Graflex Century Graphic 23
1952
120 roll film
6cm x 9cm image size
8 exposures per roll
105mm f/3.5 Schneider-Kreuznach
Xenar (coated)
Synchro-Compur (B - 1/500th, MXV sync)
ground glass back (view back)
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The Graflex Century Graphic 23 is a 2.25" x 3.25" version of the Speed Graphic. Like the Speed Graphic it is a system camera with interchangeable parts. The parts on the Century Graphic, however, like the camera itself, are smaller - smaller backs and smaller lens boards. The back can be changed from the ground glass back to 6cm x 6cm, 6cm x 7cm or 6cm x 9cm roll film backs.
This camera's maximum film size is the same as the Super Ikonta C, the Mess Ikonta and the Bessa II (all are 6cm x 9cm) - but it is a view camera with the ability to focus much closer and to accept a variety of lenses. For close-ups it's almost imperative to use a tripod and the ground glass back to frame and focus. In other situations the included rangefinder and optical or wire frame viewfinder can be used.
Like the Speed Graphic the lens on this camera can shift, tilt and rise for perspective correction, however the Century Graphic does not share the Speed Graphic's focal plane shutter (it requires lenses with shutters).
A number of different companies made 120 roll film backs for the Graflex Graflok system. Some are still made today - including backs made by Arca Swiss and Horseman. Unfortunately Graflex was sold to Singer in 1966 and all Graflex products have since gone out of production. Nevertheless the Graflok standard, which began in the mid-1900's when Graflex was a division of Eastman Kodak, is still used in contemporary camera systems. The modern roll film backs are great and even digital backs with Graflok fittings are available now. |
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