New To Me Century Graphic Special. Help.

[BrianShaw]

That's the first thing I do when I get a new camera. Believe it or not, not everything is inside the manual.

 

[AnselMortensen]

While we're on the topics of books & manuals, Graflex,etc., the U.S. Navy "Photographer's Mate II & III" NavPers book from the '60's is a great source of information.

 

[MattKing]

Mamiya refers the the devices which contain roll film inserts as "magazines".

Except for the RB67. Of course, almost no one refers to the inserts on the RB67 as inserts - not surprisingly, given that everything except the outer shell is in the insert.

 

[Cholentpot]

Except for the RB67. Of course, almost no one refers to the inserts on the RB67 as inserts - not surprisingly, given that everything except the outer shell is in the insert.
View attachment 254404

I'll call whatever I want whatever I'd like. If you can't figure out what I'm talking about then I'll use words that make it more understandable. If I call a roll film holder for a Graflex a film back and you can't figure out what I'm talking about it might be time for oatmeal, milktoast and daytime TV.

Edit: I'm being harsh. I'll leave the comment up, it's not directed at anyone in general.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Sigh. The great lexicographer Humpty Dumpty.

 

[Cholentpot]

Sigh. The great lexicographer Humpty Dumpty.

I put it together unlike the horses.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Sorry, kid, you didn't get the reference.

 

[Cholentpot]

Sorry, kid, you didn't get the reference.

It's all jabberwocky to me.

 

[peter k.]

oK. back on track.. where you are to get the film holders ... you related to in post #86?
If not, .. you know what to shop for now.

MF is a lot of fun to shoot. BTW the RB67 film back will fit on a 2x3 baby speed if it has a back that it is easy to disconnect from the camera, known as a Graftlok back, as shown below.
This back will also take the film holders you where looking to purchase.

 

[Cholentpot]

oK. back on track.. where you are to get the film holders ... you related to in post #86?
If not, .. you know what to shop for now.

MF is a lot of fun to shoot. BTW the RB67 film back will fit on a 2x3 baby speed if it has a back that it is easy to disconnect from the camera, known as a Graftlok back, as shown below.
This back will also take the film holders you where looking to purchase.

Yes! I got the holders and some film last night and a ground glass that takes the holders came in last week. I have a Graflok 6x9 (NOT FILM BACK) roll holder. However you're saying that all RB67 backs will fit on the camera? So I can get a rotating back for 6x4.5 theoretically and mount it to the back of the Graphic?

I really would very much like to calibrate the rangefinder but after reading up on it it's beyond my abilities. It's a shame because running and gunning would be a joy. Also, that's a real nice hand strap.

 

[MattKing]

I'll call whatever I want whatever I'd like. If you can't figure out what I'm talking about then I'll use words that make it more understandable. If I call a roll film holder for a Graflex a film back and you can't figure out what I'm talking about it might be time for oatmeal, milktoast and daytime TV.

Edit: I'm being harsh. I'll leave the comment up, it's not directed at anyone in general.

By the way, my post was there simply to illustrate how confusing things can be, because people do use different terms for the same thing.
In essence, I was saying I understand where you are coming from.
I would suggest though that it is better to be open to a request to define or standardize your terms if you are reaching out on the internet for help.
Just as I would suggest to others that they be less abrupt when they "recommend" the use of those same standard terms.

 

[peter k.]

However you're saying that all RB67 backs will fit on the camera?

Yes, .. if , .. you have a Graftlok back, as shown in picture.

So I can get a rotating back for 6x4.5 theoretically and mount it to the back of the Graphic?

Have no idea.

Please understand the RB67 backs will not rotate. The rotate mechanism is part of the camera itself and cannot be disconnected from the camera.

 

[Cholentpot]

By the way, my post was there simply to illustrate how confusing things can be, because people do use different terms for the same thing.
In essence, I was saying I understand where you are coming from.
I would suggest though that it is better to be open to a request to define or standardize your terms if you are reaching out on the internet for help.
Just as I would suggest to others that they be less abrupt when they "recommend" the use of those same standard terms.

I agree with you. Sure, I'm learning the terms I'll get there.

Grandma always said you'll catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Grandpa would say that the rotten meat gets the most.

 

[shutterfinger]

So I can get a rotating back for 6x4.5 theoretically and mount it to the back of the Graphic

NO.

The rotate mechanism is part of the camera itself and cannot be disconnected from the camera.

The RB 67 has a body, revolving adaper, roll film holder, Polaroid holder. The Revolving Adapter will not fit any other camera.

I really would very much like to calibrate the rangefinder but after reading up on it it's beyond my abilities.

