Graflex.org

[Billy Canuck]

I have a 1931 RB Series B that was overhauled by a good technician and is in fine working shape. My question is: I read somewhere (can't remember where) that tightening the shutter tension past 3 or so and adjusting the curtain to the narrower slits is not a good idea on a camera this old. The curtain is in excellent condition -- flexible, no pinholes, etc. The camera is being used lightly but regularly.
Does anyone have any advice or experiences they'd like to share?
Thanks.

[sevo]

Higher tension adds some risk of tearing the curtain - on the other hand, it reduces the likelyhood of slack buildup, which can damage curtains just as much.

Personally, I don't practice any care there and use any setting I need - curtains are to some degree consumables, and if they break, they were overdue for replacement.

Sevo

[glennfromwy]

There's nothing wrong with using the high shutter speeds. To help attain high speeds and help reduce the strain on the curtain, you should "pack" the shutter first, to remove slack and get it nice and tight on the rollers. I run my shutter from the smallest to the largest aperture a couple of times at tension number 2 or 3 before cranking it up. Don't run it clear down to the closed position when you do this. That lets the curtain go slack. Stop with the shutter open. Then, go for it and have some stop action fun.
_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

[Billy Canuck]

Thanks, Glenn and Sevo. That's reassuring. After all, there's nothing too fast for a Graflex.