i'm brand spankin' new to graflex cameras and just acquired a century graphic w/a 23" roll film back. the lens on the camera has a strange metal contraption that looks like a plunger of sorts on it...i've seen these on the pix on this website. what is this? also, i can't figure out how to open my iris....can you do this with the century (i can w/ my speed graphic...)? any info or re-routing to other sources is appreciated!

thanks.

Quote:

On 2002-04-18 14:40, tinarae wrote: i'm brand spankin' new to graflex cameras and just acquired a century graphic w/a 23" roll film back. the lens on the camera has a strange metal contraption that looks like a plunger of sorts on it...i've seen these on the pix on this website. what is this? also, i can't figure out how to open my iris....can you do this with the century (i can w/ my speed graphic...)? any info or re-routing to other sources is appreciated! thanks.

Please don't apologize for asking about something you don't know. That's how you learn.

First, the "plunger": that sounds like a solenoid. If you don't know what that is, look on eBay here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1345833013

Is what you're describing that silver tube on the side of the lensboard? On Century Graphics I believe the solenoid was usually mounted horizontally. If so, the solenoid is an electrical device which, when hooked up to a flash tube for power, gives the operator the ability to activate the shutter electrically. If that's not what you are talking about, try a different description.

The lens iris is operated by means of a little lever which usually comes out from the back of the lens. It should be the same as your speed graphic. If not, please describe what lens you have on the Century.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: alecj on 2002-04-18 16:51 ]</font>