$75 + shipping if you send me the camera and lens.

 

[Cholentpot]

Yes, .. if , .. you have a Graftlok back, as shown in picture.

Have no idea.

Please understand the RB67 backs will not rotate. The rotate mechanism is part of the camera itself and cannot be disconnected from the camera.

Yes, I have the Graflok system otherwise knows as the International Standard Back.

 

[Cholentpot]

NO.

The RB 67 has a body, revolving adaper, roll film holder, Polaroid holder. The Revolving Adapter will not fit any other camera.

$75 + shipping if you send me the camera and lens.

Now we're talking. Good hard facts.

Any focal length you'd recommend? I have 101 and a 135.

 

[MattKing]

I agree with you. Sure, I'm learning the terms I'll get there.

Grandma always said you'll catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Grandpa would say that the rotten meat gets the most.

I hope Grandma did the cooking.

 

[Dennis-B]

Now we're talking. Good hard facts.

Any focal length you'd recommend? I have 101 and a 135.

The 101mm is what would be considered "standard", i.e. the 6x9 format yields a diagonal of 10 (cm). The 135 will be just slightly long, but not a telephoto. It all depends on what you seek in your images. Try both on the same scene, and see what appeals to your eye.

 

[Cholentpot]

The 101mm is what would be considered "standard", i.e. the 6x9 format yields a diagonal of 10 (cm). The 135 will be just slightly long, but not a telephoto. It all depends on what you seek in your images. Try both on the same scene, and see what appeals to your eye.

10-4

The 101 maxes out at 1/125 but doesn't need the shutter cocked. The 135 has all the bells and whistles.

 

[btaylor]

Mmmm, careful. I recall I got a camera just like yours from a member here. It included a 135mm lens On a board meant for a 4x5 Graflex press camera. It would not focus correctly, bellows too short- which did not matter much to me because I was going to use the 101mm Ektar from my Baby Speed. Your Century has very limited bellows extension.
BTW, I think you have the side mounted Kalart rangefinder? I found it not difficult to calibrate mine, instructions on the Graflex.org site.

 

[Cholentpot]

Mmmm, careful. I recall I got a camera just like yours from a member here. It included a 135mm lens On a board meant for a 4x5 Graflex press camera. It would not focus correctly, bellows too short- which did not matter much to me because I was going to use the 101mm Ektar from my Baby Speed. Your Century has very limited bellows extension.
BTW, I think you have the side mounted Kalart rangefinder? I found it not difficult to calibrate mine, instructions on the Graflex.org site.

Yes I have the Kalart. I can give it a go but I'm not too confident.

As for the 135. I shot and developed a roll with it. So far it looks like I got the subjects in focus. I've not scanned the negatives yet to see though. I'm still not 100% sure how to work the camera. I pull the lens and bellows out until I can focus from infinity and work from there. I need to find an educational source that goes to step one on operating a view camera.

 

[Sirius Glass]

The Graflex Graphic Company made a mess of terminology in the early 20th century and that resulted and still results with a great deal of confusion for people learning to use their equipment.

 

[Cholentpot]

The Graflex Graphic Company made a mess of terminology in the early 20th century and that resulted and still results with a great deal of confusion for people learning to use their equipment.

But I'm expected to know everything about it from the first camera I pick up before snooping around for information.

If I started listing the things I don't know how to do yet, the proper terms would end up somewhere near the bottom of a long list.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Mmmm, careful. I recall I got a camera just like yours from a member here. It included a 135mm lens On a board meant for a 4x5 Graflex press camera. It would not focus correctly, bellows too short- which did not matter much to me because I was going to use the 101mm Ektar from my Baby Speed. Your Century has very limited bellows extension.
BTW, I think you have the side mounted Kalart rangefinder? I found it not difficult to calibrate mine, instructions on the Graflex.org site.

Wot? The longest focal length lens of normal construction (not telephoto) that works on a Century is around 200 mm. I just tried a 180 on mine. It focused to around six feet. The longest focal length original issue lens for the camera is the 10"/5.6 TeleOptar/TeleRaptar.

I don't know why you couldn't use a 135 on your "camera just like yours" but the problem has to have been operator error.

 

[Cholentpot]

Wot? The longest focal length lens of normal construction (not telephoto) that works on a Century is around 200 mm. I just tried a 180 on mine. It focused to around six feet. The longest focal length original issue lens for the camera is the 10"/5.6 TeleOptar/TeleRaptar.

I don't know why you couldn't use a 135 on your "camera just like yours" but the problem has to have been operator error.

He mentioned using a 4x5 board. I'm not sure how it fit but that might be an issue.