What do I have? Century 7A, Packard shutter, Usener lens

[davidk]

Anyone know if the camera used film or glass plates back then?

[jnantz]

-Is this a Century 7A?

-Anyone know where I can purchase an original 8x10 or 5x7 back for this camera?

you might be lucky and find a free back/s.
i have a century 8A and it took me IDK 10 years go find a back for it
but i had to buy a camera with the back ... so it wasn't just a back.
http://www.historiccamera.com/cgi-bi...et&app_id=1462
there is info on your camera and when it was made &c.
i can't remember what the "A" means, i think it was the upgrade package ( dark color wood &c ).
and if you are interested in learning about the camera stand:
http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ot-stand/page2

have fun with your camera

[davidk]

you might be lucky and find a free back/s.
i have a century 8A and it took me IDK 10 years go find a back for it
but i had to buy a camera with the back ... so it wasn't just a back.
http://www.historiccamera.com/cgi-bi...et&app_id=1462
there is info on your camera and when it was made &c.
i can't remember what the "A" means, i think it was the upgrade package ( dark color wood &c ).
and if you are interested in learning about the camera stand:
http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ot-stand/page2

have fun with your camera

Thanks!

[Two23]

Anyone know if the camera used film or glass plates back then?

Most likely dry plates. They were preferred because the film plane was perfectly flat.


Kent in SD

[davidk]

Most likely dry plates. They were preferred because the film plane was perfectly flat.


Kent in SD

Thank Kent in SD

[Peter De Smidt]

Most of them that I see have film backs, including mine.

[jumanji]

Is it about 24.5 cm high and 13.2 cm hood diameter? If so I think I have a same lens as yours.

[Jac@stafford.net]

Most of them that I see have film backs, including mine.

Century stuck to glass plates even while film was rising in popularity. However, like yours my 9A has been changed to 8x10 sheet film, as well as having a 4x5 reducing back (film).

[jnantz]

the 1902 catalog says their view cameras were outfitted for both plates and film
http://www.piercevaubel.com/cam/cata...nturylp758.htm
others are here: http://www.piercevaubel.com/cam/catalogscentury.htm
it wouldn't surprise me if the portrait cameras were too ..
the other site's catalogs specify that the century portrait cameras used plates though...
so its probably both ... or portrait photographers were some of the last to convert to film.

[goamules]

There really isn't a way to tell if a back is for film or plates. It's the holders that take one or the other. The ground glass registration is slightly different, I guess. You can use either holder in either type back.