized canvas and they were built to last. The back is a sliding splitter that allows two images on one negative. The stands alone go for about $400, though I have seen them from $100 to $500. Refinished, these things are beautiful, big and comment-producing. That's why many of them have turned into "display models" over the years. A few years ago an 11 x 14 version sold at the PHSNE auction, with multiple adapters to fit 8x10, full plate, 5x7, etc.; two lenses, a beautiful oak, iron and brass stand and two air operated shutters for under $250. I had no room for the beast, but I still try to get the person who bought it to use it instead of decorating her living room with it!

Whitey,

Thanks for the insight. That's interesting stuff.

It is still a bit spendy for me, if he keeps dropping the price I might bite.

Just hope you have room for it!

These old studio cameras are like fine cabinet work. I picked up an Ansco Studio 8X10, and am in process of restoring it. Came with a Velostigmatic(sp) lens whose shutter works but not the diaphram (stuck). My hope is to actually use the camera for portraits. Good luck with your adventure.

Good luck with your adventure.

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I didn't buy it yet. The price will have to come way down before I can justify it.
Plus it is not one I can sneak in and stick on the shelf without the mrs. figuring it out.

mwdake said:

I didn't buy it yet. The price will have to come way down before I can justify it.
Plus it is not one I can sneak in and stick on the shelf without the mrs. figuring it out.

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Now that would be an interesting and temping challenge!!

You should call him and try to get more info on the lens. The photos are awful but dimensionally it looks like a Petzval lens and some of them are worth well over his asking price for the outfit. These are actually a blast to clean up and use. I have 3 of them. 11X14 and 2 8X10's. The stand is one of the more interesting ones that has a gear train that elevates it and probably also tilts it down in front. Cleaned up they are really interesting display pieces when not in use, but using them is the best part. Lots of stuff on my site done with one of these. You can remove the bellows and flip it upside down to let gravity have a chance on the other side