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FS Graflex Century Graphic 2-1/4 x 3-1/4 (1964) with lens and Graflex flash

Doug Kerr

Well-known member
I have just posted to eBay a Graflex Century Graphic 2-1/4 x 3-1/4 (1964) with lens and Graflex flash unit (eBay item no. 250973864995).

The opening bid is $225.00.

Here is a direct link to the listing:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250973864995

This is a Century Graphic press camera, 2¼”×3¼” format size, made by Graflex, Inc. Rochester, New York, in April 1964 (serial number 531948, date code D4A). It is sometimes called the "Century Graphic 23", the 23 referring to the 2¼”×3¼” format size, a convention used for the models of the closely-related Pacemaker series.

CG23_E26916-01-S700.jpg

The Century Graphic is a lower cost version of the Pacemaker Crown Graphic, only made in the 2¼”×3¼” format size. The economy comes principally from the fact that the case is made of injection molded thermoplastic material (dubbed “Mahoganite” by Graflex) rather than the customary mahogany, and from the fact that the back foundation is molded integrally with the case.

Like the Crown Graphic, the Century Graphic does not include a focal plane shutter (as is found on the Speed Graphic). Rather it is expected that an in-the-lens shutter will be used (as in this specimen).

The Century Graphic was introduced by Graflex, Inc. in 1949, and was made until 1973, when Graflex (then the Graflex Division of Singer Corporation) ceased operations altogether.

This camera carries the identifier “Special”. We do not know the significance of that. (It may refer to the configuration with this particular lens.)

The camera proper can be folded into a convenient "box" package for transport (the front standard is first moved to a "parking" position at the far rear of the track, after operating a releasing lever).

Viewfinders and rangefinder

The camera includes the standard a “sports” (open) viewfinder, comprising a peep sight at the camera back and a rectangular viewing frame mounted on the lens standard, both retractable. It also includes a “tubular” (telescope-like) viewfinder, with calibrated parallax correction. It can be removed. The camera also includes the optional side-mounted Kalart coupled rangefinder.

Focusing

Focusing is controlled by a rack and pinion extending bed system with a knob on each side. There is a scale for focusing by distance, with markings from 4' to infinity; a vernier system is used to provide easy reading of distances beyond 25'.

CG23_E26455-01-S700.jpg

Infinity stops are provided to allow the front standard to be located in the proper position on the focusing track when the camera is unfolded and the front standard advanced from its “parked” position in the case. The infinity stops can be folded out of the way when it is required to shift the front standard farther forward on the focusing track to allow focusing at an extremely short distance.

Graflok back

As for all Century Graphic cameras, this camera is equipped with an integral back of the “Graflok” type. On this type of back, the focusing plate (which carries the ground glass focusing screen and retains a standard sheet film holder) can be easily removed. Then, another type of film holder (such as a holder for 120- or 220-type roll film) can be mounted, held by sliding retaining plates.

The focusing plate includes an Ektalite Fresnel field lens to enhance the brightness of the ground glass image.

There is a full metal hood for the ground glass (unfolds when the cover is opened). The hood and cover assembly can be easily removed when desired.

A Lisco Regal 2¼”×3¼” cut film holder is included.

Hand strap

The camera includes an adjustable leather hand strap, in very good condition.

Movements

The camera offers a modest set of “movements” for image control: front (lens) rise (but not fall), tilt (upward only), and shift (side to side). It also provides bed drop, which, among other things, can provide the equivalent of back tilt, and can also be used to keep the bed out of the field of view of a wide angle lens.

Lens

The camera is currently equipped with a Graflar 101 mm (4") f/4.5 lens in a Prontor SVS shutter, size 0. It is conjectured that this lens proper was made by Rodenstock. The lens is mounted in a removable lens board of the "drawn" type, with a labyrinth light seal all around. Both top and bottom lens board retainers are releasable.

CG23_E26446-01-S700.jpg


The lens is a “short normal” lens at this format size, giving a horizontal field of view corresponding to that of a 43 mm lens on a full-frame 35-mm camera.

The shutter offers speeds from 1/300 sec to 1 sec plus the bulb mode (but no time mode). Flash synchronization is provided for M-class flash lamps and X-sync for electronic flash. There is provision for self-timer operation (enabled with the “V” [from the German word vorlauf, “before-run”] position on the sync selector). There is no explicit provision for holding the shutter open or fully opening the aperture for ground glass focusing. The sync connection on the lens is via a "PC" sync contact.

The aperture can be set from f/4.5 to f/22.

The shutter is provided with an exposure value (Ev) setting system. (Ev is a measure that takes into account the joint effect on exposure of shutter speed and aperture.) The Ev corresponding to the shutter speed and aperture settings is displayed. Further, when the “EV coupler” is engaged, the photographer can set the desired exposure in terms of Ev and then, using the shutter speed ring, shift among shutter speed-aperture combinations that all give that same exposure. The range of Ev is Ev 2 through Ev 18.

The shutter had a broken main spring when acquired. The shutter was repaired, cleaned, lubricated, and adjusted by the firm of S.K. Grimes of Woonsocket, Rhode Island in mid-2007. However, since then (probably owing to lack of any exercise) the mechanism has become sticky, and does not operate reliably (especially at the slower speeds). The lens/shutter control rings operates smoothly. The shutter has a screw fitting for a conventional cable release.

Flash unit

The item includes, fitted to the camera, a Graflex Graflite Jr. “flashing unit”, comprising a No. 2770 2-cell flash handle and a No. 2749 5” reflector/socket, accommodating bayonet base flash lamps such as the No. 5 and Press 25. An unfired No. 5 flash lamp is included.

A sync cord is included (PC to "household" type, coiled).

Documents

Copies of the original manuals for the camera and the flashing unit (from PDF files) are included. Fascinating!

Condition

The camera is in extremely good mechanical condition (with the exceptions noted above) and extremely good cosmetic condition. The ground glass is clean and without scars. The bellows is supple and in very good condition. There are no known light leaks (but absolute light-tightness is not guaranteed; I have never shot the camera). The rangefinder is operative.

There are no visible anomalies in the lens glass.

The film holder is in "like new" condition.

The flash unit is very good mechanical condition and good cosmetic condition.

Provenance

The camera itself was purchased at auction, complete, from Tobey Sanford of Poughkeepsie, New York in May, 2007. It has been in my possession since.

Summary

This is an extraordinary example of a very unique, beautifully-designed member of a famous camera family in a convenient small format size.

Shipping

The camera and accessories will be shipped to the US or internationally via USPS Priority Mail, insured.

Best regards,

Doug
 
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