Century Grand Studio Outfit No. 7 repairs

[derek_kennedy]

<p>Recently I was able to pick up a Century studio camera. From what I could find, it appears to be a Grand Studio Outfit No 7 (but at some point the slide rack was removed). If Im right, I believe the camera was made between 1903 and 1907.</p>

<p>The shutter mechanism needs work as it doesnt open/close properly but it doesnt look like it would take much to repair it - if you know what you are doing and I dont.</p>

<p>Originally this camera was a 8x10 but at some point it was modified(?) to take 4x5. I wouldnt imagine it would take much to put it back to a 8x10 or even a 5x7 camera.</p>

<p>My question is: anyone here do repairs on this sort of camera? Or know who does? I shudder to think what the cost would be to repair the shutter mechanism but Id really like to find out how much it would be at least so I could put some money aside to repair it and maybe even put her back into use.</p>

<p>It looks like the whole shutter mechanism can be removed by removing 4 screws, but I havent touched them just in case Im wrong.</p>

<p>Anyone with any knowledge of where I can get info to repair it would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>The studio I bought it from just wanted to get rid of it as its so large.</p>

[lauren_macintosh]

<p>Suggest you try the http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/ there a lot of folks over there that do that kind of work and will be very help full, good luck would please post a foto of it: before you get it fixed:</p>

[derek_kennedy]

<p>Lauren:</p>

<p>Thanks for the link. I will check them out and yes I will post a photo! I'll post the photo(s) tomorrow. Its almost midnight now.</p>

[tom_cheshire]

<p>Doesn't that have a big barn door shutter made by Packard? Or a regular Packard shutter? </p>

[derek_kennedy]

<p>Sorry for the lousy shots, not a lot of room in the rec-room to set up the strobes properly. The last two are for Tom to show the shutter. Not sure who made the shutter - I didnt see any name at all.</p>

<p><img src="http://djkennedy.smugmug.com/Invisible-stuff/Century-Camera/IMG9975a/982402845_E5sHF-M.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<img src="http://djkennedy.smugmug.com/Invisible-stuff/Century-Camera/IMG9974a/982402778_vsaxe-M.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://djkennedy.smugmug.com/Invisible-stuff/Century-Camera/IMG9979a/982402957_BYqth-M.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://djkennedy.smugmug.com/Invisible-stuff/Century-Camera/IMG9993a/982402965_dGVLz-M.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://djkennedy.smugmug.com/Invisible-stuff/Century-Camera/IMG9999a/982403016_6Mqpz-M.jpg" alt="" /></p>

[tom_cheshire]

<p>Well, that one looks to be in better condition than mine. I have an earlier model from 1899 but not the stand. </p>

<p>Ok, your back looks like somebody screwed a back from a Graphic press camera onto a piece of plywood and clipped it all in place. </p>

<p>Your shutter is a regular Packard. Not a barndoor type. It looks like one blade is busted. These things have two blades that open sideways and that little extra bit on top that moves up and out of the way. The snapped off blade in probably in the shutter housing. I have one like that and glued the blade back in place and it has been alright but I had considered putting a layer of something thin on each side of the blade to reinforce it. Usually the only thing that goes wrong with these is dust gets into those brass cylinders so you disassemble them, clean out the cyclinders and the pistons. Polishing them helps. A bit of graphite may help sometimes. Not hard to fix these. They are so simple. </p>

<p>But, the good news is, Packard still makes these for about $100. and I think they are still in business. They have a website. </p>

[derek_kennedy]

<p>Tom: Thanks for the info. I'll check them out. $100 isnt too bad at all - maybe I can get her back in working order after all.</p>

<p>The guy I got it from doesnt really know too much about it but yes he did say it was modified to shoot 4x5 which is fine - since I have 4x5 sheet film already it would be easier and cheaper for me to use it as a 4x5 but at some point id like to go larger.</p>

<p>First things first: get the shutter working.</p>

[joseph_foster]

<p>Derek, just happened by your inquiry from Aug. It does appear to be a century No. 7 the date of manufacture is dependent on whether or not it is pre Kodak 1900 to 1903 or after kodak acquired century in Aug of 1903, the ID tag on the cross-member gives the clues as to it's date by subtle change made to the name tag each year (1900-1907). The shutter is a Packard which can be properly repaired or replaced as Packard still makes them (<a href="http://www.packardshutter.com">www.packardshutter.com</a>) I do restore and also manufacture period wood cameras specializing in pre-1930 ROC, Century, Folmer-Swing, Graphlex and Kodak cameras. I have a restored 1902 Century Grand Studio Outfit No. 7 & 8 and complete specs and original drawings for the cameras so restoring yours or replacement parts are no problem any questions please e-mail me, <a href="mailto:RF8USNRET@aol.com">RF8USNRET@aol.com</a><br>

info is always free I just want to see these works of art saved and used. FILM WILL NEVER DIE!!!</p>

[joseph_foster]

<p>Derek, just happened by your inquiry from Aug. It does appear to be a century No. 7 the date of manufacture is dependent on whether or not it is pre Kodak 1900 to 1903 or after kodak acquired century in Aug of 1903, the ID tag on the cross-member gives the clues as to it's date by subtle change made to the name tag each year (1900-1907). The shutter is a Packard which can be properly repaired or replaced as Packard still makes them (<a href="http://www.packardshutter.com">www.packardshutter.com</a>) I do restore and also manufacture period wood cameras specializing in pre-1930 ROC, Century, Folmer-Swing, Graphlex and Kodak cameras. I have a restored 1902 Century Grand Studio Outfit No. 7 & 8 and complete specs and original drawings for the cameras so restoring yours or replacement parts are no problem any questions please e-mail me, <a href="mailto:RF8USNRET@aol.com">RF8USNRET@aol.com</a><br>

info is always free I just want to see these works of art saved and used. FILM WILL NEVER DIE!!!</p>