Posted by Henry on February 13, 2001 at 14:16:33:
In Reply to: Re: Brighter Ground Glass-Century Graphic posted by Alec on February 13, 2001 at 08:02:14:: I'm sorry, but I just can't agree with your "findings". I bought a red-bellows Century back in the 60's and it came with a fresnel lens!
: If the back in question will not TAKE a fresnel [which I seriously question], then my advice would be to get one that does. For instance, I am holding one right now [called an xl focusing panel] which was offered as an accessory for the XL. It has a fresnel lens [Graflex calls it an Ektalite field lens] as an integral part [the slot is made FOR a fresnel - if you don't use a fresnel, then you MUST use a spacer] Cat. No. 9276. In addition, I know Graflex offered the fresnel lens replacements since I have one still in the Graflex envelope which I bought in 1968. Both of these fresnels are EXACTLY the same size as the ground glass. Incidentally, Graflex offered many options in the ground glass department as well - plain, with two markings toward either end signifying the limits for 6x7, and one with a complete grid.
: For accuracy, all the panels I've mentioned have Graflok fittings.
Alec,
Like they say, "Ask the man who owns one!" Maybe you could sell one
of your Ektalite screens to Chuck! Seriously, I too have a grey
w/red bellows Century Graphic 2x3, serial #523213, and the Ektalite
screen I purchased is also exactly the same size as my ground
glass. There are only two ways you can mount this screen in my back
frame: (1) sandwich it in front of the gg, or (2) place it behind
the gg. Either way, the ridged surface of the fresnel should face
the interior of the camera, i.e., toward the lens. Either way, you
will need spacers underneath the two metal clips, because your
sandwich is now about twice as thick with the fresnel as with the
gg alone. Also, the four screws holding the clips are now just
about at their limit of length, and the focussing hood doesn't snap
in/out with the same "feel." Unfortunately I don't have the spacers
Cat.No.9276, so I used small washers from the hobby shop. But note
well: method (1) above will definitely change the plane of focus of
the gg, because the gg surface is now about 1/16" further away from
the lens; this is unacceptable, and therefore I went to method (2).
I eventually removed the fresnel because, while it made the gg
brighter, it made focussing more difficult. I have never used
spacers with the gg alone; I always focus on the gg with an 8x
loupe, and my negatives are tack sharp with the 101 and 203mm
Optars (less so with the 65mm, esp. at the edges, but that's a lens
problem).
I'd be interested to know whether your XL back works on the Century
Graphic? My impression is that they are two very different "system"
cameras and parts are not necessarily interchangeable.