Graflex.org

AndrewL · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 10 Location: London, UK

This is a very simple question, I hope. The flash synch connection on my Speed Graphic had two prongs. where can I get an adaptor that will allow me to use my regular flash lights (Bowens)?

BTW, I'm mainly going to be using the focal plane shutter.

Thanks. Andrew

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

AndrewL · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 10 Location: London, UK

Thanks for your reply, Dan. That's a bit of a pain about not being able to use flash synch with the focal plane shutter but not the end of the world. Oh, well.

AndrewL · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 10 Location: London, UK

Update, the focal plane shutter does synch with flash. You use it in the 'O' position.

C. Henry · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 12:18 am Post subject:

If you are using the focal plane shutter in the "O" (open) position you don't need to sync the flash, just fire it (them) with the test button on the flash unit(s) after the shutter opens.

AndrewL · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 10 Location: London, UK

"just fire it (them) with the test button on the flash unit(s) after the shutter opens."

That sounds like it won't so useful for doing portraits. I've ordered a bi-post to PC connector from Lens & Repro and it will be interesting to see whether I can, and can't, do with the focal plane shutter. I have several lovely barrel lenses that i won't to use on the Speed Graphic and it would be great if I could them, for portraits, with flash.

AndrewL · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 10 Location: London, UK

I'll try that again with, hopefully, fewer mistakes...

I've ordered a bi-post to PC connector from Lens & Repro and it will be interesting to see what I can, and can't, do with the focal plane shutter. I have several lovely old barrel lenses (Dallmeyer, Som Bertiot etc) that I want to use on the Speed Graphic and it would be great if I could use them, for portraits, with studio flash lights (Bowens).

45PSS · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 7:45 pm Post subject:

AndrewL,
Meter the ambient light in your studio that you will be posing your model(s) in. Now caculate the exposure it would take to correctly expose the film you plan to use at this light level. Next set up your studio strobes and caculate the exposure for them.

Set the Speed's FPS to "T", trip the shutter and allow a second for the vibration to subside, fire the strobes, then close the shutter. F stop controls the exposure for the strobes while Time controls exposure for the ambient. IF the ambient exposes at a faster rate than you can trip/fire/close the FPS then turn the lights down or off to achieve the desired time frame to work in.

Samples of this principle.
(light meter used to triger strobes)

Charles

_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

AndrewL · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 10 Location: London, UK

Charles,

Many thanks for your comprehensive reply. I must confess, I'm struggling trying to fully understand what you've written. However, with the aid of the Polaroid back, I'm sure I'll get there. Just to have to wait for Lens & repro to deliver the right connector.

Am also waiting for a Satin Snow ground glass. The one I'm currently using is a bit of a lemon.

Thanks once again.

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

AndrewL · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 10 Location: London, UK

Hi Dan,

My Speed Graphic has two prongs on the side near the focal plane shutter that I'm assuming that is designed to fire a flash. I can't think why else they would be there.

It was Jeffry, from Lens & Repro, who told me I could use flash with the shutter set to 'O'.

When the bi-post connector arrives, from NY, I'll be able to see for myself what exactly is possible.From what say, it ssounds like I'm going to be disappointed.

45PSS · Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 10:52 pm Post subject:

The Bi-Post connector next to the Focal Plane Shutter will fire a flash. The curtain has a metal strip next to each slit that shorts the Bi-Post contacts which causes the flash to fire.

Flash duration of electronic flash is very short and the curtain travel over the 4 inch height of the film plane is relatively slow.

On a Pacemaker Speed the only selection is low/high on the governor selector and no other tension setting can be done.

On Anniversary and SLR Graflex cameras the tension can be set seperate of the curtain slit.

On both type cameras "T" stands for TIme and "O" for open.

To fire and set off a flash on the Pacemaker for "O" the shutter must be wound to "T" so that the film is covered then on triping the shutter as the "O" slot just starts to enter the film plane the Flash fires and in the case of an electronic flah the flash dies off long before the "O" slot fully opens the film plane 6to light. A second trip of the shutter is required to cover the film again so that it is not exposed to light futher.

A full power setting on a 300ws to 500ws studio strobe may fully expose a sheet of film equivelent to 1/4 power setting on the strobe if used on a leaf shutter. Test to find out just what you will get but it will not be full setting of the strobe or the film may be bright on one side and dark on the other.

Charles

_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

AndrewL · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 10 Location: London, UK

Charles,

Many, many thanks for your comprehensive reply. Armed with a printed copy of it, I reckon I've got fair chance of making this whole thing work for me.

Other good news is that Satin Snow have finally posted my ground glass.

It's going beginnig to shape up nicely

AndrewL · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 10 Location: London, UK

Newsflash. The Paramount connector arrived, from Lens & repro, today and I've been able to take a few Polaroids.

Huge sigh of relief, the flash works with the focal plane shutter if the latter is set to 'T'.

Charles, many thanks for reminding to fire the shutter after the flash has fired.

The other good news is that the exposure seems to be pretty even across the shot (I was shooting at f11).

Admittedly, I don't think I'll be able to indulge in sophisticated measurements balancing the flash with the ambient but I can live with that. I'm just happy I can now use those barrel lenses of mine.

AndrewL · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 10 Location: London, UK

More good news is that the Satin Snow ground glass finally arrived safely today and it was definitely worth the wait.