Century Graphic / Horseman Back

[ARCHIVIST]

I may have asked this question before, some time back but I cannot remember.
I have a Century Graphic and a Horseman 6x9 roll film back. After I calibrate the RF using the ground glass will the Horseman back register correctly for use when attached?
I will most probably use a Horseman 105mm lens. I personally prefer the Ektar 101mm lens but these are hard to find in good working condition these days. Another option is the Nikkor 100mm f3.5 in Copal 0 shutter. Does anyone have any experience with other lenses being calibrated to the Century Graphic?
Cheers
Peter

 

[Corran]

Yes. But the Horseman backs tend to have a larger "ridge" on the back sometimes that make them really hard to fit on the Graphic. Try it first before you do anything else.

Calibrating the RF sucks. Do you really need it?

Ektar 101mm is overrated. I just got a Nikkor-M 105mm but haven't tried it. Mostly wanted a modern shutter and multicoating. The lowly Trioptar lens is fantastic and very sharp across the frame.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I modified a Busch Pressman model C (6x9) with a Graflock back from a Century Graphic a year or so ago. It has a side-mounted Kalart RF. The lens is a 101mm Raptar and since I added the Graflock, I had to completely recalibrate the RF and focusing scale for the new registration. It wasn't a problem. The Kalart RF has a lot of built-in adjustment potential. You can successfully calibrate it to a 180mm even (on a 4x5.)

Phil Forrest

 

[ARCHIVIST]

Thanks guys.

I had a miniature Speed Graphic about 30 years ago and it had the 101 Ektar. I found it (my lens anyway) very sharp and have had several since, all with pleasing results.

have had no issue calibrating the RF.

My Horseman back will require a bit of adjustment to fit snug.

Cheers
Peter

 

[MaxElmar]

I think you may need to modify Horseman (or Mamiya) backs or the Century to get it to fit properly. It's not a big deal. (Google will reveal the process.) I don't bother, I just use the later Graflex RH roll film backs. I calibrated the RF on my Century to a 105/3.5 Voigtlander Color Skopar - seems to work fine.

I just modified one of my RH-10 backs to be a 24x65 pano back for 135 film. Big fun!

As long as one accepts the fact that no matter how fancy you want to get with the backs or the lenses, it's still a cheap, plastic folding camera, not a Linhof. :>)

 

[ARCHIVIST]

Thanks ChrisL. Good advice.

I have no illusions about the Century camera. I have owned several Linhofs and found them to be over engineered.

A pano back sounds like a good idea. I will PM you soon to find out more on how to do it.

Cheers
Peter

 

[besk]

You modify the side opposite of the dark slide by grinding off some of it. Otherwise it holds that side off of the back of the camera. I have done several.

 

[ARCHIVIST]

Thank you besk.


Cheers
Peter

 

[besk]

Thank you besk.


Cheers
Peter

Forgot: You will then have to modify the slide locks to get them to lock the back in place. I have done several of those also. I removed them from the camera and, using a hacksaw, cut away the offending part of the slide. They appear to be made of brass.