8x10 Century 4/4a, same backs?

[Mark Sawyer]

On the Century 4 and 4a 8x10 studio cameras, does anyone know if the backs are interchangeable between the two? Thanks muchly!

[Steven Tribe]

I have had a number of Centurys and they, unless modified, seem to have the same basic size and latching system. An exception has been 2 sold in Europe which had obvious (later?) modifications.

Perhaps looking at ebay 141203247445 - which was a nice 5x7 complete back which no-one wanted to buy - will help?

[jcoldslabs]

I have both a Century 10A and a No. 4 and the sliding carriage backs are not the same. The latching mechanism looks similar, but the dimensions of the backs are different. (I don't currently have a back for the No. 4, but the 10A back won't fit.)

Not sure about the 4/4a compatibility, though.

Jonathan

[Mark Sawyer]

Perhaps looking at ebay 141203247445 - which was a nice 5x7 complete back which no-one wanted to buy - will help?

Thanks, guys! Steven, that back matches the Century 7/9 or 7a/9a. For the record, the 7 and 9 take the same back, and the 7a and 9a take the same back. I have a 7 and a 9a, and they are almost interchangeable. It's just the latch at the top that's off by maybe 2 or 3 millimeters, and that could be easily modified, (or maybe they are supposed to match but mine are slightly off). But the 4 is completely different, and I'm not sure whether a 4a back would fit.

I just bought this 4a back, 261396670204, so I'll know in a few days. I'll post a note here so you'll know whether a 4a back will fit your 4, Jonathan.

[Steven Tribe]

That top latch "fit" cost me a very nice ground glass (which now has to be cut down to 5x7" rather than the 8x10" it was)!

Thought it was a slack spring!

[jcoldslabs]

I just bought this 4a back, 261396670204, so I'll know in a few days. I'll post a note here so you'll know whether a 4a back will fit your 4, Jonathan.

Thanks, Mark. My desire for a back for my No. 4 is low since I mostly shoot with the 10A, but if one came up at the right price I'd jump on it. Nailing down the compatibility in advance of a purchase would be a plus.

J.

[Mark Sawyer]

That top latch "fit" cost me a very nice ground glass (which now has to be cut down to 5x7" rather than the 8x10" it was)!

Thought it was a slack spring!

Ouch! Well, at least you salvaged a 5x7 ground glass from it. On mine, the back from the 9a won't push in quite far enough for the latch to engage on the 7, and the back from the 7 fits into the 9a securely but with just a touch of in-and-out loose movement. I suspect it was just a change in the tolerance, as the backs are very, very close...