Graflex.org

mfratt · Joined: 29 Jun 2012 Posts: 4 Location: Boston, MA

I have a 2x3 Crown Graphic on the way from the 'Bay, and the seller included a Graflite setup with the camera (check it out http://www.ebay.com/itm/280896848185...#ht_553wt_1139 ).

I hope to use the camera as a jack of all trades hybrid. Bigger negatives (plus basic movements) versus my 35 and easier to lug around than my 4x5 monorail. I also bought it so I can actually afford to shoot color film (The cost of color sheet film is prohibitively high for me right now).

Annnyway

I've only even dabbled with X-Sync flash photography (most of what I do sits still for my exposures of 1/2" - 10' +), and have NO idea where to begin with using this pup. I guess my most basic question is whether there is a resource online somewhere which can walk a modern photographer through using these things? I Googled to no avail.

A few more specific questions:

The seller included both 5" and 7" reflectors. What is the difference between these in practical terms?

How specific are the bulb types to the flash unit? He included some No 11 bulbs, will they take anything else (I'd like to pick up a bunch on ebay, but I want to get the right type).

How does one calculate the guide number for these things?

Is there anyway to regulate the power of the flash, say to use it as a subtle fill light rather than a few milliseconds of Times Square?

AND finally, is there any actual benefit (beyond being really cool and nostalgic) to using flash bulbs over X-Flashes? Would I be better off just strapping a Vivitar flash gun on there?

Thanks!
Michelle.

Henry · Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 5:56 pm Post subject:

Here's a start: http://graflex.org/flash/technical.html

I have a bunch of 5 and 5B "blubs" that I'll shoot in my Graflite mounted on Century w/f4.5 103mm Graftar in Century (Wollensak) shutter, which synchs for M-F-X. I've used my Vivitar 2800 flash with my Optar/Graphex lens/shutter combos. You'll need a synch cord from Paramount if you don't already have one (Vivitar to bi-post, or whatever's on your shutter). That's the easiest way to use flash on our cameras, I think. See also http://www.paramountcords.com/graflex.asp. HTH.

mfratt · Joined: 29 Jun 2012 Posts: 4 Location: Boston, MA

^ That link helps quite a bit, thanks.

Does shutter speed become any more important when using bulbs versus electronic flash?

45PSS · Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 6:16 pm Post subject:

more links:
camera manual(s)
http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/graflex_5.html
http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/graflex_4.html
Graflite manual
http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/GrafliteManual.pdf
and
http://graflex.org/flash/navy/
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

mfratt · Joined: 29 Jun 2012 Posts: 4 Location: Boston, MA

Another question.... would it be practical to use a slow speed film for hand-held flash work? I've used Efke 25 in 4x5 for landscape work (and love it), and the Efke films are available in 2.25x3.25 cut sheets (for a steal - $15/25sheets on BH). That last link shows that a #11 bulb has a GN of 105 at 1/200" - which seems quite powerful for such a slow film. Am I missing something here or is this do-able?