Graflex Century Graphic
When is a medium format camera not a medium format camera? How about when it's in the housing of a large format camera? First released in 1947, the Graflex Century Graphic is essentially what you'd get if you accidentally put a Crown Graphic 4x5 large format camera in the dryer. On high. For a while.
The Graflex Century Graphic was designed to produce images up to 2 1/4" x 3 1/4" (6x9cm) with either a 120 roll film back, a cut film holder, or a film pack. With option for both 6x6 and 6x7 backs, it is possible to set up a Century Graphic to produce images with varying aspect ratios.
All of the movements available on the larger format version of the Graflex are also available on the smaller Graflex Century Graphic. With some rise, shift, backwards tilt, and even a little swing, the Graflex Century Graphic offers more versatility to medium format film shooters than other cameras.
A true rangefinder camera, the Graflex Century Graphic models from 1947 to 1955 were fitted with a side-mounted Kalart finder. In 1955, Graflex moved the rangefinder to the top of the camera to allow for easier flashgun mounting. The lenses on the first run of the Graflex Century Graphics were Kodak Anastigmat and in later years these came with Kodak Ektars.
Changing lenses is possible, but changing focal lengths essentially disables the rangefinder. The Century Graphics are equipped with a ground glass back, so view camera style focusing with different focal length lenses is limited only by the bellows draw.
All of this flexibility comes in a tidy little package case that makes the Century Graphic as portable as it is functional. Shooting a Century Graphic is unlike using any other medium format camera because, well, it's really just a small large format camera. While some photographers may look at the Century Graphic as a step on the way to large format, trying one out may convince you that it's more of a destination than a way point.
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