Hello I am new to forum hope you can help. I recently purchased a Century Graphic on Ebay.I got a roll film back but the focussing/viewing assembly with ground glass was missing. I dont know what this is called but i assume I need it to compose when using different focal length lenses. Is this ground glass assembly readily available and where can I get one? Also any suggestions on an inexpensive wide angle lens?

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On 2006-05-01 20:03, thomcat405 wrote: Hello I am new to forum hope you can help. I recently purchased a Century Graphic on Ebay.I got a roll film back but the focussing/viewing assembly with ground glass was missing. I dont know what this is called but i assume I need it to compose when using different focal length lenses. Is this ground glass assembly readily available and where can I get one? Also any suggestions on an inexpensive wide angle lens?

Focusing panel, not as easy to find as you'd like. They show up on eBay, but not often. You might try Fred Lustig in Reno, NV. He has no e-mail, is in the phone book.

65/6.8 Angulon or Raptar/Optar. There's also a 65/6.8 Leitmeyr, much less common. Different designs, similar performance. 80/6.3 Wide Field Ektar.

Lustig's phone is 775-746-0111. Keep in mind the time difference; he's in NV.

*Whoops, just noticed that you're in Australia. I guess there IS a time difference for sure!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Henry on 2006-05-02 06:03 ]</font>

<a href=http://www.nist.time.gov/images/worldzones.gif> <font color=blue><B>TIME</A></FONT></b>.

Reno, Nevada is in time zone U.

_________________
Graflex Corp.was a <font color=white>(silent)</font> supporter of Rain Forest Devastation.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2006-05-02 14:21 ]</font>

Not a common part in reality, I have seen them sell for more than the camera itself sell for, you might also try midwest camera exchange here in the states, they had a couple a few weeks back.

Dave

As mentioned above, the focussing panels can be unrealistically pricey. But they can be had if one is patient and Johnny on the spot when they pop up.
The panel can also be made if one has the tools and the Ground Glass is set to the proper depth matching the film plane of the roll holder. I recently made a light weight panel for my back packer Century with one of the Satin Snow Ground glasses and it works well and is held in place with the Graflok slide locks.

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On 2006-05-02 18:21, troublemaker wrote: As mentioned above, the focussing panels can be unrealistically pricey. But they can be had if one is patient and Johnny on the spot when they pop up. The panel can also be made if one has the tools and the Ground Glass is set to the proper depth matching the film plane of the roll holder. I recently made a light weight panel for my back packer Century with one of the Satin Snow Ground glasses and it works well and is held in place with the Graflok slide locks.

Come to think of it, one could make a focusing panel, less folding hood, starting from a 2x3 Film Pack Adapter.

Pacific Rim Camera has one w/o the hood.

Dan, you might also make one from a 2x3 cut film holder? Whaddaya think?

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On 2006-05-03 08:36, Henry wrote: Dan, you might also make one from a 2x3 cut film holder? Whaddaya think?

Henry, I don't see why not. All one has to do to an FPA is take the back off and tape the GG in place.

Cheers,

Dan

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On 2006-05-03 10:00, Dan Fromm wrote: Quote: On 2006-05-03 08:36, Henry wrote: Dan, you might also make one from a 2x3 cut film holder? Whaddaya think? Henry, I don't see why not. All one has to do to an FPA is take the back off and tape the GG in place. Cheers, Dan

In principle, a thin shim, as thick as the front edge of a film pack, should go between GG and FPA but I'm not sure its necessary. Could be wrong.

Good to check the actual film plane of the holder and try and match it as close as possible. I cut out a film holder and milled down some pieces and epoxied them in place and these are the rests for the GG.
After checking some different types of holders, Press, Double sided and Roll film, I found some differences in depth compared to an actual view panel, the Roll holder seemed about the closest, so there is some discrepencies inherent between the panel GG depth and various holders. Thus they are not exactly perfect to begin with, not to mention film curl.
Another option I have considered is to use an old worn out holder base and saw off the ends and simply glue a GG in place right on the film plane, and thus the thing would fit perfect and be less work, but perhaps not as light as the wood set up which required slotting the outside top and bottom for the slide locks.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: troublemaker on 2006-05-03 12:59 ]</font>