Graflex.org

[mri_tech]

Greetings to all. Is there somewhere out there where I might be able to get a focusing panel for the 2x3 Century Graphic? Mine does not have one and I was wondering how difficult it might be to find one. Thanks to all for your help.

Tom

[C. Henry]

Watch eBay carefully. About a month ago there were offered "Four 2 1/4" x 3 1/4" Film Holders" one of which actually was the focus panel for a 2 x 3 Graflok back such as is probably on your Century.
As far as I know The 2 x3 Graflok back is the same on all of the Graflex cameras to which it was fitted so you could use one from any "for parts" 2 x 3 camera that has that back.
There are probably other sources also. Someone else may make a recommendation.

C. Henry

[troublemaker]

And it showed up in like new condition for about fifteen bucks with shpg.
The added bonus was that there was also a new Graflex rollholder dark slide in the box under the focus panel, and I needed one to replace one that couldn't swim.


They show up regularly on wePray. You might try looking through the lists of vintage items at some of the vendors listed on the site here also. C.Henry is correct that the 2x3 Graflok focussing panel is pretty much interchangeable. I believe the XL uses the same one also.
I've also been able to fabricate a couple different ones that are lighter for backpacking and simply use the Graflok slide locks, but they have no shade hood and are no frills. If you were to go that route, you'd want to make sure you get the GG the proper depth as the film plane.
If you find a panel with broken or inneed of a ground glass, you can get a very nice one from Satin-Snow cut any size you need at reasonable pricing.

[Dan Fromm]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Graflex-6x9-Ground-Glass-Fresnel-and-Holder-MINT_W0QQitemZ200176327965QQihZ010QQcategoryZ29976QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1638.m118

lacks the hood

[troublemaker]

Which I assume this one was factory milled out and intended for use with the fresnel, and will thereby allow for the proper fit of any hood from the 2x3 cameras...
I've got one panel here that someone had the bright idea to place a fresnel screen under the ground glass, but didn't take into account that it moves the GG focussing point to a point beyond the filmplane. And the focussing hood falls off readily.

There seems to be different views regarding fresnels. Personal preference, meaning IMHO, I prefer the view without them. But there are many who like them, and enough around to suggest they are a good idea. But then so was blood letting a while back. Doesn't seem to me there is any noticeable increase in brightness. I find the circular lines distracting, and in the way. And being plastic, scratch rather easy.

[mri_tech]

Thanks to everyone for your help.

Tom