Graflex Century Graphic Medium Format Press Camera, circa 1950

A Graflex Century Graphic press camera, serial number 501228, made by Graflex, Inc. of Rochester 8, New York. Graflex.org records place serial numbers in the 500,000 range in early 1950s production, numbers beyond 514597 were assigned in 1951, suggesting a manufacturing date of around 1950 or earlier. The body is Mahoganite, a durable plastic, and measures 5 11/16 by 5½ by 3 3/16 inches closed.

The camera takes 2¼ x 3¼ inch sheet film and accommodates 6x6 or 6x9 cm formats with a 120 roll film back (not included). The Graflok back accepts film holders and roll film backs interchangeably; a film pack adapter is included. Movements include a drop bed for wide-angle work, double extension bellows, and a rising, shifting, and tilting front standard, with both a telescoping action frame finder and an optical viewfinder.

The lens is a Graflex Graftar f/4.5, 103mm on an aluminum lensboard, removable for quick lens and shutter changes, in a Century Synchromatic shutter made by Wollensak for Graflex. Shutter speeds run 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, B, and T; apertures f/4.5 through f/32; flash synchronization at M-F settings. A leather holding strap is fitted.