Graflex.org

[pmanzari]

I have a Miniature Speed with a focal plane shutter. The FP shutter has a bi-post flash connection that it is supposed to be used with F sync bulbs, but does anyone know if this can be synced with electronic flash?

Thanks

[glennfromwy]

In a word, no. The contacts close immediately after the curtain begins to move. Electronic flash is instantaneous. The duration is not long enough to last through the travel of the curtain. Therefore, the most you would get is a thin line of exposure, assuming the shot is in the dark. The bulbs that sync with your FP shutter are #6, #2, #2A and number 31.
_________________
Glenn

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

[brian d]

[C. Henry]

That list holds true for most medium & large format focal plane shutters. The FP class of flash bulbs had an illumination curve that had a rather long flat peak so that the light level stayed nearly the same during the time needed for the opening in the curtain to travel completely across the film plane.
On a 2 x 3 Pacemaker that was either 1/30 of a second or 1/50 second, depending on which setting is used on the tension selector of the shutter. For the faster speeds narrower openings were used to give a shorter exposure time, but the curtain travel time remains the same for each tension setting.

C. Henry

[glennfromwy]

The #6 bulb does not have enough power to adequately cover 4X5. It's meant for use on 35mm up to 6X9. The flash sync on the Mini Speed starts at 1/70 second, if memory serves. The first curtain slit does not have a sync contact. It's been a while since I've had one apart, so do some homework on that one. Also, the sync contacts often do not work after all these years and need a tune-up. Be sure you check before shooting anything important. Graflex offered curtain flash sync on the Anniversary 4X5 and 3X4 Speeds on special order. It would be cool to find one of those.
_________________
Glenn

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

[Les]

[pv17vv]