Graflex.org

[dwgumm]

I picked up a Century Graphic 23 with a 6x7 roll film back and a Schneider 80mm f2.8 Xenotar lens. I have seen a few of these online but can't find any reference to this lens in Graflex literature. Does anyone have any information on this combination being offered by Graflex or was it a distributor special of some kind?
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Film cameras are art in and of themselves

[Dan Fromm]

Neat combination.

As far as I know Graflex Inc. didn't offer the 80/2.8 Xenotar for the Century or the Graflex XL. 80/2.8 Planar and 80/2.8 Noritar, yes, they're both in brochures. 80/2.8 Xenotar, not in brochures. A previous owner could have acquired the lens, put it on a board and even used it.

The Century takes many lenses, has no opinion about who made them.

Schneider sold the 80/2.8 Xenotar for 6x7, didn't claim that I covered 6x9. I have one, can confirm that it doesn't cover 6x9.

[dwgumm]

I have seen several of these Century Graphics with this Schneider 80mm f2.8 Xenotar lens. Enough of them that I have to wonder if some distributor put together a special batch of them.

It covers 6x7 just fine and all of them I have seen online included a 6x7, 10 exposure, roll film back like the one mine has. Another clue that makes me wonder about their origin.
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Film cameras are art in and of themselves

[Dan Fromm]

Hmm. Gumm. OKC. Would you be related to the John Gumm from whom I bought a 700/8 Questar in 1986?

[dwgumm]

[Dan Fromm]

Please accept my condolences. I spent a little time with him when I bought the Questar, enjoyed the visit very much.

[dwgumm]

Thank you. He passed away back in 2008 so it has been a while but I still miss him a lot.
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Film cameras are art in and of themselves

[hsandler]

I acquired a Century with an 80mm Xenotar earlier this year.

Century Graphic by Howard Sandler, on Flickr

I have not shot it enough yet, but it was, of course, fine with 6x7.

Winterlude on Sparks St. by Howard Sandler, on Flickr

I have not even tried 6x9 with it, although I have a 6x9 roll film back, but a fun activity is to shoot Instax mini film, which can fits within a 2x3 sheet film holder with no modification if one is careful.

Milo by Howard Sandler, on Flickr

Getting off the lens topic, the Century came with a Graflex left hand grip for it. I find they designed it to be cantilevered too far off from the camera body; it puts a lot of torque on the hand holding it. I plan to remove it and use a regular cable release which can clip on to the top plate near the left edge to be triggered by a thumb when gripping the edge of the camera.

[dwgumm]

Interesting idea for the grip. Your images look very nice. I have seen enough of these 2x3 Century Graphics with the 80mm Xenotar that I have to believe that they were offered by someone.
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Film cameras are art in and of themselves

[hsandler]

Here's a photo of an alternative grip arrangement which I prefer. I wrist strap and a cable release clipped into a holder (Graflex part 5896) on the top so the shutter can be released with the left thumb.

Century Graphic by Howard Sandler, on Flickr

[dwgumm]

Nice! I like it! (Keep your fingernails short so you don't damage the bellows
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Film cameras are art in and of themselves